AL-KO ATC Trailer Control

AL-KO Kober Ltd, the market leading manufacturer of caravan and motorhome chassis and accessory products announces the launch of AL-KO ATC Trailer Control, the anti-snaking control system for caravans.

Over two years ago, the Caravan Industry came under attack from a powerful European lobby, whose objective was to significantly tighten the Driving License rules for people driving and towing leisure vehicles within the European Community. AL-KO believed that our vehicles, and the vast majority of drivers are inherently very safe indeed and that any attempt to limit how and what could be driven would damage the Industry. What was also evident from the safety lobby was that when caravan “Snake” accidents happen, the effects are extremely visual, and quickly hit the headlines. Although these events are very rare indeed, they cause the maximum amount of negative publicity, and are most distressing for those involved.

AL-KO has created an automatic system which detects signs of Caravan Instability, to take preventative action at the earliest stage, before disaster takes place. It was also vitally important that the existing caravan braking systems was used to quickly control the problem.

Thus taking the Car & Caravan combination down below the “critical speed, and prevent a disaster situation”

AL-KO ATC is the emergency braking system for caravans and works in a similar way to ESP systems for cars. The sophisticated, but simple electronic system monitors the lateral movement of a caravan during travel. When difficult driving conditions are experienced, such as evasive manoeuvring, high side winds and turbulence encountered while overtaking HGV’s, AL-KO ATC takes control to regain stability and prevent dangerous snaking accidents.

Lateral acceleration sensors in the AL-KO ATC unit, monitor’s for slight side movements or a large swinging motion of a caravan. Even before an ESP system has detected the swinging movements of the car, AL-KO ATC applies the brakes on the caravan to slow the outfit down, before the situation becomes critical. The braking operation lasts only for a few seconds, long enough to re-establish control and to bring the car and caravan back to a safe driving condition.

AL-KO ATC can be retrofitted to most caravans that have an AL-KO Chassis and is being launched to the Original Equipment Manufacturers, ready for the 2008 model year caravans. AL-KO ATC will be launched to the aftermarket at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show at the National Exhibition Centre on 16th October.

To download additional information about AL-KO ATC please click here.

To enquire about ATC please email marketing@al-ko.co.uk