Anyone have a stabiliser model which fits a witter removeable towing hitch? No plate for a leaf spring arm type!
On a larger point - what is the general consensus on stabilisers? If you are set up properly, are they necessary? Are coupling head types better/worse?
What is the split? Who does/who doesn't use them on here?
Bit of a generic topic I know but i am new to tin tops.
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Quote: Originally posted by rasally1208 on 03/6/2008
On a larger point - what is the general consensus on stabilisers? If you are set up properly, are they necessary? Are coupling head types better/worse?
Research at Bath University suggests that stabilisers damp small amplitude oscillations quite effectively but do little or nothing to prevent or correct snaking. See: http://people.bath.ac.uk/en8cjk/Caravan.pdf I worry that stabilisers lead people to have an unwarranted confidence in the stability of their outfit and hence drive faster than they would otherwise. This could make them more dangerous rather than less. I don't believe that stabilisers are necessary at all if you have an adequate towcar and your caravan is sensibly loaded, with an appropriate noseweight and correctly inflated tyres.
My own experience suggests that stabilisers do little to improve towing behaviour. I could detect no difference in lateral stability irrespective of whether I used a Bulldog 200Q stabiliser with a Peugeot 406 towing a Lunar Saturn - though when it was in use, there was a slight reduction in pitching. I now have an Alko stabiliser hitch on my Burstner S500TS caravan, which was fitted from new. On a couple of occasions, after removing a Bulldog hitchlock at the motorway services, I have forgotten to depress the stabiliser handle and have towed for over 100 miles on the motorway close to the legal limit without any noticeable change in towing behaviour. It was only at the next stop that I discovered my error.
As to whether coupling head types are better or worse than leaf types, as far as stability is concerned it makes no difference as none of them do anything useful anyway. It may well be, though, that some are better than others at damping the small amplitude oscillations that affect towing comfort, especially with marginal towcars. I'm sure others will be able to advise you on that.
stabiliser model which fits a witter removeable towing hitch? The Alko and Winterhoff should both be okay.
I have towed my present outfit with and without a stabilser, must admit I had no problem not using one, but bear in mind my noseweight was spot on and the caravan was loaded properly, the only difference after fitting an Alko was it seemed a little calmer (if that makes sense). My reason for fitting was to convince my wife to tow! (which she hasn't done yet).
I picked the Alko over the Winterhoff as the Alko has 4 friction pads (damping in the up and down, and the side to side)as opposed to 2 on the Winterhoff (damping in the side to side).
Anything which helps stability I think is worthwhile, that's why I am thinking of retro fitting some shock absorbers, which should help damping out the bounce in the first place.
Quote: Originally posted by AndrewK on 03/6/2008
... I worry that stabilisers lead people to have an unwarranted confidence in the stability of their outfit and hence drive faster than they would otherwise. This could make them more dangerous rather than less....
I agree completely with this, but also worry that these people could have unwarranted confidence in their own ability to maintain control in any and all circumstances.
Many other posters have insisted that if you ensure loading is correct, stabilisers need not and should not be used - I always ensure my loading is correct - but (giving due regard to the results from The University of Bath) unless and until scientific evidence appears to say stabilisers can positively cause harm, I will still continue to use a stabiliser. What harm does it do?
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
I was looking for comment on the different kinds of stabilisers but this looks interesting stuff. isnt it a case of belt and braces? load properly learn how to tow and then fit the backup device?
Speaking of which, and bearing in mind the interesting comments above, is there a massive difference in performance between a leaf stabiliser (such as my trusty scott) or a hitch stabiliser I could replace it with such as the winterhoff?
Quote: Originally posted by daved on 03/6/2008
..... is there a massive difference in performance between a leaf stabiliser (such as my trusty scott) or a hitch stabiliser....
Only ever had a leaf-type stabiliser, so can't really say about hitch stabilisers - however, it used to be said that leaf-type could 'control' yaw (side to side/snake) and pitch (up/down movement), while hitch type only 'controlled' yaw - whether this ever was true and whether the positioning of friction pads in hitch types has been altered to deal with it - I don't know, but someone who has had a hitch type over the years will probably be able to tell us.
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
I tow a twin axle which I load carefully, I have a lot of towing experience not only caravans but various trailers carrying a wide type of loads. I use a leaf type stabaliser on the caravan and would say the only time it seems to make any difference is when you get large vehicles overtaking on motorways,the caravan still sways a little but seems to settle quicker when the stabiliser is attached.Apart from that no difference.
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Topic: Stabilisers
