I am getting my new (to me) van dropped of tomorrow as my tow bar is not getting fitted until next week !
The previous owner is a friend, and he has said I can have the blade stabilise that he used on the van as his new one has an alko hitch.
He is giving me the plate that attaches to the tow hitch. Is it advisable to get the tow bar fitter to put the plate on when he fits the bar ?
I have to admit I know nothing about the blade type stabilisers ?
Is it worth using it ?
My van has got the old style hitch that I have used in the past with trailers and folding campers.
I am not a novice tower at all, as I have towed all sorts of trailers big and small, plus hold a shunting licence for my job so move 40 foot road tankers at my place of employment .
I am however a total caravan novice so obviously want to keep myself and my family safe.
Sorry about the long post ! All advice is most appreciated .
Hi
The plate will need fitting when they fit the tow ball.
I towed with one for years behind my LR110 with a blade bar and had no problems. Remember to adjust the plate on the van.
The bar needs lifting a little to sit in the nylon seat, to hold it in posistion, and give it a little tension, if not it will not work correctly.
They seem to work very well at reducing up and down sag and left to right Ime really chuffed with mine I've been told can be better than the hitch ones as have a lot bigger plates in them
Don't forget though that neither the leaf or hitch type will help stabiliser an incorrectly loaded caravan.
I suggest that you tow it for the first time without the stabiliser attached then attach it and feel the difference.
DaveS1
Thanks Dave I think I will give that a try.
My towing limit on the car is 1600 KG.
And the Weights on the van are
Mass in Running Order weight: 940 KG
Maximum allowable weight is: 1150 KG.
so am I correct that my 85% limit is 1360 KG ?
Think ive done my maths correctly!!
I have used blade type stabilisers for over 40 years with caravans. Our latest caravan has a Winterhoff built in stabiliser. Blade stabilisers set up correctly are equally as good and worth using in my opinion. Belt and braces safety. Set up your nose weight and caravan balance then help it all along with a stabiliser. It's as safe as you can be. Oh, and make sure all tyres are fir for purpose, of course.
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Thanks dinkum,
I have the plate to be fitted to the tow bar next week,and my next purchase will be a nose weight gauge.
Van has tyres that are 8 months old.
Cant wait to get towing.