AL-KO ATC trailer control system

[DeliDave_]

Good morning ProfJohnL and Dustydog

If I'd have realised that the Challenger Sport didn't have ATC we'd probably ordered a different caravan. I assumed nievely that just like ABS on cars it came as standard on all caravans. It was on my must have list of features. So now we have to find an additional £500+ for kit that in th opinion of several here should be a standard safety feature.

To be fair,if it had been fitted the van would have cost you the best part of the £500 more so you are really only paying the profit margin extra say 20%,£100 roughly.I've got it and I've felt the pull as it brakes and not the waggle of a snake.Well worth it in my opinion

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello again DJ and Dusty

I'm not arguing that ATC (or other similar systems) aren't desirable, they are. for the odd occasions where circumstances contrive to put an outfit in danger.

But they do not extend the envelope of safe operation, they only reduce the effects of exceeding the safe envelope and allows the outfit to return to the safe operating area.

As drivers should be capable of discerning when an outfit is beginning to be unsettled, and backing off before it reaches the point of instability, it raises the question that MichaelE proposes of do drivers drive harder than they should because they believe the safety systems will protect them?

 

[Dustydog]

Evening Prof
This month's PCv extols the virtues of the Audi Q7.
It comes with "trailer control". ? Not to be confused with ESP.
What next? Must be a good progression perhaps??

 

[RogerL]

Evening Prof
This month's PCv extols the virtues of the Audi Q7.
It comes with "trailer control". ? Not to be confused with ESP.
What next? Must be a good progression perhaps??

These days many cars use a different "map" in the ESP if a trailer is attached - but usually requires car maker's trailer wiring so that the ESP control unit knows that a trailer is present.

Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento have had it for a couple of years - and they were simply following the pack.

Obviously, Audi's press package is catching journalist's eyes but I doubt it's new or unique.

 

[DJMilly]

Dustydog & RogerL

Our VW Tiguan has Trailer stabilisation, here's what VW have to say on their web site;
"The latest generation of ESC also offers trailer stabilisation. If it detects your trailer is starting to yaw, the anti-skidding technology automatically reduces engine power and applies the brakes to the right wheels dynamically, in phase with the yawing. This counteracts the snaking motion and stabilises the car and trailer. When everything is stable again the brakes and engine power return to normal control. The automatic braking process also turns on the brake lights to warn other drivers, even if the driver is not touching the brake pedal."

 

[MichaelE]

You already have what ATC does on a caravan on your car.
I have trailer control on my BMW and that is 4 years old, i have the BPW equivalent ATC on my van and the only time i have felt it (and you do) is on bumpy roads so it was pitching, through the New Forest for example and this was only at around 30 mph.

People do think that safety devices make you complacent ? ABS for example some people drive the same in all weather conditions thinking ABS will stop them crashing?

 

[Dustydog]

Is it ok to use ATC with ESP trailer control at the same time?
My ESP can be switched off for allegedly a more exciting drive??
A 4x4 tractor unless it's a Porsche Cayenne is hardly a road bur :evil: ner

 

[RogerL]

There are certain off-road conditions where ESP is best turned off for any vehicle but speeds will be low in those conditions anyway - it's also fun to turn ESP off on a track day experience.

There's a good few 4x4s that are fun to drive solo, besides a Cayenne - Subaru Outback for instance.

 

[MichaelE]

Is it ok to use ATC with ESP trailer control at the same time?
My ESP can be switched off for allegedly a more exciting drive??
A 4x4 tractor unless it's a Porsche Cayenne is hardly a road bur :evil: ner

Esp and Trailer Stability control are 2 different safety features, Esp is for mainly for cornering and detects steering wheel input to stop the vehicle breaking away, turning it off lets you drift the car , the latter TSC only becomes functional when it detects a trailer connected and will work together with ESP.