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07-30-2021, 11:58 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 5
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Dual axles necessary
We are looking to buy our first travel trailer. We would love to spend 10k and get something not old and not in need of work or remodel however it seems highly likely we will need to be in at 14 or 15k for what we want (bathroom kitchen bunks for family of 4) We keep coming back to the dual axle Winnebago micro Minnie. Having little experience with pulling trailers and needing to keep it around 19-22ft and 7ft wide if possible that model fits the bill but it will take us up to almost 20k in this market. How important is that dual axle for a smooth and safe driving experience going from Washington to california and Washington to Montana once or twice a year and not doing much boondocking?
If we don’t have to have dual axles the market opens up considerably in our price point.
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07-31-2021, 04:06 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Eastern outskirts of Dallas, TX
Posts: 4,430
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Are you looking for a travel trailer or motor coach?
I assume when you say “dual axle” you mean a rear drive axle with a trailing tag axle?
If so, the reason for that is to increase the weight carrying capacity of the rear of the coach - which can mean your looking at a “pusher” (engine in the rear) type of coach.
Other than rear pushers tend to be quieter in the front when driving down the road, a front engine coach would be perfectly fine for your needs.
Gas engine would be OK as well (gas engines tend to be lighter per horse of power so more typically found at the front of the coach).
For the size and weight of coach you would be looking at, I think a front engine gas unit will work just fine for you. You can pull a toad if you want. Just remember, the lifestyle is about enjoying the scenery of the road, and making/meeting new friends where-ever you stay. Try to keep it at 300 or so miles per day, and stay at least 2 nights every 600-700 miles.
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07-31-2021, 05:59 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 360
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They are looking for a Travel trailer .
First sentence.
Two axles are needed for weight.
Usually anything over around 4000 lbs. GVW has two axles.
__________________
02 Keystone Hornet Lite 25 FL
18 Silverado Dbl.5.3 6sp 3.42 stock ( grunt truck)
18 Silverado Crew 5.3 6sp 3.42 9" lift 37's(fun truck)
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07-31-2021, 08:33 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Eastern outskirts of Dallas, TX
Posts: 4,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bowtie Jim
They are looking for a Travel trailer .
First sentence.
Two axles are needed for weight.
Usually anything over around 4000 lbs. GVW has two axles.
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I saw that, and then saw the “Winnie” and my mind wondered down a different path.
My bad, never mind -“Nothing to see here, move along”. 😀
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07-31-2021, 08:38 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,942
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My first question is ...what will y'all be towing this trailer with? What is the issue with two axles?
Your price point will really limit your selection of RVs. Our daughter started out looking for a $10k used trailer and quickly gave up as what they were finding was pretty junky. With prices on used RV up a bunch, I suspect it may be more of a problem. They wound up with a 28' Winnebago Minnie Plus which proved to be a bit much for a 1/2 ton Tundra for longer trips. In any case they sold it online a few weeks ago to a lady 3 states away for only $500 less than they paid for it 2.5 years ago.
My sister-in-law just sold her 1 year old Winnebago Travato for $12,000 more than they paid for it. Right now the RV market is nuts.
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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07-31-2021, 09:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,832
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two axels tend to tow much better.
Jay D.
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07-31-2021, 09:29 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Outdoors RV Owners Club Jayco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 723
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Dual axles certainly have their advantages, however, a properly sized and maintained single axle can work just fine for the types of trips you are describing. We had a single-axle Jayco 195RB for 5 years and put 25K+ miles on it with multiple trips from the Seattle area to Montana, Utah and Arizona. I also know of another 195RB owner who put upwards of 100K+ miles on theirs with trips across both the US and Canada.
Ensure that you are not overloading the camper. Many of the smaller single axle units have low cargo capacities so you have to watch carefully to make sure you don't overload the axle. Put a set of quality tires on and regularly inspect them for wear or other damage and keep them properly inflated. Make sure that the wheel bearings are kept in good condition and regularly inspected to reduce the potential for issues there.
We enjoyed our little 195RB for the years we had it and never once felt like it wasn't capable of going where we wanted to go.
__________________
TT: 2019 ORV Timber Ridge 23DBS, Blue Ox SwayPro 15K/1500
TV: 2019 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCab LB, 6.2L, 4.30/e-locker, 4x4, 164" WB, RoadActive Suspension
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07-31-2021, 10:24 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Full Timing. When I park I'm home
Posts: 1,369
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I can think of a couple of reasons to have dual axles. The first I experienced personally. I lost a bearing in one wheel and the entire wheel departed out through the rear of the 5er. I still had a good axle and was able to limp in the last 30 miles to get service (new axle). The second time was a single axle coming into the park and lost a wheel (don't know the reason). The trailer dropped on the sewer lines and sheared it off and dump the black tank a the edge of their site and the road. What a stinky mess.
__________________
2004 Volvo, 2009 smart car
2008 Hitch Hiker Champagne
Full timing January 2010
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07-31-2021, 11:45 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 142
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No doubt two axles is better than one, I have had two different small trailers 17ft and 20ft.and they both had one axle. Before that I had a two axle 27ft trailer. in my opinion you will be just fine with a single axle trailer as long as it is under stays under the listed axle weight load. More important to your safety will be to have it set up with a proper tow vehicle and hitch. You can find what you are looking for but plan on about 15K for a decent used one. Of course if you can spring for the dual axle Micro Mini and have a vehicle that can tow it, well thats a nice unit that I wish I had
__________________
2018 Winnabago Mini Drop 170S
2019 Ford Ranger
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07-31-2021, 01:20 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Triple E Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,745
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMark52
Are you looking for a travel trailer or motor coach?
