Probably a Silly Question

Because ..... if it had an axle at the front and one at the back, it would not be a trailer any more .... it would be a wagon!


I did a Google search on "Camper Wagon", this is one of the images that came up. No clue who it belongs to. Is this REALLY want you want to replace a TT?

I have often wondered why they don't at least spread out the axles on the TTs and other trailers.

Having pulled a lot of commercial trailers with large oversize loads on them. I much prefer trailers with spread axles over than ones with axles close together, they distribute the weight better and are more stable. Many trailers that haul custom cars are built this way like this one.


I had a trailer built to haul all my toys and did the math on it to position the axles and it pulled with no sway at all, why cant the MFG of TT and others do the same. It would seem that they would be much safer to tow by an unexperienced driver.
That is one big reason that I went with motorhomes over pulling something.

keymastr wrote:
They make it work for the double trailers behind semi's so it could be done and the stability could be worked out but the weight and cost would be prohibitive and also it would be more difficult to mount propane and batteries with a moving tongue.

It may not be totally impossible to back double trailers, but I doubt one driver in a hundred can back a set of doubles more than a few feet.

keymastr wrote:
They make it work for the double trailers behind semi's so it could be done and the stability could be worked out but the weight and cost would be prohibitive and also it would be more difficult to mount propane and batteries with a moving tongue.

The 2nd/3rd trailer on a highway hauler has a pivot point, either a second fifth wheel or a pintle hitch.

That a look at the set-ups on this page. http://outbacktowing.tripod.com

That's actually the definition of a wagon versus a trailer.

The wagon idea could be done, but the negatives outweigh the positives. Some negatives are:
Cost: A wagon needs a steering system plus a suspension system that allows a corner to be lifted without lifting the entire side.
Maneuverability: A wagon is much trickier to back than a trailer and generally can't be turned as tightly.

They make it work for the double trailers behind semi's so it could be done and the stability could be worked out but the weight and cost would be prohibitive and also it would be more difficult to mount propane and batteries with a moving tongue.

As stated, it then becomes a wagon. And it is very difficult to back a wagon.

If they did then the front axle would be a steer axle like a hay wagon.

There is a thread on here someplace on this subject maybe as long as a year ago or longer. As I recall there was quite a bit if discussion about stability and sway as well. I don't think it would work very well at high speed.

Because the side force while turning would want to smear the tires off the rims. Watch a trailer when its doing sharp turns and the wheels/rims will look like they are bent or about to push the tire off. If they were at the front and rear they would need to pivot the front axle just like a toy wagon does or a farm wagon.