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Author Topic: Tandem axel camper  (Read 6888 times)

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Offline jim-m-72

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Tandem axel camper
« on: July 17, 2012, 08:02:36 AM »
Hi guys and girls, I am in the planning stage of a camper build and i was thinking about using a load sharing tandem axel. The purpose is for a greater contact patch on the dirt, sand, soft stuff that we like to drive through. As I have 4 kids the camper has to be large enough to fit every thing in it and sleep 6 or7 people (add a ring-in every now and then) So I know it has to on the larger side with heaps of storage The weight is not a big factor in the tandem axel idea on the road but it might be off road.
Pros
ability to carry more weight.
greater contact area for off road
still able to tow with only one axel and tie the other up emergency only to get out of trouble

Cons
more rego
extra weight of 2nd axel
could build too big to go places

could you please add your thoughts (be gentle)
Thanks Jim
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Offline Brett B

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2012, 07:40:19 PM »
Jim I built a tandem axle camper for the same reasons
They are not as nibble as a single but if you can back a trailer OK you will be fine
Mine seems to handle the corrugated roads OK
 :cheers:
Brett B
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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2012, 09:08:09 PM »
thanks Brett thats why im thinking along those lines and they will be harder to move around but I have 4 kids to push as well
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2012, 07:59:39 AM »
Quote from: jim-m-72 on July 17, 2012, 08:02:36 AM
Hi guys and girls, I am in the planning stage of a camper build and i was thinking about using a load sharing tandem axel..................

Silly idea..........won't work..........too heavy.........no good off road......... ;D ;D ;D
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Geoff and Kay

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2020 North Coast 15' Titanium - tandem, of course

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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2012, 08:20:03 AM »
Hey Geoff yours seems to go there ok. So I should keep it as light as possible and keep the lenth down but keep the tandem
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2012, 09:17:47 AM »
Quote from: jim-m-72 on July 18, 2012, 08:20:03 AM
.......... So I should keep it as light as possible and keep the lenth down but keep the tandem

Yep. I reckon that's the go, Jim.

If you can keep the travelling length to around 5m or less, and match the width and track to your car, I think you should be OK.
Don't go too heavy on the springs. Ours is a roller-rocker set-up, and has 5 leaves per spring pack.

Some other benefits of tandems.....
Less weight on the coupling.
Improved ramp-over and departure angles.
When 1 wheel drops in a hole, the other tends to keep the trailer body higher.
They pivot on the front axle when turning, which helps around tight corners.
Can run 4 wheel brakes if you want.
If things go really pear shaped, you have lots of spare wheels for the car........ ;D

Other down sides.......
Extra maintenance.
Can't take tandems into "The Bungles", but that's the only place I'm aware of.

You'll get plenty of experts telling you that tandems are not the way to go.
I haven't found any huge negatives yet.........

Good luck with the build, and keep us all up to date.

Cheers,
Geoff
« Last Edit: July 18, 2012, 04:04:48 PM by GeoffA »
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Geoff and Kay

1999 GU TD42T wagon
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2020 North Coast 15' Titanium - tandem, of course

Land Cruiser.....the Patrol that Toyota try to build.....

Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2012, 08:33:13 PM »
Thanks Geoff for your insight do you have shocks as well or they not needed with this set up :cheers:
Jim
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2012, 08:45:03 PM »
Quote from: jim-m-72 on July 18, 2012, 08:33:13 PM
..........do you have shocks as well or they not needed with this set up...

Ours doesn't have shocks, and I've not found a need for them. Just something else to give trouble IMO.

Geoff
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Geoff and Kay

1999 GU TD42T wagon
2005 Coota Camper - gone, but never forgotten
2020 North Coast 15' Titanium - tandem, of course

Land Cruiser.....the Patrol that Toyota try to build.....

Offline Brett B

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2012, 08:47:29 PM »
Quote from: GeoffA on July 18, 2012, 08:45:03 PM
Ours doesn't have shocks, and I've not found a need for them. Just something else to give trouble IMO.

