Single Axle vs Dual Axle
I apologize up front for the length and variety of questions. I will be retiring in December. My plan is to run away from home and see the USA. It will be just me and my 2 dogs. I currently o...
Forum Discussion
Single or dual axle, that was probably the first question I asked on the forum. My concern was that a blowout on the single axle might throw the TT out of control. The responses I got didn’t support that, the single axle was fine.
A single axle will be a smaller, lighter TT, which is a plus if you have the small V8. I pull a 16’ 3000# loaded TT with a F150 5.4. But I used to pull it with a full sized Bronco with a 302 V8, a little bigger than the 4.7. It pulled it fine as I remember but I don’t recall how hard it worked on the hills. But I do remember almost running over a MH literally crawling up a curvy, steep grade near Chama, NM. I had to slam on the brakes and came to a complete stop and I thought for sure I was going to blow the transmission trying to get moving again.
The only issue I had with it was occasionally I’d get some minor sway that I immediately tweaked out with the manual controller. It was never a problem but I always had to be conscious of it. When I went to the F150 it was solid as a rock, no hint of sway under any conditions. Rightly or wrongly I attributed it to the longer wheelbase of the F150. I have never used WD or sway control, my TW varies from 300# to 320# depending if I carry full water.
I don’t agree the bigger TT is easier to back. But that’s because my camping is mostly in the mountains and national forests and maneuverability is king. The bigger TT is “easier” to back because it’s less sensitive to steering input. In tight quarters you want sensitivity to steering input. With practice you can wiggle in about anywhere so short is “easier” to me.:)
All RV’s are a compromise and you’ll have to find the balance that suits you. Size is a plus if you want to spend a lot of time in the TT. Size and weight is a negative with a small V8 or if you want to spend a lot of time mountain driving. Good luck in your decision. An afterthought, adding a TT brake controller is a no brainer.
A single axle will be a smaller, lighter TT, which is a plus if you have the small V8. I pull a 16’ 3000# loaded TT with a F150 5.4. But I used to pull it with a full sized Bronco with a 302 V8, a little bigger than the 4.7. It pulled it fine as I remember but I don’t recall how hard it worked on the hills. But I do remember almost running over a MH literally crawling up a curvy, steep grade near Chama, NM. I had to slam on the brakes and came to a complete stop and I thought for sure I was going to blow the transmission trying to get moving again.
The only issue I had with it was occasionally I’d get some minor sway that I immediately tweaked out with the manual controller. It was never a problem but I always had to be conscious of it. When I went to the F150 it was solid as a rock, no hint of sway under any conditions. Rightly or wrongly I attributed it to the longer wheelbase of the F150. I have never used WD or sway control, my TW varies from 300# to 320# depending if I carry full water.
I don’t agree the bigger TT is easier to back. But that’s because my camping is mostly in the mountains and national forests and maneuverability is king. The bigger TT is “easier” to back because it’s less sensitive to steering input. In tight quarters you want sensitivity to steering input. With practice you can wiggle in about anywhere so short is “easier” to me.:)
All RV’s are a compromise and you’ll have to find the balance that suits you. Size is a plus if you want to spend a lot of time in the TT. Size and weight is a negative with a small V8 or if you want to spend a lot of time mountain driving. Good luck in your decision. An afterthought, adding a TT brake controller is a no brainer.
