Picked up our first caravan last week, a 1998 elddis select 450/4 really pleased with it, checked everything over today and everything works perfectly on it. The only thing that's bothering me is the stabiliser. It has an old alko one on it which the bloke we brought the caravan off has fitted. After reading up about alko stabilisers on elddis vans with BPW chassis on them, I'm to concerned about mine and the family's safety, so I'm going to replace it with a new one. Being new to caravanning I'm not sure what to go for, can I ask for people's recommendations on what type would be the best to go for? Don't mind spending if it means piece of mind and safety first.
Alko stabilisers can fit BPW chassis if they have vertical hole at rear. Provided it is not hitting handbrake at full compression of bellows then it's compatable. If it's been on the caravan & used by previous owner you can assume it's ok.
The only alternative hitch stabiliser is Winterhof as fitted to modern BPW chassis chassis, expensive new & not as common secondhand as Alko. Otherwise you can fit old type blade stabiliser but theres no reason your existing Alko stabiliser should not be ok.
Just check and change (for your peace of mind), the friction pads, as there's not really anything else to worry about, as even I can't see the actual hitch 'cup' being worn out...
Over the years we have had both Blade and Alko stabilizers.
Personally I prefer the blade type as they are easier to maintain, easier to strip down for annual maintenance and easier to set to the proper Lb/Foot settings.
Oh, and there is no need to clean the dammed towball every time I hitch to it.
However an Alko one doesn't take up any stowage space.
I agree with Lobey, a blade type stabiliser can be bought for about £25 second hand. Plus you get damping in the vertical plane with a blade to help prevent "bounce".
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Just ordered one, was going to go for the winterhoff ws3000 but talking to a few places and they have now been discontinued, and superceded by the BPW Isc Zkas type so ordered one of those. They've assured me it's the same fitment as the winterhoff so hopefully should go straight into the drawbar???
Quote: Originally posted by andyd99 on 03/11/2015
Just ordered one, was going to go for the winterhoff ws3000 but talking to a few places and they have now been discontinued, and superceded by the BPW Isc Zkas type so ordered one of those. They've assured me it's the same fitment as the winterhoff so hopefully should go straight into the drawbar???
Andy, even though your post is some 17months old, if you are still on the forum, I would appreciate your comments on the BPW stabiliser, good or bad, as I am considering buying one. Thank you.