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Trailer Stabiliser Guide: Prevent Snaking When Towing UK

Trailer stabilisers are a valuable towing aid, especially for caravans, horse trailers and other high-sided trailers. However, they are not a cure-all. A stabiliser will not compensate for poor loading, incorrect nose weight or bad driving habits.


Used correctly, stabilisers help improve towing stability and reduce the risk of trailer sway — often referred to as snaking. Used incorrectly, they can give a false sense of security.

This guide explains what stabilisers do, how snaking happens, how to react safely, and how to inspect and service stabilisers properly.


What Is a Trailer Stabiliser?

The main purpose of a stabiliser is to reduce lateral movement between the towing vehicle and trailer. When a trailer starts to sway from side to side, the stabiliser applies resistance, helping bring the trailer back into line before instability escalates.

Stabilisers come in several designs, but the most common types are:

  • Trailing arm / leaf spring stabilisers

  • Coupling head stabilisers (often integrated into caravan hitches)

They are particularly effective on:

  • Caravans

  • Horse trailers

  • Box trailers

  • Other high-sided trailers



Stabilisers Are Not a Substitute for Correct Towing

Before relying on a stabiliser, the fundamentals of towing must be correct.

The Golden Rules of Towing

  • The trailer must sit level when coupled to the towing vehicle

  • Nose weight should be between 50–100kg (unless the trailer is very light)

  • Tyre pressures on both vehicle and trailer must be correct

  • Loads must be evenly distributed and secured

It’s also worth remembering:

  • You must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three lanes or more when towing a trailer

A stabiliser can assist stability — it cannot fix incorrect setup.


What Is “Snaking” and Why Does It Happen?

Snaking occurs when the trailer axles move out of line with the towing vehicle. As the trailer tries to correct itself, it overcompensates, creating an oscillating side-to-side motion.

If left unchecked, snaking will:

  • Increase rapidly

  • Reduce driver control

  • Potentially lead to jack-knifing or rollover


Common Causes of Trailer Snaking

Snaking can be triggered by one or more of the following:

  • Incorrect load placement (too much weight behind the axle)

  • Very light or negative nose weight

  • Strong side winds

  • Turbulence from large vehicles overtaking

  • Special-purpose trailers with awkward or uneven internal layouts

Even a well-maintained stabiliser cannot fully counteract these issues if the trailer is badly loaded.


What To Do If Snaking Starts

If trailer snaking begins, driver reaction is critical.

Correct Actions

  • Keep the steering straight

  • Change down a gear

  • Take both feet off the pedals

  • If descending downhill, gently apply the brakes while remaining in a lower gear

What NOT To Do

  • ❌ Do not accelerate — this can rapidly worsen the situation

  • ❌ Do not brake hard — this risks jack-knifing

  • ❌ Do not try to steer out of the sway — this often increases instability

The goal is to reduce speed smoothly and allow the stabiliser to work.



Stabiliser Checks (Before Every Journey)

Each stabiliser manufacturer provides specific inspection guidance, but the following checks should be carried out before every trip:

  • Ensure friction is present (where applicable)

  • Check the stabiliser is correctly seated in its locating position

  • Confirm there is no excessive movement or visible damage

A stabiliser that isn’t properly engaged offers little benefit.


Stabiliser Servicing Requirements

Stabilisers should be fully overhauled at least once a year or after 20,000 miles of towing, whichever comes first.

Servicing should include:

  • Complete dismantling

  • Inspection of friction pads or disks

  • Checking for cracking, glazing or excessive wear

⚠️ Important safety note:Some older stabilisers may contain asbestos-based friction material. These components must be handled and disposed of carefully in accordance with regulations.


Common Stabiliser Problems & Remedies

Problem

Likely Cause

Remedy

Groaning noise when manoeuvring slowly

Friction material transferred to metal parts

Dismantle and clean metal components

Leaf spring jumps out of chassis shoe

Excessive tension on friction disks

Check and reduce operating tension

Leaf catching A-frame

Incorrect chassis shoe position

Check articulation and reposition shoe

Addressing these issues early prevents further damage and restores stabiliser effectiveness.


Brent’s Bottom Line

A stabiliser is a valuable safety aid, not a safety net. When combined with correct loading, sensible speeds and good driving technique, it can significantly reduce the risk of trailer instability.


If you’re relying on a stabiliser to fix poor setup, you’re asking too much of it.

Set the trailer up properly first — then let the stabiliser do the job it was designed for.

-Brent

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