We have a Bologna and recognised the differences immediately. There is a cupboard to the side of the fridge with the TV stand above and in addition to the table storage at the side of the kitchen the bedroom dresser is bigger and oriented differently. The twin axel may be heavier but more stable and following a recent puncture at low speed, you realise the benefits of four wheels. We have upgraded our van to 1800, to allow for an AWD mover and other kit. 300kg is a fantastic payload matching most motorhomes. Love watching your channel, another brilliant video.
I have owned a single axle and a twin axle, when we had the Bailey bordeaux 2004 from new it was ideal for us but when I saw twin axles arriving on site pulled by a 4x4 I haves to say I was a little envious, we then bought a Bailey Barcelona which was fine, we now have a Coachman 675 laser 2019 from new and because of the weight had to change from a Sorento to Range Rover strangely I no longer have any negative feelings. Its obvious that layout and all the other considerations have to be taken to account but you can't beat pulling on to a site in a stunning outfit (maybe it's a man thing) but my dad always said if your going to have one have a big one. There is now just me and my wife and our Cocker spaniel Dylan we love the space the enormous shower, fixed bed etc.
We do some long towing trips, for example from The Scottish Highlands down to Marrakesh (Morocco) and back, over 5,700 miles and I can definitely say that our twin axle Swift tows a lot more stable than our previous single axle Swift. If you only do short trips then a SA may be okay, but for serious towing a TA is far superior. Yes, it is more difficult to maneuver a TA (even with movers) than a SA (you can spin a SA on its axle. However, a few minutes with a bit more faffing moving the TA is far outweighed by the ease of towing for the hours to get to where you are going.
I always wondered what the twin axle had the single didn't on the swift caravans. I then noticed the twin has the larger fridge. Personally I would prefer the twin model but the price difference between the two... for a larger fridge. Not sure if it's worth it.
We own a Bologna, which has the electrical fuses etc beneath the front table and incoming electrics at the front, whereas the Brindisi has the fuses etc in the bottom of the wardrobe, and the incoming electric supply comes in under the bed which is within what would be the awning area. This is what influenced our decision towards the Bologna, which we have also up-plated to 1800kg.
I 100% prefer towing our twin to the single we had before. So stable when towing. It just feels ‘planted’ on the road with four wheels. Definitely a twin axle if you can.
Double axle is 40cm longer, which is more space in the kitchen area beside the oven. Everything else is identical. For the price difference plus buying a double motor-mover, I wouldn't bother (in fact I didn't, I have a Brindisi). But we're a couple so plenty of room for us, and small fridge is big enough. If we had kids I'd be tempted by the Bologna. Worth saying the newer Bolognas have a taller fridge again, so the microwave is directly over the hob, which I really dislike.
Pre-pandemic Bailey was importing Unicorn bodies into Australia & putting them on Australian twin axle chassis. Increasing the payload to around 450kg from about 160kg. but you needed a Nissan Navara or similar to tow it, as fully loaded it was creeping up towards the 2.5-ton mark. I'd prefer to tow the twin axle but would like the maintenance & fuel bill of the single axle. In other words " have my cake & eat it".
The twin axle will always be more stable. But a single axle loaded correctly with the weight over the chassis and to the front (keeping an eye on nose weight) and having a stabilised hitch you shouldn't really have any issues.
I would chose the single as I don't like the idea of reaching over the cooker to get stuff out of the microwave, in standard form there is hardly any difference in payload either just 5kg and both come with ATC so towing should be OK if loaded correctly
I have a single axle i have just finished towing 3600kms around New Zealand behind my 392ci V8 jeep. Yeah they bounce a little but loaded right they barely make a twitch, id never want to tow with less power than the srt8 as you can power out of any situation, ie, some dimwit trying to pass up a big long hill and he ran out of power as passing lane is about to end, i can pull away and leave him in the dust safely.
