SIngle or Dual Axle

[peterg]

We've been hunting for a tough off-road van that can take a bit of rough road travel and some off-road ability that doesn't see us doing repairs every time we take it out. Don't get me wrong our Jurgens is a good solid van but very limited off-road (no ground clearance). The Kruiser appeals because of the fact the technology for independence is built in and not something you add after you take delivery.

Lots of research later and we keep coming back to the Kimberly Kruiser. The next big question is single or dual axle?

Any comments on the towing difference, apart from the obvious that dual axles are generally larger and are a bit more limited off-road in terms of access to some areas. Also I've become rather attached to not needing a WDH and I'm told the Kruiser is suitably balanced to not need one.

Comments or thoughts? (and I'm not looking for comments on the price tag!)

 

[crackacoldie]

A little more stability from a tandem over a single, trade off is less manoeuvrability and more weight. Personally I'd look for the layout that suits over how many wheels on the ground.

 

[skippy]

We have the twin axel, so far over here in WA I have managed very well on of road tracks.
The trade of is not being able to turn around in smaller areas, but do what I have done for quite a while now and invested in some hand held UHF radios. Then SHMBO can assist with the reversing in tight of road tracks/areas. So far I haven't come unstuck....Touch wood.:hail:

Then you can reverse everywhere with ease and you will forget that you even have a twin axel/Larger van.

Plus I find the twin axel track better on the road, hence easer to tow.

Good luck with the decisions :thumb:

 

[Drover]

A blow out on a single can be scary but on a twin much less so...............................recent look over a Kimberley and yarn with owner, twin axle most impressive and he never had trouble manoeuvring it around, using a 200 series.

 

[bigcol]

as long as the layout is what you want / require

the amount of wheels on the ground is not that important

but a dual axle will always tow better than a single - irrespective of the ground type - bitumen / clay / sand / gravel...............

 

[dagree]

Having had both single and dual axle vans I agree with @bigcol above.... The dual axle definitely tows better and also as @Drover mentioned a blowout with a single axle can be hairy. Had one on a single axle boat trailer and did a fair bit of damage at 100KPH. (2 hours on the side of the road in 40+ degree heat patching it up to get home didn't help either!!). Instead of repairing the old trailer I replaced it with a second hand dual axle at the request of Mrs Dagree who didn't want to go through the same happening again!

 

[bigcol]

ya wanna try cutting new holes in a rim with a hammer and a chisel, because its the wrong stud pattern for the trailer...............

man, what a nightmare

 

[Drover]

Ha, ha and you get it near the right size and hammer it onto the hub, gee it's a real bugger later when you have to hammer the rim off the hub to change a flat...........................

 

[bigcol]

nah, cut the holes bigger to fit - slid on and off perfectly

yes it did destroy the rim though