2026 Sprite Range

[Mel]

Anyone keeping an eye on the caravan market will have noticed that the spec on 2026 Sprites has been considerably striped down so that effectively the 2026 Challenger range is now what Sprite used to be.
That does make Sprites cheaper and lighter.
However, the spec has been so stripped back that an Alko Hitch Stabiliser is no longer a standard feature!
Given this is an entry level van, quite possibly aimed at newcomers to Caravanning and with little or no towing experience, who have no idea that a stabiliser device was important; I thought this was dangerously irresponsible. Whilst you can of course pay extra to have one fitted, I can’t imagine the salespeople are saying, “don’t tow it without a stabiliser”
I am sure that there are experienced vanners who would say, It will be fine. It certainly wouldn’t be something I would contemplate and Newbies wouldn’t know to consider it.
Thoughts?
Mel

 

[otherclive]

Anyone keeping an eye on the caravan market will have noticed that the spec on 2026 Sprites has been considerably striped down so that effectively the 2026 Challenger range is now what Sprite used to be.
That does make Sprites cheaper and lighter.
However, the spec has been so stripped back that an Alko Hitch Stabiliser is no longer a standard feature!
Given this is an entry level van, quite possibly aimed at newcomers to Caravanning and with little or no towing experience, who have no idea that a stabiliser device was important; I thought this was dangerously irresponsible. Whilst you can of course pay extra to have one fitted, I can’t imagine the salespeople are saying, “don’t tow it without a stabiliser”
I am sure that there are experienced vanners who would say, It will be fine. It certainly wouldn’t be something I would contemplate and Newbies wouldn’t know to consider it.
Thoughts?
Mel

100% support your views. They must be absolutely desperate to achieve sales.Whether it will appeal to younger owners I am not sure as caravans “aren’t cool” compared to campervans, tent boxes, tents over the hatch and tents etc.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Stabilisers should be a compulsory legal fitment on all caravans. They are a proven road safety system, its as simple as that.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Stabilisers should be a compulsory legal fitment on all caravans. They are a proven road safety system, its as simple as that.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Let me be clear, I am all for improving road safety, and especially for towing, which does require the driver to use more spatial awareness and driving skills. Those also should include a better understanding of how to safely load an outfit which is a crucial requirement for safe towing.

This forum has seen numerous instances of mainly (but not exclusively) new caravanners who clearly don't know, and after their first outings wonder why their outfit was unstable. We of course only read about the ones who either have incidents or who have the courage to ask. I often wonder how many more there are out there we don't know about.

A properly loaded out fit should remain fully under control when driven correctly. The should not require the installation or intervention of a control system such as friction pads or automated differential braking.

As such all anti sway devices should be treated like Safety Belts, only. To be relied on when the driver really exceeds the outfits natural abilities WHEN LOADED CORRECTLY.

No outfit should be considered safe if during normal driving any anti sway device has to activate

You should never should need to rely on an anti sway device to make an outfit drivable. I believe if such devices were made compulsory, lots more inexperienced drivers would see or use them to off set poor loading and driving habbits.