Yet another stabiliser question

[davidinfrance]

I know this isn't strictly a caravanning question BUT here goes anyhow.

I have purchased (but yet to take delivery of) a Trigano 575 folding camper and I will be towing with a 1.8 Renault Laguna 2.

Question: Have any of you ever towed a folding camper and would you recommend the use of a stabiliser?

Thanks and best wishes,

Dave.

 

[BigRoy]

Hi Dave, I used to have a Pennine folding camper and I would say that a stabiliser is not needed.

With the camper having a low centre of gravity and not having the high sides of a caravan which can be blown by the wind, there is much less pitching and rolling, also they are not as susceptible to the "bow wave" effect of passing HGV's.

Having said all that if you want to fit one for extra safety there's nothing stopping you.

 

[MikeP]

I agree. Without the high sides and bow wave effect, a folding camper is significantly less susceptible to snaking. We used to have a Conway Crusader, and it was great to tow with a Renault Scenic.

That said, my father in law had a spare Scott stabiliser, and I had a Scott plate from a few years ago. So I used it. There is no harm in ensuring that a stable outfit stays stable, but I admit it was probably a bit over the top.

 

[davidinfrance]

Thanks Roy and Mike. This is what I believed to be the case but it's always good to seek (and receive !!) first-hand practical experience.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello David,

There is a danger of assuming that other people's experiences are going to be appropriate for you. Whilst I hope they are, the question of whether to use a stabiliser of not is not one that can be accurately predicted on a forum - it is down the way your outfit handles.

I do agree that camping trailers tend to be much lighter than caravans, and the surface area that can be affected by wind or bow waves is much reduced, so the likely hood of a camp trailer beginning to control the car is much lower, but it can happen.

However I would suggest that you consider fitting one, because they can provide a greater safety margin, which you wont necessarily appreciate until you need it.

It rather like the seat belt arguments, the majority of the time you don't accrue any benefit from wearing one, but come that unfortunate moment when you do need it then you are thankful that had it on.

 

[RogerL]

Hello David,

There is a danger of assuming that other people's experiences are going to be appropriate for you. Whilst I hope they are, the question of whether to use a stabiliser of not is not one that can be accurately predicted on a forum - it is down the way your outfit handles.

I do agree that camping trailers tend to be much lighter than caravans, and the surface area that can be affected by wind or bow waves is much reduced, so the likely hood of a camp trailer beginning to control the car is much lower, but it can happen.

However I would suggest that you consider fitting one, because they can provide a greater safety margin, which you wont necessarily appreciate until you need it.

It rather like the seat belt arguments, the majority of the time you don't accrue any benefit from wearing one, but come that unfortunate moment when you do need it then you are thankful that had it on.

The same logic applies to speed limits, the slower you go the safer you are IF you crash. So should we all use stabilisers at 40mph?

 

[Guest]

A camping canoeing and rock climbing fanatic towed a fairly large folder that was of the sort that ran on smallish wheels.

A Bulldog type friction pad and blade stabiliser came his way that he fitted after about three years of ownership. Having had to replace three tyres in that time he found that his tyres seemed to wear better and he did notice his towing was easier at times especially when having to brake very hard at odd times.

He'd always been happy towing the trailer but noted that it seemed an easier and smoother drive from when he fitted the stabiliser. His friends who convoyed with him noted that the trailer moved around less as well.

Can't say that it is a must have, but I can't see that it would be a bad move.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Dave,

Adding a stabiliser won't hurt.

All of the technical studies (Bath Uni School of Engineering and German ADAC) that I have access to, show the following:

1. For any particular combination of car and towed vehicle, then increasing the nose-weight linearly increases the stability (as long as you keep inside the legal limits)

2. For the same combination, adding a stabiliser increases the stability ten fold (at least) compared to getting the nose-weight right.

Stability was judged from the view point of side-winds, speed, braking and driver induced inputs (rapid lane changing / avoidance).

Compared to a caravan, a camper trailer is unlikely to be influenced by side-winds, but stability under braking and driver actions will be improved.

If you can find an AL-KO 1300 stabiliser (integrated in the coupling head) coupling for a good price, then that would be a worth-while addition, or failing that, one of the older technology blade type.

Robert