Hi all first time van owner 2005 heritage 26 foot.tow vehicle is a 2016 ford ranger 4x2 should l fit stability control to van or would trailer sway on car be alright . Regards catman.
-- Edited by catman on Tuesday 20th of September 2016 11:14:37 AM
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum
Many years ago I purchased an old 17 foot caravan. It came with a simple stabiliser, same type as the picture
On the 200 ks trip home (being younger, and more foolish), while travelling at the speed limit, on a very hot day, a tire blew out The caravan stayed on the road, without any fishtailing If I ever buy another caravan, I shall also buy some sort of stabiliser control unit
On the other hand I know of many who do not use a stabiliser control Their theory is that if you are taking your time, and driving to the road conditions, you do not need a stabiliser control
I am sure that others will come forward and explain why/not to have a stabiliser control unit
We have a 21 foot Jayco with 200 odd KGs on the ball weight. Also have AlKo ESC (electronic stability control) this is not a cheap fitment, however it has got me out of strife a few times and Im very thankful I fitted it.
IMHO the Weight Distribution Hitches are not much help in a sideways sway. If you every get into a bad situation like that without ESC, hit the brake controller over ride button and slow down. Worked for me ages ago when I was towing a horse float down a dirt road.
Enjoy the forum.
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
A lot has been said about stability control for caravans. We have a single axle Jayco poptop. I was on a narrow, winding road and one of the tyres on my van blew out. I was not aware of it (other than hearing a rumbling noise) and I finished up with a car behind me trying to attract my attention. When I did finally see him, I had nowhere to pull off so I had to keep driving. Alltold, I did about 2 km, running on the rim for most of the time. At no stage did I feel the van pull or try to overturn. The only thing I noticed was a rumbling noise (the wheel on the road as it turned out).
A lot of people insist on a dual axle van because one tyre may blow out. The newer vans have the stability control units installed. These may work to counter swaying, but I doubt that they will do much for a blown tyre. As for swaying, check the loading of your rig before you leave and ensure that the rig is stable. When I say check the rig, go out in a controlled area and initiate a swerve - a small one at first and then progressively get wilder and see how yuor rig reacts. I know that to get mine near where it could be unstable will take efforts well beyond what I would ever consider on the road without a van. I doubt that I could fit a stability control to my van, and at this stage I don't particulalry want to.
"A lot of people insist on a dual axle van because one tyre may blow out. The newer vans have the stability control units installed. These may work to counter swaying, but I doubt that they will do much for a blown tyre. As for swaying, check the loading of your rig before you leave and ensure that the rig is stable. When I say check the rig, go out in a controlled area and initiate a swerve - a small one at first and then progressively get wilder and see how yuor rig reacts. I know that to get mine near where it could be unstable will take efforts well beyond what I would ever consider on the road without a van. I doubt that I could fit a stability control to my van, and at this stage I don't particulalry want to"
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That's what I've been saying for 40 odd yrs.
KNOW YOUR rig.
Try it out.
You need to know it's safe limits BEFORE you need to try them in a situation....
Take a centre axle mounted van out for a ride and feel where it starts getting unstable
with a few swerves.
Then get a rear set Suspension van and do same thing.
You'll be surprised at the EXTRA stability in the rear set rigs over centre set.
That's why my last 4 vans have been rear sets.
A person is so much safer on the roads before he even turns a wheel.
Then look at some of them with double spares. Genny's, air cond's
and huge boxes hanging off the back. and think about it.
Single axles especially.
when I'm travelling I keep my eyes on the lines of panel joints on front of van
and line one up with a horizontal line in car.
Heater strips in rear glass is one. Keep an eye on that as you go along.
THEN
if you do get a flat.
those two lines will no longer marry up.(drop one side)
I've only ever had one puncture in van tyre and that's how I saw it.
But I do change tyres out every 6 yrs.
regardless of wear or no wear on the tyres.
Even if not rolling and rubbing tread off. the sun and just heat etc
hardens tyres made with modern compounds.
There's not much rubber in them anymore.
