Alko Brake Issue

georgebrodie
georgebrodie Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited April 2019 in Caravans #1

Hi, My 2017 Bailey Unicorn Cadiz has just been in for its 2nd annual service. I asked the dealer to look at the LED for the Alko brake system as this was not working, Also I reported that the caravan seemed to be shunting the car even on gentle braking. I had been told prior to servicing that the caravan was ok to use without the LED as long as I checked that I heard the system working & checked the position of the connecting rod underneath, Needless to say I always checked these. After the van had been with the dealer a couple of days I relieved a phone call to inform that the brakes and drums were worn to an stent where the van was unsafe to tow & that they were submitting a warranty claim to Alko,

Two weeks went by, update from dealer Alko had not responded & the dealer were following up with an urgent reply required. Alko refused the claim stating I had towed the caravan with the hand brake on! I was disgusted & insulted by this, In over 20yrs of towing I have never left the hand brake on. I use tyrepal monitoring system which indicates wheel temperature & whenever I stop for a break I walk around & check all wheels & feel the temperature. NEVER has their been any indication that there was a problem.

Reading that it would appear other members have experienced similar issues & involving caravans from the same manufacturer period that there is/was an issue with the quality of the systems fitted to the chassis around that period.

I would now ask that Alko look again at these claims with an open mind & listen to experienced caravanners who only want justice. We bought these caravans in good faith trusting in good brand names only to be let down. How can we now have confidence in these systems that they wont fail again when we have done nothing wrong.

Is it possible for the club to look into this issue with members & Alko?

Thank You George.

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Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2

    I understand that some Alko brakes have been giving problems for some time, and they have been changed because of faulty brakes some friends of ours had their Coachman brakes replaced (have you noticed brake squeal ?)

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2019 #3

    George

    I think had you driven any distance with the handbrake on you would have had smoke coming from the brake drums. This happened to me many years ago in France when somehow I had gone over a sleeping policeman which had snapped the handbrake lever on unbeknown to me until a kind UK lorry driver pointed out the problem to me as he could see the smoke!!! Perhaps you need to ask the dealer who they spoke to at Al-Ko so that you can contact them and explain your setting off routine? 

    On the point about the Club taking action I would think it would be better to write to the Technical Department either by email of post direct as I doubt members of the team regularly look in on this forum.

    David

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #4

    We have had brake squeal with our 2018 Coachman, the dealer told us that it was a common problem and that ALKO has a fix for it. We took the caravan to them and they carried out the fix. On the journey home 90 miles all seemed to be ok time however will tell if it is fixed or not.

     

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited April 2019 #5

    My experience may be related. Last May I had a collapsed axle replaced under warranty/goodwill, of course this came with new brakes that appear to have been modified by way of larger cooling fins. The axle was manufactured autumn 2017. After 600 miles the brakes emitted a noticeable squeal there followed Another warranty replacement of shoes and drums over winter. I was told that the drums were scored and that there were hard metallic bits in the shoe friction material. I have done a couple of trips this year in February and at Easter totally only 200 miles, again a prominent squealing has now started the explanation given is that from 2017 Alko changed the supplier of brake components and the friction material is substandard. I am now awaiting a 3rd set of replacement brakes in a 1000 miles. Apparently this is common in vans of all makes 2017/18 vintage and is a well known fault of Alko's. My service agent has replaced around 40 sets! There have also been reports of poor castings, cracking and stripped threads on Alko drums on other forums!

    Loosing faith in Alko products!

    I am puzzled what to do. change van, pretty much all Alko. Or go motorhome earlier than planned but Mrs V is not keen due to space restrictions......

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited April 2019 #6

     One way forward may be that if your dealer has given you a written report that the brakes were not safe you could Try reporting to DVSA.

    Doubt you will get anywhere with the club, many have tried on the axle problem.

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