Single axle 17 vs dual axle 19

[Dan S]

I read a little bit about the possible desirability of the single axle 17 over the dual axle 19 on washboard, forest service roads, and other undulating less than great roads. I was about to order the 19 until I read a little bit about this and the stress that a dual axle set can place on the frame and body of the trailer. Is there any concern here or is it just something to discuss and debate. Someone claimed they even broke one of the new awning style insulated windows because of this. My wife and I like to boondock and prefer to go where others don't. That's not to mean that we look for the worst roads or 4x4 only roads but we do end up down some very washboardy and uneven roads. Would appreciate some good input . Thanks

[rbryan4]

Dan, I'd be far more concerned with choosing the size and layout you like best. Whether you tow a single axle or tandem, the key on rough terrain is to take it slow - much slower than most people have a tendency to travel.

This is also a case where you might benefit from the high lift axle option, which will give you about 2 more inches of ground clearance.

Oh, and one more thought: you'll also be towing on smooth roads, and probably for a larger portion of your trip. We love how a tandem axle trailer tows, particularly when the road is normal.

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[Marry]

Spray foam insulation underneath! Especially when driving gravel roads.
We have a 19, doing gravel and what not, and love it. Like said: take it slow and you will do fine with a tandem axle.

[Ron in BC]

Yup, you can discuss and debate it all you want. But, for myself, having towed from Alaska to Baja, on roads of every type where washboard was the least of my concerns, there's no contest. Also, if I drop a wheel into a pothole the other wheel lessens the impact.

Good advice to choose the size and layout that works for you. The trailer will take of itself.

Ron

[Dan S]

I was absolutely going to get the high lift axle. Thanks for the input.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Marry

Spray foam insulation underneath! Especially when driving gravel roads.
We have a 19, doing gravel and what not, and love it. Like said: take it slow and you will do fine with a tandem axle.

That's a thought. I've read it's kind of ugly - hangs down and makes access difficult if you need to repair something under there. Any thoughts on this? Thanks

[smac2]

Good Morning

We have a 19'. I have towed single and dual axles on rough roads. As mentioned in previous posts driving slower is key on rough potholed or wash board roads.

BUT, in my opinion I like the tandem axle on rougher road as the extra set of wheels tend to soften out the deeper ruts.

Most importantly get the floorplan you desire (unless it is a 35' luxury trailer) and drive with care and common sense. Enjoy the scenery!

Shannon

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Yup, you can discuss and debate it all you want. But, for myself, having towed from Alaska to Baja, on roads of every type where washboard was the least of my concerns, there's no contest. Also, if I drop a wheel into a pothole the other wheel lessens the impact.

Good advice to choose the size and layout that works for you. The trailer will take of itself.

Ron

Thanks

[yardsale]

I have a layout comment. I really wish the bed, bathroom, and dinette were all two inches wider. That all happens on the 19. Also, the utility of the cabinet under the sink is annoyingly inefficient as the sink drain is right in the middle of that space. The corresponding cabinet in the 19 is much more functional. We went with the 17 as the smaller space is easier to manage in the winter.

[Marry]

Originally Posted by Dan S

That's a thought. I've read it's kind of ugly - hangs down and makes access difficult if you need to repair something under there. Any thoughts on this? Thanks

I don't think it looks ugly. It's all sprayed black. Hoping it prevents damage so we don't have to do repairs underneath, which without we might have

[BCnomad]

Having watched a 17 bounce over a speed bump, I'll take a twin axle any day.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I read a little bit about the possible desirability of the single axle 17 over the dual axle 19 on washboard, forest service roads, and other undulating less than great roads. I was about to order the 19 until I read a little bit about this and the stress that a dual axle set can place on the frame and body of the trailer. Is there any concern here or is it just something to discuss and debate. Someone claimed they even broke one of the new awning style insulated windows because of this.

Dan,
Are you referring to this post regarding the broken window? If so, the trailer it happened on was a 17, not a 19...and for what it is worth I believe a 2015 should have the slider windows.

www.escapeforum.org/forums/f32/escape-durability-and-off-road-capability-9494-7.html#post198779

[Dave & Penny Smith]

Folks:
Rubicon327 is correct, our 2015 17B is a single axle. One correction is that the window that broke is the rear window, which on our Escape was a dual pane fixed (non-opening) window.
There are several older threads on damage to, and modifications for, rough-road travel. There have been several reports of refrigerator doors falling off and cabinets opening. Whether or not a tandem axle would be better in minimizing this kind of damage, I don't know.
Dave

[Dave Walter]

Trailer damage while travelling on rough roads can be managed by limiting your speed. The rougher the road, the slower you should drive. And don't assume that if your ride is quite smooth in your tow vehicle that your speed is slow enough for the trailer to manage the bumps. The suspension in your tow vehicle is typically much better than that on the trailer, so if the ride in your tow feels rough, the trailer is experiencing much worse. Tandems will ride a bit smoother than single axle trailers, but in either case you should go slow to better manage the bumps.

[advenas]

Couple of things with respect to single or dual axles besides ride....I haven't tested this myself but single axle trailers are supposed to be harder to back up, i.e. more agile(?) than dual axles. How much this matters is up for debate as it likely depends on the skill of the driver and the size of the parking space.

Also...I know some state parks and other campgrounds limit the total size of the tow vehicle and trailer to a certain length. The extra two feet on a dual axle 19 would keep me out of some parks given I have a full size pickup with a king cab. Truck and trailer are about 40ft. At some point in the future I'll switch to a smaller truck and bigger trailer.

[Ironhorsenva]

Does anyone know if the need or desirability of the high lift axle is any different on the new 19's as opposed to the previous generation 19's? I'm thinking of adding it to my build sheet.

I envision most of my use will be in campgrounds, state parks, etc. but I could see the benefit in having the additional clearance for unforeseen events.

Maybe another question to ask is whether or not the high lift axle compromises the handling of the trailer while in tow on smooth roads.

My TV is a 4Runner, if that makes any difference.

[float5]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

Trailer damage while travelling on rough roads can be managed by limiting your speed. The rougher the road, the slower you should drive. And don't assume that if your ride is quite smooth in your tow vehicle that your speed is slow enough for the trailer to manage the bumps. The suspension in your tow vehicle is typically much better than that on the trailer, so if the ride in your tow feels rough, the trailer is experiencing much worse. Tandems will ride a bit smoother than single axle trailers, but in either case you should go slow to better manage the bumps.

Yep, you got it right there.

People who travel rough roads a lot are invariably going to want to go faster.

[cpaharley2008]

Having owned both single and dual axle trailers, the dual units tow nicer and straighter, less sway. IMO. the high lift option takes away from the sleekness of the trailer, everything is exposed underneath, like your shirt taili always out and showing..With issues prevalent in all mobile homes being towed at 65 mph, taking them off road would seem to make things worse, with or without a high lift option.

[rbryan4]

Looks aside, it depends on where you intend to tow. The OP has clearly indicated that he likes back country camping off of rough roads which are often washboard or rutted. Two inches of extra ground clearance on the trailer would be a nice cushion. He'll lose maybe a bit of fuel economy on the highway due to the trailer causing more drag from sitting slightly higher, but that difference is negligible. Personally, I don't think the appearance is negatively affected by the high lift, but these things are a matter of taste.

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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Marry

I don't think it looks ugly. It's all sprayed black. Hoping it prevents damage so we don't have to do repairs underneath, which without we might have

So, the insulation is sprayed black?