Does anyone remember in the dim and distant past (i'm old lol) a device which was basically a swivel tow ball with a hole through it for a pin and the ball itself swivelled on friction pads??
It was like a bulldog type fricton in that the ball swivelled side to side on pads but the hitch allowed it to move vertically?
It was an early attempt at damping without all the brackets etc. that the bulldog blade type has??
Might just be my memory lol
Must admit I don't remember that one. The first stabiliser I ever used was similar to the blade type, but had a round bar instead. I seem to remember it had friction pads vertical as well as horizontal. I forgot to put it on one day and didn't notice any difference, so I've never used one since and not had any problems. I towed several different trailers for a living for a few years and none of them had any kind of stabilisers either. I sometimes wonder if all stabilisers really do is give the driver confidence.
As well is two words!
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 21/6/2020
Must admit I don't remember that one. The first stabiliser I ever used was similar to the blade type, but had a round bar instead. I seem to remember it had friction pads vertical as well as horizontal. I forgot to put it on one day and didn't notice any difference, so I've never used one since and not had any problems. I towed several different trailers for a living for a few years and none of them had any kind of stabilisers either. I sometimes wonder if all stabilisers really do is give the driver confidence.
I bought one of the bar type and as you say it had two sets of pads, what a waste of time and money that was, I gave mine away advising them how rubbish it was.
I went back to the blade type then as years progressed to the hitch ones, winterhoff being my preferred brand.
That's the one I thought I was going gaga as I couldn't find a pic.
I was discussing stabilisers with a friend and I mentioned them but couldn't remember who made them and I've not seen one for sale or otherwise.
I've still got a Westfalia one and it still works lol
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 21/6/2020
Must admit I don't remember that one. The first stabiliser I ever used was similar to the blade type, but had a round bar instead. I seem to remember it had friction pads vertical as well as horizontal. I forgot to put it on one day and didn't notice any difference, so I've never used one since and not had any problems. I towed several different trailers for a living for a few years and none of them had any kind of stabilisers either. I sometimes wonder if all stabilisers really do is give the driver confidence.
I bought one of the bar type and as you say it had two sets of pads, what a waste of time and money that was, I gave mine away advising them how rubbish it was.
I went back to the blade type then as years progressed to the hitch ones, winterhoff being my preferred brand.
You may be right about the bar-type ones being rubbish because one day I forgot that I hadn't attached it and drove off with it still in the boot of the car. I did a long journey without it and I hadn't noticed any difference to when it was attached. That was back in the 70s and I have never bothered with a stabiliser since. For several years I made my living towing all kinds of trailers, none of them fitted with stabilisers, and my own caravan which also doesn't have a stabiliser. I came to the conclusion that stabilisers were more about giving a person confidence rather than actually being useful. I still don't have one. I know some won't agree with me but I have found that if you load the trailer/caravan properly, and drive sensibly, you shouldn't have any problems. I haven't so far and I've been towing since 1975.
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Topic: Friction towball