I assume when you say “dual axle” you mean a rear drive axle with a trailing tag axle?
If so, the reason for that is to increase the weight carrying capacity of the rear of the coach - which can mean your looking at a “pusher” (engine in the rear) type of coach.
Other than rear pushers tend to be quieter in the front when driving down the road, a front engine coach would be perfectly fine for your needs.
Gas engine would be OK as well (gas engines tend to be lighter per horse of power so more typically found at the front of the coach).
For the size and weight of coach you would be looking at, I think a front
engine gas unit will work just fine for you. You can pull a toad if you want. Just remember, the lifestyle is about enjoying the scenery of the road, and making/meeting new friends where-ever you stay. Try to keep it at 300 or so miles per day, and stay at least 2 nights every 600-700 miles.
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Did you read the OPs post.?
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07-31-2021, 01:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohana318
We are looking to buy our first travel trailer. We would love to spend 10k and get something not old and not in need of work or remodel however it seems highly likely we will need to be in at 14 or 15k for what we want (bathroom kitchen bunks for family of 4) We keep coming back to the dual axle Winnebago micro Minnie. Having little experience with pulling trailers and needing to keep it around 19-22ft and 7ft wide if possible that model fits the bill but it will take us up to almost 20k in this market. How important is that dual axle for a smooth and safe driving experience going from Washington to california and Washington to Montana once or twice a year and not doing much boondocking?
If we don’t have to have dual axles the market opens up considerably in our price point.
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Dual axles increase the safety margin when towing. Increased sway resistance, more braking power, and better weight distribution. For you family needs you’re gonna need some kind of bunkhouse model of at least 22ft. IMHO, that totally rules out single axle trailers, especially if you are towing with a mid-size pickup. Most 1/2 tons can safely tow a dual axle with GVWR of 5000-6000 pounds. So it really is all dependent on your tow vehicle specs. Be very careful on tv payload. Don’t listen to salesmen on this. You must calculate the numbers to remain safe, remembering that 10-12% of trailer GVWR must be subtracted from Tow vehicle payload, RAWR, and GVWR. If you exceed RAWR, you’ll be putting your family in danger.
We love our micro mini because at 7ft wide, it’s an easy tow with our mid-size truck. Fuel economy averages 12mpg. And it just feels totally safe, unless we overload the truck bed. The 2100BH model might be just right for you, but you can forget about $15k purchase price. Even used you’ll need to raise your budget to mid-20s if you can find one. MMs cost about 20% more than other brands. Well worth it. Excellent build quality.
__________________
Jim. 2021 Canyon 3.6L, 2021b Micro Mini 2108DS
400w solar, 170AH LiFePo4, Xantrex XC2000, Victron 75/15 & 100/30, Champion 2500w df, 2Kwh powerstation
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07-31-2021, 08:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: South of Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,105
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Winnebago truly has their act together. They are a quality trailer, not Airstream quality, but far and above most of the other builders.
Most if not all of the Micro Minnies have torsion axles, which is a benefit itself as you don't have to worry about broken leaf springs, worn out spring bushings, and other leaf spring issues.
I do suggest that on single axle trailers you make sure you have tires rated properly for the trailer and good quality such as Goodyear Endurance, and also replace the bearings and seals with Timken parts, properly packed and assembled. This will go a long ways toward having a reliable trailer in the suspension department.
Charles
__________________
'03 Ram 2500 CTD, 5.9HO six speed PacBrake std cab long bed Leer top and 2008 Bigfoot 25B21RB.. Previously, 2008 Thor Freedom Spirit 180, SOLD! 2007 Winnebago View 23H Motorhome, SOLD!
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07-31-2021, 09:22 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMark52
Are you looking for a travel trailer or motor coach?
I assume when you say “dual axle” you mean a rear drive axle with a trailing tag axle?
If so, the reason for that is to increase the weight carrying capacity of the rear of the coach - which can mean your looking at a “pusher” (engine in the rear) type of coach.
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Read the OP post. He is asking about a travel trailer.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey
39K
Cat C7
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07-31-2021, 09:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohana318
We are looking to buy our first travel trailer. We would love to spend 10k and get something not old and not in need of work or remodel however it seems highly likely we will need to be in at 14 or 15k for what we want (bathroom kitchen bunks for family of 4) We keep coming back to the dual axle Winnebago micro Minnie. Having little experience with pulling trailers and needing to keep it around 19-22ft and 7ft wide if possible that model fits the bill but it will take us up to almost 20k in this market. How important is that dual axle for a smooth and safe driving experience going from Washington to california and Washington to Montana once or twice a year and not doing much boondocking?
If we don’t have to have dual axles the market opens up considerably in our price point.
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The main consideration for a single axel trailer is weight. While you can buy a 7000# axel that is pretty much the limit until you get into larger construction type trailers.
And that weight is going to keep you down in the 20’ range. Anything above that will have two axels.
I recently did a clam on a 14’ single axel and when I documented the information it was within 500 of the rated gvw.
Good luck with a $10,000 travel trailer that you don’t have to work on. I just did a claim on a 1994 26’ with one slide that the value came back at $7800
As far as I was concerned it was a $1500 hunting cabin.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey
39K
Cat C7
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