Bailey Pegasus Shock absorbers or ATC or both
Hi All, just getting all the kit together for my Pegasus Verona. I have spent some time looking at what safety equipment that I need and when funds allow will fit the ALKO ATC as I have read a lot about them with mixed reviews, hoping a MK2 will be launched!
I am surprised that the Pegasus range does not have ATC fitted as standard, I am sure Bailey buy these for a very reduced price as the manufacturing price must be less than £15?
I then realised that the Pegasus range do not have shock absorbers but these can be bought from Bailey. Some reviews outlined these helped reduced swaying when lorries etc passed. I understand there are pros and cons of shock absorbers, but again they are additional extras?
The shock absorbers I think are only £80 per set rather than circa £700 for ATC.
Since I need to pay for Baileys penny pinching exercise which they buy in bulk compared to the cost for both for me to purchase probably circa £800, which is the best return on investment?
Thanks very much
Derek
Comments
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IMHO ATC , is a nice to have, rather than a must have, I'd certainly not pay that kind of money to have it retrospectively fitted. I've had my current ATC equipped caravan for about 18 months ..... if the ATC has kicked in at any time I've not noticed.
Shockers though are cheap & easy to fit. I retrospectively fitted them to my last caravan.
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My latest van has both fitted as standard and it does tow much better than my last van which didn't have these accessories fitted. Whether the noticeable improvement is due to them or my greater towing experience I cannot say without blushing.
To be honest I do believe it's mainly due to the equipment.
To answer your question I would fit the suspension dampers as they do, I think cut down on the bouncing. 1 -
The dampers on our current van certainly make a difference in movement of equipment within the van, compared to our previous Abbey. Not sure I have noticed any difference in stability from them, though this van is longer and heavier, so I am not comparing like for like. The ATC certainly paid for itself when van man passing too close at high velocity initiated a sway.
As to why they are not fitted as standard. I assume it is just marketing. They are standard on the more expensive Unicorn range, so they don't want to detract from that.
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Not sure that I would retrofit ATC. I do rate it however. I have had 3 'moments' that I recall in 35 years of towing. On two occasions it was when I was forced to take emergency manoeuvre. The first was around 30 years ago and the resulting snake sticks in the mind. The other that I recall was about 3 years ago on a dual carriageway overtaking an HGV. The driver swerved into my lane and I had to swing sharply right and then left again dropping offside wheel off the carriageway surfacing. The caravan would have been swung left and right at 60mph as I swerved and corrected. It started one more swing of is own accord I think and then ATC kicked in and straightened the rig nicely. For that and an incident with collapsed carriageway edge on a bend it was worth every penny but was included in the purchase. personally I would choose to buy a caravan with it fitted.
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The Bailey pegasus GT65 has both shock absorbers/ATC fitted as standard if you wish to pursue the second hand route.....
I previously owned the Verona the only difference I notice with the ATC was when a road camber changed quickly from one angle to another when the van brakes were applied pulling the car back.
As previously mentioned nice to have but not essential.
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Its all just marketing. Product differentiation and value perception to be precise. A group of marketing droids in an office work all this out and its not really for your benefit.
As has been said, the GT65 range had them as standard but the later models did not.
Bet the (likely) GT70 will have them
.
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I think ATC is worthwhile to have. My plan is to never need it but I want all the odds in my favour if something ever happens.
Just occasionally on wet / slippy roads I can feel it just feathering a wheel. Obviously its then time to back off a bit.
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