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Anyone have a stabiliser model which fits a witter removeable towing hitch? No plate for a leaf spring arm type!

On a larger point - what is the general consensus on stabilisers? If you are set up properly, are they necessary? Are coupling head types better/worse?

What is the split? Who does/who doesn't use them on here?

Bit of a generic topic I know but i am new to tin tops.

Quote: Originally posted by rasally1208 on 03/6/2008

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On a larger point - what is the general consensus on stabilisers? If you are set up properly, are they necessary? Are coupling head types better/worse?

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Research at Bath University suggests that stabilisers damp small amplitude oscillations quite effectively but do little or nothing to prevent or correct snaking.  See:  http://people.bath.ac.uk/en8cjk/Caravan.pdf   I worry that stabilisers  lead people to have an unwarranted confidence in the stability of their outfit and hence drive faster than they would otherwise.  This could make them more dangerous rather than less.  I don't believe that stabilisers are necessary at all if you have an adequate towcar and your caravan is sensibly loaded, with an appropriate noseweight and correctly inflated tyres.

My own experience suggests that stabilisers do little to improve towing behaviour.  I could detect no difference in lateral stability irrespective of whether I used a Bulldog 200Q stabiliser with a Peugeot 406 towing a Lunar Saturn - though when it was in use, there was a slight reduction in pitching.  I now have an Alko stabiliser hitch on my Burstner S500TS caravan, which was fitted from new.  On a couple of occasions, after removing a Bulldog hitchlock at the motorway services, I have forgotten to depress the stabiliser handle and have towed for over 100 miles on the motorway close to the legal limit without any noticeable change in towing behaviour.  It was only at the next stop that I discovered my error.

As to whether coupling head types are better or worse than leaf types, as far as stability is concerned it makes no difference as none of them do anything useful anyway.  It may well be, though, that some are better than others at damping the small amplitude oscillations that affect towing comfort, especially with marginal towcars.  I'm sure others will be able to advise you on that.

Cheers
Andrew

Quote: Originally posted by AndrewK on 03/6/2008

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... I worry that stabilisers lead people to have an unwarranted confidence in the stability of their outfit and hence drive faster than they would otherwise. This could make them more dangerous rather than less....

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Quote: Originally posted by Gram on 03/6/2008

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until scientific evidence appears to say stabilisers can positively cause harm, I will still continue to use a stabiliser.

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As indeed do I.   As the van has an Alko stabiliser hitch, I see no point in leaving the stabiliser inactive. 

Cheers
Andrew

Quote: Originally posted by rasally1208 on 03/6/2008

Anyone have a stabiliser model which fits a witter removeable towing hitch? No plate for a leaf spring arm type!

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Quote: Originally posted by daved on 03/6/2008

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..... is there a massive difference in performance between a leaf stabiliser (such as my trusty scott) or a hitch stabiliser....

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