I am picking my caravan up next weekend and was considering a stabiliser. I went to a local caravan dealer who told me that the blade type was not worth bothering and that I need to spend £25 on a hitch type. Now I have heared a number of people who dislike the hitch type which is why I was interested in the cheaper blade type. He didn't have the blade type in stock which I suspect was the only reason for his comments. Any one have any advice on the subject of stabilisers?
First of all a stabiliser is a must! Personally I have had both types and really couldn't tell the differerence. At present I have the blade type as you say a lot cheaper. One thing is for sure without one your risking it a bit!
How long do they take to fit. I am picking the caravan up next saturday, so will probably be fitting it at the side of the road. I presume the blade type is a lot easier to fit as well.
Hi, Whilst a stabiliser is a wise move, Saying its risking it a bit and a must could be a bit alarmist? A correctly loaded, Matched outfit being driven correctly is no more likely to sway than with a stabiliser, Even with one it can still happen they dont remove the problem 100%.
------------- Doing as little as possible for as much as possible...
I would be a little concerned about getting a false sense of security. Therefore suspect it might be safer to be driving without a stabiliser, slowly rather than using a stabiliser, assuming everything will be great. I have towed smaller trailers and caravans and heavier caravans, but nothing on this sort of size. Never used a stabiliser before either, only once did a caravan even start to misbehave and that was under control almost before it happened. The larger side area I expect to be a problem when a coach goes past as there is a lot more to suck in. I also wonder about the speed. If I go faster, then the speed differential between the caravan and the overtaking vehicle is less in theory, less vacuum between them or the same vacuum there for longer? Maybe I'm better doing 110mph in the outside lane! Even National Express can't pass me then!
I don't use a stabiliser, never have. I prefer to feel if there is a problem before it gets out of control.
The Ulysses is pretty steady, well balanced. If I see a National Coach coming to overtake I slow down so it's slipstream has less effect. Same with white vans or anything else bigger than a family car.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I think you will have to pay a bit more than £25 for an Alko hitch type. Some of the new ones are about £250, but there are no doubt 2nd hand ones available.
I dont think the blade type is easier to fit as you may have to drill a hole to fix it to the A frame. There was a thread recently about fixing on an Alko type with good instructions. You need to have a suitable towball too.
The hitch type is much easier to use IMHO.
Thanks for your input Caz, Someone with experience of the same caravan has to know what they are talking about, but my Mercedes 190 E is a bit lighter than the Shogun. I just ordered a cheap one from towsure, I'll tow the van home without it and fit it at home. This way I will get to know if it actually makes any difference. I always get nervous towing, which is probably not a bad thing, better than being too confident, so will keep my speed down. I would consider using A roads rather than motorways, but this is likely to cause congestion, so I will stick to the motorway so people can pass me! We get enough bad press!
I had a trailer tent for the last 3 years, mainly because I didn't fancy towing a large caravan, but the temptation of caravanning got the better of me and with 3 years experience towing the trailer tent I feel a bit more confident to move on to a caravan. Why I went for something this big though I don't know. That said, The Ulysses does have a reptation for being stable, and is also very light in relation to everything else. (50 kgs lighter than the 10' 3 birth I had 5 years ago for £50. Trouble with that one was it rained heavier inside than it did outside! That was no fun to tow, but I did only have a Peugeot 205 as a tow car)
Hi, I agree with caz, I too have never used a stabiliser, But do have a large towcar and twin axle van which does help loads. But used to use a peugeot 405 and a old swift and that was fine too, Imho I drive at approx 55 mph and find this a safe speed at which i can easily slow down from and accelerate from if i need to. The only time you need to rush is when putting the awning up and the thought of whats chilling in the fridge.....i actually prefer A roads, motorways tempt you to go faster....
------------- Doing as little as possible for as much as possible...
I'd like to see the use of a stabilisers & Tyron bands made mandatory by the insurance companies. It just might save a few claims & bring all our premiums down a bit. I've driven for many years & I drive close on 70,000 miles a year in my lorry as well as a few miles pulling my caravan. Some of the demonstrations of caravan drivers I see makes me wonder what planet some folk are on.
I saw a van on its side on the M4 a couple of years ago being pulled by a big 4x4. The 4x4 stayed on its wheels but the van laying on its side had pulled the rear ones up off the ground. We all see the over confident or perhaps inconsiderate drivers amongst us flying down the road with their caravans & risking their safety by not having all the safety devices they can fitted to the outfit. Nothing short of madness.
For the sake of a few quid Sounds Digital I'd strongly advise a stabiliser, I've only ever had the blade type so I don't know about the alko type ones but I do know that as long as you do all you can to stabilise your outfit you can do no more. it'll be too late to wish you had one when they're winching your outfit out of the ditch.
Enjoy your caravan, I get my new one in two weeks & can't wait.
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Topic: Stabiliser
