Quote: Originally posted by shaggy2000 on 01/12/2016
Quote: Originally posted by chrisn7 on 28/11/2016
What has not been mentioned is that most caravans other than upmarket ones, are not fitted with dampers (shock absorbers). This leads to bounce on the road - if a caravan passes you hopping about a bit, you can be sire it has no dampers. Theses are available for Alko in different colours according to teh application, and are easy to fit as the mounting are already present - its just that caravan manufacturers are too penny pinching to fit to all vans.
If it was just problem with the caravan not having dampers, then surely more caravans would have these problems? I admit I haven't had my caravan for very long (coming up too two years) but I haven't yet seen a caravan bouncing down the road.
Its the same with caravans swaying, you can get the fancy Alko ATC (or whatever its called)but nothing beats having a caravan than is properly loaded.
Personally I feel these additions are all good and well, but they aren't strictly needed, and just add cost to caravans that are already expensive.
Well of course in past times, we did get by without stabilisers, without ATC, without dampers and no-one bothered about noseweight at all unless the rear of the car was dragging on the ground. But things have moved on like everything else. We could still get by without these things, but they are like insurance - your are glad you have them when needed. Each potentially adds to the stability of your outfit and therefore your safety and that of others - its not just a cost thing.
To the OP,
What type of stabiliser is on the caravan, most will stop or drastically reduce the pitching/bounce if you have the correct towball and its paint free.
Another reason for the stabiliser not working properly is contamination on the hitch pads, more often than not grease if the dealer has towed it with a greasy towball.
the OP could try fitting a blade type stabilizer.. old fashioned but more effective than the ball clamping type devices..
i have one on my set up.. but i also have shocks and plenty of weight on the hitch and a tow vehicle that will stand the rear end weight..
my van has on board water and a rear kitchen so its not ideal.. it does tow very stable though..
prior to fitting the blade and shocks i used to get predictable tail end wag at 55 mph.. now its very stable even at over the 60 mph limit speeds.. i like to cruise at 60 but sometimes the speed creeps up a bit before i notice..
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Topic: Bouncing
