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. |
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| 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. |
| 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. |
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|
|
|
"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)) |
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Very
light or negative nose weight |
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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: |
| |
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 |
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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. |
|
| Stabiliser
Checks: |
|
| (Each
manufacturer will have their own servicing and checks guide, which
should be contained within the handbook or fitting instructions.) |
| Stabilisers
must be checked at the start of each journey |
| |
Check
that the friction is apparent (if possible) |
| |
Check
that the stabiliser fits into its locating place properly |
|
| Stabiliser
Servicing: |
|
Stabilisers
must be overhauled thoroughly at least once a year or after 20K
miles towing. (whichever is sooner). The
stabiliser must be dismantled and any pads or friction disks must
be inspected for cracking or excessive wear. NB: Beware of servicing
older stabilisers because the friction pads or disks may contain
asbestos. These should be handled and disposed of carefully
|
| Problem |
Cause |
Remedy |
| Groaning
noise when maneuvering slowly |
Friction
material migrated onto adjoining metal parts |
Dismantle
and clean metal parts |
| Leaf
spring jumps out of chassis shoe |
Tension
on disks too high |
Check
and reduce operating tension |
| Incorrect
position of chassis shoe. Leaf catching 'A' frame |
Check
for full articulation and move chassis shoe
|
|
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