TOWING A CARAVAN

[BABELAAS]

Hi All,
this might be a stupid question but: we have recently sold our bush trailer after 10 years of happy holidays and trips mainly to Namibia. We have decided to get a caravan as the misses doesn't like climbing up a ladder to bed and the effort of opening out the trailer for a short stop.
Anyway, the reason for my question, I am thinking of getting the Sprite Sp Tourer ( dirt road caravan, not full off road) as we don't normally pull anything when going off road. Can you tow with the normal tow ball, or do you need a stabilizer bar?
The last time I towed a caravan was with a Nissan Maxima and it was not a good experience. But with the troll, does it need the stabilizer?
I would appreciate any advice
Cheers

[bogeyman]

The biggest problem towing a caravan with a petrol patrol is that you forget about the caravan. The car is heavy and powerful and does not lose stability.

We tow site caravans around every day and never use stabilizers.
Correct loading and adapting to things like crosswind and road conditions is important.

And the most economical speed is still 110km/h.

[Chris Skinner]

I tow a large and heavy boat - never had a stability problem with either my old 4.5 or the 4.8 - in fact stability is extremely good comared to previous vehicles used.... although I am not sure about the differences one can expect between a boat and a caravan, as I have never towed a van!

[gerriev]

I tow a Conquerer Companion without a stabilizer and have never experienced any stability problems.

[tour de frans]

Good day. Your towcar must be heavier than the trailer or van. With a Patrol that is the case. You could fit a stabilizer, but don't think it would be necessary. I tow a ton and a half caravan with my troll to speeds of 160. Open quiet roads off cause. Anyway the whole combination is stable.

[tour de frans]

Here goes. Sounds like I am looking for excuses for towing high speeds. I don't and know its not safe. I tow 160 on gravel no problem. The Patrol is as stable like its on rails. I am off topic but. I don't mess around with tyres or brakes. I fit and check them myself. I say: I will kill myself not someone that does a bad job on my car fitting a tyre wrong or so. I check my own wheel nuts and so on.
The point I am trying to make, a Patrol are very stable when towing a caravan.
rdgs

[bogeyman]

Frans,
I am also guilty of "going home quickly" and have gone close to 160 with one of those old round Jurgens caravans.
One day a wheel on the van got sick of the abuse and burst.......
I eventually got the smell out of that driver seat.

[tour de frans]

ya things happen fast. I did learn to slow down. It dont take much to get to the 140s and up.
Problem is most of the ars$#@es on the road cant drive. And make dangerous moves in front of me. But when pushing 140 and over the bastarts cant keep up. I have been towing more kms in my life than driving empty.

[BABELAAS]

Hi Guys,
thanks for all the info, I will not bother with a stabilizer bar. With the Bush trailer we had an echo 4 fully loaded and I also normally tow between 110 & 120 for fuel consumption.
Cheers
Marc