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Subject Topic: Stabiliser Advice Please Post Reply Post New Topic
04/7/2011 at 4:59pm
 Location: Leeds Bradford
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix 640+
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Hello all, I've bought a caravan recently, and its my first van. It came with a stabiliser but up until now we've not used it as we didn't have the mount on the tow bar.

Ive since bought the mount (its a Snakemaster) and noticed it came with two sets of holes, for an upper and a lower mounting option.

I went for the lower holes, meaning the stabilisor mount is actually higher on the car.

I've take a pic (sorry its not very good as at the time I took the pic I wasn't taking it for the purpose of showing the fitment)


This is the mount.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.towsure.com/product/Spare_Snakemaster_Car_Plate

Any ideas, or is this for if you have a 4x4 with quite a high hitch?

Thanks, sorry if this is a novice question.

Regards

David


04/7/2011 at 5:00pm
 Location: Leeds Bradford
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix 640+
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BTW this photo wasn't of me about to tow, I know that the breakaway cable isn't fitted, this was connected just literally to see how the stabiliser felt when fitted (and to test the newly installed split charge relay).

thanks

David


04/7/2011 at 5:19pm
 Location: watford
 Outfit: vectra c1.9cdti estate abbey vogue 1
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 hi david[:D]

 i would put the plate lower down on the towbar,it looks as tho the stabilizer swing section could foul your hitch there.

 also it seems to be a bit high up at the car end,should be riding level on the horizontal, try dropping the plate down to the top holes and see how it sits level between car and van.

 

atb



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04/7/2011 at 7:14pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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What i do when changing cars/jeeps is try one position first and hitch the car on if,it dosent look level with the car on then move it to the other.There will be a lot saying you dont need one,Ps lifting the blade on to its position should be hard,but not that hard..if you get my drift.

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04/7/2011 at 7:35pm
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I used to have the identical stabiliser. I found it kept jumping out of the shoe when on a sharp corner. It couldn't have been doing very much when it was on though as I couldn't tell if it was in the shoe or not unless I got out and had a look. The instructions also said it should be removed before reversing.


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07/7/2011 at 9:49am
 Location: Leeds Bradford
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix 640+
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Having seen several other cars with a similar sort of stabiliser mount, they all seem to have used the top set of bolts, ie the plate sat lower. I was concerned of the car grounding out on a certain speed hump I have to drive down. The bottom of the towbar has caught before, and this might make it even lower.

Here's the above pic, but not zoomed in - I can see now the stabiliser does look like it needs to be lower at the hitch end, to make the bar sit flatter on the receiver on the van.

Another job for the weekend then...



David


07/7/2011 at 9:52am
 Location: Leeds Bradford
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix 640+
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BTW, I've seem mention in other threads, about other threads on the need for stabilisers. Personally I've not felt we've needed it so far when using the van. We drove home from Malton to Leeds a couple of months back in seem very high winds and we had the odd wiggle when I got above 50, so stuck below that and it was fine.

I guess the forum members would be divided and I'm not going to ask again, as I bet its been done to death.

Just always recall having one on my dads outfits over the years.

David


09/7/2011 at 7:30am
 Location: Moray
 Outfit: Elddis Avante 475 Renault Grand Scen
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Hi David,

I recently got my first van, and have a similar stabiliser you yours. Once again, I've read peoples responses to similar threads saying 'throw it away, don't need one' etc., But recall my dad wouldn't be without one, we never had any stability issues when he towed, with a combination of common sense loading and very common sense driving, and maybe the stabiliser helped too. If it was good enough for him, it'll do for me! All I did was took his principals into MY towing 'career', and I'm sure all will be fine.

When I collected my van, the dealer fitted the bracket and stabiliser to my outfit, the plate did then need lowering, I would suggest you lower it if you are unsure. If it then seems too low you can always move it back. At least you'll have put your mind at rest.

I've towed already in high winds, had no wobbles thankfully, have negotiated tight bends and reversed with stabiliser still attached, so would be interested to get some clarification on the 'remove before you reverse' issue, it has never jumped off on tight bends but I guess that's because the plate was lowered. When you fit the stabiliser how much muscle do you need to lift it onto caravan bracket? Mine takes some oomph!

Finally, off thread, I'm heading to Malton next month, where did you stay and what was the site like?



09/7/2011 at 3:07pm
 Location: Leeds Bradford
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix 640+
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Quote: Originally posted by Gareth72 on 09/7/2011

Finally, off thread, I'm heading to Malton next month, where did you stay and what was the site like?

Hi Gareth, we stayed at a lovely site called Brickyard Farm Lakes. Its a small fishing style site, with loads of small lakes, with pitches surrounding it.

Not a family friendly site, but more couples. Great owner who can talk for England.

Here's some pics from when we were there. MOST peaceful!

BTW some of the colours odd as my iPhone 4 was set to HDR mode... ;)

David
http://www.davidmbell.com/elddis/brickyard_farm_lakes/

Post last edited on 09/07/2011 15:22:53


09/7/2011 at 10:55pm
 Location: Moray
 Outfit: Elddis Avante 475 Renault Grand Scen
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Thanks for the photo link, looks very peaceful. I used to live near Malton so know the area well, although wasn't a caravanner then so unsure where to stay. I know Amotherby. Going back in a few weeks to catch up with old friends. Sadly site probably not suitable for me as I caravan with my two kids... All the unfenced water would probably result in unplanned swimming lessons.......

 



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10/7/2011 at 3:29pm
 Location: Sitingbourne
 Outfit: baily champaign
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the different holes in the stabiliser mount plate allowes you to adjust the down force on the A frame slipper this in turn helps to control the yaw action on the caravan & to some exstent reduced the nose weight on the car

cant seem to find snakemaster instructions but they are more or less the same as the Bulldog stabiliser

just google Buldog stabilizer fitting instructions




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