Geoff
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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2012, 09:19:22 PM »
Thanks guys. So a tandem seems the better option then, Time to start drawing. :cup: for tandems :cup:
 :cheers: Jim
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Offline pand65au

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2012, 09:33:54 AM »
hello all
this idea is what my cousin and i are tossing around at present. the tandem layout should help spread the load on the soft sand little better. as we like to go up the beach for 1-2 weeks we tend to haul a lot of stuff.
something along the lines of a flamingo / swan layout but just a little longer overall with external lockers for toilet,gen etc storage and internal cubboards /benches a little taller so we don't have to stoop over to use the counter tops / sink (we are getting a bit older and our backs don't like it). also with the larger more usable cupboards / draws more  food etc could be stored in these and not in crates in the foot wells.
other than a home or custom build there is nothing around that we have found, that fits all these ideas.
« Last Edit: July 19, 2012, 10:14:52 AM by pand65au »
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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2012, 09:11:18 AM »
Hi pand65au I have the same problem with finding some one to build what i want unless you go to a custom trailer fabricator then go to a canvas mob to sew up canvas. or build it yourself as i will do when i finalise the design but Will be along the same as your idea but i wish to add a slide out as well :cheers:
Jim
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Offline Tjupurula

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2012, 11:18:45 AM »
Hi Jim
Although not a CT, I have built a tandem axle for use around here (Lake Gregory).  There are no sealed roads, and no smooth roads at all around here, and I frequently carry more weight than you would probably even contemplate, so there should be no problems at all.
Regards
Tjupurula
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Offline Brett B

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2012, 11:54:53 AM »
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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2012, 01:36:18 PM »
Thanks Brett brilliant build I am hopping for a quality build like yours  thanks for the pics they open up more ideas
Jim
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Offline Tandem Camper

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2012, 03:35:07 PM »
Hi Jim
Here are some pics of what i built a couple of years ago
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=13696.msg206214#msg206214
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Offline Swannie

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2012, 03:41:02 PM »
Silly idea..........won't work..........too heavy.........no good off road......... ;D ;D ;D
[/quote]

Mate, I've seen geoffs camper  and I was bloody impressed

Greg
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Offline Bird

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2012, 04:11:02 PM »
Quote from: jim-m-72
thanks Brett thats why im thinking along those lines and they will be harder to move around but I have 4 kids to push as well
Plenty of people with 4/5/6 kids and camper trailers.. 12ft tent, and if needed, kids room on the side, and away you go. You can buy trailers like that off the floor.
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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #18 on: July 25, 2012, 03:43:53 PM »
Tjupurula ? So a tandem will Handel rough roads well ,more good reasons for one

Tandem camper that looks like a great set up do you have more pics of the build it looks big enough for the 6 of us and heaps of storage too

Swanie Yes it's a silly idea but if I build one then I won't buy a Chinese camper and can spread the cost over a little time, geoffs looks good though

Lost I have looked at that but I find myself going back to a DIY to get what I want as I am a fabricator by trade it should be easy enough and I can say I built it and paid someone for the canvas
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Jim
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Offline pand65au

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #19 on: July 25, 2012, 04:44:49 PM »
hello all
lost that is what we have now a 12' side fold with a kids room and extra anexes which is great for room. the only down side is that to set up just 2 annexs and the kids room is about 1-2 hours ( i dont get a lot of help!). and then i have to go and assist putting up the ensuites and shower setups (we go with "girls" that have an adversion for public nudity). all of this which is great for a week of inclement weather, plenty of space under canvas. how ever its alot of work for just a weekend away. we are looking around for somthing that is easy to set up for an overnight stop / weekend , and still be able to get away for a week + and be roomy enough when the rain starts (wich seems to happen alot lately) .  but we are just not interested in a full size caravan( would have to change the prado which we love. and then where whould we store it)
peter
« Last Edit: July 27, 2012, 09:15:57 AM by pand65au »
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Offline jim-m-72

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Re: Tandem axel camper
« Reply #20 on: August 05, 2012, 12:18:22 PM »
This looks the goods sleeps six I might have to use some Idea's from this Rockwood hw 296
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