Alko Axle Problems
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I have a Bailey Olympus 540-5. I've had it since new, 7 years old now and the latest service shows a failed axle or suspension. Its costing over £1200 to repair. Not happy 😣. I was told could be overloading or potholes. However, couldn't prove which, so couldn't claim against insurance. However reading these posts, it does seem that the axle isn't fit for purpose, given so many failures that must be happening. Very frustrating.
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Hi danda32
I started this discussion in September 2016 and am not surprised that it is still rolling on.
I took the case to the VOSA and was told that the conclusion by ALKO and Bailey that the most likely cause was overloading - impossible to disprove.
I still think that this a safety issue and am waiting for a tyre fire or blowout accident due to the wheel rubbing on the wheel arch. I hope it will not happen but only then will the manufacturers pay attention.
I suggest that you report the problem to the VOSA - there is a link to a form to be filled in
I have sold my caravan and will never touch ALKO or Bailey products again due to not fit for purpose and very bad customer service .
Good luck
georgevan
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I cannot understand why an axle that has failed for whatever reason should have the tyre rubbing against the wheelarch. Only a non-robust design can allow that sort of thing to happen. There should always be a bump stop that ensures that the axle can never travel more than the gap between the tyre and the wheelarch, even when it has failed. Not to have provided such a safeguard is a weakness in the design on the part of the caravan manufacturer.
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We had our axle replaced by Bailey 'as a measure of goodwill' about 3 weeks ago. Now I'm frightened to put anything in the caravan in case it happens again!!!!! We really shouldn't be in this situation. The user payload just isn't good enough IMHO. Either Bailey, other manufacturers and caravanners just have to accept that if you want the payload, the vans will be heavier. The trouble is that manufacturers are trying to produce caravans with 'all the mod-cons' and are still trying to make them light so that customers can tow them with smaller cars.
I know it's not very 'green', but I'd prefer a heavier van and a bigger towcar and be able to accommodate more stuff in the caravan. I'd be happy with an Australian Bailey, thank you!
David
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Out of interest, has anyone managed to have one of the affected axles replaced by a heavier duty one? As I understand, the issue revolves around 1450 or 1500kg axles only. If such axles are being replaced anyway, the extra work and cost to replace them by 1600kg axles will be relatively small and a worthwhile investment for the customer. Of course, it does depend on the caravan manufacturer's willingness to co-operate and having the affected models type approved with a 1600kg axle, but theoretically it's not impossible.
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Good point Lutz, does make sense to replace with a higher payload axle. We have a 5 berth caravan, sold as a 5 berth, but only a 180kg payload. You can virtually take 80kg for battery, mover, pots pans, gas bottles etc. 20kg per person for clothes, bedding and towels etc. That's then my limit. Question is if we're at the limit, can five people then step into the caravan???? Is the caravan actually useable. Is it fit for purpose?
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The limits that the manufacturers specify, although measured statically, are intended to cover dynamic conditions where peak loads can be many times the plated limit. In other words, there is a big inbuilt factor of safety. When the caravan is stationary, it can be loaded considerably beyond the plated limit without causing any damage. A five berth, for example, will easily cope with the weight of five adults and their personal effects.
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I have a 1994 swift from new done loads of miles ,my little trailer 30 odd years o buy anld i must admit overloaded for years , Alco have a big problem but wont admit it . Even though yhere is evidence around europe .. you can buy rubber inserts yourself and find local mechanic ,who does wheel bearings / Just an idea ,Derek
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I is about time the government got into the caravan industry and made the manufactures give proper warranties backed up by hard penalties like having their licences taken away till the product is fit for purpose , but cannot see it happening and we still get shit products
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Who needs the government? It's in the customers own hands not to buy stuff that's known to be rubbish. The terms of the warranty are there to be read and understood before the purchase. One can take them or leave them. The customer only has himself to blame. And what licences are you talking about?
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As a collapsed axle sufferer I have looked into the bumpstop issue and Alko caravan axles don't have them, hence if the rubber in compression suspension fails completely/shears there's nothing to stop the wheel wrecking the wheel box. Ok the shock absorber may temporarily act as a bumpstop if fitted but will fail under this load. I raised this with the DVSA and sent them Alko design recommendations to no avail.
Bailey unicorn vans show abrasion of the wheel box early as they have a design giving minimal clearance, combined with full profile tyres. Other manufacturers will have "invisible" failing axles and may well suffer more severely from the lack of a bumpstop.
