Bailey Axle Upgrade
I have read numerous blogs etc on various websites regarding the problems with Bailey caravan axles. Various people mention an upgrade (from Bailey) to the axle weight plate which allows you to carry more; a purely an administrative exercise.
I currently have a 1500Kg axle on my 2018 Unicorn Cadiz but need to take most of our 'stuff' in the car to keep within the MTPLM. This means caravan virtually empty as it is surprising how little you can get within the permitted personal equipment allowance of 155(ish)Kg weight limit. As Bailey require you to include the weight of the battery in personal equipment (approx. 28Kg) you are left with an allowance of about 127 Kg!!
Is it therefore possible to have a dealer fit a higher capacity axle (e.g., 1550Kg or 1600Kg) ??
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I think that you are conflating two issues.
There have been known issues with the axles on Baileys resulting in their failure. The axles have had to be repaired.
The other issue you raise is to have your caravan replated. This does not involve a new axle.
So that caravans can be sold to the widest range of customers manufactures do not always rate the caravans MPTLM to the maximum that the axle can support. Replating involves sending you a new sticker to put on the side of the van which indicates the true carrying capacity of the axle. Your car will then need to be able to legally tow this new weight.
For instance an axle might be able to carry 2000kg but, so that those with smaller cars can tow the van when loaded, the manufacturer might rate the van as 1800 kg MPTLM. When replated you will get a bigger payload but need a heavier car to tow it. Nothing about the caravan had actually changed.
Normally the replating is for 80-100 kg but depends on the model.
Hope this makes sense.
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We have a Coachman 450/2 maximum weight allowed is 1350kg this is after the 35 kg upgrade.
After fitting a mover and allowing for the battery etc we have a whole 80kg personal pay load, the van is practically empty compared to our previous vans. We only carry the bedding, towels, couple of light weight saucepans, plates and cutlery and a few clothes in the van. Everything else goes in the car, not how we like to travel but what else can you do with such a pitiful payload.
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I have heard of caravanners independently upgrading either by purchasing a heavier duty axle from alko or having it refurbed with high grade rubber inserts at Fraser Brown Engineering.
this is if you want to exceed the paperwork sticker upgrade
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Wow, 80Kg sounds to me like you were mis-sold the van. It is difficult to work out real user payload, MRO allowances are usually in the small print.
Probably many of us have been mis-sold as the ridiculously low payloads render most vans not fit for purpose even 150kg is sparse compared to the 200-300 kg available in the past.
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It is unlikely that Bailey would carry out such a modification because I doubt whether their type approval documentation would cover an MTPLM which can only be achieved by fitting a heavier duty axle.
I know that AlKo do offer such a service, but it is not cheap. I don't know their UK prices, but on the Continent an exchange of axle components with the object of increasing the MTPLM costs at least 1599 Euros, and the replacement of a complete chassis is upwards of 4500 Euros.
In addition, the caravan would theoretically have to go through an IVA to change the documentation to make it legal.
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