The modern type is part of caravan hitch & grips the towball to damp any swaying. If you have a large modern caravan it will most likely have one fitted as standard. It should be regarded as an aid to safety not to correct a badly loaded caravan.
They stabilise the outfit from snaking providing that the match is right, the caravan is loaded correctly, the noseweight matches the vehicle recommendation and the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. If all four are adhered to then the stabiliser should perform well providing that you keep to a maximum of 60 mph.
It depends whether the previous owner used a leaf spring blade type stabiliser or not which is attached to the towing vehicle. If that is the case then there will be a standard hitch fitted on the caravan with a nylon bracket on the right to accommodate the leaf spring which acts as the stabiliser. However, the leaf stabiliser (such as the the 'Bulldog' brand) although now outdated, a minority of caravanner's still prefer to use them instead of the more common caravan hitch stabilser such as the 'Alko' brand.
If there is a stabilser hitch on the caravan then you will need the appropriate towball fitted to allow for the swivel of the stabiliser otherwise the caravn will detach from the towball. You can tell by looking at the caravan hitch if it has a stabiliser fitted but if you click on the link below it gives you more information to which the pictures show the two different types used.
The old Bulldog stabiliser is arguably better in operation than modern ones, but fitting each time is inconvenient. Still got one hanging up in the garage!
If you are getting a 2001 caravan then it might have an Alko stabiliser hitch fitted but if it has a standard hitch then I wouldn’t bother with a stabiliser. No need for one if caravan is properly loaded.
If caravan is swaying without a stabiliser then last thing you should do is fit a stabiliser to correct it. You need to load caravan to ensure it runs straight without a stabiliser.
I'm not a big fan of stabilisers, as they can mask a badly set up, and/or badly loaded outfit. I have done a lot of towing including boats, caravans, and large trailers, and I have never used a stabiliser nor have I had problems with swaying. Load properly and make sure the entire outfit is roadworthy and swaying/snaking should not be a problem unless you drive badly.
The place where most caravanners with little experience get caught out is when going down hill too fast especially if there is a side wind which is where a stabilser comes into effect. When the towing vehicle is going down hill, the caravan hitch pushes against the towball which compresses the damper and in turn activates the caravan brakes which should hold the caravan back and keep it in line once again. A stabiliser however is just an assistant secondary device so if there is a slight sway with a stabilser fitted it should be just one way then back in line again but if it swings one way then the other then this develops the dreaded snake effect. This is why it's just as important to have the caravan brakes serviced annually as they play a bigger role in caravan stability than just a stabiliser alone.
We used the old Bulldog Stabiliser for years until the stabiliser hitch became standard.We sold it when it was no longer needed.
Never had any problems as our van was correctly serviced and loaded, it is useful to have the extra peace of mind.
In my opinion anything which adds to safety is worth it.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 21/2/2018
We used the old Bulldog Stabiliser for years until the stabiliser hitch became standard.We sold it when it was no longer needed.
Never had any problems as our van was correctly serviced and loaded, it is useful to have the extra peace of mind.
In my opinion anything which adds to safety is worth it.
Yes indeed, if you have everything set up properly, but feel happier having a stabiliser, then have one.
As long as people don't rely on a stabiliser rather than bothering with the condition of their caravan brakes or loading properly, then there's no problem.
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Topic: Caravan Stabilisers
