Swift Sprite brake issues
In March 2018, we took possession of a brand new Swift Sprite special addition caravan (Based on their Sprite Major 4SB). From the outset the van has been plagued with a number of issues in particular the piercing sound of our brakes squealing.
We contacted the dealership who were unable to assist for several weeks due to a backlog of work. We contacted an approved caravan engineer who attended in a timely manner. From the outset (July 2018) he advised that within the last month alone he had attended 8 similar Sprite caravans with similar problems. He advised that there was a fault with the ALKO brake shoes and its friction material. He cleaned the brakes but advised that the issue would continue until the brake shoes were replaced. He went on to say that several customers had become so fed up with the situation that they had paid to have the shoes replaced at their own cost. I was charged £47 by the engineer.
Since that time the issue with the brakes has deteriorated to the extent that it has just been delivered back to the dealership for the third time to have this issue rectified. So that is four occasions the brakes have been attended to on a brand new van.
It appears that Swift have disseminated a procedural policy for brake shoe replacement.
On delivery of the van we were then informed by the receptionist that SWIFT have disseminated a further procedural policy advising that any further issues with squealing brakes, before they authorize any repairs, the customer will have to evidence the fact that the sound omitted from the brakes is 'Ear piercing' in sound and the issue will have to be videoed. Yes you heard right. To date I have not authenticated or corroborated the information.
Having researched this issue, and having spoken to several other Sprite owners who have encountered similar issues, there does not seem to be any acknowledgement from the dealership or Swift themselves that there is an inherent problem.
I would therefore welcome any other members views who have encountered similar problems and how they have rectified matters.
Bob C
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It is a known problem on caravans with Alko chassis several makes have had problems and have been "rectified" via claims on warranty, there evidently was a period where the brake shoes that Alko sourced were faulty,they have since reverted to a previos manufacturer
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Swift Challenger 2017 model. Same issues re the brakes. Been back to dealership twice but not rectified. After service this year, problem worse than ever.
Saw a thread on here which outlined the known problems with the Alko brakes and challenged the dealership as to what I discovered. Immediately admitted it and said that they would submit a warranty claim to Alko and that brake parts would need replacing. Admitted mine was one of many.
Ongoing currently. I had to provide the Alko chassis number which is a nightmare to reach...is on the underneath of the axle towards the middle of the van.
I have had an associated conversation with the dealership as they keep saying it is down to Alko.l have pointed out they are legally liable but in the name of keeping good relations am going along with it for the time being and waiting to see what Alko say, although looks promising
Dealers seem to be trying to fob customers off, but when challenged admit the issue
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l have pointed out they are legally liable but in the name of keeping good relations
There were two items on my present caravan that the manufacturer' understandably perhaps, rejected. One was a chip in the white surface of the hand basin. Reported to the dealer along with images within first month. Unfortunately the new service manager stayed only a couple of months before being sacked and he had not passed a claim on. At 9 months old I presume the manufacturer considered it must be down to the user. The other was a small repair just under the awning rail at the top of the caravan. Obviously construction damage where there wa some white filler in an area the size of a 50p piece that had been nicely filled with a white filler but never sprayed in. Not found on any PDI or by myself until the 4th time of washing the caravan at 9 months old. Rejected by manufacturer also. The present service manager started to tell me how it was down to the manufacturer. I simply said don't go there. I know that it is your liability and can provide evidence that the wash basin issue was within first 6 months. Fix both cosmetic problems. If you wish you may bill me but be aware that you will have soured our relationship, end of discussion. Job done and no charge.
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I have a 2018 sprite and almost immediately the brakes have squeaked. The van was bought at a show so "return to dealer" is a challenge. My local service guy has the same van and the same issue. The "rumour" I had heard was that Alko was saying it wasn't a problem. When my van was serviced earlier in the year the engineer showed visible balls of brake pad inside the drums which is the source of the noise. A good clean out and the problem goes away...... for about 50 miles and then it is back. Having just done a tour of north wales - the hills there are rather harsh on brakes, I am now going to look to get the pads replaced with a different brand - I am waiting for my engineer to confirm. I'm pretty sure the site in wales knew I was arriving several minutes before I got there!
I'd love to know if a warranty claim is possible on this, but my gut feeling is the hassle and agro of trying to do it probably isn't worth it
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I bought my Elddis Avante in 2018 and very soon had squealing brakes, I spoke to the dealer that supplied the van and they asked me if I had driven it in the rain, at that point I realised there was no point in discussing this issue any further with them.
I found an approved Elddis service centre and they removed the drums and cleaned the shoes under the Elddis waranty, this worked for around 100 miles and the squealing returned. It went back to the service centre and they replaced the brake shoes, again approved by Elddis under warranty, this again lasted around 100 miles and the noise returned.
The next time I went back the service centre told me that Alko have now changed to a different brake shoe, they fitted them under warranty and I have had some long journeys since without a single squeal.
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