Are those available through an Australian agent yet?

Are such devices really necessary? That's a question not a challenge.

I've towed my 2.8T, 2 axle van over most of Victoria and southern NSW for the past two years of living on the road without any  additions just the caravan hanging on the towball and I have never had a sway issue. I never tow above about 90kph. Maybe other vans tow differently but my Snowy River SR-19 seems pretty stable.

Mike Harding wrote:

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Are such devices really necessary? That's a question not a challenge.

I've towed my 2.8T, 2 axle van over most of Victoria and southern NSW for the past two years of living on the road without any  additions just the caravan hanging on the towball and I have never had a sway issue. I never tow above about 90kph. Maybe other vans tow differently but my Snowy River SR-19 seems pretty stable.

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 I agree Mike but in fairness some rigs don't handle well.

 

With only 1000kg atm and 85kg on the ball I don't have sway.

Tony

Hi to All

we have a Pajero 2020/21 and will be towing a 2006 Supreme spirit 22.6ft caravan

all help is appreciated

Thanks

Russ

Are such devices really necessary?

Well not if you can guarantee that your travels will never be interrupted by any misfortune like for example, a need to brake suddenly, a need to swerve, a blowout. Cemeteries are full of people who were very safe drivers but got caught out by some event over which they had no control. Any time you have to change direction quickly the van can sway. It's just physics. No amount of packing, weight distribution, or years of safe driving will prevent it. I don't use electronic sway control to enable me to drive harder or faster, but if something falls off a truck in front of me as I'm driving, maybe the sway control will help me stay in control. When we bought our last van I opted for the best ESC system I could find. To me it's more important than the breakaway brake system which is legislated. But that's only my thoughts.

Dexter for me as well - Previously Had ALKO ESC - experienced many problems (electrical and mechanical) that could not be rectified. It could be that the manufacturer was just incompetent regarding the unit - but after several disastrous incidents I changed vans and yes the dealer was advised of the problems.
I now have Dexter Anti-sway, so much more control and do not have to disconnect to reverse or travel on gravel road.

If experienced driver and van set up well, a good thing for the "un-expected. For example a roo jumps out in front of you. But not necessary.

However, for the inexperienced or poorly set up rig a great option. I Have an alko, came with the van.

yobarr wrote:

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oldbloke wrote:

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If experienced driver and van set up well, a good thing for the "un-expected. For example a roo jumps out in front of you. But not necessary.
However, for the inexperienced or poorly set up rig a great option. I Have an alko, came with the van.

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 "But not necessary" "...for the inexperienced or poorly set up...". At last,someone is talking sense.Cheers

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The way I look at it is, it is like a lot of the safety features that you have on new cars. You hope you never need them but if they save you once there worth every cent.

How can you tell if a sway control system is working?

I'm sure they do self tests and a little green LED lights or something but how can you confirm it actually *detects* sway and applies the brakes?

 

For all of the naysayers and non-believers out there, here is an extract from an article about a caravan crash on a divided highway in Qld -

"They had bought the caravan new nearly 10 years ago and travelled all over Queensland with no issues. He was returning home to Brisbane when coming down the Cooroy Hill some bumps started to unsettle the van. "  Result was a totally destroyed car & van.  Not the first time I have read a similar comment.

No matter how good you think you are, and how good your setup is, there just may be a time when it comes in very handy.  

Would you travel without insurance?  I certainly hope not.

Would you buy a car without ABS or anti-sway?  Not these days.

BTW the way, I also have the Dexter system, after doing copious research, I am convinced it's a better product than the ALKO system (or at least was at the time).

-- Edited by Nevd on Friday 12th of March 2021 09:02:14 AM

I don't have ESC on the current van, but after having the opportunity to test drive a rig in controlled conditions with it on, I am seriously considering fitting it. For all you naysayers, modern technology can get even the most experienced driver out of trouble in a given set of circumstances. Remember that all of us towing vans are actually doing something with our vehicles that they really were not intended to do. I don't care how well balanced your rig is or how good a driver you are, there can come a time when things turn pear shaped and every bit of assistance is needed to avoid a catastrophe.

Im deff not against modern tech . Just dont fit it to overcome a bad set up . I fitted elect brakes to car carrying trailer it has stability control included .

Hi Russ,

The friction type device that you mentioned in your original post, will be of very little use in controlling dangerous sway with a 22 ft van, the forces involved are simply too great.

As mentioned by a number of other responders, a better solution would be one of the ESC Electronic Stability Control systems that applies the caravan brakes autonomously when it senses sway. There are a number of different manufacturers on the market now and they all offer an extra layer of safety to your towing experience.

They use electronic devices (accelerometers) to sense sway, which triggers the system to apply the caravan brakes autonomously, usually at a predetermined level of about 30% of full brake performance, so you will know if you ever trigger the system. Triggering the ESC usually takes 3 signals from the sensor of 0.3G in quick succession, or one signal of 0.5G.

Early systems like Alco- trigger the brakes on all braked wheels, later generation systems like Dexter- alternate the braking signal between left hand and right hand wheels to counter the sway, then you have others like Lippert- who use a combination of an accelerometer and a gyro sensor to alleviate false triggers when in rough terrain etc.

I currently have an Alco system, thankfully never triggered it, but if I was in your position now, I would go with the Lippert or Dexter for the more modern technology.

Do your research and choose the one that meets your needs the best, they will all work and could save your life one day.

Hope this helps 

Bob

Yes, good question, I would like to know that one myself .

How do you know the ESC  is working correctly when needed in an emergency ? 

I have a new caravan arriving in April with the Alco ESC being fitted by the dealer ( and not by the manufacturer )  and was wondering how to get it tested to see that it is functioning as is should under a sway situation.

After reading these posts I will make a few enquiries  with Alco,  hopefully they will be able to give me some answers? 

One of the reasons for purchasing the ESC is that I will be loaning my Caravan to some of my children to take away so i wanted every safety device know to man fitted to the caravan for their safety and my grandchildren.

I have driven trailers , caravans before so I understand correct weight distribution, safe speed limits ETC ETC but for an inexperienced caravan user I think ESC is a must until they get some real caravan driving Ks under their belts.

Oldvanman