Basically the caravan is already capable of accepting the upper load but is plated at 1640k to attract those wanting a lighter caravan. Technically you could just load to the higher weight but then run a risk of being fined if you're pulled over by the dvsa or have an accident where the police investigate and find the van is overweight and will be used as a contributory factor for prosecution
Twin axle all the way, I feel there's no real need for motor movers on a twin. there so easy to reverse in to position that I never have a need to move it once unhooked and I had a blow out on a single axle at 60mph and I don't won't to experience that again
I think the upgrade is a con. When I first heard about upgrades I thought you had something changed on the running gear etc: but as I am led to believe you are paying 50 odd quid for a sticker and that’s it. So why can’t the max weight be put on it in the first place. If I have missed something I don’t mind being corrected.
@@johnmillard9725 That may be the case but the dimensions of the van are still the same and should be taken into account when matching up a rig. I had a two Bailey which I towed with a 1300 fiesta. I traded it in for a focus and you would have thought that would be better but no it only had the 1 litre eco boost engine and was clearly under powered. To encourage people to tow big vans with smaller cars is not a good idea.
@@rhinogooner I think that they try to hit the 85% guideline on ,mass of caravan to tow car, Engine size they are not to concerned about, I think a higher Torque is more ideal than the cubic capacity of the engine
We have a Bologna and recognised the differences immediately. There is a cupboard to the side of the fridge with the TV stand above and in addition to the table storage at the side of the kitchen the bedroom dresser is bigger and oriented differently. The twin axel may be heavier but more stable and following a recent puncture at low speed, you realise the benefits of four wheels. We have upgraded our van to 1800, to allow for an AWD mover and other kit. 300kg is a fantastic payload matching most motorhomes. Love watching your channel, another brilliant video.
I have owned a single axle and a twin axle, when we had the Bailey bordeaux 2004 from new it was ideal for us but when I saw twin axles arriving on site pulled by a 4x4 I haves to say I was a little envious, we then bought a Bailey Barcelona which was fine, we now have a Coachman 675 laser 2019 from new and because of the weight had to change from a Sorento to Range Rover strangely I no longer have any negative feelings. Its obvious that layout and all the other considerations have to be taken to account but you can't beat pulling on to a site in a stunning outfit (maybe it's a man thing) but my dad always said if
your going to have one have a big one. There is now just me and my wife and our Cocker spaniel Dylan we love the space the enormous shower, fixed bed etc.
We do some long towing trips, for example from The Scottish Highlands down to Marrakesh (Morocco) and back, over 5,700 miles and I can definitely say that our twin axle Swift tows a lot more stable than our previous single axle Swift. If you only do short trips then a SA may be okay, but for serious towing a TA is far superior.
Yes, it is more difficult to maneuver a TA (even with movers) than a SA (you can spin a SA on its axle. However, a few minutes with a bit more faffing moving the TA is far outweighed by the ease of towing for the hours to get to where you are going.
Yes the twin is better for the long journeys and also a bit safer if you have a blow out etc.
Both lovely, would be happy with either
great vid again Mark ... Paolo and Rog x
I always wondered what the twin axle had the single didn't on the swift caravans. I then noticed the twin has the larger fridge.
Personally I would prefer the twin model but the price difference between the two... for a larger fridge. Not sure if it's worth it.
Thanks
Perhaps the weight would be the decider.
Or the size of the fridge.
Nice video !
Much prefer the single axle, where do you put the tv on the one with big fridge. Single axle so much easier to manoeuvre.
We own a Bologna, which has the electrical fuses etc beneath the front table and incoming electrics at the front, whereas the Brindisi has the fuses etc in the bottom of the wardrobe, and the incoming electric supply comes in under the bed which is within what would be the awning area. This is what influenced our decision towards the Bologna, which we have also up-plated to 1800kg.
Great comment thanks
I 100% prefer towing our twin to the single we had before. So stable when towing. It just feels ‘planted’ on the road with four wheels. Definitely a twin axle if you can.
The Twins definitely glide more than bounce lol.
I would go out and buy a tape measure then you definitely know if it’s 2 foot shorter or 2 foot wider cheers Phil for Macclesfield Cheshire
Double axle is 40cm longer, which is more space in the kitchen area beside the oven. Everything else is identical. For the price difference plus buying a double motor-mover, I wouldn't bother (in fact I didn't, I have a Brindisi). But we're a couple so plenty of room for us, and small fridge is big enough. If we had kids I'd be tempted by the Bologna.
