Single axle outback caravans

[GUlewis]

Hi all,

To those who tow single axle jayco outback pop tops, how do they handle? With careful loading obviously, do you find 375kg enough? Im aware that accessories and two water tanks eat into this load rating too. I'm aware there will be pros and cons for both single and tandem axle, but due to costs and not needing a big caravan I'm leaning towards a single axle 16ft. Any feedback will be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[GUlewis]

Ok, a little embarrassing as I've discovered that I have asked a similar question a few months ago, but do people find the 375kg enough?

Apologies for asking twice

 

[chartrock]

It may depend on how many are in the van. We had a 14' OB which we towed around WA, Tassie, out to Cameron Corner over some pretty rough roads and numerous other trips. We never had a weight problem but there was only the two of us and we have worked out what is necessary and what is not.

 

[Dobbie]

Same here. No problem but, again, we have thought carefully about what we want to carry....and only two of us so that makes it easier.

There are numerous posts about how to keep the weight down but the best advice, I think, is to have an idea of how much everything weighs before adding it to the van...and keeping to that.

There's a great temptation to think everything you use at home should be also available in the van...that leads to overloading unless you're really careful.


Good luck with it.

 

[Drover]

All the above but I have found 2 axles does tow better and the thought of what happens with a flat/blow out (single axle) is now not a great issue with the tandem .

 

[GUlewis]

Thanks guys, there's a weigh bridge around the corner from me at the rubbish tip so I'll do a before and after weigh in. I'm pretty well set on a 16ft Journey as there will only be two of us and I think it will suit my needs.

Thanks again

 

[bigcol]

as the others have said, not really a problem if your careful about what you take
SWMBO has a bad bad habit of wanting enough clothes for 3 changes a day, its like a game really, she puts it in, I take it out ect, until she cracks one and culls it her self

great game - NOT

 

[Drover]

You will have a ball for sure, just don't get too worried about weights and stuff, if you load any van sensibly it shouldn't be a problem but some people go away with so much junk it's unbelievable and you really wonder why they go away to just sit and do what they would do at home. Only need one pair of shoes and thats only for times thongs won't pass.....

 

[bigcol]

oh so true there @Drover

have the Weber, so we only carry
1 x medium pot
1 x elect frying pan
pretty much it for cooking with
dont need those "flash" square shaped pots they try and flog at Caravan places, since when do you do a 3 course meal in a Van.......?

enough cutlery and plates for the amount of people who travel, dont need the dinner set - even paper plates are great sometimes

just be aware that you dont need to take your suit or her Ball Gown when travelling

 

[bigcol]

I also "bang on" about
first time, weigh EVERYTHING before it goes into the Van
and
put a "sticky dot" on everything, take the "dot" off if you use it
after 2 or three trips, anything with a "dot" on it, is not required - turf it

 

[GUlewis]

I also "bang on" about
first time, weigh EVERYTHING before it goes into the Van
and
put a "sticky dot" on everything, take the "dot" off if you use it
after 2 or three trips, anything with a "dot" on it, is not required - turf it

That's not a bad idea as some of the stuff I pulled out of the old caravan I forgot I even had.

 

[bigcol]

when I went from the Flamingo to the Expanda, I removed 25 x 50L tubs of stuff

only 12 made it into the Expanda

3 tennis rackets & 2 pkts x 12 tennis balls, football, soccer ball, badminton set
and a heck of a lot of other crap

good to do a cull every now and again

 

[Bushman]

3 of us in 16 ft Expanda and Swan prior to that, weight was never really a problem, though it was the daughter that seem to think she needed the whole wardrobe with her, since improved, though must admit I never weighed the Panda, but found due to space had to spread gear between car and van more than we do now with bigger van.
With the bigger van we are still well and truly under our ATM

 

[Tonykarter15]

I have a 16ft single axle outback. As mentioned above, just me mindful of weight when loading it and you shouldn't have a problem. A few things to remember though is in most instances, your water tanks if you are staying around the east coast doesn't need to ever be full unless you intend on free camping.

A few other things to consider

• A single axle will generally produce a slightly heavier ball weight compared to a double axle.
• A single axle will be more manoeuvrable then a dual axle when in tighter places
• A dual axle will ride smoother
• A dual axle has a greater potential to be engineered to take more weight over a single axle

 

[1DayIll]

.

A few other things to consider

• A single axle will generally produce a slightly heavier ball weight compared to a double axle.
• A single axle will be more manoeuvrable then a dual axle when in tighter places
• A dual axle will ride smoother
• A dual axle has a greater potential to be engineered to take more weight over a single axle

that is interesting. I had been told that a dual axle was actually more maneuverable than a single axle.

 

[Tonykarter15]

you can practically turn a single axle caravan on its length. a dual axle caravan, each wheel scrubs against each other.

 

[Crusty181]

you can practically turn a single axle caravan on its length. a dual axle caravan, each wheel scrubs against each other.

I have a '"mantra" that's repeated upon every tight turn (dual axle) .... there goes another $5 worth of the rubber of the tyres

 

[mfexpanda]

I have a '"mantra" that's repeated upon every tight turn (dual axle) .... there goes another $5 worth of the rubber of the tyres

They also rip the grass away in your yard

 

[Crusty181]

My van lives in the factory on concrete, so only the caravan parks get to enjoy the grass ripping