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 Topic: Tow Hitch
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20/10/2018 at 8:46pm
Location: Essex
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Hi All,
I have just got a new (to me)car.
Will tow my van without any problems, but as i have an older van (1995) i have been used to a fixed flange tow bar and a blade stabilliser
New car has a swan neck tow bar, so not able to use the blade stabilliser. I have checked with the tow bar manufacture and it is not possible to retro fit a fixing point !
So my next option is to fit a new tow hitch to my van with the built in alko stabilliser .
Any idea how much this may cost ?
My van weighs 890KG and has a max weight of 1150KG
Any ideas would be much apprecieated.
Thanks
Dan.
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20/10/2018 at 9:08pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Various tents
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This?
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20/10/2018 at 9:15pm
Location: Essex
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That looks ideal, im not too bad with a set of spanners, wonder if it is easy to swap over?
Thanks Bob.
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20/10/2018 at 9:21pm
Location: West country
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With a light weight van like yours, do you really need a stabiliser? What car have you got.
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20/10/2018 at 9:23pm
Location: Essex
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New car is a Honda Civic 1.6 Diesel.
Weighs in at 1350 KG.
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20/10/2018 at 9:55pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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I have an older van too, 1992, and probably a similar weight. Slightly lighter if anything. I have not used any kind of stabiliser since the early 1980s, although I must admit I had a break from caravanning for a few years. However, in the last 5 years since we got back into caravans, I have not found any need for a stabiliser. Load the caravan right, get the noseweight right for the car, and you shouldn't need one either.
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Best Regards,
Colin
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20/10/2018 at 10:09pm
Location: Essex
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Thanks Colin,
I guess my main concern was the fact that my old tow car weighed 1800 KG and towed really well, but cost a small fortune in repairs and running costs.
So going for a lighter car with lower running costs was a no brainer, but i have not towed without a stabilliser.
I do check all my weights and pressures every time i tow.
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21/10/2018 at 6:12pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 21/10/2018
Quote: Originally posted by DaveMiller on 21/10/2018
You don't need a stabiliser, until you need one; and then you really need one. 
Good advice. A stabiliser does have a positive effect when encountering sudden cross winds, or passing/being passed by a large truck.
If you have any doubts about the advantages of a stabiliser, look at it this way. If they did not make a difference, the caravan manufacturers could fit simpler hitches, and increase profits by charging the same price for a van.
Bertie.
Yes, I've wondered about that one. At one time no caravans were fitted with stabiliser hitches, as mine isn't, and few people used stabilisers at all. Then all of a sudden stabilisers started coming onto the market. Indeed I bought one and fitted it onto my Sprite Musketeer that I towed with a Mk2 Cortina. (This was the early 80s.) One day I forgot to fit it when I set off from home, and didn't realise it until I went to unhitch on the campsite. I had no idea it wasn't there! After that I rarely bothered to put it on, and I never had any problems.
Suddenly caravans started appearing with stabiliser hitches, and this makes me wonder why? Are those newer caravans inherently unstable without them? I have been towing all kinds of trailers for decades now, and caravans again for the past 5 years, and in all that time I have never once wished I had a stabiliser fitted.
If someone feels better having a stabiliser, then fit a stabiliser, but is it really necessary? Personal preference in my opinion. There was just one time I found my caravan swaying more than I would like and that was when I picked up my latest caravan from the dealer. However, I had just hitched it up and driven off. In all probability the noseweight was way too low, as when I next towed the caravan loaded up with my usual gear, and with the noseweight checked, it towed beautifully with no problems whatsoever.
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Best Regards,
Colin
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22/10/2018 at 3:45pm
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Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave
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QUOTE: "Then all of a sudden stabilisers started coming onto the market."
In two words, technical progress.
Power-assisted steering, ABS brakes, cruise control, etc. They must all have had their critics at the time, but would we be without them today?
If your outfit is set up properly, there are no sudden crosswinds, and you don't get buffeted when a large wagon passes very close, then the lack of a stabiliser may well not be noticed.
But when the untoward happens, a stabiliser by itself will not totally protect you, but its damping affect could be the difference between maintaining control or losing it.
Most of us never need our airbags to be activated, but we wouldn't remove them from the car's safety system, would we?
Bertie.
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The 2 Tops
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22/10/2018 at 6:29pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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I have nothing whatsoever against technical progress Bertie, and I would certainly never suggest that anyone didn't fit a stabiliser if they felt they needed one. All I can say is that I, personally, have never found the need. I have towed all sorts of things from small box trailers to boats, car transporter trailers, van (type) trailers, and caravans and I have done this for a living. I must have overtaken, and been overtaken by all sorts of things, thousands of times, and had no problems.
Power steering and ABS brakes are undoubtedly vital progress, but in my opinion (and that's all it is) stabilisers aren't in the same league. Not all "technical progress" is for the good. Some is simply someone seeing a business opportunity and seizing it. Nothing wrong with that.
What you are talking about is the principle of "insurance".
So, to sum up, if anyone feels the need for a stabiliser, then fit one. 
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Best Regards,
Colin
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22/10/2018 at 7:59pm
Location: Essex
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Thanks for your thoughts, I popped in to my local caravan dealers,and he quoted just over £ 200 to fit the hitch that Bob recommended.
I will probably get that done in the new year.
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23/10/2018 at 10:09am
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Each to his own, Colin21, but you are very much in the minority with those who drive "stabiliser-free". I don't exactly 'feel the need' of a stabiliser in a physical sense, but I firmly believe its presence reduces sideways sway from outside forces.
Like your comment about principle of insurance - have never bothered to find out if any insurers specifically ask if a stabiliser is fitted.
If a caravan was involved in an accident a the police were in attendance, and their investigation showed the stabiliser part of the Al-ko hitch not to be working, would there be come-back from the insurers? Likewise, if running with a conventional hitch, and no stabiliser fitted, what would happen if the police investigator deemed that a stabiliser would most probably have prevented, or reduced the seriousness, of the accident?
I think your "seizing a business opportunity" is a bit tongue in cheek. Some years ago it was reported in a Club mag that an (RAC officer, I think) with advance driving qualifications met a wheel in the road as he rounded a bend. He said himself that if his ESP had not been switched on he doubted whether he would have successfully avoided the obstacle.
I agree that some inventions are a con. For instance, the Milenco jockey wheel cup to prevent it sinking in soft ground. With four steadies taking the load, and support pads if the ground was soft, why would it do that?
Anyhow, I wish you safe towing for the future.
Bertie.
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The 2 Tops
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23/10/2018 at 11:18am
Location: Scotland
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Quote: Originally posted by skipp66 on 22/10/2018
Thanks for your thoughts, I popped in to my local caravan dealers,and he quoted just over £ 200 to fit the hitch that Bob recommended.
I will probably get that done in the new year.
If you are any good with your hands do not throw your hard earned money away to have a hitch fitted. You could fit it yourself following the instructions in less than an hour. If you feel you are not confident to fit it yourself get further quotes as £200 for fitting one seems to be more than a little excessive.
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mm48j
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