Alko Stabiliser broken!

teamdavey
teamdavey Forum Participant Posts: 11
edited July 6 in Caravans #1

Hi All, engaged the stabiliser last night using hands only - and part of it completely sheared off with a loud bang!! van was brand new in 2021 so kind of not what I expected!! 

I have just contacted ALKO so anyone had any dealings with them? We are booked for France on the 27th July so now fretting :( 

Comments

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 6 #2

    In all the years on here I can't recall that being mentioned. Does it still work? The green button appears to show it is?

    Also I have to say the metal parts do look corroded, mine is now 13 years old and it certainly looks in far shape that that, the same as new really and nowhere near like yours?

    I hope it gets sorted, if Alko do not help a towbar fitter will be able to bolt on a new one if all else fails.

    They cost about £300 here

  • Rufs
    Rufs Forum Participant Posts: 4,072
    1000 Comments
    edited July 7 #3

    If you dont already use one, it might be a good idea to buy a hitch cover, I agree with CS, my van is a 2008 model and the hitch etc is in very good condition compared to yours, b ut good luck in getting it sorted.

  • the browser
    the browser Club Member Posts: 3,186 ✭✭✭
    edited July 7 #4

    Looking at your pictures i notice you have a hitch lock in use, for safety reasons i would recommend you remove it while traveling

  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Forum Participant Posts: 296
    100 Comments
    edited July 7 #5

    May I ask why it is unsafe to have a hitch lock on whilst towing?

  • Arch
    Arch Forum Participant Posts: 347
    edited July 7 #6

    In an emergency such as the car and van being in an accident the emergengy services can detetach the caravan if a hitch lock is fitted they have to cut or smash it off

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 7 #7

    Absolutely. The recommendation not to use the hitchlock when on the move came, I believe, from the fire and rescue service. 

    It's a simple enough job to refit it if you stop en route and leave the caravan unattended. (Leaving it unattended is something else I’d never do, btw, but that’s a whole different story.)

  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Forum Participant Posts: 296
    100 Comments
    edited July 7 #8

    I totally agree with your points and I personally have never had a hitch lock fitted whilst towing.

    My point was that safety would not be affected if it was fitted during towing, as was implied.

     

     

  • teamdavey
    teamdavey Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited July 9 #9

    So far no response from Alko, but yes the green light still comes on, and I towed the van about 20 miles and back with no issue at the weekend. Waiting for a call back from a mobile engineer to see if he can help - I note that on ebay, the part broken is purchasable as a spare part for about £40 and looks reasonably easy to fit - a couple of dissassembly vids on you tube . . . . .

    I live by the coast so wonder if that is why the metal looks this way ? we are literally battered by salty wind esp in winter. The metal on our Kampa canopy looks the same . . . .

    And just to add to our pre travel woes, typical just before a major holiday, the car electric window is now stuck open . . . . . 

     

    might sell the van and just fly !!

     

     

     

  • teamdavey
    teamdavey Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited July 22 #10

    Just an update to say we got it sorted, found a great local (ish) mobile caravan engineer and replacement part off ebay. £85 total repair bill. Alko were next to useless as were caravan dealer . . . .

     

    (To be fair, I could have done it myself but for the sake of a small bill, it saved me time to use the local engineer)

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 22 #11

    Thanks for the update. Glad it's sorted.

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