Bailey Pegasus GT65 Rimini - Wheel box collapse

Safeman23
Safeman23 Forum Participant Posts: 51
edited October 2018 in Caravans #1

On our way back from France we had a major problem with the off side wheel box rubbing against the top of the tyre. This produced a large hole into which lots of water entered the caravan!! during our drive from Dover to Isle of Skye. It was not until we stopped for a brew we noticed we had a swimming pool inside the van. Contact with the dealer resulted in 'out of warranty' statement so contacted Bailey no reply. You cant ring them for advice all done via email these days.  The wheel box is made from a black HDPE plastic and  has over time sagged to fill the gap (28mm) between the top of the wheel and the top of the wheel box. If you have a Pegasus 2014 vintage best check that distance or risk a flooded van. Not a pretty sight!! I wonder if its covered by my Caravan Insurance?

 

 

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #2

    Are you sure it is a wheel arch collapse?

    Or a suspension failure

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #3

    This seems to be an ongoing problem with bailey caravans and alko axle rubbers collapsing and bailey will not admit to it being their fault and say you must have overloaded the caravan. Loads of threads on here.

  • Safeman23
    Safeman23 Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited October 2018 #4

    Thanks very much for your replies. Yes I am certain of the cause. The top of the wheel box has deformed into a dish shape. Its happened on the other side as well but so far it hasn't made contact with the wheel yet. I am going to replace both of them. I have stripped the van out down to the ply floor liner and have now got a good look at the soft ply floor cover, Most damage is local to the wheel box area behind the cooker and fridge. The ply facing turns to mush when water get to it and will need stripping off and replacing. Will need to consult with the dealer to find out if it can be patched or a total overlay replacement. Its very  hard to overload the caravan when there is only 2 of you.

    I have done some measurements of the at rest position of the stub to ascertain if the rubbers have relaxed at bit. Both are within a few mm of where they should be in relation  to the ground. Have found one shock that's seen better days! 

    We tow with a VW Transporter and all the heavy stuff goes in there.

  • ric95
    ric95 Forum Participant Posts: 30
    edited October 2018 #5

    Look up ALKO axle problems, there are lots of failures and its not confined to Bailey vans.

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