Anyone who has ever been in the situation of feeling out of control while their caravan or camper whips them about while on the road, will understand two things - how easy it can happen and how frightening this potentially life-threatening situation can be.

Three big corporate names, AL-KO Australia, Bosch Australia and Dexter in the USA, have collaborated to boost towing safety for caravans and trailers.

In a world's first, the new system features ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Sway Mitigation and Lane Change Control.

Why it Matters

Tow Assist is a new level in caravan safety. That's why RV&Caravan's Matt Linton is happy to give it his nod of approval. 'Anything that makes caravans safer, especially the larger caravans that are more susceptible to sway wind or turbulence from passing road trains causes, as a good thing,' he said. 

Matt believes that a system that is the result of an AL-KO-Dexter-Bosch collaboration  is likely to mean the product represents the best available technology produced by industry leaders.

The  new system maintains traction under emergency braking while also monitoring for sway and sharp movements, like in emergency swerves, and applying the trailers’ brakes without driver input to maintain control. 

This is how it works

ABS 

A wheel speed sensor inside the break drum reads notches inside the drum to monitor how fast the wheels are spinning in relation to each other. Should one start to lock up, the brakes will pulse on/off faster producing more control than a driver alone could deliver. This means the trailer's tyres will not skid under heavy braking allowing the driver to react and steer the trailer during braking.

Sway Mitigation 

An inertia sensor monitors the behaviour of the trailer and applies the brakes. Tow Assist independently brakes each trailer wheel to reduce sway.

Lane Change Control

Using Sway Mitigation system it senses large individual movements, like an emergency swerve to avoid an animal, and applies the brakes on the wheels of the trailer to reduce the chance of a jack-knife. 

Is it for everyone?

Currently, AL-KO has only released Tow Assist for new caravan builds. There are future plans to introduce the product for retrofit, but it is most economical to have it added to the build of your new caravan as the brakes and hub drums are specific to Tow Assist.

According to a statement by CIL insurance, 'As a rule sway control equipment should only be fitted to larger caravans that may occasionally be affected by strong gusty winds.' CIL recommend 'discussing your needs with people experienced in caravan towing.'

RV & Caravan Centre's Matt Linton says that should the system become available for retrofitting to used vans, owners need to remember that these systems and similar products need to be fitted by properly registered and fully trained technicians. Matt is among the highly trained RV&Caravan Centre technicians.

Wheel speed sensors

 Wheel speed sensors measure distance travelled so through a proprietary app so users can check on the distance a trailer has travelled with real precision. This helps owners schedule services and monitor distances travelled. 

Cost

Tow Assist is expected to add $2500-$3000 to the cost of a new caravan. Ask your dealer if Tow Assist is available on your next build.

A note of caution

Remember that even the best sway control system does not remove the need to always consider if your tow vehicle is up to the task or your caravan is unbalanced

Where Can I Find Out More?

Watch our video interview or head to AL-KO’s dedicated Tow Assist website by searching for AL-KO Tow Assist or visit www.alko.com.au/tow-assist.

Cover Image Copyright LaLina