Anti-snaking

[Pedr01800]

My new van (May this year) has the Alko device to overcome snaking, but am not certain it does what it is supposed to. Just been continental touring for 3 weeks, and found tendency to snake a bit over 53 mph, and 55mph was most if felt safe at. Any more was very disconcerting, so slow drive became normal.
Is there any other device that may be superior in this aspect ?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Alko are one of the best so you may need to look for the cause of the snaking.

Have you checked the nose weight?
Have you made sure you are not overloading the van? (weigh it)
Is the van loaded correctly - heavy items low down and over the axle
Are the van's tyres inflated correctly?
Are the car tyres inflated correctly for towing?

The above are just for starters. Other posters will provide other items to check.

Edit - is the MTPLM of the van less than the max allowed tow weight of the car?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Pedro,

We are working blind on this one. What car and caravan do you have and how heavily loaded is it?

Before spending more money on any other device which is papering over an underlying problem.

You need to analyse the problem. Re-evaluate your loading. Make sure you have as many of your heavier items loaded low down and as close the axle as reasonably possible Then check you have the correct nose load. Ensure your tow vehicle is in good mechanical order, no damage or wear on the suspension.

 

[Damian]

The Al-Ko ATC system is not there as the main item to overcome snaking, it is simply an added aid, as is the hitch damper.
Both items do not absolve the user from making sure they load their van correctly and that the whole outfit is suitable.

 

[Pedr01800]

The van is new Swift Ace Diplomat, single axle.
The towing vehicle is Land Rover Disc series 2, TDI 5, 2007, correctly maintained and serviced.
Weight distribution mostly over axle, in underbed locker, apart from 2 galls of water in washroom at rear.
Front locker over A frame has 2 x 6 kg Calor LItes, Waste water hog, empty of course. Makita drill and 2 batteries, various elec hook up adaptors and cable length, plastic pail and rubbish bin.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

As before:

Have you measured your nose weight?
Are both van and car tyre pressures correct?

Edit - why are you carrying 2 gallons of water at the rear?

 

[Gabsgrandad]

I tow a Swift Ace Statesman with a Freelander 2. I believe chassis and weight etc. is same as yours. My outfit tows impeccably, never had a hint of instability. (And must confess it has broken the law occasionally, inadvertently, but again with no hint of a towing problem) I don't check the nose weight every journey, but know where we are on even loading and balance from previous experience. Tyre pressures checked and adjusted regularly. (PS I regularly set the cruise at 60 when applicable and upto now none of your symptons)

 

[Dustydog]

Just to move on from the obvious.
How much pressure do you have to apply to the Alko hitch lever?
Do you ensure the tow ball and hitch head are contamination free.

I have to say with your outfit you should be able to tow comfortably without any aids provided as the others say your loading , nose weight, and tyre pressures must be correct.

 

[PaulT]

Just an obvious question - is the Al-Ko ATC working? Does it go through it's self check when you connect up to the car. I only ask this because the car of a friend of mine wasn't wired right and he had no idea it should do a self check until he heard mine doing it.

 

[NigelHutson]

Discovery 2, Td5 - 2007? The Discovery 3 was launched in 2004.

If it is a Discovery 2, does it have rear air suspension? If so, check that the tow ball is not too high for the caravan. You'll need to hitch up, and then drive for a short distance for it to level/settle itself. It was a well known issue with the Discovery 2 that after a while (as described above) they lifted the front of the caravan up, which caused it to have a nose-up attitude, and made it unstable as you describe. What was you previous caravan, and was the hitch a different height?

 

[L12nee]

Been told the alko anti snaking (electric one) only kicks in when its bad, just got a new compass rallye 540 being towed with a jeep and its just like yours around 55mph it starts snaking, was ok with old van sit at 60 and a bit more all day

 

[NigelHutson]

Yes, the ATC system has a yaw sensor, and when it detects that the sideways movement is outside those parameters it activates the system (electrically operates the caravan brakes). Therefore the ATC cannot cause the instability that you describe.

Having deliberately caused the system to operate (on a test track), if it kicks in, you feel the caravan pull back. Occasionally, if travelling along a rough bit of road that causes the caravan to jolt sideways, I have felt it tug a little then too.

As others have said, I'd certainly be looking elsewhere.

 

[Mel]

My new van (May this year) has the Alko device to overcome snaking, but am not certain it does what it is supposed to. Just been continental touring for 3 weeks, and found tendency to snake a bit over 53 mph, and 55mph was most if felt safe at. Any more was very disconcerting, so slow drive became normal.
Is there any other device that may be superior in this aspect ?

The OP says he has the Akko device to overcome snaking. Does this mean ATC or a hitch head stabiliser. Listings for this model van on caravan finder don't mention ATC.

I can be of no further technical help but thought we should clarify the basics.
Mel