pko
Member Since: 06 Apr 2006
Location: usually in the pub
Posts: 398
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| towing stability assist & Al-Ko ATC |
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Hi all, advice please. I'm about to order a new single axle caravan & have been offered an Al-ko ATC trailer control system on the caravan as an optional extra. Now, as the d4 already has towing stability assist fitted as standard, is the Al-Ko system worth having or will it clash with the D4's own system, or do I save my cash & rely on the D4's system which has proved perfectly adequate with my existing van. I have contacted Al-Ko but they can't advise.
regards
P never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly
current motor RRsport hse
prev. cars TD5
3 Ford Explorers
2 Ford Mavericks
Sierra 4x4
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 16th Oct 2010 10:11 am |
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mik
Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Skoatland
Posts: 912
  
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No experience of ATC, but I'd save my money - based on your above logic.
I've not experienced any significant snaking from our van which came with an alko aks (mechanical friction) anti-snake - either when towing with the Disco or even using the scoob (which is almost half the weight of the Disco, but much stiffer suspended - so whilst it doesn't have the mass to resist movement, it will start resisting it sooner).
A d4 can only be better.
How much anti-snake does one need? 
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| 16th Oct 2010 10:20 am |
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Ian825
Member Since: 16 Jan 2006
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 96
 
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I've got both & they appear to work independantly of each other.
My Cvan is a single axle with ATC & the odd time it has kicked in it can be felt clearly in the Disco, I've never felt the Disco system come in!
The ATC does come in sometimes as the Cvan goes over a bump such as a sink cover and the cvan bounces a bit or when a bit excessive on bends, so I know it works! but it has never come in anger yet.
If it were ever needed for real I consider that the ATC would work well.
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| 16th Oct 2010 11:27 am |
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countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
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The D4 can't stop the caravan snaking as well as the ATC system as it applies the brakes on the van to keep it in line.
I would take it if it were me.
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| 16th Oct 2010 11:51 am |
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mowog
Member Since: 12 Jan 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 90
 
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If the van is a good design and is well loaded it shouldn't have any issues. Personally I would steer clear of a van that needs additional stability systems as it is a sign of poor design. Discovery 4 SE Long range fuel tank Kaymar Rear Bar.
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| 17th Oct 2010 12:14 am |
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pete57
Member Since: 05 Oct 2005
Location: Nottingham UK
Posts: 106
 
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I agree with the above comment. If your van is correctly loaded and still wants to snake, it's probably down to poor design or poor towing skills. D3 Buckingham Blue SE Auto
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| 17th Oct 2010 5:57 am |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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| 17th Oct 2010 9:17 am |
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UNG
Member Since: 20 Jun 2008
Location: Lancs
Posts: 768
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IMO ATC is designed for people who don't know how to load a van or trailer correctly or for those who can't be bothered to load it correctly
It's something else to go wrong and something else that needs servicing
I have towed using many different vehicle and trailer combinations and never had a problem if it snakes then it needs the load adjusting to suit the combination "Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag'em down to your level. It's cheaper".
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| 17th Oct 2010 11:24 am |
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countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
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That's like saying ABS is for people who can't brake .
The ATC can do things that a driver can't possibly do and has nothing to do with loading. It is basically like stability program for a caravan. It can help in emergency situations when you have to avoid something.
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| 17th Oct 2010 11:57 am |
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Ian825
Member Since: 16 Jan 2006
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 96
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Quote:
I have towed using many different vehicle and trailer combinations and never had a problem if it snakes then it needs the load adjusting to suit the combination
Unfortunately if you (or whomever) loads wrong then the first you 'they' know is when 'it' goes pear shaped & the snake sets in, then it is too late too late to adjust the combination!
I have ATC & believe that it is well worth pay extra money.
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| 17th Oct 2010 6:04 pm |
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Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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It is not just down to the way the van is loaded, there are additional things to think of. If you have a blow out, it is beyond your control but the ATC may help, if somthinfg happens in front of you and you have to swerve/brake hard, these are just a couple of reasons that the ATC may help you. One last thing, most caravan dealers will throw the ATC in as part of the deal, if they do not go elswhere. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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| 17th Oct 2010 8:02 pm |
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mowog
Member Since: 12 Jan 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 90
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This ATC must be a UK thing...
In Oz people manage to tow very large vans on very average roads over vast distances dealing with some very large trucks all without ATC. Discovery 4 SE Long range fuel tank Kaymar Rear Bar.
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| 17th Oct 2010 9:42 pm |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
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Actually the ATC is a German system designed for the Al-Ko chassis - BPW have a similar system for theirs. As was said it is an additional safety assistant but it very much depends on the caravan, its layout, weight, distribution etc as to how prone a van will be to "snaking" AND quite often when "snaking"occurs it has nothing what so ever to do with how good (or bad) the driver is or how well (or otherwise) the vehicle is loaded! see the video -- http://www.al-koatc.co.uk/pages/watchthevideo.htm LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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| 18th Oct 2010 10:29 am |
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