Old Westfalia Stabiliser - Replace it...?

PhilMaxwell
PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
edited January 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

New here, hello...

After years of thinknig about it, we've finally taken the plunge in to the world of caravanning with a 2000 Swift Challenger 290 LSE (5berth).

It came with a Westfalia stabiliser, which looks as old and knackered as I feel and I have been attempting to weigh up the benefits of changing it to a more modern hitch.

Any thoughts, suggestions, advice...? 

Thanks

Phil

Comments

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #2

    It really depends on cost the most effective way would be to buy a secondhand one, like a Bulldog that could be transfered to another van, but as most later models after 2000 have a hitch built in stabilliser this may be your best option, as you
    wouldn't use it on a later model if you ever changed your van

    Paul

  • PhilMaxwell
    PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited January 2016 #3

    My worry is that the hitch is worn enough to be loose on the ball...?  Unlikely, but a possibility I suppose...

    We intend to hang on to this one for a while, so I suppose changing it is the right thing to do...

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited January 2016 #4

    I have never heard of the wear on the hitch being so bad it needs changing and yours is younger than many. Given its age replacing the pads might be worthwhile though.

  • PhilMaxwell
    PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited February 2016 #5

    Well, after much chin scratching I decided to replace it in the end...

    Went for the new BPW iSC stabiliser, which I could have got from a UK supplier at £272 delivered, but in the end I found it on eBay.de for £180 delivered...

    Fitted last night, first tow tomorrow...

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited February 2016 #6

    Before you actually start the tow, connect the hitch onto the tow ball and wind the jockey wheel 'down' so that the hitch starts to lift and pull the ball and the back of your car up, to check that they are securely attached. We do this before every towing journey.

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