We are in the process of upgrading to a Coachman Pastiche 530/4. This does not have a stabiliser fitted, but I do have an AKS1300. Memory tells me this is rated at 1360kg which I believe to be a little under the weight of the new caravan. Should I fit the AlKo or leave the standard hitch in place?
The car is more than man enough for the job. I was dubious whether the rating is because it cannot handle the extra weight or because the extra pads are needed to get the same effect with the extra weight. I will be swapping the hitched it not, I won't be buying another stabiliser.
You know which side of the war I'm on. Leave it off. Makes a good paperweight. As you know, it's only for comfort, not safety, so you won't lose anything by trying it without.
Jim
As you know Jim, I'm on the same side as you and certainly wouldn't entertain buying another stabiliser. It's only the fact that I have it that I am considering fitting it. I am certainly leaning to the eBay option.
My only concern is that we are getting into a much heavier caravan than I have towed before, although still under 85%
I know my advise in the past has been not to fit it and I certainly wouldn't fit it until I have towed it a few times and know how to load it for the best feel.
Buying another stabiliser is certainly not going to happen.
Given that it's not big enough for the job, it's going to do very little if anything for my outfit. The biggest worry is that it cannot handle the weight and comes unhitched.
That would be my thinking as well. I'm sure it will be OK for you.
Funnily enough, I'm just getting a Coachman as well, with a MTPLM of 1800Kg. Still only brings me to 78%, and it's a very long way from my heaviest trailer, so I foresee no problems.
Good luck with the new van.I'm here if you want to chat further.
Best regards
Jim
Funnily enough, we are getting ours from North Wales, much closer to you than it is to us down in South Wales. To be honest, I don't recall the actual figures on the plate but I think at least one of them was between 1400 and 1500 kg. I'm not too bothered about towing it with a 1900kg 4x4, even if it quite close to the rather low 1500kg limit. Although I am sceptical about this limit as I cannot find any weights on the VIN plate and several higher figures quoted on the internet.
I've seen a MIRO figure of 1380Kg for the Pastiche, but couldn't find the MTPLM.
A 1500Kg limit on a 1900Kg 4 x 4 seems very light. Offhand, I would say that figure is probably wrong.
Hope you enjoy the new van. I've not had a Coachman before, it's the Laser 650,and it's new. I always said I wouldn't get a new one, but I got a very good deal on a 2010 model, unsold dealer stock. Can't have it until the 26th, as they are very busy. We're away ten days after that, so I hope it's not late.
A stabiliser is exactly what it does and although your outfit may be a good match, in windy conditions the stabiliser assists enormously I can tell you. Even if your caravan is loaded perfectly the stabiliser is extra security when towing. You are quite right with the weight limit on the Alko 1300 and you do need to upgrade to a higher spec stabiliser or even if you have the leaf spring stabiliser fitted, in my view it's still better than nothing at all. My consideration is how much your caravan is worth and if it outweighs the cost of a stabiliser then the stabiliser is worth every penny. Also how much your lives are worth, remember that you can replace a caravan but you can't replace human life. It's speaks for itself really but if you want to know if I have ever towed without a stabiliser the answer is yes and I had the caravan snake on me by a passing speeding coach on the M6 northbound back in 1990. Ever since I have always used an Alko stabiliser and have had no problems with stability at all.
Tango, you make it sound as though we've never been out in windy conditions.
I used to tow professionally, and out of my total of 3 million miles on the road, about half a million have invoved some kind of trailer. Professionals don't use stabilisers, so the car trailers, box trailers, flatbeds and boat trailers have all been towed without.
What your caravan is worth has nothing to do with it, because it is now fully accepted that a stabiliser will not save you from snaking and, in some circumstances, can make things worse. The thought that it might help was prevalent some ten years ago, but things have become clearer since then.
Just because you had one bad experience does not mean that a stabiliser would have helped. Even the manufacturers, who used to claim otherwise, will now tell you that a stabiliser is a device to increase comfort, not safety.
Much more important are things like the relative size of the towcar, tyre pressures and noseweight. Those are the things that make the difference.
So basically what you are saying is then is that all of these caravan manufacturers that fit stabilisers have all got it wrong? I think that the odds are stacked against you on this that one but instead of criticising useful advice on here, do something constructive and write to the major caravan clubs stating that caravans stabilisers are completely worthless and not fit for purpose. I'm sure that you have some concrete evidence in support of your claim which I'm afraid you don't have unfortunately. They don't want personal views, they need proven facts.
I think you need to read some of the previous threads on this subject. You may be into personal crusades, but I'm not. If you want a stabiliser, feel free to have one.
Caravan manufacturers also fit microwaves. Could you tell me how they improve safety?
I have quite a lot of empirical evidence, if we're talking about proven facts. Let me just ask you this question. Of all the caravans you have seen upside down, how many were fitted with stabilisers. The answer is all, or nearly all.
Why do professionals not use them?
Why are they not fitted to the other types of trailer I mentioned?
I don't criticise useful advice. I just point out that thinking has changed in the last ten years. I suggest you get up to date. Having said that, I would never discourage anyone from having a stabiliser. It's a personal choice. It's just that, when you get a few miles under your belt, you start to get a clearer picture.
Bit OT but I've towed horse trailers for years, never had a stabiliser ever, then got my first caravan didn't have a stabiliser , no problems always made sure it was loaded correctly, the new van I have just got has a alko, so I it have to say I didn't notice to much difference perhaps maybe it makes for a slightly more comfortable tow, and perhaps dampens the cross wind from transits lorries ect, I will keep it , i like it, but i won't rely on it.My only concern with it is I worry that it may mask a problem that's starting to occur which without I might of picked up and rectified sooner.But maybe that's me just being paranoid , alot of folks swear by them so I don't know.
Donna :)
I don't have a microwave so I can't comment on that but you are quite right about caravans being upside down and all having stabilisers fitted (well I take it they have anyway, unless they have been removed) but it was probably more likely due to the fact that the caravan being loaded incorrectly as a stabiliser won't correct any ill loaded unit. I know for a fact that many start a journey without even checking wheel bolts, tyre pressures or noseweweight which I always do each and every time merely for personal safety and other road users. As you said, it's down to personal choice really but I just feel safer with one fitted that's all. I think that because a caravan is boxed shape, the caravan manufacturers fit them a standard but I agree that if you have a flat bed trailer, boat or small trailer then no stabiliser would serve a true purpose so there's no need for one so I'm not referring to all trailers in general only caravans. If it's true what you say then it will be intersting to see what the next 10 years holds and whether the manufacturers decide to eliminate stabiliser fitting to all caravans.
Donna, pretty much spot on there, livestock trailers are always interesting, when they decide to dance around in the back. My favourite was always two cows in a pushing contest.
Tango, I agree with most of what you say. I had feared we wouldn't find any common ground. I much prefer a reasoned argument.
I don't think they will stop fitting stabilisers, any more than showers and microwaves - it's all extra profit. And of course there are comfort benefits with a stabiliser.
Best regards
Jim
Donna, pretty much spot on there, livestock trailers are always interesting, when they decide to dance around in the back. My favourite was always two cows in a pushing contest.
Tango, I agree with most of what you say. I had feared we wouldn't find any common ground. I much prefer a reasoned argument.
I don't think they will stop fitting stabilisers, any more than showers and microwaves - it's all extra profit. And of course there are comfort benefits with a stabiliser.
Best regards
Jim
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Topic: should I keep my stabiliser?
