We're starting this as a new topic because previous Anti -sway/stabilizer threads date back to 2014, I'm not sure if the information is still relevent to present day models. We're planning on purchasing a new 2018/19 18ft caravan and have been assured by the manufacturer that modern vans have better suspention and weight distrubution and don't require sway bars. We'll be towing it with a Nissan Navara 2.5 Deisel ute. In our 2009 caravan trip around Australia with a 23ft caravan, sway bars were considered essential. Also in 2009 our towing vehicle (a Nissan Patrol) was fitted with an underdash Electric Brake Controller, now apparently they are fitted to the caravan itself. If anybody can enlighten us on these issues, we would appreciate it.
Thanks Sue & Brian
landy said
10:01 PM Jun 23, 2019
I think most people here would be using either an under dash or in dash brake controller. When you say sway bars are you talking about a weight distribution hitch.
Bridgee said
12:34 AM Jun 24, 2019
landy wrote:
I think most people here would be using either an under dash or in dash brake controller. When you say sway bars are you talking about a weight distribution hitch.
Yes Landy, I suppose the sway bars I have in mind are 'a weight distrabution hitch'.
Kaid said
07:35 AM Jun 24, 2019
We have an 18'6 Single axle Leader Van and don't use a WDH.
Car has Anti sway built in and have an under dash brake controller.
No problems
Pariss said
08:46 AM Jun 24, 2019
A weight distribution hitch is NOT a 'sway control' device, they are 2 totally different devices. Most modern caravans these days come with either a Dexter or Alco anti sway system already installed. These are powered up by the 12v connection from your tow vehicle to the device's battery within the van. Regarding a weight distribution hitch, it depends on how the rear of your tow vehicle sits when connected to the van. If the tow vehicle sags down excessively then maybe look at a WDH or airbags. The most important rule to remember is to have close to 10-12% of total van weight as your tow ball weight. So if the van is 2700kg, tow ball weight should be close to 270kg. This will greatly help eliminate any sway from the van. Buy a tow ball weight scale, $65.
SouthernComfort said
09:04 AM Jun 24, 2019
Even if your van is fitted with ESC a brake controller in the car is still needed to activate the van's brakes and evenly distribute braking between car and van. A WDH may or may not be required depending on your set-up and overall weights, and also what Nissan specify for your Navara in relation to the weight you are towing. It's also a bit simplistic for a dealer to declare that a WDH (assuming this is what he's referring to) isn't required due to modern vans being better balanced. You can quickly 'undo' the manufacturer's balance (at Tare) as soon as you start loading up the van. I don't use a WDH but my ATM and ball weight are well within the car manufacturer's requirement to use one.
Nevd said
09:15 AM Jun 24, 2019
The dealer may be talking about the new bluetooth braking control units available that don't need hard wiring through the trailer plug into the dash controller. Here's a link that explains it - https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/tested-elecbrakes-portable-brake-controller-119072/
Olive Oil said
02:14 PM Jun 24, 2019
We've safely towed our 17ft 6in caravan for almost 100,000kms over more than 8 years without a WDH. The last 60,000kms has been with a Nissan Navara D22 2.5 diesel , 2014 model. Our rig sits totally flat, our ball weight is 160 - 170kg, the Navara has a maximum ball weight of 250kg.
-- Edited by Olive Oil on Monday 24th of June 2019 02:18:46 PM
KevinC said
02:50 PM Jun 24, 2019
I've used a WDH for the past 19 years. Four different tow vehicles, two different caravans. I'm convinced that there is a basic safety reason for using one, that is maintaining load on the front wheels. Without it, when something weird happens and p--ps are trumps, then steering and braking may be compromised. Even down hill on a wet road, we need as much traction on the front axle as we can get. Your new van may be light enough and so well balanced that it doesn't load the back of your ute. But remember that your Nissan was designed to have a load on the front wheels and anything on the tow ball will reduce that load. Maybe a few You Tube videos will give you a better idea of what a WDH is designed to do. But in any case, it's your choice and no-one here would ever wish you to be in a situation where your safety is tested whatever you decide. Just saying.
-- Edited by KevinC on Tuesday 25th of June 2019 08:04:29 AM
outlaw40 said
02:57 PM Jun 24, 2019
The bottom line here as for as wdh is concerned is that each rig is different , until you load ( keeping all weights within specs ) and tow it with your preferred tow vehicle you will not know if you need them or not . Any salesman that tells you different should not be trusted .
landy said
09:31 PM Jun 24, 2019
just another thought, is your salesman maybe referring to one of the light weight European vans that has a break and anti sway system built into the tow coupling.
Bridgee said
12:09 AM Jun 30, 2019
Thank you so much for all your help and advice. This forum is still full of helpful advice from fellow travellers as it was when we last logged on here 10 years ago, travelling around Australia, our first trip around Aus was in 1974 no such forums then!!!
Onedodger said
05:38 PM Jul 1, 2019
The original poster seems like a reasonable experienced vanner so I suggest you get the van attach it to your Nissan and see how it goes as far as sag in the rear, if it sags then add a WDH and adjust accordingly. As far as brake controllers are concerned the new wireless ones are not yet fully proven over time . I would go for a Red Arc or a Tekonsha and hard wire them in as they are a proven commodity.
