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Subject Topic: Snakemaster Stabilizer - Help Reqd
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21/7/2010 at 5:04pm
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Because it's a light van doesn't make you invincible.

I've seen several Discoveries overturn with caravans. Not because they are a bad towcar, quite the opposite. They are so good the driver suffers from invincibility syndrome.


21/7/2010 at 6:16pm
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
 Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery
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If the caravan is much more stable with it, you have some sort of basic problem.

Jim



27/7/2010 at 12:42pm
 Location: None Entered
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As I said it 'feels' more stable - as I've got means of measuring whether it was w/o the snakemaster I really don't know.

I don't think I'm invincible either - I don't do more then 60 mph when towing the van, and always slow down when going downhill. I have a 4 month old baby in the car so am as careful as I can be.

Not sure what basic problem I would have if I'm just towing a very lightly loaded van with my Marea, or what I could do to correct it. Any idea on what the problem would be ?

Anyway I've just done 1500 mile in France (in high winds across the calais plains) with not too much problem.



27/7/2010 at 2:03pm
 Location: Oldham
 Outfit: Burstner S500TS Nissan Patrol 3.0 SVE
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If you go have a look at the research into caravan stability carried out at Bath Uni, you'll discover that stabilisers are capable only of reducing small amplitude oscillations. They have little or no effect on the critical speed at which uncontrolled large amplitude oscillation can take place (snaking) and do nothing to control it if a snake does occur.

The principle effect is on driver comfort - and that is the main cause of my concern. Whether they admit it or not, folks will drive a little faster if the towing experience "feels" more stable. Driving faster is less safe than driving slower.

If your caravan is correctly loaded, noseweight is sensibly high, the towcar is heavy enough, if all tyres are correctly inflated, both car & van are in good nick and you don't drive at too high a speed then a stabiliser should make little or no difference. If it does make a significant difference to the "feel" then one or more of those is not true.

I tow a 1500kg caravan with a Nissan Patrol. On more than one occasion, I've forgotten to press the stabiliser handle down after removing a hitchlock (fitted temporarily) at the motorway services - and have then driven more than a hundred miles of busy motorway before stopping again. There was no detectable difference in towing behaviour.

Andrew



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