When is One Axle Better Than Two?

Heavier is not always better. This is particularly true when it comes to the number of axles on your RV. Don’t be fooled – many die-hards will tell you that having two or three axles makes the RV safer, but that’s simply not the case. Single-axle RVs are just as safe and easier to tow, especially if you’re towing a Bowlus.

The number of axles on a travel trailer is determined by its weight. Each axle, and each tire on that axle, has a load capacity rating, or the amount of weight it’s able to safely support, which is usually about 2,000 pounds per tire. The longer and the heavier an RV, the greater number of axles and tires it needs. That’s why many large fifth wheels and motor homes have two or three axles, with the rear axles often having four tires each. Often you’ll see recalls on two or three axle RVs and that often is an excellent example of the manufacturer not taking the ratings seriously.

Single-axle travel trailers, like the Bowlus Volterra, Terra Firma, or Rivet, are, by definition, lightweight. Bowlus RVs have a gross vehicle weight rating ranging from 3,500 pounds to 4,000 pounds. We design them to be a single-axle travel trailer because there are so many advantages to owning a lightweight RV.

First, when combined with a jockey wheel, it’s a breeze to position your RV on your campsite. Need to shift your trailer to the left or the right to maximize your view? No problem. Even a small adult can quickly reposition a Bowlus on a flat surface. Check out our tour video to see how easily it’s done! If you want a hand consider adding the new Bowlus AeroMove that moves your Bowlus into any position easily.

With a single-axle RV, you’ll also have less upkeep on your trailer brakes, bearings and tires – because there are fewer of them to maintain. Maintenance costs, time, and effort increase exponentially as the number of axles go up. For example, Bowlus recommends replacing the tires on your RV at least every seven years and the cost of two tires, versus four or six, is considerably less.

And then there’s the towing. A lightweight single-axle RV is so much less stressful to tow than a badly shaped, heavier RV. The handling and turning is better and thanks to Bowlus’ aerodynamics there’s less drag and rolling resistance. That means you can tow a Bowlus with crossovers, SUVs and electric vehicles, and you can do so with better fuel efficiency or battery range. Our tests indicate that there’s usually just a one mile per gallon difference towing a Bowlus and that’s nothing compared with heavier box-like RVs.

And of course, because it’s a Bowlus, you won’t be sacrificing on the amenities or finish details. We design our RVs to be beautiful, luxurious, and easy to tow. All supported by just a single-axle that will more than serve you well on every adventure.