Safe towing mainly relies on matching your car with your caravan, but other factors influence it, too. These include how you load both vehicles and maintain and drive them. Even if you are using the right setup, unexpected winds, unforeseen potholes, or passing large vehicles can cause instability. This is where a stabiliser comes to the rescue. The experts advise caravanners to use a stabiliser for better safety, but it should not be a fix for mismatched vehicles or improper loading.
Stability is paramount for a smooth journey when transporting a caravan, trailer, or load. Towbar stabilisers are essential tools that enhance control and reduce sway while travelling. By providing an extra layer of safety, these stabilisers help vehicles maintain stability, minimising the accidental risk caused by jumps or gusts of wind. The probability of swaying increases, particularly during long trips or uneven roads, making stabilisers even more vital for a safe transition.
Understanding the weight limits of your vehicle and stabilisers maximises effectiveness and ensures a safer journey, providing peace of mind for driving safely on the road. This guide explains towbar stabilisers, their functions, types, and maintenance tips, offering a wide-ranging understanding of these essential accessories.
How Do Towbar Stabilisers Work?
Like the AL-KO AKS 3004, towbar stabilisers use friction pads that press against the towball. These pads resist sideways and vertical movements, preventing the caravan or trailer from swaying or snaking and thereby improving stability during towing.
How it Works
When the caravan attempts to sway or pitch, the friction pads work to resist these movements. This action dampens instability and maintains the caravan’s alignment. To activate the stabiliser, you simply push down on a clamp handle, which forces the friction pads against the towball.
Friction Pads
The core of a stabiliser hitch is a set of friction pads that press against the towball. These pads provide resistance to hitch rotation, which helps prevent the trailer from swaying side to side (snaking). Some stabilisers also have pads that restrict vertical movements – pitching.
Types of Towbar Stabilisers
Towbar stabilisers come in three main types: those that use a physical connection (like a blade or friction pads), those attached to the towball itself, and electronically assisted systems that use the caravan brakes. A stable caravan is less likely to need a stability device. Here are some common stabilisers, although other types are available.
Physical Connection Stabilisers
- Blade-Type Stabilisers: They use a blade or friction pads that clamp onto the towball, restricting lateral movement and dampening the caravan’s sway.
- Towball-Attached Stabilisers: They are designed to be attached directly to the towball and work by restricting or damping the caravan’s lateral movement.
- AL-KO Stabilisers: They are a popular type of hitch-head stabiliser that uses friction pads to clamp onto the towball and reduce movement.
Electronic Stabilisers
They use the caravan’s brakes to correct any detected instability, pulling the setup back into line. They monitor the caravan’s movement and apply the caravan brakes when instability is detected to counteract the sway.
What Are Different Towbar Types?
Towbars come in two main styles, flange and swan neck, and can be either fixed or detachable.
Flange Towbars
These are characterised by a plate or flange to which the towball is attached.
- They are often considered stronger and a typical option for commercial towing.
- They can be either fixed or detachable.
Swan Neck Towbars
They have a neck-like structure that extends from the vehicle, with the towball integrated into the end.
- They are known for their sleeker design and are often preferred for vehicles where aesthetics is important.
- They can also be either fixed or detachable.
Fixed Towbars
These are permanently attached to the vehicle.
Detachable Towbars
These can be removed when not in use, offering a more discreet appearance and potentially better fuel economy.
- Detachable towbars can be either flange or swan neck style.
- There are different types of detachable systems: horizontal, diagonal, and vertical.
Benefits of Using a Towbar Stabiliser
A towbar stabiliser, especially beneficial for caravans and high-sided trailers, reduces side-to-side and vertical movements to prevent unwanted swaying or “snaking.” It also enhances towing stability and driver control, especially in challenging conditions.
Improved Stability: Towbar stabilisers, such as the AL-KO AKS 3004, are designed to minimise the trailer’s side-to-side (yaw) and vertical (pitching) movements, resulting in a smoother and more predictable towing experience.
Enhanced Driver Control: Stabilisers allow the driver to maintain better control of the towing vehicle by minimising unwanted trailer movements, especially in challenging driving conditions. They enhance stability and safety, ensuring smoother towing experiences even in adverse situations like high winds or rough terrains.