Alko themselves recommend a wheel box design below, so far asI can tell no one adheres to it.
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I also find this interesting taken from Alko comprehensive catalogue. In my opinion if you have a failed axle and it rubs on the wheel box then how can they or Bailey possibly defend it. Alkos published statement not ours.
DVSA require more people to report the failings and the failures have to be consistant with same make/ model (as per DVSA code) before they can pursue the likes of Alko legally to get a successful outcome. Concerns raised thus far will be held on record, so hopefully in the background their case for Alko/ Baileys to explain the cause of failures will overtime get stronger. I just hope its not a serious accident that brings it to ahead.
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Unfortunately, the caravan industry take little notice of manufacturers recommendations for lots of other caravan fitments - combi boilers being one, and I'm sure there are lots of other examples where 'design' wins out over recommendations/common sense
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I thought I would change my 7 yr old Adria this year . I have been looking at Baileys ,they have an all composite body ,like my Adria,and what looks to be a very good construction system .A few years ago I wanted to upgrade my MTPLM. I was told no possible as the chassis was only 1500 kgs . I thought I would change the axle so contacted Alco ,he was looking into it . Did some more research and was told by Adria that my chassis could go up to 2000 kgs .While I have been looking at Baileys ,Swifts ,Eldis Coachman ,I had a coachman once before they were bought out .Now my family have bought a Coachman and had some problems (a brand new van with problem good heavens ) anyway , they are not too happy with aftersales. So I decides to look into ISO 9001. and NCC , Who is registered with which. I have been considering Bailey Of Bristol ,but after reading and hearing about the Axle problems ,I begin to reconsider .In the Alco manual Page 40 are the list of chassis with Max Loads and part numbers . It seems that some single axle caravans have MTPLM's very close the Max loads of the chassis . Here is link to info
https://www.alko-tech.com/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/EN/499668_htk-caravan_12-2018_en.pdf
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It does seem that the main improvements to caravans ,have been Adle Central heating , Tall skinny Fridges and wonderful graphics .Oh and maybe a Solar panel on the roof .
Alde heating Too heavy ,bought a small freezer , got a solar panel I lean on the van and move with the sun .
Not too sure why I need to change the van .
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Isn’t the freezer heavy?
Alde isn’t new - it’s been around for 30 years or more.
Is anybody trying to persuade you to change the van?
Be happy 😀
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......although we had our axle replaced 'as a measure of goodwill', I know several people have used this company to refurb axles that have been subject to 'collapse'. Reposts have been very positive.
https://www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk/index.php?c=irs-axle-repair
David
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....P.S. there is a Facebook page called Bailey Axle Problems Family. It is a private group, but that just means you have to ask to become a member. Those with axle problems might find the advice useful...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/320457838741068/
David
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Curiously there's a new APPG announced in June CMC mag on p18
The club is represented on the group, maybe lobbying the Chair MP Karin Smyth would be a wat forward?
Maybe not looking at the current shambles............
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I've heard it is not just Bailey's with the axle problem other manufacturers are having symptoms now, Bailey's showed first as they've minimal wheel arch clearance. Substandard rubber in the suspension !
All manufacturers using Alko are having brake issues since they sourced cheap friction material in 2017!
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I get the impression that the main purpose of the APPG is to promote awareness of safety matters with regard to towing and not necessarily to specific engineering design issues, as is the case here.
Fact is that problems should not be experienced even if it suspension collapses completely. Bump stops should be provided to prevent tyre to wheelarch contact.
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Indeed, we had problems with our Swift Challenger "leaning". The wheel arch trim was perilously close to the tyre on the services side of the caravan. We ended up being terrified to carry almost anything in the van while travelling. Subsequently sold the van before signs of any actual rubbing.
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I started this discussion and am pleased with the fellow caravaner response. The sort of common sense helpful people that we meet every time we go away and offer to help if in trouble. We do not deserve the dismissive and ignoring the problem sort of attitude from Bailey and AlKo and other brands. If we are all wrong and do not know the details then let us know. Address the problem if there is one. Do not just ignore us We are the ones who might buy your caravans!
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I have wondered what the legal obligations are to selling a van with a known axle problem.I can understand if you sell back to a dealer, informing them or just keeping quiet so increasing your part ex ,but what would be the recourse selling it privately.
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