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
  Camping and Caravanning Equipment 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: stabilisers: Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmadmax2
13/10/2013 at 8:47pm
 Location: Sheffield.
 Outfit: Coachman mirage 460 sportage 2.0 petro View madmax2's Profile View Profile   Reply to madmax2 Reply   Quote madmax2 Quote  
Joined: 15/6/2005

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
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
Having just bought a caravan after being without for a couple of years: I'm having to buy all accessories again:
I've always liked the Alko type stabiliser ever since they came out: & have had them since early 90's. Easy to use, & look good. However, giving it some thought before i buy, i got to thinking, looking at the concept the old types are probably more effective looking at where fulcram point is, plus they also give lift too, easier on springs: Input please:

-------------
Remember: Tomorrow is the first day of rest of your life:


PersonGrampian91
13/10/2013 at 11:59pm
 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
Give lift? Gives lift to what?

They dont affect the vehicles springs in any way. It put downward pressure onto the ball but doesnt increase or decrease the noseweight. Just pushes the A frame down onto the hitch.

I know someone that drove over 100 mile and pulled up onto the pitch and found the only thing holding the van on was the stabiliser pushing the hitch down.

It had not engaged the ball properly.

With visible indicators these days this is less likely to happen. But always worth a double check.


Personmadmax2
14/10/2013 at 2:13pm
 Location: Sheffield.
 Outfit: Coachman mirage 460 sportage 2.0 petro View madmax2's Profile View Profile   Reply to madmax2 Reply   Quote madmax2 Quote  
Joined: 15/6/2005

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
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
It does actually give lift to tow vehicle: Try it, measure height of hith connect up & its higher: Trust me I've been into it:

-------------
Remember: Tomorrow is the first day of rest of your life:


Persontango55
14/10/2013 at 3:07pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
If it gives lift like you say then why do the vehicle manufacturers need to provide a maximum towball weight to the specific vehicle? Because the trailer noseweight has a downward pressure compressing the the vehicles rear springs so the dimension from road to towball should decrease not increase when a caravan is properly hitched up. The only way the distance will increase is if you have an excessive load rear of the caravan axle which is bad practice to say the least.

Post last edited on 14/10/2013 18:47:35


PersonDaveS1
14/10/2013 at 4:37pm
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3 View DaveS1's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveS1 Reply   Quote DaveS1 Quote  
Joined: 16/3/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1509
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

Sorry MadMax but I have to agree with the above.  Any force exerted by a leaf spring stabiliser is between the tow ball and the hitch and has no effect on the vehicle height at all.

Having said that, if you feel you need a stabiliser then the Al-Ko type are a little easier to use and you don't have a 'huge' bracket stuck on the back of your car.

DaveS1

 


Advertisement



Personmadmax2
14/10/2013 at 6:03pm
 Location: Sheffield.
 Outfit: Coachman mirage 460 sportage 2.0 petro View madmax2's Profile View Profile   Reply to madmax2 Reply   Quote madmax2 Quote  
Joined: 15/6/2005

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
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
It acts like a spring assister: When i say lift i mean connet van & it sags, lift spung stabiliser on to it's plate & it lifts tow vehicle back up about 10mm: Try it: If i'm wrong i'll show you my bum !! THEY DO GIVE LIFT TO TOW VEHICLE: Fact.
(obviously i mean the spring type of stabiliser)

Post last edited on 14/10/2013 18:16:39

Post last edited on 14/10/2013 18:18:40

-------------
Remember: Tomorrow is the first day of rest of your life:


PersonDandyman Bob
15/10/2013 at 11:45pm
 Location: St ALBANS
 Outfit: Riva(Dandy) Destiny. Peugeot 5008 View Dandyman Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dandyman Bob Reply   Quote Dandyman Bob Quote  
Joined: 04/5/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   819
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
The problem with a spring type stabiliser is that they are heavy, need to be put on after you have hitched up and can apparently pop off if you go over a speed hump, ferry ramp etc. In my opinion the hitch type stabilisers are well worth the extra cost.
Regards Bob.


PersonGrampian91
16/10/2013 at 2:49am
 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
They only lift the back of the car because you need to lift the spring to put it into place.

And it is hinged on the towbar so lifting the rear of the car, But once its on the caravan plate it no longer acts upon it.

If it stays higher after fitting it. Drop the cars handbrake off i bet it drops again.


Persontimtheenchanter
16/10/2013 at 1:02pm
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW View timtheenchanter's Profile View Profile   Reply to timtheenchanter Reply   Quote timtheenchanter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3331
Site Reviews Total: 10
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
Quote: Originally posted by Dandyman Bob on 15/10/2013
The problem with a spring type stabiliser is that they are heavy, need to be put on after you have hitched up and can apparently pop off if you go over a speed hump, ferry ramp etc. In my opinion the hitch type stabilisers are well worth the extra cost.
Regards Bob.



never had mine pop off, been round some tight bends, and over some big humps without issue, popping off is usually that the caravan bracket is mounted too far back.


Personmadmax2
16/10/2013 at 6:55pm
 Location: Sheffield.
 Outfit: Coachman mirage 460 sportage 2.0 petro View madmax2's Profile View Profile   Reply to madmax2 Reply   Quote madmax2 Quote  
Joined: 15/6/2005

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
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
The spring type are better & more efficiant: just more hassle & dont look as good:

-------------
Remember: Tomorrow is the first day of rest of your life:



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 - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

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


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

6217 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