We're thinking of buying a 2008 Geist AK495 with an Alko chassis but doesn't have a stabiliser. I've been told by the seller that due to the longer A frame it makes the caravan more stable when pulling is this true or will I need to fit a stabiliser eventually. Only towing locally to begin with to get use to the difference between a caravan and trailer tent.
Whether you feel the need for a stabiliser of not has nothing to do with length of A frame so seller is talking rubbish. If you want to fit a stabiliser you can bolt an Al-ko stabiliser hitch in place of standard hitch in about 20mins if you can use spanners. Stabiliser hitches are well over £200 new so budget for that if you do want to fit one.
If caravan is loaded properly there should be no need for stabiliser but most large caravans have them fitted anyway & users are happy with them, so your choice really.
We had a Geist on a alko chassis that had the stabiliser on the hitch. It was always a stable tow tho. Good caravans although we found the bed slats rubbish and had to improve them,
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Hi, i have a Geist, but on a BPW chasis, very stable tow with winterhoff stabiliser, but if the van is not loaded fully to the hitch weight of 100kg (for my van), by god it is frightening!
------------- I Started with nothing and have most of it left!
We use to own a Geist Aktiv 495 that came with a Alko Hitch Stabiliser - it sounds like the seller may have taken it off to sell - its not a long job and easily done - would not just rely on spanners though as there is a recommended torque setting for the bolts to fit the Alko Stabiliser Hitch head so you will need access to a torque wrench.
I have experience of this as we now have an older smaller caravan (children no longer camp with us) and bought a new Alko Stabilser a year ago
Hope this helps
You could always ask if one was fitted and negotiate the price accordingly
I agree with the comment above regarding the bed slats but ours were weak on the main bed area but with some measured and cut marine ply from B&Q and some glue i soon fixed this for a small cost.
The bunk beds on the Aktiv 495 were the strongest i have ever seen in the caravan industry at the time of purchase
The longer A frame does provide extra stability and ours came with Chassis dampers which helped all round.
Check for a spare wheel also as ours did not come with one and i had to negotiate one with the deal, in the end we put it under the bunk beds and not in the front locker where the bracket was located, for some reason it upset the noseweight / limited what you could carry in the locker
Quote: Originally posted by asdj45 on 12/4/2013
I agree with the comment above regarding the bed slats but ours were weak on the main bed area but with some measured and cut marine ply from B&Q and some glue i soon fixed this for a small cost.
The bunk beds on the Aktiv 495 were the strongest i have ever seen in the caravan industry at the time of purchase
The longer A frame does provide extra stability and ours came with Chassis dampers which helped all round.
Check for a spare wheel also as ours did not come with one and i had to negotiate one with the deal, in the end we put it under the bunk beds and not in the front locker where the bracket was located, for some reason it upset the noseweight / limited what you could carry in the locker
Hope this helps
Andy
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Quote: Originally posted by asdj45 on 12/4/2013
I agree with the comment above regarding the bed slats but ours were weak on the main bed area but with some measured and cut marine ply from B&Q and some glue i soon fixed this for a small cost.
The bunk beds on the Aktiv 495 were the strongest i have ever seen in the caravan industry at the time of purchase
The longer A frame does provide extra stability and ours came with Chassis dampers which helped all round.
Check for a spare wheel also as ours did not come with one and i had to negotiate one with the deal, in the end we put it under the bunk beds and not in the front locker where the bracket was located, for some reason it upset the noseweight / limited what you could carry in the locker
Hope this helps
Andy
Aargh, what happened there - ignore this - stupid thing lost my ramblings...
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Thanks everyone for their input. The seller confirmed the chassis has dampening but not a stabiliser, whether he means an Alko hitch stabiliser we will find out tomorrow. The Geist at Elite had an Alko hitch stabiliser so we may be surpirsed ubless he has had it removed.
Cheers again.
Ps I'm sure you all already are aware but I checked with Elite and Camper UK to see if spares can still be had for a Geist and they confirmed that they could, if anyone has experience of sourcing spares feedback would be welcome.
Bought ours from Elite some time ago , now sold it though. Best discounts are to be had when buying from the dealer before you sign on the dotted line
I had an external 240v socket fitted (awning side, spare wheel, transfer of my old mover to the Geist,) i did have a few problems with the length of the electrical cable (something to do with the section where the black connector split from the white connector) but may have just been the location of the sockets on my Land Rover , best check though.
Finally i would check the date on the tyres because if its a 2008 van then its likely the tyres would have been fitted before then hence beyond the recommended 5 year life.
Hope this helps
Otherwise a great van that we had lots of fun with
Went to check the van out today and whilst it ws in very good nick and layout is exactly what we are looking for, sadly the service found 20% damp reading between wall and roof at high level on the wall above the heater, behind the shower room and in the corner of the bunk wall. No visible signs of damp staining on the inside and checking the roof/wall joint outside there was no obvious ingress other than the roof trim seal or seal around the heater flue. The seller stored the van against a hedge without a cover and at a slight angle allowing rain to run off to one side....the only possibilities are condensation or the roof rail seals have failed as water ponds. Anyone had similar problems like this?
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Topic: any Geist or Tec owners
