Snakemaster stabiliser

Simon Hicks

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Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00

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Advice wanted!
I've bought a secondhand, 'nearly new', Snakemaster stabiliser which
unfortunately came without instructions. The stem fits into the bracket slot
beneath the towball and is secured by a pin and also a screw against the
edge. Question is: at what point is it best to tighten the screw? I've been
doing it roughly half way so that the long arm of the stabiliser is parallel
to a straight line between the towing vehicle and the caravan.
Any advice would be appreciated
Simon Hicks

Kev Lunn

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Jun 18, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/18/00

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Simon

I still have the instruction leaflet for my Snakemaster (not the best of
stabilisers). First chance I get I'll scan it and e-mail it to you.
Actually there's no advice on how far the tongue of the stabiliser should
fit into the backing plate - the only advice given is to tighten up the
toggle bolt finger tight and then a further quarter-turn. I slide the
tongue about half way into the bracket.
Incidentally, see my earlier postings about the shortcomings of the
Snakemaster. In particular, the 'soft' drop-forged cam on the quick release
mechanism wears rapidly (every single time it is operated) which makes it
impossible to accurately set the correct torque pressure. I replaced the
quick release with a better quality one (hardened steel cam) from Jonathon
Ward at the stabiliser clinic.

Kev

Clinic Stb

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Jun 18, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/18/00

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Hi Kevin thanks for the recommendation , did you have the demonstration ?

people will not believe without it
regards

Jonathan Ward "The Stabiliser Clinic" , The service that Will make a
difference!!

Kev Lunn

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Jun 19, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/19/00

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Hi Jonathon,

I didn't realise you monitored this newsgroup! You're welcome to the
recommendation - the quick release you supplied is working perfectly.
Perhaps you can advise on another issue. The toggle bolt thread on my
'Snakemaster' backplate stripped. I tried to get 'Towsure' to replace the
whole backplate but they would only supply a new bolt (their customer
after-sales service is absolutely abysmal). Because the 'female' thread in
the back-plate is also damaged, the new bolt is already showing signs of
distress. Are you able to cut a new thread into the back plate and supply
an over-size toggle bolt if necessary? Or any other suggestions at all??

Kev

Kev Lunn

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Jun 19, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/19/00

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Simon

I've e-mailed you a scanned copy of the Snakemaster leaflet as requested.

Kev

Kev Lunn

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Jun 19, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/19/00

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What exactly do you mean by 'did you have the demonstration'
Jonathon?

Kev

Steve Hanley@ LoL

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Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00

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Hi Kev

With regard to your problem with the "female" thread in the backplate; if
you can't get an oversize toggle bolt that allows you to drill and re-tap a
larger thread in the backplate, consider having an engineering company fit a
helicoil insert into the damaged back-plate hole ~ and use this with another
new toggle-bolt.

Steve
Technical Consultant
The Trailer & Towing Advisory Service Ltd

Kev Lunn

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Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00

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Thanks for that Steve - although it may be cheaper to buy a completely new
back-plate - they're only £6.95 (+ £3.00 p&p) complete with toggle bolt. I
don't really want to expend any more cash on my Snakemaster, however. I'll
keep it going for as long as I can and then change it for a better quality
stabiliser from SAS or Bulldog.

Kev