Swan neck stabilsers

Baymare
Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
edited August 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi, This is probably in the wrong section but am finding this sight difficult to navigate. I have an old honda crv 2003 petrol and a very light old sprite 2 berth caravan. The honda has a swan neck removable tow hook. I tried a snakemaster leaf spring stabiliser with the swan meck tow hook bracket. But found you cant get the bracket low enough to make sure the leaf spring is under the caravan A frame. Anybody got any advice before i send this lump of metal back or is a stabilser a waste of money. I towed a double horse box with two horse in it with my old shogun and never heard of stabilisers but every caravaner has told me you must get a stabiliser for towing. Any advice welcome as i dont think a its worth paying mega bucks if your van is loaded correctly and you keep your speed down.

Thanks

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #2

    I last used that type of stabiliser about 15 years ago. I do not understand the problem as the sprung arm goes alongside the A frame rather than beneath

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #3

    Stabilisers are just a 'nice to have' accessory, certainly not a 'must have'. I agree with your last sentence.  cool

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #4

    Hi caravaner its just that it saif on the instructions that came with it and it was underlinef yhat there musy be enough clearance under the A frame and the spring. When its set up i would have thought being along side the spring would foul on the A frame.

     

  • Madmax 2
    Madmax 2 Forum Participant Posts: 62
    edited August 2017 #5

    Dont think the old type stabiliser suits swan necks, ya better with the Alko type.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited August 2017 #6

    Alko type may not be an option if the "Old Sprite" the OP said he has is not compatible when it comes to changing the coupling for a different type from the OE one. Or be cost effective.

    Careful loading and towing as previously said is the cheapest option.  In my previous caravaning days neither of the 2 we owned, an Eccles & a Lunar had stabilizers and it was  never  an issue.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #7

    There was a clamp available that clamped onto a swan neck I seem to recall. 

    The sprung bar sits alongside the A Frame resting in the located bracket and held in place by the tension in the spring arm.

     

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #8

    Yes i got the clamp and fitted it just below the tow ball before the bend and set the whole thing up. It just didnt look right and as the blade was sitting alongside the the A frame i got the impression that if i turned left the blade would would prevent turning. So i took it off. If i could see a picture of the set up i would be happier. Having said that i have just driven 150 miles at a steady 55mph without any problems or adverse actions.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #9

    Best image I could find of a similar stabiliser. This type of stabiliser was common before the Alko hitch built in friction pads

     

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #10

    Thanks easy t the one i got sits about the same place but only about an inch from thr side of the A frame i am not convinced it wouldnt prevent problems when turning left i think its better to do without.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2017 #11

    I used a bulldog stabiliser for ten years on a van I used to own although not the 'double' setup as pictured. Never had any manoeuvrability issues.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #12

    It does not present a problem, The sprung arm is free to slide on the support bracket. Countless numbers were used and from several manufacturers. Yes they are designed to run close to and alongside the frame. 

    I used one from start of 1980 or earlier until 1993

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited August 2017 #13

    Used one for very many years without problem...as per the mini pic but an older model.

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #14

    cyberyacht i presume the leaf spring moves with the yoke when you turn at least thats what i think happens. It was just the very close proximity to the A frame that concerns me. I am new to caravaning but not new to towing and to be honest pulled double horseboxes fully loaded all over the the UK and to be perfectly honest had never heard of a stabiliser, it was only talking to caravaners that they kept telling me you must get a stabiliser so i thought i had better to avoid all the sharp intakes of breath when i tell them i dont.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #15

    Having towed with and without I definitely prefer with. As for the articulation - The front fixed point and the sliding spring arm means that it stays parallel to A frame

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #16

    Easy T thanks having thought about it and your very good description my concerns are unfounded regarding fouling. I spoke to a long time vanner and he said caravans are very lighy compared to your towing experiences and are suseptable to cross winds and stablisers help reduce the swaying effect. So i will stick it back on.

    Many thanks to all who contributed to my post.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #17

    I take it you have the instructions for adjusting tension on friction pads I used to adjust mine only at the start of the season normally.

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #18

    East t no i havent i presum you can use a set of bathroom scales and tighten it down to around 60 lbs i am led to believe.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #19

    Indeed Baymare. That is how it is done. Push bathroom scales against the end of the sprung long lever arm until the force just causes them to move. I found it easier using a vice rather than back of car. Not sure what the loading should be though and that is why I asked.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #20

    Full instructions here if needed : Between 60 and 80 pounds 

    http://www.towsure.com/media/catalogues/Snakemaster_Stabiliser_Instructions.pdf

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #21

    Easy t you have been a grand help you have my thanks.

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #22

    Finally got round to fitting it back on, think its ok but you can forget about using the quick release bar as it just bends you would have to be tarzan to move it in any case once you have put the minimum 60 lb pressure on it. I would not recomend this snakemaster type of stabiliser for use the steel is soft it is far to bulky and the quick release bar is useless and when pressured to the correct 60lb cant be put on or taken off.

    All in all should not have waisted my money on this item. Will look for something else over the winter.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #23

    Never come across the Snakemaster product. Mine was Bulldog. The locking lever had an extension tube to lock onto the friction plates once fitted.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #24

    Have you tried a caravan breakers?   I don't know if it is possible to retrofit a more modern Alko Hitch to your older Sprite Chassis, but if it is possible that should make it much easier to stabilise your rig.  you might need to fit new pads inside the Alko head if its seen some service, but thats an easy job.

    It may be an impossible idea, but its certainly worth enquiring.

    TF

  • Baymare
    Baymare Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited August 2017 #25

    Well took the caravan out for a weeks trip and had to take the snakemaster swan neck stabiliser off. The problem is that the bracket fitted to the tow hook just spins round under pressure. I horsed the nuts and grubber screws up till you couldnt get any more on them ( i am six foot and am pretty strong) but the bracket just spins on the hook. Took it off as it was a useless article and a waste of money. Back to the drawing board.

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