The Main Cause of Caravan Instability
In answer to the question “do I need a caravan stabiliser?” the answer should always be the same, no you don’t need one but you should defiantly get one. A caravan stabiliser is not a replacement for good towing skills and a properly packed caravan but it does add a layer of added safety as well as comfort when towing any high sided unit, either trailer, caravan or horsebox etc.
The main cause of caravan instability is what is commonly called snaking or more scientifically ‘yaw inertia’. When the caravan moves in a horizontal way around the towing hitch it is said to be snaking and the caravan behind you starts weaving from side to side. In extreme cases violent snaking can cause complete loss of control of the car and caravan and a very unpleasant crash is often inevitable. Excessive speed is often the main cause of caravan snaking but speed alone is not enough to start this type of caravan instability. If you travel in a straight pulling your caravan behind you then as long as nothing changes the caravan would happily follow along without any trouble. However there are often external forces that will make the caravan weave slightly and at high speed this slight weave will become something more dangerous. These external forces can include a gust of wind or a bump in the road or indeed a sudden swerve to avoid hitting something in the road.
Caravan stabilisers have been designed primarily to help stop this snaking but as a driver towing a caravan there are a few things you can do to prevent it happening in the first place. The first thing to consider is your speed or how you should try and travel at slower speeds at least. If you’re travelling on long motorways there is a tendency to get to your destination as fast as you can but you should remember that other vehicles passing you will cause some movement of the caravan and if these forces are great enough you will start snaking. Slow down and try to never exceed 60mph. When travelling downhill don’t be tempted to let your speed build up, often this is where you may hit a bump in the road or something bigger than you fly’s past and causes caravan instability.
Tags: Caravan Stabiliser