Hi, I am having trouble when braking, ie, coming up to a roundabout. The brakes work well however when I go to pull away, there is a substantial jolt as the brakes release on the caravan. People have advised me that the Alko Damper needs replacing. I have removed the damper from the tow tube, I expected to be able to push it in and out easily by hand but I had to use my 16 stone weight with the help of a piece of wood to push the damper in. Admittedly this is not as heavy as a caravan under braking. Would anyone know if I could push a new damper in by hand in the same way? If not, it seems likely that it could be the damper. Any advice appreciated, many thanks.
If the damper was no good you would get a jolt when you braked as well as pulling away. Does the damper tube slide smoothly on its bushes & has the tube rusted? The plastic bushes can expand over time & need reaming out, the bushes can be replaced if too bad. New ones still need reaming tho & really the proper tool should be used but can do this carefully with fine emery paper wrapped around a broomstick or similar. A rusty tube can also be cleaned up with fine emery paper. Reassemble with plenty of grease. Nipples should be greased about twice a yr.
Not wishing to malighn you in any way, or criticise your driving, or in any way "flame" you: but it might just be your rotten driving.
If you brake all the way to a stop you compress the overun braking mechanism.If you then take off again at full speed it has a few inches of travel before you take up the load of the caravan. Of course there is a bang when you catch up with the stationary caravan.
So, when you brake to a standstill, let the outfit roll the last 2-4 inches without the brakes on, and or when you take off again, only accelerate gently until the van is actually following you (again, only a matter of a couple of inches). This way the overun mechism can spring back out.
Or in other words: drive more gently and you can save yourself a tonne of money.
well thats funny ive been towing for 35 years and ive only had this problem this year, i belong to the institute of advanced motorsts so i hardly think its "rotten driving" not wishing to malighn you in any way but your an idiot, and if thats the best advice you can give, dont bother, let somebody else who knows what they are talking about give advice.i.e. tentz, who is was very helpful and obviously more intelligent than you!
Sorry to read that your sense of humour is on a day off.Why do IAM members always think they are the best drivers?? Get over it.
You didn't mention in your OP that you had experience towing, you only told us the problem, I tried to offer you a solution. Like it or lump it, but thats what happens on here.
I agree wholly that Tentz is more intelligent than I, and suggest you follow his advice and go grease your nipples.
In reply to Tentz, thank you very much for your advice. On close inspection it appears that the oil from the damper had leaked out. Although under braking the damper worked well, once the brakes were released the damper sprung out, causing the sudden jolt. The damper did not release as it should have done, ie gradually. I ordered a new damper from Swordcrown Caravans in Seaton, Devon, who I phoned for advice, where Jeff agreed it was definitely the damper that was faulty. The damper was received within two days. I would like to recommend Jeff and Swordcrown Caravans who gave invaluable advice and were extremely helpful. I will definitely be using them again should I need any further parts or advice. Very friendly company indeed and very reasonably priced parts. Thank you again to Jeff and Tentz.
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Topic: Alko 161-S Overrun Damper
