There’s no magic bullet to make your car and caravan completely stable. But if you draw up a list of the important features that improve the stability and safety of your van, a stabiliser hitch has to be on there.

Most of the best caravans have one. So should they be thought of as essential? If you don’t have one, can a stabiliser be retrofitted? And how does a stabiliser actually work? In this guide, I’ll be answering these questions.

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Caravan stabilisers

What is a stabiliser on a caravan?
How does a caravan stabiliser work?
Do I need a caravan stabiliser?
Can a stabiliser be retrofitted to my caravan?
The verdict on caravan stabilisers

Stabilisers for caravans – all you need to know

What is a stabiliser on a caravan?

A stabiliser is a device designed to resist the side-to-side movement (or yaw) of a caravan. Some will also resist vertical movements (pitching).

Stabilisers reduce the severity of any unwanted motion. In normal towing, a stabiliser makes these movements less pronounced, which means a more relaxing journey for the driver.

In more extreme conditions, a stabiliser can make the difference between a dangerous snaking caravan, with a risk of losing control, and a minor wobble, where the tourer is soon pulling straight again.

A car towing a caravan

In short, it’s something that can make towing a much more enjoyable experience – and take a look at our caravan towing tips if you’re after more ways to stay stressfree on the road.

How does a caravan stabiliser work?

There are different types of stabiliser and they work in different ways. Some employ a physical connection between the caravan tow car and the tourer, such as a blade, to resist any unwanted motion.

These blade-type stabilisers were once very popular, but are now less commonly seen. They are still available, though, and can be very effective.

A blade stabiliser uses a leaf spring and a turntable. Friction pads in the turntable resist movement from side to side, while the leaf spring also resists up-and-down pitching movements. Examples of this kind of stabiliser include the Bulldog 200Q and the Towsure Snakemaster.

Nowadays, it’s more common to see caravans fitted with a hitch-head stabiliser. With this kind of stabilising device, friction pads act directly on the towbar. All such stabilisers resist side-to-side movements, while some have friction pads that resist vertical movement as well.

With Al-Ko chassis being by far the most common for UK vans, you’ll find that the majority of modern tourers have Al-Ko stabilisers. You may come across caravans with a BPW chassis, in which case they will be likely to feature a Winterhoff stabiliser. Don’t be put off by having the less common make – there are many caravanners who swear that the Winterhoff is superior.

You might argue that the third type of stabilising device is a modern stability control system, such as Al-Ko ATC (Automatic Trailer Control).

These systems use sensors to detect snaking movements and apply the caravan’s brakes on one side and then the other, to straighten up the van.

Such set-ups are best used in tandem with a physical stability device.

Do I need a caravan stabiliser?

A stabiliser isn’t essential, especially if you are towing a lightweight caravan with a heavy car, but we’d strongly recommend having one fitted, all the same.

Think of stable towing as a medieval castle. Just like the monarchs of old, you shouldn’t rely on just one line of defence. A moat might keep your enemies out for a while, but the castle still needs strong walls. If the outer walls were breached, raiders would then need to a find a way into the inner keep.

In the same way, a stabiliser is simply one means of making your towing trips safer, and one of many.

A Volvo pulling a Bailey tourer

The fundamentals should always be observed, so you’re less likely to need a stabiliser to get you out of trouble. That means matching a car to a caravan appropriately – the tourer should weigh no more than 85% of the kerbweight of the tow car, especially if you are new to caravanning and towing.

Heavy items should be securely stored low down and close to the axle, and the car and caravan tyres should be in good condition and inflated to the right pressure. Observe the speed limit and be especially cautious in wet and windy conditions.

Correct loading and careful driving can minimise or prevent snaking movements, making you less reliant on any mechanical or electronic aids. Think of the stabiliser as the wall of the keep, not the moat. It’s one of the last lines of defence, not the first.

Can a stabiliser be retrofitted to my caravan?

Yes, stabilisers can be retrofitted. If you own a caravan without a stabiliser, having one installed is money well spent.

An Al-Ko AKS 3004 stabiliser hitch assembly will cost around £300. If you have the tools and an aptitude for DIY, taking off the old hitch and fitting the new one can be done at home. If you’d rather have the job carried out by a professional, it’s the kind of task a good workshop could easily tackle.

An Al-Ko stabiiser hitch-head
An Al-Ko stabiliser hitch-head can be retrofitted as a DIY task or professionally

Go for a blade stabiliser, such as the Bulldog 200Q, and you’ll be paying around the £150-£200 mark.

Al-Ko ATC can also be retrofitted. Prices vary, but you can reckon on paying from £800 to £1000. Is it worth it? We’d always suggest adding as many safety features to your caravan as possible, but we’d make sure we had a physical stabiliser fitted before spending more on ATC.

Preparing a towball

If you are still using a non-stabiliser hitch, you may be greasing your towball. This reduces noise as the ball rotates within the coupling and slows down any corrosion. 

If you change to a stabiliser hitch, you must not grease the towball. It’s important for the ball to be clean and free of any grease, as this will contaminate the friction pads and make the stabiliser less effective.

The verdict on caravan stabilisers

It is possible to tow your van long distances problem-free without a stabiliser. But why would you? Most modern caravans have a stabiliser, and for good reason. It is very effective in damping unwanted movements.

Retrofitting may cost you a few hundred pounds, but it will be money well spent.

Lead image: Alamy

Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances and skill level. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.


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