Tests on the proving ground showed that the four stabilizers greatly improve tracking stability.

An unstable combination of car and caravan can cause anxious moments for a driver. Wrong reactions can really make things dicey.

Trailer stabilizers reduce instability and dangerous swerving to a degree - as earlier tests have already shown. Now the ADAC has tested four new stabilizers, all of which work on the same principle: friction used to reduce the trailer's tendency to sway.

Manufacturer

AL-KO
AKS 2000

ORIS
ORISMAT 2001

WESTFALIA
SSK 2

WINTERHOFF
WS 3000 D

Handling

1.5

3.0

1.9

1.5

Tracking stability

2.0

2.2

2.1

1.9

Damping of pitching motions

2.6

2.3

2.6

2.0

Overall rating

1.9

2.4

2.1

1.8

Suggested price DM

552

550

442

499

Official acceptance / Entry in vehicle papers

Only for trailer hitches not listed in the assembly instructions

Not required

Only for trailer hitches not listed in the assembly instructions

Assembly inspection by authorized technician, modification to vehicle papers not required

Key:
1=very good, 2=good, 3=satisfactory, 4=fair, 5=poor

AL-KO AKS: Requires somewhat more effort to operate

ORISMAT 2001: definitely more difficult to use

WESTFALIA SSK: not exactly easy to use

WINTERHOFF: easy, handy operation

Three of the four devices tested transfer the frictional forces directly to the trailer ball on the towing vehicle through special couplings. The Orismat 2001 has rails on the left and right of the hitch which act upon the friction linings.
All four devices cost - if not included as standard - around £ 170.00 and earn an ADAC rating of "Recommended". All demonstrate good damping characteristics and thus contribute greatly to increasing the tracking stability. Only the Orismat and Winterhoff models were able to noticeably dampen pitching motions however.