Worth saying the newer Bolognas have a taller fridge again, so the microwave is directly over the hob, which I really dislike.
Pre-pandemic Bailey was importing Unicorn bodies into Australia & putting them on Australian twin axle chassis. Increasing the payload to around 450kg from about 160kg. but you needed a Nissan Navara or similar to tow it, as fully loaded it was creeping up towards the 2.5-ton mark.
I'd prefer to tow the twin axle but would like the maintenance & fuel bill of the single axle. In other words " have my cake & eat it".
I think I should come over to Australia and do some video's. Strictly work of course 😅
@@thecaravanplace you are welcome any time.
What would interest me is in the wind how does a twin axle differ from single 🤔 personnely I'd think the twin would be safer but by how much
The twin axle will always be more stable. But a single axle loaded correctly with the weight over the chassis and to the front (keeping an eye on nose weight) and having a stabilised hitch you shouldn't really have any issues.
I would chose the single as I don't like the idea of reaching over the cooker to get stuff out of the microwave, in standard form there is hardly any difference in payload either just 5kg and both come with ATC so towing should be OK if loaded correctly
Thanks John
The bigger fridge and a more defined bedroom separation
both lovely caravans would go for single axle if could afford it
I have a single axle i have just finished towing 3600kms around New Zealand behind my 392ci V8 jeep. Yeah they bounce a little but loaded right they barely make a twitch, id never want to tow with less power than the srt8 as you can power out of any situation, ie, some dimwit trying to pass up a big long hill and he ran out of power as passing lane is about to end, i can pull away and leave him in the dust safely.
👍 Cool
Difference when it comes to buying tyres
I thought the second one looked narrower
Prefer Single Axel, more mover ability turning on a single Axel, less tires to maintain.
Good point
What do they do to upgrade the weight?
The basically give you a new weight plate and thats it.
@@thecaravanplace What a swizz🤗
Basically the caravan is already capable of accepting the upper load but is plated at 1640k to attract those wanting a lighter caravan. Technically you could just load to the higher weight but then run a risk of being fined if you're pulled over by the dvsa or have an accident where the police investigate and find the van is overweight and will be used as a contributory factor for prosecution
@@andrewtreweek254 Thanks for this.
Yes the lightweight is what sells the caravan to us.
Or it was.
We now season pitch, and don't tow.
single
We prefer and bought the Messina, twin axle with a end island bed, not transverse as in this video
The Messina was next to the Bologna, I would have liked to go away in that. 👍
Still, lovely caravans.
Will be in mine tomorrow.
Disappointing after seeing these.
Dooh !!
Have a good time. 👍
Twin axle all the way, I feel there's no real need for motor movers on a twin. there so easy to reverse in to position that I never have a need to move it once unhooked and I had a blow out on a single axle at 60mph and I don't won't to experience that again
I do like twin axles 👍
Twin axle easier to pull along nicely
They do tow nice👍
I think the upgrade is a con. When I first heard about upgrades I thought you had something changed on the running gear etc: but as I am led to believe you are paying 50 odd quid for a sticker and that’s it. So why can’t the max weight be put on it in the first place. If I have missed something I don’t mind being corrected.
Hi Robert the manufactures do this to appeal to people with smaller cars to tow the van
@@johnmillard9725 That may be the case but the dimensions of the van are still the same and should be taken into account when matching up a rig. I had a two Bailey which I towed with a 1300 fiesta. I traded it in for a focus and you would have thought that would be better but no it only had the 1 litre eco boost engine and was clearly under powered. To encourage people to tow big vans with smaller cars is not a good idea.
@@rhinogooner I think that they try to hit the 85% guideline on ,mass of caravan to tow car, Engine size they are not to concerned about, I think a higher Torque is more ideal than the cubic capacity of the engine
Yes £50 for a sticker. But as John said its to keep the weight down originally.
£50 is a con. Ordered an Adria with 100kg upgrade, for free.
Fridge and microwave is different place