Having just bought a caravan after being without for a couple of years: I'm having to buy all accessories again:
I've always liked the Alko type stabiliser ever since they came out: & have had them since early 90's. Easy to use, & look good. However, giving it some thought before i buy, i got to thinking, looking at the concept the old types are probably more effective looking at where fulcram point is, plus they also give lift too, easier on springs: Input please:
------------- Remember: Tomorrow is the first day of rest of your life:
They dont affect the vehicles springs in any way. It put downward pressure onto the ball but doesnt increase or decrease the noseweight. Just pushes the A frame down onto the hitch.
I know someone that drove over 100 mile and pulled up onto the pitch and found the only thing holding the van on was the stabiliser pushing the hitch down.
It had not engaged the ball properly.
With visible indicators these days this is less likely to happen. But always worth a double check.
If it gives lift like you say then why do the vehicle manufacturers need to provide a maximum towball weight to the specific vehicle? Because the trailer noseweight has a downward pressure compressing the the vehicles rear springs so the dimension from road to towball should decrease not increase when a caravan is properly hitched up. The only way the distance will increase is if you have an excessive load rear of the caravan axle which is bad practice to say the least.
Sorry MadMax but I have to agree with the above. Any force exerted by a leaf spring stabiliser is between the tow ball and the hitch and has no effect on the vehicle height at all.
Having said that, if you feel you need a stabiliser then the Al-Ko type are a little easier to use and you don't have a 'huge' bracket stuck on the back of your car.
It acts like a spring assister: When i say lift i mean connet van & it sags, lift spung stabiliser on to it's plate & it lifts tow vehicle back up about 10mm: Try it: If i'm wrong i'll show you my bum !! THEY DO GIVE LIFT TO TOW VEHICLE: Fact.
(obviously i mean the spring type of stabiliser)
Post last edited on 14/10/2013 18:16:39
Post last edited on 14/10/2013 18:18:40
------------- Remember: Tomorrow is the first day of rest of your life:
The problem with a spring type stabiliser is that they are heavy, need to be put on after you have hitched up and can apparently pop off if you go over a speed hump, ferry ramp etc. In my opinion the hitch type stabilisers are well worth the extra cost.
Regards Bob.
Quote: Originally posted by Dandyman Bob on 15/10/2013
The problem with a spring type stabiliser is that they are heavy, need to be put on after you have hitched up and can apparently pop off if you go over a speed hump, ferry ramp etc. In my opinion the hitch type stabilisers are well worth the extra cost.
Regards Bob.
never had mine pop off, been round some tight bends, and over some big humps without issue, popping off is usually that the caravan bracket is mounted too far back.
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Topic: stabilisers:
