Idiot question about twin wheels/axels (1 Viewer)

[6pm Cowboy]

This may make me feel like a complete prat but whats new ?

Many caravanettes Rofl1 have twin back wheels, either on the same axel or twin axels, so...... how do you know when you get a puncture ?

 

[The Wallace]

I can answer that one!! It's not a daft question if you have never felt it.

The van 'sits down' on that side. Had one of the twin rear wheels rupture a valve stem on our first trip with the van to France. You certainly feel it.The remaining wheel can't take all of the load and If you don't stop soon it may blow out.

Have steel valves all round now - don't want to do it again!

 

[bazfergy]

This may make me feel like a complete prat but whats new ?

Many caravanettes Rofl1 have twin back wheels, either on the same axel or twin axels, so...... how do you know when you get a puncture ?

I had one on an old transit self build and when it blew it made a hell of a noise like someone was banging the floor to get in

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[simsy56]

Hi Graham,
Being an ex-HGV driver, l have had this happen to me, and you will notice on corners that something is amiss. Also there will be a large bulge in the remaining good tyre, because its now carrying twice as much weight. As for tag axles, it should become more apparent.
Craig.

 

[6pm Cowboy]

Sounds less dangerous than a normal puncture slewing you off line then.

 

[scotjimland]

This may make me feel like a complete prat but whats new ?

Many caravanettes Rofl1 have twin back wheels, either on the same axel or twin axels, so...... how do you know when you get a puncture ?

You'll know when the second tyre blows out because of the extra load..


Only had it happen on a twin axle caravan.. when one of them blew out the van gave a jolt but stayed under control.. but I have heard of RV drivers not knowing and ending up with two shredded rear tyres..

You can get remote wireless sensors installed which constantly monitor the pressures and give an audible alarm if something is amiss..

Jim

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[6pm Cowboy]

You can get remote wireless sensors installed which constantly monitor the pressures and give an audible alarm if something is amiss..

Jim

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[Wildman]

a caravanette is too small to have a twin wheel let alone a twin axle.

 

[6pm Cowboy]

a caravanette is too small to have a twin wheel let alone a twin axle.

But raises an interesting point. I take it that in order of 'goodyness' a twin axel is better than twin wheels ?

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[The Wallace]

But raises an interesting point. I take it that in order of 'goodyness' a twin axel is better than twin wheels ?

Now you run the risk of this thread degenerating.

My preference is for twin rear wheels based on the fact that this gives 4 wheels driving.
Second or 'tag' axles are seldom driven which means you have a front wheel drive van. (nuff said)!





Other opinions are available and all PMs may be recorded for training purposes.

 

[Wildman]

twin wheel is far superior to twin axle as all four wheels are driven, giving a distinct advantage on soft or wet ground

 

[6pm Cowboy]

twin wheel is far superior to twin axle as all four wheels are driven, giving a distinct advantage on soft or wet ground

I will bear that in mind but is the twin axel better for weight distribution or why ?

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[6pm Cowboy]

twin wheel is far superior to twin axle as all four wheels are driven, giving a distinct advantage on soft or wet ground

I will bear that in mind but is the twin axel better for weight distribution or why ?

and a puncture would inevitably be on the inside wheel so I assume you have to remove the outer one first ?

 

[Wildman]

I will bear that in mind but is the twin axel better for weight distribution or why ?

and a puncture would inevitably be on the inside wheel so I assume you have to remove the outer one first ?

A twin axle may spread the load better but will also result in more tyre wear, however the twin wheel chassis is designed to take the max load anyway so what do you gain. Yes you have to remove the outer wheel to do anything to the inner one, on mine anyway, some may well have nipple extenders to overcome that. My main concern would be not getting stuck on rally fields, not having to carry large bread trays etc.
I would suspect that twin axle would use more fuel as well. try moving a twin axle trailer and compare to a single axle to see what I mean a huge amount of extra effort is required, plus you have the weight of the extra axle, more springs and bushes to maintain

 

[madbluemad]

I have a twin wheel single axle. The outside tyre punctured and shredded and then with the extra wheight on the inner wheel the inner tyre blew.

I new immediatley when the first puncture happend because you can stii see the brown stains on the M53.

Jim

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[6pm Cowboy]

I new immediatley when the first puncture happend because you can stii see the brown stains on the M53.

Jim

Not sure what you are saying.

 

[johng]

Jim, how long do you think it was from number 1 going and then number 2{s}



john

 

[madbluemad]

Jim, how long do you think it was from number 1 going and then number 2{s}



john

Hi John

I reckon it was less than 10 seconds.

Jim

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[moandick]

But raises an interesting point. I take it that in order of 'goodyness' a twin axel is better than twin wheels ?

Not according to many Caravan sites that have banned twin axle motorhomes/caravans due to the damage they cause on grass by 'turning' to tightly and screwing great lumps out of the surface of the grass.

 

[pappajohn]

as i have only one wheel on each corner it matters not to me which is 'superior'

but in my opinion twin wheel, single axle vans really do look 'commercial'.

Tag axles look the part....:thumb: and unless you do a lot of 'junction' turns the tyre wear is minimal.
no more so than a twin wheel , when sharp cornering, where the outside tyre is taking a slightly larger radius than the inside on the same hub so needing to turn fast but cant due to it being bolted to the inner one.
one of the tyres has to take some extra scuff wear.

makes sense to me, does it to you?

 

[Wildman]

Tag axles cost more on some bridges/toll roads in Europe as well.

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[scotjimland]

Tag axles cost more on some bridges/toll roads in Europe as well.

and so they should, they have 50% more rubber on the road

 

[Wildman]

and so they should, they have 50% more rubber on the road

no more that a twin wheel single axle, now if you had said they LEAVE more rubber on the road then I'd agree

 

[pappajohn]

Tag axles cost more on some bridges/toll roads in Europe as well.

as they do in the UK.
dont know about others cos i avoid 'em like pig flu but the humber bridge toll works on axle numbers.

twin wheel, single axle wrecker and a car on the spec frame = 3 axles on road.... goods vehicle rate. about £13 at the time.

return journey...just the two axles = heavy car rate 500kg...much cheaper. £2 odd

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