Stabilisers

[willriding]

Hi
I'm an excited newbie, just upgraded from huge frame tents to caravan. I'm currently getting our first one in shape. We have a double socket on the tow bar, one either side of the hitch. We'll be pulling a 1995 Abi Herald Supreme. We bought a stabilser, the stronghold but looking at it and measuring it up, there will be a danger of smashing the right hand casing when turning sharp right. Can anyone recommend a simple stabiliser suitable for the double socket hitch,
many thanks, I'll probably be a bit of a mither for a bit

 

[Damian]

The cheapest option is to relocate the right hand socket to the left of the hitch, alongside the other one.
The expensive option is to change the hitch for a modern Al-Ko 3004 which has the stabiliser in the hitch, and probably the towball to an Al-Ko one.

 

[willriding]

Thanks for the quick reply. How cheap is the cheap option roughly?

 

[Damian]

The bracket is around £2.00 giving you both sockets one above the other. http://www.towsure.com/towbar-socket-mounting-plate-double-same-side

If you have spare length of cable then its simply moving one socket to the mounting plate, if no spare cable length then you would have to replace the cable, probably around £20 or so for an auto electrician to do it, or just the cost of cable if you DIY.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Double bracket:
£3.99 ebay
£5.99 Halfords

Edit - Damian beat to the reply

 

[Gagakev]

or change the two seven pin sockets to the single 13 pin Euro socket and plug, both for less than £20.00 on ebay,
Far better system and less hassle in the long run.

Oh welcome by the way.

 

[Damian]

or change the two seven pin sockets to the single 13 pin Euro socket and plug, both for less than £20.00 on ebay,
Far better system and less hassle in the long run.

Oh welcome by the way.

I agree this is the better way to go, but if you are running a tight budget I realise you may not want the extra trouble of rewiring both car and van , maybe think about it if you enjoy caravanning and keep the van.

 

[willriding]

Thanks
I figured that after looking at the hitch it looks pretty pretty straightforward, a lot of wires though. I don't have the tools to get the ball off.
I'm replacing the electrics housing on the van at weekend, its a double but Ive borrowed a two into one adaptor to use as a reference. One more question though. Do I disconnect the battery for the 12s socket first as it still has juice...
thanks

 

[Damian]

YES !!!!!

 

[willriding]

Ha ha, thought as much. I just need remind myself now.
Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Damian]

Ha ha, thought as much. I just need remind myself now.
Thanks for all the advice!

If you forget to disconnect the battery it will very quickly remind you , like a bolt from the blue !!!!!!, well, from a short circuit and needing a new battery most likely. !!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

If you do change the mounting plate to a double on one side then you could cut a slot for each socket from the outside to the centre hole. This allows the loom to pass through without the need to re-wire the connectors.

Click here for example of cut out.

 

[Woodentop]

If you do change the mounting plate to a double on one side then you could cut a slot for each socket from the outside to the centre hole. This allows the loom to pass through without the need to re-wire the connectors.

Click here for example of cut out.

You don't need to cut. Plates with the slot already in place are widely available.

 

[willriding]

It crossed my mind thought it may weaken the plate, msy Have to de wire to get old one off or unnattach and hacksaw....
thanks very much