Has anyone had experience of the Alco ATC system fitted to some of the newer vans. It is supposed to apply the brakes on the caravan automatically when it detects side ways movement and therefore stop snaking.
I bought a new series 7 Bailey at the end of last summer that has the ATC fitted. Used it several times without any problems apart from one trip I made when it seemed to apply the brakes for a second or so for no apparent reason. This happened on the outward Journey and on the return, I was on a straight piece of road at the time and could see no reason for it to come on. It took me by surprise and was a bit worrying as I wondered what was going on.
I reported this to Alco who did not seen to think there was a problem.
Hi, I'm looking for a caravan at the moment. Jolly civilised compared to tents! I remember from towing class that if you get a snake on slow down and if necessary the brakes cut in as the drawbar goes in. I'm told the ATC replicates that but faster when it feels wrong movement like snaking starting. Seems a super idea.
Regards
We have ATC on 1900kg single axle van. Apart from paying for it and noting its there when coupling and uncoupling we are otherwise unaware of having it. Just the way we want it till its needed.
I have heard that it can be activated by poor wheel balancing.
must work and has been tested all through,do not like the idea of it braking when i am not.just my opinion petrol use will rise due to the ongoing braking.
Quote: Originally posted by michael on 21/2/2009
petrol use will rise due to the ongoing braking.
Hi, my goodness it gets steadily worse! how does it do this? will the brake linings wear too quickly? Is it worth having! I think I will look for a van without it.
regards
1) “have heard that it can be activated by poor wheel balancing.
Hi, my goodness! how?”
My understanding is that sever out of balance causes the van to rock and this can be sensed by one of the ATC accelerometers. In the context I heard about it was the development of a blister on a tyre, a precursor to a potential blowout. It was only the ATC cutting in under “normal” conditions where it ought not to that alerted the driver to check what was causing it, very luckily for him. He was told by ALKO that it was the ATC sensing the effect of the out of balance.
2) “petrol use will rise due to the ongoing braking”
That statement might be true just as saying killing the flies that you run into, or fitting a stabilizer are increasing the fuel consumption. Yes in the final analysis technically true however it’s so marginal not to be a realistic issue any more than carrying an extra cup you haven’t used has cost you fuel.
The ATC just checks a yawing caravan long before that yaw can become a problem. If it was activating any amount of the time the brake drums would grossly over heat.
If the ATC was activating enough to be a fuel consumption problem then its either a malfunctioning, the van is grossly unstable or there is some other issue you ought to know about.
IMO the likes of ATC are a great step forward simply because they make a towed caravan, which even the best are capable of going unstable, significantly safer. You can’t have a better placed intent than to improve safety.
Quote: Originally posted by Mr Brittass on 21/2/2009
Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 21/2/2009
I have heard that it can be activated by poor wheel balancing.
Hi, my goodness! how? regards
If you were fitting new tyres to your car you would have them balanced as a matter of course, any tyre fitting place includes it in the cost. Unfortunately caravan places seem to fit tyres without balacing them.
I would say get your caravan tyres changed at your local Kwik Fit or ATS not when you get your caravan serviced. Unbalanced wheels on a caravan will wear the bearings as well.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 22/2/2009
IMO the likes of ATC are a great step forward simply because they make a towed caravan, which even the best are capable of going unstable, significantly safer. You can’t have a better placed intent than to improve safety.
I would say that if car/caravan is correctly loaded there is no need for such devices. Unfortunately when reading these boards regularly it becomes clear that some folk have no understanding or concept of correct loading/matching of car/caravan.
Hopefully by taking advice on here they gain knowledge & understanding.
If devices such as this will save a dangerously loaded outfit then so well & good but I'm sure the manufacturers would not claim their safety devices make a dangerous outfit safe.
I suppose it could be argued that the knowlegable(& well financed)caravanner adds these safety devices when they are not really needed whereas those that need them most(the unknowing 'vanner with badly matched outfit)do not.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
I would say that if car/caravan is correctly loaded there is no need for such devices. -- they are not really needed whereas those that need them most(the unknowing 'vanner with badly matched outfit)do not.
Unfortunately even the best units perfectly balanced can be easily de-stabilised as they are a large mass pivoted about one or two close coupled axles. Take the situation you are forced to swerve to avoid a crash, that de-stabilises any towed vehicle. I had personal experience of this once with an idiot forcing onto a motorway, the resulting instability to the trailer was something never to be wished on anybody.
I have this fitted on our Bailey Wyoming. I have not felt it activate even with mild sways caused by those brick shaped vans passing at high speeds. With regard to having a safely loaded unit MartyM there are always exceptional circumstances like where a car pulls out on you on the motorway whilst you are passing it. You have to swerve to avoid colision, this helps to keep you in control in such circumstances. It is not a device it allow you to become irresponsible. I'm all for progress. What would we do without ABS on our cars, the same argument can be used here.
Hi, MartyM, I understand about wheel balancing. I had a nightmare getting the RRover alloys done and the gentleman at KwikFit explained all about the process. Its very interesting that the vibration from the wonky balance sets off the ATC. Do other undulations on our simply appalling roads not affect it the same?
JTQU, thank you for your reasoned explanation I can see that however you pack one damned unfortunate happening could jeopardise the whole thing.
regards
I agree that the ATC if working properly is a big step forward in making towing safer.
I had towed the van probably 1000 miles previously without any problem. The last trip of last season was no more than 50 miles. A straight piece of road and travelling at about 45 mph when the van brakes came on, only for about a second but enough to make the tyres squeal. It took me very much by surprise and I wondered what the hell was going on. The same thing occurred on the return leg.
I never considered that it might be a tyre imbalance, I have not had them checked and would think that was done when the Tyrons were fitted. and I have felt no vibration that would normally occur with this.
Talking to Alko, the engineer says it is the system checking itself to see that all is working properly.
The van has been laid up over the winter and will be out for its first trip shortly. I will wait and see if the problem arises again.
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Topic: ALCO ATC
