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
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Fitting alko stabilizer problems Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBasil59
25/8/2018 at 8:18pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Basil59's Profile View Profile   Reply to Basil59 Reply   Quote Basil59 Quote  
Joined: 25/8/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   3
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
Only found one hole on sprite muskertir 1981 but on the alko stabilizer there are more than one hole has anyone had the same problems


Persontango55
25/8/2018 at 8:23pm
 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
As far as I'm aware you can only fit an Al-ko stabiliser to a caravan that's constructed on the base of an Al-ko chassis. The Sprite most likely has a steel girder and timber construction with a standard forged hitch coupling and that's why the stabiliser doesn't fit. However, the alternative is to fit a blade stabiliser which they used to use before the AL-ko chassis was introduced.


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

PersonBasil59
26/8/2018 at 12:58am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Basil59's Profile View Profile   Reply to Basil59 Reply   Quote Basil59 Quote  
Joined: 25/8/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   3
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
Oh thanks for your reply I did get in touch with sprite dealer they said that the sprite muskerter 81 would be an alko chasis so would match up ok so I need to get back in touch again


Persontango55
26/8/2018 at 10:09am
 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
I didn't think the Al-ko chassis' were introduced till at least the 90's but I may be wrong. I used to have a Swift 1982 caravan that was built on a timber chassis and the 'A' frame was made from 'C' shaped girders welded together with a forged hitch (not pressed steel). On the 'A' frame you could drill into the offside girder to bolt on the leaf blade stabiliser bracket but on the Al-ko chassis they advised not to, that's why Al-ko indroduced the stabilser hitch to eliminate the need for fixing an independent stabiliser bracket to the 'A' frame.
You should be able to tell if your caravan has an Al-ko chassis by the colour of it as it should be silver galvanised steel throughout. If it's the older version then the 'A' frame will be thicker and coated with protective paint.


PersonRob and Tina
26/8/2018 at 11:44am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
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 Sprite group used their own chassis until about 1991 when they used bought in chassis such as Knott. As tango55 said earlier, the only thing you can do is fit a blade stabiliser if you feel that you need it.

Rob


Advertisement



Personbirdman101
26/8/2018 at 12:15pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford View birdman101's Profile View Profile   Reply to birdman101 Reply   Quote birdman101 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2693
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
Our early Sprite was built on a B&B chassis. The Alko stabiliser does not fit these you will need to fit a blade type such as Snakemaster or Bulldog. Alko did in later years buy out B&B.


Persontango55
26/8/2018 at 5:43pm
 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
Quote: Originally posted by Basil59 on 26/8/2018
Oh thanks for your reply I did get in touch with sprite dealer they said that the sprite muskerter 81 would be an alko chasis so would match up ok so I need to get back in touch again



So according to the replies you've received on this thread it seems like you were incorrectly advised by the dealer. However, if you bought the Al-ko stabiliser hitch from them I would be inclined to take it back for a refund on the grounds that you were sold a product not fit for purpose. That's why it pays to ask on this forum first because quite often people are more knowledgeable about caravans than what most dealers are because they will sell you anything just to make a profit whether it's right or wrong which is often the case when being advised about a safe match.


PersonBasil59
26/8/2018 at 7:03pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Basil59's Profile View Profile   Reply to Basil59 Reply   Quote Basil59 Quote  
Joined: 25/8/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   3
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
Oh thanks everyone for you advice I should have asked on here before can I ask another would the bulldog be the best one or the snakemaster stabilizer has anyone used the beither with this age of caravan


PersonRob and Tina
26/8/2018 at 7:40pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
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
I used a Snakemaster on our 1982 A Line Rambler with B&B chassis. It seemed to work ok but I always take great care with loading and getting the noseweight correct. A stabiliser helps with stability but you still need to load the caravan and drive it carefully.

I bought a Snakemaster because it was a lot cheaper than a Bulldog, both should work ok if fitted correctly.

Rob


Persontango55
26/8/2018 at 8:33pm
 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
I can only agree with the comments posted by 'Rob and Tina' about noseweight and stability. However, any type of blade stabiliser will do but the one I used to use was the Breckland Driver Stabiliser shown in the link below. The reason I chose this one is because the friction plates are bigger in diameter than the Bulldog although the Bulldog was probably the most popular brand.


Breckland Driver Stabiliser


Advertisement



Personchrisn7
27/8/2018 at 2:02pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011 View chrisn7's Profile View Profile   Reply to chrisn7 Reply   Quote chrisn7 Quote  
Joined: 10/9/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   948
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
tango makes a good point about the diameter. I used a Bulldog, but the design of either is arguably better than modern stabilisers - just longer to fit so less convenient.

Mine and all it parts are still in my garage if you are anywhere near me..


Persontrog100
27/8/2018 at 4:22pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View trog100's Profile View Profile   Reply to trog100 Reply   Quote trog100 Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2014

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1746
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
i use a bulldog i like the big cast iron bracket that fixes to the tow vehicle..

has as been said i think they do a good job just more trouble to fit than just pushing down a handle..

i recently bent mine.. something called a humped crossing   

a little village in Perthshire called Stanley i hit it at about 15 mph.. i had no idea what it was.. the bang and crash was unbelievable..

it bent the two inch wide half inch steel piece that slots into the holder..

i had to raise the holder the blade fits into by a couple of inches to stop it coming out of the slot..

without a stabilizer my van used to wag its tail noticably at about 55 mph.. 55 mph was the fastest i dare go..

i fitted a couple of alko shocks and the bulldog.. the van is now rock solid stable at UK legal speeds and above..

trog








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 - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

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


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

5756 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