Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Stabilisers Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBabyfish
26/6/2013 at 8:58am
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4 View Babyfish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Babyfish Reply   Quote Babyfish Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   197
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 9
Site Nights 2018: 0
Are we safe to tow a caravan home without a stabiliser?
We are buying our first caravan and ideally we wanted one with an AL-CO hitch but haven't found a suitable buy yet. What happens if we don't find one? My husband has never towed before and FIL has put the fear of God up him going on about caravan's 'jack-knifing' on the motorway etc etc etc. Sorry if I seem rather clueless - I am!!!


Personmillermicm
26/6/2013 at 9:16am
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered View millermicm's Profile View Profile   Reply to millermicm Reply   Quote millermicm Quote  
Joined: 29/3/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4665
Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Many people think stabilisers are a waste of time and do not use them at all. With reasonable care you should be perfectly ok.

I always use a stabliser. That's no to say I wouldn't tow a van without one. I certainly would until I had the opportunity to get one fitted.

The scare merchants talking about jack-knifing etc are being very naughty and probably talking about something of which they have little knowledge. It can happen with excessive speed, sudden braking, poorly loaded caravan etc. It very rarely does. Have you ever seen one?


PersonBabyfish
26/6/2013 at 9:22am
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4 View Babyfish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Babyfish Reply   Quote Babyfish Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   197
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 9
Site Nights 2018: 0
Nope, never!
Thank you for your reply :-)


Person664DaveS
26/6/2013 at 9:41am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75 View 664DaveS's Profile View Profile   Reply to 664DaveS Reply   Quote 664DaveS Quote  
Joined: 24/7/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4383
Site Reviews Total: 55
Site Reviews 2024: 2  
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
Site Reviews 2022: 6  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 4  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 55
Site Nights 2022: 54
Site Nights 2021: 56
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 20
Site Nights 2018: 41

Anything which makes towing safer is a good idea IMHO. Of course the outfit should be correctly matched and loaded.

Towing a new van home will need extra care especially if it empty of gas bottles etc, as it will be light, once loaded correctly it should be ok.

Any sudden swerves etc may cause a snake, its common sense.

It is not uncommon for artics to jackknife, probsably because someone does something forcing them to take evasive action.



-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!


PersonBabyfish
26/6/2013 at 11:55am
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4 View Babyfish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Babyfish Reply   Quote Babyfish Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   197
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 9
Site Nights 2018: 0
I hadn't thought about the caravan being empty making a difference. It will have to be a slow and careful trip home (obviously we drive carefully anyway!) if we can't get a stabiliser on to come home with.


Advertisement



PersonGrampian91
26/6/2013 at 11:56am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Properly matched and properly loaded you wont need a stabiliser.

Artics jacknife because they have30 tons or so pushing the cab unit that may weigh as little as 6 tons.

99.9999% of the time the trailers brakes slow it properly, But in an emergency that may not be enough.

If the caravans 85% of the cars weight then you wont have any issues.

I have towed at high speeds with an old Sprite caravan. No problem. But the car weighed a lot more than the caravan. 850kg for the van compared to about 1200kg for the car.


PersonDaveCoaches
26/6/2013 at 7:54pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche View DaveCoaches's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveCoaches Reply   Quote DaveCoaches Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1247
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I won't have a stabiliser because I want to feel the caravan moving. If I had a stabiliser and something went wrong, I might not know until it's too late. A stabiliser won't stop a snake.

Load and drive safely and you won't notice any difference with or without a stabiliser. If it does make a difference then there's something wrong. A stabiliser is not to be used to stabilise an unstable outfit.


Persondinkum
26/6/2013 at 10:54pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
Joined: 04/2/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   633
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Stabilisers DO work. Google "Peter Jones Snaking Accidents" and spend some time exploring the physics and engineering behind them. Oh, and do not believe that all research is carried out correctly before accepting the "gospel" of NOT needing a stabiliser. They have to be set up correctly. It is not just nose weight and advisory towing limits.
Like Grampian above, my old Sprite could have featured on top gear! But I had a high friction blade stabiliser fitted , set up to offer decent damping resistance. Pretty sure that Scott used to issue full set up instructions to match the damper (stabiliser) to the caravan mass etc.

