Another supersized triple axle caravan coming
Massive 32ft Queensland caravan to boast triple slide-outs and two double bedsQueensland's Sunland can already lay claim to building some of the most expensive -- and most compact -- full-height caravans in the country, but soon it will be able to boast about rolling out one of the largest...
Sunland Caravans' boss Roy Wyss said the Caboolture-based manufacturer recently took an order from a couple wanting a custom-built 32ft (body length) caravan -- that's not far off some of longest motorhomes on the market, not to mention American-style fifth-wheelers.
While not revealing too many details, Wyss said the custom-built touring van will feature city apartment-style interior living spaces, thanks to three slide-outs and two double beds: a main queen bed and another double bed that will drop down electrically from the ceiling.
Unlike the very glamourous and super expensive 25ft Phoenix Federation that Sunland built in 2018, Wyss said the new 32 footer will be relatively bare-boned, and with no battery or solar system installed is destined to spend most of its life plugged in at a caravan park powered site.
While rare down under, triple axle caravans are increasingly on buyers' radars, especially after all the hoo-ha created by the six tonne rated, $220,000-plus 26ft Kedron van with the lot that starred at both the 2018 and 2019 Queensland Supershows.
While Melbourne manufacturers including Roma and Spaceland have churned out a few, 30ft-plus triple axle vans over the years, many have been for full-time traveller types or remote workers seeking Tiny House-style accommodation that can be easily moved around as required.
Triple the trouble?
However despite their obvious appeal, the Caravan Council of Australia's Colin Young warned that super-sized triple axle caravans are not always a good option, especially for inexperienced caravanners or those with under-sized tow vehicles.
Young said it's even more important when towing a larger and potentially more unstable triple axle van for the tow vehicle to weigh more than the caravan it's towing, to help avoid any 'tail wagging the dog' sway issues.
"One of the major problems at the moment is that far too many 'vans are being towed by vehicles that weigh appreciably less than the 'van," explained Young.
"(This issue) is exacerbated by a lot of 'vans not having a professionally-designed suspension system -- and having a hideous arrangement for the water tanks -- along with a percentage of drivers not knowing how to, or simply ignoring the need to, properly load their 'van," he said.
"Accordingly, the mass:mass ratio - and the moment-of-inertia - become even more critical, as the mass of the 'van increases.
"I consider that a typical tri-axle 'van should be towed by a vehicle with a mass of around 1.5 times the mass of the 'van, at any time; and that is with a highly-competent and experienced driver. The increased length disproportionately - and negatively - will tend to impair the handling and stability of the combination," he said.
Young also cautioned that "a tri-axle trailer is fine for use as a semi-trailer, but when used as a caravan, the type of suspension is of paramount importance, as its characteristics will determine how the 'van handles, especially on rough winding roads."
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