Happy travels Mate.
yobarr said
06:49 PM Jul 1, 2019
Bridgee wrote:
We're starting this as a new topic because previous Anti -sway/stabilizer threads date back to 2014, I'm not sure if the information is still relevent to present day models. We're planning on purchasing a new 2018/19 18ft caravan and have been assured by the manufacturer that modern vans have better suspention and weight distrubution and don't require sway bars. We'll be towing it with a Nissan Navara 2.5 Deisel ute. In our 2009 caravan trip around Australia with a 23ft caravan, sway bars were considered essential. Also in 2009 our towing vehicle (a Nissan Patrol) was fitted with an underdash Electric Brake Controller, now apparently they are fitted to the caravan itself. If anybody can enlighten us on these issues, we would appreciate it.
Thanks Sue & Brian
Your car,like other Nissans,has a strange formula that dictates that the cars GVM reduces as the towball weight increases.I do not know what your 18ft van weighs,but if it is,say,2000kg you should have towball weight of around 200kg. Up to 200kg you lose 210kg from your cars GVM,with that loss increasing as your van weight increase.Another problem you may face is that your cars rear axle is,I think,rated at only 1750kg......sorry I cant be more specific,but you need to be aware of your towing limitations.Cheers.
KevinJ said
09:13 AM Jul 2, 2019
On the topic of sway bars and ATMs. GTMs etc, what is the maximum vehicle weight and caravan weight that can be towed with a standard class C licence?
yobarr said
12:27 PM Jul 2, 2019
KevinJ wrote:
On the topic of sway bars and ATMs. GTMs etc, what is the maximum vehicle weight and caravan weight that can be towed with a standard class C licence?
A car licence allows you to drive a vehicle up to 4500kg,towing whatever that vehicle can legally tow. Simplified answer only.Cheers
We're starting this as a new topic because previous Anti -sway/stabilizer threads date back to 2014, I'm not sure if the information is still relevent to present day models. We're planning on purchasing a new 2018/19 18ft caravan and have been assured by the manufacturer that modern vans have better suspention and weight distrubution and don't require sway bars. We'll be towing it with a Nissan Navara 2.5 Deisel ute. In our 2009 caravan trip around Australia with a 23ft caravan, sway bars were considered essential. Also in 2009 our towing vehicle (a Nissan Patrol) was fitted with an underdash Electric Brake Controller, now apparently they are fitted to the caravan itself. If anybody can enlighten us on these issues, we would appreciate it.
Thanks Sue & Brian
Yes Landy, I suppose the sway bars I have in mind are 'a weight distrabution hitch'.
Car has Anti sway built in and have an under dash brake controller.
No problems
The dealer may be talking about the new bluetooth braking control units available that don't need hard wiring through the trailer plug into the dash controller. Here's a link that explains it -
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/tested-elecbrakes-portable-brake-controller-119072/
We've safely towed our 17ft 6in caravan for almost 100,000kms over more than 8 years without a WDH.
The last 60,000kms has been with a Nissan Navara D22 2.5 diesel , 2014 model.
Our rig sits totally flat, our ball weight is 160 - 170kg, the Navara has a maximum ball weight of 250kg.
-- Edited by Olive Oil on Monday 24th of June 2019 02:18:46 PM
I've used a WDH for the past 19 years. Four different tow vehicles, two different caravans. I'm convinced that there is a basic safety reason for using one, that is maintaining load on the front wheels. Without it, when something weird happens and p--ps are trumps, then steering and braking may be compromised. Even down hill on a wet road, we need as much traction on the front axle as we can get.
Your new van may be light enough and so well balanced that it doesn't load the back of your ute. But remember that your Nissan was designed to have a load on the front wheels and anything on the tow ball will reduce that load.
Maybe a few You Tube videos will give you a better idea of what a WDH is designed to do.
But in any case, it's your choice and no-one here would ever wish you to be in a situation where your safety is tested whatever you decide.
Just saying.
-- Edited by KevinC on Tuesday 25th of June 2019 08:04:29 AM
that has a break and anti sway system built into the tow coupling.
The original poster seems like a reasonable experienced vanner so I suggest you get the van attach it to your Nissan and see how it goes as far as sag in the rear, if it sags then add a WDH and adjust accordingly. As far as brake controllers are concerned the new wireless ones are not yet fully proven over time . I would go for a Red Arc or a Tekonsha and hard wire them in as they are a proven commodity.
Happy travels Mate.
Your car,like other Nissans,has a strange formula that dictates that the cars GVM reduces as the towball weight increases.I do not know what your 18ft van weighs,but if it is,say,2000kg you should have towball weight of around 200kg. Up to 200kg you lose 210kg from your cars GVM,with that loss increasing as your van weight increase.Another problem you may face is that your cars rear axle is,I think,rated at only 1750kg......sorry I cant be more specific,but you need to be aware of your towing limitations.Cheers.
On the topic of sway bars and ATMs. GTMs etc, what is the maximum vehicle weight and caravan weight that can be towed with a standard class C licence?
A car licence allows you to drive a vehicle up to 4500kg,towing whatever that vehicle can legally tow. Simplified answer only.Cheers
Thanks yobarr, that answers it nicely.