-------------
cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


PersonBabyfish
27/6/2013 at 12:55pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4 View Babyfish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Babyfish Reply   Quote Babyfish Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   197
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 9
Site Nights 2018: 0
The caravan we want to buy on Saturday has an Alco hitch so fingers crossed everything will be ok. I must admit I find the whole towing thing really scary and am very glad it won't be me driving.


PersonGrampian91
27/6/2013 at 9:53pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Make sure you have an alko towball or any other towball (swan neck or detachable) not a standard one.


Advertisement



PersonBabyfish
28/6/2013 at 4:40pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4 View Babyfish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Babyfish Reply   Quote Babyfish Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   197
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 9
Site Nights 2018: 0
We've been fitted with an ALKO towball today so everything crossed :-)


Personrobert/julie
28/6/2013 at 6:00pm
 Location: Ivybridge Devon
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy series 6 View robert/julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to robert/julie Reply   Quote robert/julie Quote  
Joined: 20/4/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   343
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
When we picked up our first caravan I towed it home without a stabiliser but it was a very light van and although having to drive down part of the M5 I took my time 2 reasons never having towed a caravan before and the light was going and a wet road. We got a bulldog 2000 soon after. Our ewer van that we got this year has an Alko stabiliser fitted to it so before picking it up I got my tow ball changed


PersonThe 2 Tops
03/7/2013 at 5:42pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave View The 2 Tops's Profile View Profile   Reply to The 2 Tops Reply   Quote The 2 Tops Quote  
Joined: 01/8/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4789
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Can't understand the claims that stabilisers don't achieve anything. The next claim will be that the Al-ko ATC doesn't work either.
Nothing is foolproof against careless loading/mismatching/bad driving practice but, within the accepted safe parameters, these things do make a difference.
Bertie.

-------------
The 2 Tops


Personlisterdiesel
04/7/2013 at 12:29pm
 Location: Rushden Northants
 Outfit: Mercedes 614D Conversion View listerdiesel's Profile View Profile   Reply to listerdiesel Reply   Quote listerdiesel Quote  
Joined: 03/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   581
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I've never used a stabiliser in 40+ years of towing, but I can see that for a lot of folks they add a bit of security and peace of mind.

What they don't do is make an unstable outfit any better, and also disguise the fact that there is a problem until eventually the situation arises where the imbalances overcome the stabiliser and you're into a crash situation.

I often wonder, given the popularity of the devices whether crashed outfits are fitted with a stabiliser or not, that would make an interesting statistic.

People often don't connect the loading of the caravan with the dynamic of an accident, they just carry on until the day arrives when they are another statistic.

Caravan manufacturers should give comprehensive loading instructions for their vans so that people are aware of just how little they can carry in the rear of the 'van, and even twin-axle 'vans have an ultimate limit.

Peter


PersonThe 2 Tops
05/7/2013 at 10:42am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave View The 2 Tops's Profile View Profile   Reply to The 2 Tops Reply   Quote The 2 Tops Quote  
Joined: 01/8/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4789
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I started towing without a stabiliser, then moved on to the old friction-blade unit and finally the integrated towhitch; which became an industry standard because all new caravans have fitted one as OE for several years.
I generally agree with listerdiesel. Stabilisers and ATC will only add to safety if all other aspects are observed correctly, and driving habits/speed not infringed on the assumption that these devices will rectify abuse.
How the van is loaded, even when care is taken, is one thing that can become a problem for anyone, but the observant driver should quickly feel any instability and stop and rearrange the load as soon as it is conveniently safe to do so.
Bertie.

-------------
The 2 Tops



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

5262 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder