Trailor wobble

[stephenh]

I've remembered the make of stabilizer I used to use years ago when I had a caravan. It was a Scott Stabilizer. Still sold today, so stood the test of time. It really does help. No good if you hire a trailer, as part of it is fitted to the trailer drawbar A-frame, but if you have your own then it is the answer.

Several on ebay as I write this.

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

I've remembered the make of stabilizer I used to use years ago when I had a caravan. It was a Scott Stabilizer. Still sold today, so stood the test of time. It really does help. No good if you hire a trailer, as part of it is fitted to the trailer drawbar A-frame, but if you have your own then it is the answer.

Several on ebay as I write this.

A stabiliser is great as an extra precaution, but it should only be used with a well balanced outfit, It's not a cure all.

I dont think Scotts are made anymore, but I think Bulldog make one to the same pattern.

[KerryS]

I've remembered the make of stabilizer I used to use years ago when I had a caravan. It was a Scott Stabilizer. Still sold today, so stood the test of time. It really does help. No good if you hire a trailer, as part of it is fitted to the trailer drawbar A-frame, but if you have your own then it is the answer.

Several on ebay as I write this.

A stabiliser is great as an extra precaution, but it should only be used with a well balanced outfit, It's not a cure all.

I dont think Scotts are made anymore, but I think Bulldog make one to the same pattern.

I agree with Paul entirely. A proprietary trailer + car combination, correctly loaded should not snake at road legal speeds. A stabiliser adds some headroom to the point where instability may start, e.g. downhill at above legal road speeds.

This is not opinion but supported by work done at Bath University on towing stability.

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Ta Kerry  

Tigger, I'm not trying to be a smart  here, just trying to save you and your car/trailer from an embarrassing (expensive) incident, based on over 25 years towing experience.  

[mr-rad]

I use a stabiliser on the tin tent. I have in the past towed without and didn't have any huge problems. I also like the way a stabiliser seems to pick up the nose of the trailor a bit.

[KerryS]

Ah yes! Notwithstanding wot I rote above....

There is a benefit with the blade type stabiliser, Scott, Bulldog etc in that some of the towball downforce is transferred to the front wheels which can help traction for FWD cars and also help the rear suspension. There is still the need to get noseweight right though.

[Tigger]

Ta Kerry  

Tigger, I'm not trying to be a smart  here, just trying to save you and your car/trailer from an embarrassing (expensive) incident, based on over 25 years towing experience.  

Paul,

I don't think you trying to be a smart   at all. I'm taking everything onboard because at the end of the day, the last thing I want is a great day out sprinting only to go and t**t it on the way home because of an incorrect towing setup.

I thank you all for your input    

[Terry Everall]

Here is my two penneth after 40+ years of towing small light traliers, car trailers , caravans (single and twin axle) and horse trailers

Speed is your enemy particularly downhill when trailer wants to push the car

Nose weight is important to get weight onto towbar

Twin axle trailers are more stable than single axles and snake less with tyre pressures important

Both high tow balls and low cause problems and should be matched if possible to loaded height of traler hitch

If your bar is too low (as is mine on the BMW) then when you couple up the nose weight is effectively reduced as the trailer on a twin axle wants to lift the back of the car up

So to compensate you need extra nose weight to keep it down and this works well for me

[kipford]

Just to add my two pennies (25 years of towing racecars and Caravans and I dont care if people know), because its the b****y motor homes that hold me up!

Make sure you do not go over the homologated noseweight of the tow car. Especially during the summer, our plods like to carry out checks on max outfit weights including the nose. If they catch you over it the max it 3 points and a fine.