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The
Use of Stabilisers
Stabilisers are not intended to be a substitute for sound
practice in loading and towing. They are valuable, particularly
with caravans and horse trailers, and other high-sided trailers.
They will not, however, overcome problems created by poor
loading or poor driving.
Follow the golden rules of towing:
-
Set up the trailer so that is level when coupled to
the towing vehicle.
-
Make sure the nose weight is between 50 and 100kg (unless
trailer is very light.)
-
Make sure the tyre pressures are correct.
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It should be remembered that you must not travel in
the right-hand lane of a motorway, with three lanes
or more, if you are driving a vehicle drawing a trailer.
The main purpose of a stabiliser is to stop a trailer or
caravan from becoming unstable and '"snaking"
from side to side. They come in various forms and designs.
The most popular types are the trailing arm leaf spring
and the coupling head stabiliser.
"Snaking"
is when the axles of the caravan/trailer move out of line
from the towing vehicle. When this happens, the trailer/caravan
tries to move back into line and it goes too far. This action
starts the cycle of "snaking" from side to side.
Unless the snaking is stopped, it will increase and will
cause the driver to lose control.
Snaking can be caused by a number of factors such
as:
-
Incorrectly placed loads (excessive loading to the rear
of the axle(s))
-
Very light or negative nose weight
-
Side winds (when a large commercial vehicle or coach
overtakes and causes the air to buffet the caravan/trailer,
moving the axles out of alignment)
-
Special purpose built trailers having awkward internal
fixtures that may be not balanced, causing instability.
To stop snaking there are a few simple rules:
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Keep the vehicle steering in a straight line
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Change down a gear and take both feet off the pedals
-
If the snaking starts whilst going down hill, change
down a gear and very gently apply the brakes
-
Do not try to accelerate out - this could end in disaster
unless the vehicle is exceptionally powerful.
-
Do not brake hard - this may cause the trailer to jack
knife.
-
Do not try to steer out - it is very difficult to read
the snaking action and it can make it worse.
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