Looked at a loaded new van at the weekend. When i asked the salesman about the stabiliser. He said "some people dont like them". Being a newbie, i just assumed they were a safety feature, no-brainer type thing if you a buying new.
Same question on motor mover. I've got two young boys so making 18 attempts to reverse into my spot after driving to France?
is it a no brainer to get both?
------------- Happy Days
Carnac twice the years before
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks july16
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks June 17
Strathclyde march 18, Anstruther Week April, Blairgowrie, May 18
Chateau de Lez-Eaux Saint Aubin Des Preaux 2 weeks 2018
Loree du bois Les Mathes 3 weeks jul19
Belhaven Bay 1 week july 2020
Being a relatively newbie, we opted for a van with ATC, every little extra safety device to help keep the van on the road - I'll take it everyday,
As for a motor mover, it's something we will shortly be investing in. I'm okay at reversing but sometimes it does take a few go's to get it right, or often rightish! So much easier manoeuvring the van onto the pitch with inch perfect accuracy using a motor mover - something you can do solo and not have to rely on someone else directing you when they have never towed or tried to reverse a caravan! - sorry, THiS is also why I'll shortly be investing :-)
I would take the mover every single time. Its not just about having the skills to reverse etc. But its so much easier to level the van and position it exactly to avoid or cover any hole/dips in the pitch, which you wont see when reversing and then you need to move it over a bit.
A lot easier with the mover and saves the clutch also.
ATC no thanks. Do i want some gizmo applying the brakes as i drive? No thanks.
Make the gizmo sound a loud buzzer in the vehicle if it starts to sway too much to warn the driver to slow down yes. But i dont want it to apply the brakes.
The new van we have came with the ATC and can honestly say that I didn't know it was on, but I do feel secure in the knowledge that it's there to lend a hand, should it be needed. As to the motor mover, godsend is all I can say. Great bit of kit. :)
------------- Those who sacrifice Liberty for security deserve neither
To explain about stabilisers. If you are considering a new caravan then just about all include a hitch stabiliser as standard. Your salesman referred to ATC which is an electronic device that is usually an extra cost option. As for mover spend your money on that & not bother with ATC.
More important is to understand about loading. Provided caravan is loaded properly with sufficient noseweight & all else is good, tyre pressures suitable towcar then really no stabiliser at all is necessary & no stabiliser should be used to correct a sway caused by poor loading.
Thanks all for comments. There are times, (joining a busy motorway is one), when I wouldn’t want a caravan applying brakes when I’m trying to accelerate. When I first read about ATC, I assumed it was just another safety enhancement like ABS, ESC, the list is now endless for cars,
Interested in why people don’t like them, I appreciate the comments about staying within the envelope and car/van limitations should mean ATC is not required, however, is it still an advantage if you find yourself in an abnormal situation? Swerving to avoid a collision is one. I'm not trying to save money, just interested in peoples experience
------------- Happy Days
Carnac twice the years before
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks july16
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks June 17
Strathclyde march 18, Anstruther Week April, Blairgowrie, May 18
Chateau de Lez-Eaux Saint Aubin Des Preaux 2 weeks 2018
Loree du bois Les Mathes 3 weeks jul19
Belhaven Bay 1 week july 2020
Simple answer, yes to both. Why would ATC apply brake when you are joining a M'way? Read the BPW version's manual and AlKo's manual , both explain the workings rather well. Mover? Ease of use and pin point accuracy. Only my opinion, but I wouldn't want to be without either.
We bought a new caravan last year which has ATC fitted. In normal driving the ATC does not apply the brakes, it only works if it detects instability in the outfit and then gently applies the brake to stabilise the situation. If the outfit is well matched, loaded correctly and driven smoothly the ATC will not come into use.
We have done over 3000 miles so far with our new caravan and the only time I've noticed the ATC working is when I had to avoid an oncoming car that decided he liked my side of the road more than his own. I felt the slight braking effect and the caravan was very stable.
The ATC helps lower the insurance premium so I would buy a caravan with ATC again and I would try to get it included in the deal if it wasn't standard on the caravan I was buying.
Sounds like the majority are in favour and my salesman saying some "people don't like it", doesn't actually translate to a genuine downside or disadvantage. There's a long thread on practical caravan with the same question and most people seem in favour. So it sounds like, along with motor mover, to be a no brainer........
Thanks all for taking the time to share your thoughts.
------------- Happy Days
Carnac twice the years before
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks july16
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks June 17
Strathclyde march 18, Anstruther Week April, Blairgowrie, May 18
Chateau de Lez-Eaux Saint Aubin Des Preaux 2 weeks 2018
Loree du bois Les Mathes 3 weeks jul19
Belhaven Bay 1 week july 2020
Have now been caravanning 45 years. We have had ten previous caravans before the present one with no ATC. Present caravan bought new three years ago and had ATC as standard. If I had the choice at the time I would not have bothered due to previous years experience. But if I bought another new caravan I would definitely have it fitted having had three years experience of it. Probably never felt it actuate more than once or twice a year,but it is reassuring that it is there if ever needed.
Can see no reason why ATC would not be wanted. Activated once for me in 6 years but was glad on that occasion. As for mover, been on several sites abroad where it would have been literally impossible to use the car to get van onto pitch; not a skill thing, just could not be done. The mover was a total god send
Now on my 5th van with ATC. Get it! It is not a substitute for sensible driving/loading but is there if things go wrong ... these things may well be outwith your control. Yes I towed 1000's of miles with 'vans without ATC and never had any incidents, but wouldn't be without it now. The fact insurers give a discount for having it fitted says a lot.
Movers are also worth their weight in gold. We pushed and pulled 'vans in and out of our narrow drive for years, but as vans get heavier/wider/longer we couldn't do it now ... not to mention middle age fatigue!
------------- 2020 Volvo XC60 B5 R Design Geartronic / 2018 Swift Elegance 580
Have ATC on our little 2 berth, maybe an overkill but came as part of the dealer special package.
I have felt it come on at a particular site in Devon which has a speed bump at an angle to the road. I go over at tickover speed in 1st and it always stalls the engine. Diesel so this would not normally happen.
It is just a little tug as it comes on.
Also felt it on a windy day near the Avonmouth bridge when going along the M5. Again just a gentle tug for a second or so.
Just a small warning re ATC; we had a towbar and electrics fitted by a 'third party' fitter.
Unfortunately, the wiring wasn't anywhere near substantial enough; this resulted in the ATC continually resetting itself as we travelled, with the result that our brakes burnt out about 300 miles from Calais.
The fact that we didn't even feel the brakes being continually applied as they reset should tell you how unsubstantial that brake application is; but if you buy a van with ATC, make sure you get someone to check your wiring to ensure that it meets the requirements of the ATC system.
Having had our wiring re-done, the van tows like a dream and have no idea it's there. Wouldn't be without now just for peace of mind.
------------- Glyn W.
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Topic: AL-KO ATC are they worth getting?
