Why fit a stabiliser before towing a caravan

However, it becomes a problem if your caravan starts to snake due to overtaking larger vehicles, unexpected gusts of wind or potholes on the road.

To compensate and provide stability from these occurrences, there are mechanisms known as stabilisers. As noted, you need to first choose a caravan that suitably matches your car and vice versa. That is the first key to ensuring that you will have a successful, smooth and safe towing experience. Furthermore, you need to look after your caravan and avoid overloading it or loading it in an unbalanced way. A stabiliser is not designed to compensate for these kinds of mistakes.

It is meant to provide stability against unexpected occurrences on the road, as outlined earlier. To understand the role a caravan stabiliser plays in giving you stability, you need to understand the two forms of unwanted movement that cause instability.

The two forms of unwanted movement that you can experience when towing a caravan are:. Not only are both forms of unwanted movement likely to distress a newer caravanner, if you do not do anything to rectify them they can become a more serious problem and can even lead to an accident.

Fortunately, there are solutions to the problem of unwanted movement that can help increase the level of stability you have when towing your caravan. There are actually three different kinds-.

Although choosing either of these will give you a degree of increased stability when you are towing a caravan; it is wise to be aware of the pros and cons of each. We will briefly discuss these below. Whichever stabiliser you choose for your caravan, will depend on your available budget, your caravan and car and own personal preference.

Hopefully, the above information has shown the importance of using some form of stabiliser though and has helped you to determine which may suit your touring caravan set-up more. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

About FAQ Sites. Air Awnings. Awning Floor. Awnings Interior. Different Types Of Awning. Care Inside. There are two main categories of trailer stabiliser: those which act both horizontally and vertically and stabilisers with lateral action only. It is the latter that are increasingly fitted as standard to most touring caravanners — usually as part of a chassis package manufactured by Al-Ko or BPW.

Their major virtues are their simplicity in operation with instant hitching up and the use of dry towballs. Once the head has engaged on the ball there are just two actions of the clamping lever. Because the clamps grip the side of the ball, damping is mainly on yaw and roll. Most modern hitchhead stabilisers require a dry towball and use a friction material similar to that used in brake linings. Correctly set, the friction pads on all these stabilisers should have a long service life; in the case of the Al-Ko models, a lifespan of 50, km 31, miles is claimed.

Replacement pads are available if you manage to wear them out. ATC constantly monitors the caravan swing and, if it detects that sideways movements are increasing rather than decreasing, it pulls the trailer brakes on briefly bringing the caravan back into line. Each of these companies sells a variety of caravan stabilisers and related products. You can check with each company to learn more about its products, specifications, installation process, and price.

You are not required to use a caravan stabiliser, but there are many benefits of doing so. If you are interested in improving the safety and ride of your unit, this is an accessory to consider. No matter which type of stabiliser you choose, it will give you peace of mind when behind the wheel.

Click here to learn more. Salop Leisure Covid Stay up-to-date here. Browse by brand. View all brands. Selected offers related to New Touring Caravans :. Selected offers related to New Motorhomes :. Volkswagen Autohaus. VW Autohaus. Selected offers related to New Camper Vans :. Available Pitch. Selected offers related to New Static Caravans :. A pure haven of tranquillity a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but just over an hour from the Midlands.

Price includes siting, connection and delivery. Lodge Pitch. Selected offers related to New Luxury Lodges :. Kampa Dometic. Outdoor Revolution.