Have you ever wondered why a two-wheeler is safer for a beginner? In every book you can read this and whoever you ask will tell you.
So here are the reasons for it.
For the novice whip, a two-wheeler is easier and safer to handle and drive than a four-wheeled carriage.
There is a situation known as “jackknifing” that can occur when a four-wheel carriage is turned hard or backed up incorrectly.
A sharp turn with a car that is not “cut under” can result in the entire vehicle tipping over, if the front wheels hit the side of the car.
If it is necessary to back a four-wheeled carriage, jackknifing occurs when the horse(s) are not backing in a straight line and/or the front and rear wheels are not in a straight line before attempting to back the vehicle.
In this case, you will end up with the horse(s) by the back of the carriage (in a cut-under vehicle) or the non-cut-under vehicle will tip over.
A car without an undercut will tip over if a turn is too sharp, as the front wheels hit the side of the vehicle and lock up.
Undercut means there is a side-to-side clearance that allows the front wheels to go under the car in tight turns.
Although a cut under car allows the wheels to pass under the body, it can make the vehicle unstable. If the horse(s) keep coming, then they may hit the vehicle or “cut” it and flip it over as well.
For many drivers, both more advanced and beginning, a cut-under vehicle would be the four-wheeler of choice.
Most Phaetons are cut under, have smaller front wheels, are boxless, and can be driven on one horse.
Therefore, it is safer to drive a two-wheeler for the novice whip, as it does not bend even in tighter curves or when backing up not quite straight.