Reduced Snaking: In situations like crosswinds or when passed by large vehicles, a stabiliser can prevent a trailer from “snaking” (oscillating erratically), which can be dangerous and difficult to control, ensuring a safer towing experience.
More Relaxed Journeys: By reducing the severity of trailer movements, stabilisers contribute to a more comfortable and less stressful towing experience for the driver.
Increased Safety: Stabilisers can help prevent accidents caused by loss of control due to trailer instability, making towing safer for drivers and other road users.
Reduced Deterioration: Stabilisers help decrease wear and tear on both the towing vehicle and the trailer by minimising stress on each.
Key Considerations Before Buying Towbar Stabilisers
When purchasing towbar stabilisers for your vehicle, several important factors must be considered to ensure a safe and effective towing experience. Consider if you truly need one, the type that best suits your needs and budget, and ensure it’s compatible with your vehicle’s chassis, towing bracket, and ball.
Do You Need a Stabiliser?
Not always necessary: Stabilisers are of limited value for small camping trailers.
Consider your towing needs: If you tow a caravan, a stabiliser can considerably improve stability and reduce sway, particularly on windy roads or at higher speeds.
Match your car and caravan: A stabiliser won’t compensate for an inappropriate car-to-caravan match, incorrect loading, or poor driving habits.
· Type of Stabilizer
Blade-type: These are relatively inexpensive and easy to install but may not be as effective as others.
Hitch-head/Coupler-type: These are more expensive and require specialist fitting but are widely considered the most effective.
When choosing a preferred towbar stabiliser, consider your budget and the type of caravan or trailer you are towing.
· Compatibility
Towbar and Ball: You should ensure that the stabiliser is compatible with your towbar type (e.g., swan neck, flange) and towball size.
Chassis: Make sure the stabiliser is suitable for your vehicle’s chassis.
Clearances: You should also guarantee sufficient clearance between the towball and the car to allow the stabiliser to articulate correctly.
· Installation and Maintenance:
Professional Installation: Consider professional installation, especially for hitch-head/coupler-type stabilisers.
Towball preparation: When fitting a new towball for a stabiliser hitch, it is necessary to remove any paint or finish with a fine-grade abrasive paper.
Servicing: You should consider to follow the manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule (e.g., annual or after 20,000 towing miles).
Inspect friction pads/disks: You need to factor in the regular inspection for wear and tear, especially on older stabilisers, as some may contain asbestos.
Clean the towball: It is also necessary for you to ensure the towball is clean and free of grease or oil, as this can contaminate the friction pads and reduce the stabiliser’s effectiveness.
· Other Considerations:
New vs. Secondhand: If buying secondhand, carefully examine the stabiliser’s condition and the parts availability.
Insurance: You should inform your insurance provider about vehicle modifications, including a towbar and stabiliser.
Legal Requirements: While not always mandatory, choosing a towbar and stabiliser that meets relevant standards is advisable.
How to Install and Use Towbar Stabilisers?
To effectively install and use towbar stabilisers, ensure the towball is clean and grease-free. Attach the stabiliser correctly to both the car and the caravan and secure it properly before towing. There are multiple installation and usage steps you can follow:
Car Side
- Loosen the towball and remove it from the towbar.
- Fit the reversible car plate (or backing plate) between the towbar and the towing ball.
- Insert the damper pivot bracket into the slot on the car plate and secure it with a locking stud.
Caravan Side
- Attach the angle bracket (or caravan plate) to the caravan’s A-frame.
- Ensure sufficient clearance between the caravan hitch and the car’s bumper, especially with Alko stabilisers.
- If you have an Alko stabiliser, ensure you use an Alko-compatible towball.
Before Towing
- Ensure the towball is clean and free of grease, dirt, or oil.
- Raise the stabiliser handle and lower the caravan onto the towball.
- Verify that the stabiliser is fully engaged and secure.
While Towing
- Pay attention to any excessive sway or instability of the caravan.
- If the caravan is swaying, ensure the stabiliser is properly secured and the caravan is loaded accurately.
After Towing
Cover or remove the towball when not in use.
Raise the stabiliser handle and remove the caravan from the towball