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Subject Topic: Stabiliser for towing ????
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PersonPaulandjoanne
19/7/2017 at 5:00pm
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Hello all

Just bought our first caravan, it's a 4 berth lightweight swift, I am towing it with a Vauxhall zafira, not perfect I know but the dealer and the company who are fitting my towbar have said there is no need for a stabiliser/snake bar, can anyone with experience please take the time to advise me on this

Thanks
Paul


PersonGeoff48
19/7/2017 at 5:35pm
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Have a read of this article Stabiliser. You have been correctly advised there is no need to have a stabiliser in the past I have had a blade stabiliser, I now have a hitch stabiliser. I have had one snake on the M25 caused by been underpassed and overtaken simultaneously by the bow waves of 2 HGV's no damage was done. I was travelling at approx 55mph at the time. In my opinion the hitch stabiliser gives a smoother ride, but it costs a lot more than a blade. Have you checked what your towing ratio is see Here. I'm sure other forum members will give you plenty of advice. To avoid snakes keep to the speed limits, do not accelerate going down hill use low gears if appropriate, be well aware of traffic behind you.


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PersonGrampian91
19/7/2017 at 7:46pm
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What do you call lightweight? How heavy is the van? Unladen or MIRO or max laden which maybe marked MTPLM.

Which Zafira? Year/Model/Engine/Manual or Auto?

I have towed well above the legal limit without a stabiliser with no issues but again towed below the legal limit and had stability issues. Lots of variables.

And no the towing above the legal limit was not on the highway, before someone comments on that.


Personnavver
19/7/2017 at 8:08pm
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I often think stabilisers are bad for beginners. They tend to mask a poorly matched or loaded or driven outfit so they never learn what is good.

A stabiliser will stop snaking up to a point. Then it will lose its grip leaving them with a major problem as by then, they are going much too fast to be able to deal with it.

Much better to have a small snake while going slow enough to be able to deal with it.


PersonPaulandjoanne
19/7/2017 at 9:20pm
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Great thanks for all the replies, the caravan is just under 1000 kilos and the car is the same weight, the dealer has assured me this will
Be fine, it's a 1.6 petrol manual 2005 model but as it's our first van I am willing to change it in the near future if it's not capable of the job


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PersonGeoff48
19/7/2017 at 9:58pm
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The towing ratios are very important please read the link Here
The recommended ratio for towing is 85%. This can be exceeded but never more than 100% the nearer to 85% the better. It isn't safe or legal to exceed 100%. Please check the suitability of your tow vehicle by using the link I gave earlier for Towsafe and enter your car details and your caravan, it will then tell you if you have a suitable match or not. From what you have said above you may have an illegal match. More importantly you would not be safe and towing with that car and your outfit may invalidate your insurance.


PersonPaulandjoanne
19/7/2017 at 10:25pm
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Ok thanks


Personchrisn7
19/7/2017 at 11:27pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Geoff48 on 19/7/2017
The towing ratios are very important please read the link Here
The recommended ratio for towing is 85%. This can be exceeded but never more than 100% the nearer to 85% the better. It isn't safe or legal to exceed 100%.


It is not illegal to exceed 100% of Kerbweight. Many cars are strong enough to do so and have a max tow weight specified in the handbook well in excess of kerbweight. Neither is it automatically unsafe. For example my X5 has a handbook braked trailer weight limit of 2700Kg against a kerbweight of 2180 Kg

As long as all specified weights are complied with it will still be legal, but of course anything over 100% has eaten into safety margins, which must be respected.


PersonGrampian91
20/7/2017 at 5:30am
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The manual on my range rover said i could tow 8 tons in low range and the diff locks in, upto xx mph. I forget what the speed was, but not very fast.

Dealers will often tell you its OK to get the sale. Their only concern will be its legal.

It may not be suitable, but its legal.

Caravans nearly 1000kg is that the MIRO or the Max laden weight?

Some Zafiras have a low towing weight also. If yours is 900kg then you maybe over the limit.


PersonHumberWolf
20/7/2017 at 8:28am
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According to Parkers the weight of a 1.6 Zafira (1999 -2005) is around 1325kg (depending on model) with a braked towing weight limit of 1100kg. This would make it quite safe to tow a van of approx. 1000kg., (assuming that this is its maximum weight). You can check this on the VIN plate normally found on the door pillar of your car, by calculating the difference between the top two numbers. However, you might find towing hard work, as the 1.6 petrol is not very powerful, and there will be plenty of gear changing.

Regarding the stabiliser, I would agree with previous comments. It is much more important to load the caravan correctly, get the correct noseweight and have the tyres at the correct pressure. I towed a 1000 kg Swift Rapide for many years without a stabiliser and never had a problem.



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Persontango55
20/7/2017 at 10:07am
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I have always used a stabiliser merely for peace of mind really disregards the weight of the caravan but in reality you don't need one providing that the caravan is loaded correctly, the noseweight complies to the vehicle's towball weight (75 kgs. on the Zafira) and that you adhere to the speed limits accordingly all in the interest of caravan stability. If then a HGV does overtake which the suction draw causes a bow wave then any slight twitch of the caravan should automatically be rectified immediately instead of creating a swing (snake) from side to side and this is the aim of the stabiliser and nothing more. If it makes you feel a little more easy regards towing then use a stabilser but don't get complacent thinking it will prevent a severe snake as it won't.


Personchrisn7
20/7/2017 at 10:53am
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Having a stabiliser is like having ABS on your car - you don't need, but it might just save the day providing that extra intervention when you required, but is certainly not a remedy for poor loading.


PersonPaul_B
20/7/2017 at 12:26pm
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Its also like seatbelts they're not necessary until you have an accident.

I've always used a stabiliser, first the blade type and now the hitch type.

I've never had a snake but I feel better having a stabiliser to help me control one, just in case.

I've only ever had 2 punctures on all my caravans but wouldn't travel without a spare.

Do you feel lucky


Persontrog100
20/7/2017 at 12:35pm
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my towing truck had a drop in tow ball.. without a stabilizer my van used to consistently wag its tail at speeds of 55 mph.. badly enough for some folks to flash their lights at me as they went past..

with a blade type stabilizer plus a couple of alko shocks fitted its now rock solid stable at 65 mph and probably above.. i try not to go any faster than 65 mph..

i do think the old fashioned blade type devices do a far better job than the ball grippers..

so some things are not essential but in my case they for sure helped..

trog


PersonMick S.
20/7/2017 at 2:15pm
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Theres a difference between whats 'legal' and whats good for the car/driver. Once you have loaded the car and caravan - including the wifes handbag, that weighs half hundredweight on its own + kids, dog etc etc., you will find you are dangerously near the technical limit, which isnt always the 'safe' limit.

Add to this an ageing 1600 motor, and you can find you struggle in headwinds and hills. The clutch and brakes certainly wont be sending you any christmas cards.

Always best to stay right on top of the weights/towing ratios', never mind the 85% thats touted. Get a car with some guts, and dont leave things to chance.


PersonPaulandjoanne
21/7/2017 at 8:14pm
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Great reply thankyoi



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