Hi. May Prado is fitted with a Redarc Tow Pro Elite brake thingy.
I don't own a van yet but looking at a 17' single axle.
Will I need to fit sway control thingys to the van or is the redarc thingy sufficient?
Thanks. Noel
Hi Noel The Redarc Tow Pro Elite is a great bit of gear that has a wide range of adjustments for brake bias etc, but it is not an anti-sway device. However, a 17' van should not need anything but correct loading to keep it stable. To minimise the chances of sway you must make an effort to get as much weight as possible over the axle, or as close to it as possible. From memory, Prado has tow rating of 3000kg but only a 250kg towball rating, so realistically, using the generally accepted 10% towball weight, you're limited to about 2500kg ATM. (Maybe a wee bit more because of short van) Anyway, to answer your question, I would say "No", you do not need to worry about any anti-sway control. My van weighs 3500kg and I have never even thought about fitting an anti-sway because it is loaded properly. Good luck, but never be shy about asking any more questions. Cheers
Hi Noel
I have a Redarc Tow Pro Elite brake thingy on my car too, it works extremely well.
There are a few instructional videos on the internet showing how to use it.
I have a 17ft caravan (by choice), it has no sway control.
Maybe get yourself a ball weight scale thingy, costs around $150.
Enjoy your caravanning.
Hi Noel. If you are going that heavy, I'd suggest sway control. The Redarc just applies the brakes to the van when you do, keeping everything in order when you are in normal driving mode.
The sway control helps keep things in a straight line even when not braking - ie. if you have unexpected sway. Some here will decry the need for sway control - "Keep everything balanced, watch your weights, drive to conditions etc". But you never know when the unexpected can happen. Some advocate hitting the Redarc button to apply the van brakes to straighten things out, but I strongly believe the average punter would not be quick enough to comprehend, particularly when the natural instinct is to have both hands on the wheel trying to correct things.
This is a quote from a driver who crashed on the M1 near the Sunshine Coast - a smooth motorway surface.
"I have been towing a caravan all over Australia for years, and this is the first time it has ever happened to me".
I have a 2600 ATM single axle van and I use ESC as a safety measure. I've never had to use it, but it's comforting to know it's there. It's the same with your car - you may never need the stability control on it, but it's there for a reason. I believe it should be mandatory on all new vans. It's just not you and your passengers, it's others on the road you are keeping safe
BTW, there are quite a few videos online of lightweight vans heading down the road at all different angles before they end up in a pile of rubble, so they are not immune to sway.
Just remember ESC can be not enough and does not guarantee catastrophe prevention. Start with getting the basics right - weights, balance and good equipment. If you have never towed anything heavy before I strongly recommend a towing course.
Just remember ESC can be not enough and does not guarantee catastrophe prevention. Start with getting the basics right - weights, balance and good equipment. If you have never towed anything heavy before I strongly recommend a towing course.
Nev
Today I travelled the last leg of my Brisbane to the Whitsundays, there were a plethora of caravans travelling in both directions.
Just as a casual observation it was easy to pick the single axle van, it was the one that bounced around more than other vans. My hint would be to insist some version of sway control be fitter to any single axle van.
Just remember ESC can be not enough and does not guarantee catastrophe prevention. Start with getting the basics right - weights, balance and good equipment. If you have never towed anything heavy before I strongly recommend a towing course.
Nev
Today I travelled the last leg of my Brisbane to the Whitsundays, there were a plethora of caravans travelling in both directions.
Just as a casual observation it was easy to pick the single axle van, it was the one that bounced around more than other vans. My hint would be to insist some version of sway control be fitter to any single axle van.
Bouncing is due to lack of, or incorrect, shock absorbers on the van ......... KB
Just remember ESC can be not enough and does not guarantee catastrophe prevention. Start with getting the basics right - weights, balance and good equipment. If you have never towed anything heavy before I strongly recommend a towing course.
Nev
Today I travelled the last leg of my Brisbane to the Whitsundays, there were a plethora of caravans travelling in both directions.
Just as a casual observation it was easy to pick the single axle van, it was the one that bounced around more than other vans. My hint would be to insist some version of sway control be fitter to any single axle van.
Bouncing is due to lack of, or incorrect, shock absorbers on the van ......... KB
Bounce was the adjective I suppose sway or wobble, in other words less stable.
