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Subject Topic: towbar/stabiliser advice for newbie!
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PersonLinzS1984
21/3/2018 at 6:52pm
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Hi I hope someone in the know wouldn’t mind taking the time to help?

We are looking at a caravan - 2005 model Lunar Chateau as a first family caravan.

We need to get a towball put on our car though and we are very confused about what one we need and are getting conflicting advice about using a stabiliser.

The plastic casing beside the handbreak says ALKO on it...so we are presuming that means it’s an Alko hitch?? When we have asked about a towball we’ve been told we don’t need a stabiliser/stabiliser can’t be used with and alko hitch. But the seller is giving us a SCOTT stabiliser which they used with it.

Can anyone advise us as to:

1. what type of towball we need (I want a detachable one)
2. Do we need a special bracket on the towball if using the Scott stabiliser?
3. Should we be using the stabiliser??

Thanks in advance, any advice much appreciated!


PersonPhishing
21/3/2018 at 7:48pm
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You need an ALKO compatible towball. It can be fixed, detachable or swan neck but MUST be ALKO compatible. Your towbar dealer will sort this but make sure you specify this.

I assume you will have 3004 Alko hitch which has friction stabilizers built in but if you want an external one then this document from the club has all the info you need.

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1022775/stabilisers-mo.pdf


PersonColin21
21/3/2018 at 7:53pm
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If you have an Alko hitch you will need a special towball, as extra clearance is required. You will not need another stabiliser if you have an Alko hitch.

Personally I don't use a stabiliser at all. There is no substitute for proper loading and careful driving. In my opinion, a stabiliser can mask a badly loaded caravan and lull the driver into a false sense of security. I have done lots of towing over many years, including caravans, boats, and all sorts of different two and four wheeled trailers, including flat-bed and car transporter trailers.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personnavver
21/3/2018 at 7:57pm
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This is a non stabiliser hitch.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=%2f9ezQyWs&id=7D50D45D3EEE94........

You lift the handle and lower it onto the ball and it should click into place with the handle down.

This is an Alko stabiliser hitch.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=xYN6dHkT&id=D72AC1D8CD1D3A77........

The big handle you can see is pushed down to engage the stabiliser. Underneath it is what looks like a non stabiliser handle.
So you lift both handles then lower it onto the ball and the bottom one snaps into place.
You then lower the big handle and need to really push it down hard.
What this does is force some friction pads to grip the ball so it cannot move freely. This friction damps out any snaking movements whereby the caravan sways from side to side.

You are supposed to have a ball with an extended neck for these. The gap between the flange and the ball is slightly longer. I personally don't have one and use a normal hitch without problem. Many will tell you this is wrong.

So you see, Alko make non stabiliser hitches and stabiliser hitches. These will be attached to the caravan.

The big handle may be red colour.

Not sure what a scott stabiliser is but it may be a long bar with a friction joint in it. You attach one end to the caravan and one to the car. Someone may know.


PersonLinzS1984
21/3/2018 at 8:09pm
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Does anyone mind supplying an email address I can send a couple of photographs too? I can’t figure out how upload the photos I took.


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Personnavver
21/3/2018 at 8:53pm
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You can put them in your gallery then post to say so


PersonGrampian91
21/3/2018 at 10:59pm
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http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/editgallery.asp

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/editgallery.asp


PersonLinzS1984
22/3/2018 at 8:15am
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Thanks so much for your help. I’ve now uploaded a pic of the hitch and stabiliser if that helps! It seems like we have an alko non-stabiliser hitch?


Persontango55
22/3/2018 at 10:12am
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Quote: Originally posted by LinzS1984 on 22/3/2018
Thanks so much for your help. I’ve now uploaded a pic of the hitch and stabiliser if that helps! It seems like we have an alko non-stabiliser hitch?


You can't actually see the stabiliser though, only the lifting handle protruding through the top of the hitch lock.
You need to remove the hitch lock then take a clear photo of the stabiliser as there are about 4 different model numbers that AL-KO manufactured. The 1300, 2000, 3004 and the latest version with the black handle. However, looking at the second photo with the Scott leaf blade type stabiliser, the corresponding attachment is on the 'A' frame which suggests that it's not a hitch stabiliser but a standard one.
Some people will change to an AL-KO stabiliser and just leave the attachment on the side of the 'A' frame so just to clarify the answer you need then it's worth taking a photo of the hitch to confirm that it is a standard one.







Post last edited on 22/03/2018 10:21:02


Personchinster1957
22/3/2018 at 2:22pm
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Hi Linz.

Does your caravan hitch have another handle in addition to the one shown in the photo? If not then you do not have a stabilizer hitch, simply a standard Alko hitch. If this is the case then the Scott stabilizer can be used with it.



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PersonOpensauce
22/3/2018 at 7:43pm
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From the hitch lock in your picture it looks like a standard non stabiliser hitch. If you want a detachable towball go for detachable swan neck & you are good to go with any type of hitch. I wouldn’t bother with a stabiliser though, you don’t need one.

You need to ensure caravan is loaded correctly to get correct noseweight. A stabiliser should not be used to correct a badly loaded caravan so really you don’t need one.

From what I can see of the stabiliser blade in your pic it looks rusty so only fit for srap metal anyway. If you really want a stabiliser I would get an Alko stabiliser hitch fitted. A caravan workshop will do the job for £300 odd. If you are ok with tools then plenty secondhand on ebay & easy diy fit if you know what you are doing.


Post last edited on 22/03/2018 19:50:19


PersonPixie_Hez
23/3/2018 at 9:44am
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If you are completely new to towing then I would recommend a stabiliser of some sort. My husband and I had a major accident in 2011 when we bought our first caravan which was largely down to our inexperience at towing. Until you get used to towing and understand how the caravan reacts in certain conditions, then take things very easy!

-------------
Pixie


PersonPaul_B
23/3/2018 at 11:17am
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The Scott stabiliser was a good make and will work just as good as an hitch stabiliser and probably better than an Al-Ko hitch stabiliser. The rust can be cleaned off the Scotts blade, its the pads that matter the most and they can be cleaned or replaced.
The plus for the hitch type stabiliser is that it is more convenient.

If you choose to use the Scott stabiliser tell the towbar fitter as a fixed towball is the preferred choice.

Whatever your preference in stabilisers, using one is far better than not bothering.


Post last edited on 23/03/2018 11:21:44


PersonLinzS1984
23/3/2018 at 2:29pm
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Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. It looks like we either need to invest in a alko stabiliser hitch or will have to get a fixed towball so we can get the stabiliser plate fitted. I am worried a fixed towball will affect the rear parking sensors though??


PersonOpensauce
23/3/2018 at 2:48pm
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The simple answer for you is to get a detachable swan neck fitted & an Alko stabiliser hitch. If your caravan is under 1300kg fully laden you can get the cheaper AKS 1300 stabiliser hitch fitted. Caravan workshop probably would charge about an hours labour for fitting. That way it’s easy. You can concentrate on using the caravan then.


PersonColin21
23/3/2018 at 2:53pm
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Quote: Originally posted by LinzS1984 on 23/3/2018
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. It looks like we either need to invest in a alko stabiliser hitch or will have to get a fixed towball so we can get the stabiliser plate fitted. I am worried a fixed towball will affect the rear parking sensors though??


I have a fixed, flanged towball on my Volvo estate, and it doesn't affect the parking sensors at all. If I stop when all 4 red lights come on, my towball is about a foot away from the fence/wall. As the towball is in the centre, between the sensors, they scan past it.

Do you really need a stabiliser? I never use one and I've been towing for many years.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin



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