Surely there's no benefit to reverse when fitted, plus likely problems/damage as mentioned above.
The device is designed to dampen movement when in full tow and it's generally advised to release such dampers during small manouvering i.e., reversing on site etc.
Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 06/1/2010Surely there's no benefit to reverse when fitted, plus likely problems/damage as mentioned above.The device is designed to dampen movement when in full tow and it's generally advised to release such dampers during small manouvering i.e., reversing on site etc.
No benefit to using it when reversing, but it is easy to forget it before you reverse onto a pitch and many times I have had stopped on route to my destination and had to reverse to continue. On the whole, if you are reversing in a straight line it is less likely to be an issue than if you are reversing around a corner. I ended up changing mine for an AlKo because it wasn't having any significant effect and since it was such a pain to fit and remove every time I used it (and reversed) more often than not I didn't bother to fit it. The AlKo made a huge difference to the way the van towed with my previous car, but no difference at all behind my current (much heavier) car. Both of which have been well under 85%.
My opinion, and I know a lot of people disagree so I will make this my last post on the thread is that if you are new to towing, you are better not using a stabiliser until you get to learn the way to load your outfit so that it feels at its best. If you use a stabiliser, this "feel" is damped out. Once you find the perfect way to load it, by all means use a stabiliser, but remember it is a comfort aid and not a safety device as it was once marketed.
If reversing in a straight line its OK but when you turn quite sharply the blade will go under the A frame & as mentioned possibly catch the wiring or the brakes.
Also it has a habit of snapping or bending the plastic block off the A frame bracket.
Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 06/1/2010
My opinion, and I know a lot of people disagree so I will make this my last post on the thread is that if you are new to towing, you are better not using a stabiliser until you get to learn the way to load your outfit so that it feels at its best.
My new van, on order, is quite a bit heavier than my last so I don't know how it will tow or the optimum way to load it although I have been towing for 12 years without a stabiliser. But it comes with an Alko 3004 stabiliser. How can I tow without it at first?
I must admit though, that I have never had a stabiliser and have never felt the need for one.
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Topic: snake master
