Quote: Originally posted by iain.morrison3 on 13/1/2013
and as the van gets older it will get worse as the extra weight on the one side is putting extra pressure on one side of the axle/suspension
I don't think it will & I don't think Al-Ko rubber suspension is an exact science, you cannot adjust it & it is pretty unlikely they will vary the density of their rubber compounds either side to compensate for unequal weight of caravan bodies, its just standard Al-Ko components that are supplied to caravan manufacturers.
I just went out & measured mine & it is indeed 22mm lower on the heavy side, not that I had noticed before. My caravan is about 1985 vintage, so I wouldn't worry about it.
you may be over worrying , but to be sure there is no problem with the suspension check the axle rubber inserts. There are three set in the axle tube on each side,& each one should protrude about .25 to .50 of an inch. If one is missing or has receded into the tube then the axle may have to go back to ALKO for repair
Best to check before the warranty expires eH
Probably working about nothing, is correct, but no harm in making sure, especially as I am near the end if my warranty. I have read on this post that I am not aloan and is quite common depending in the layout. Good idea was to put heavy stuff to the far right to help balance things up, which I think could be the answer for when you ate packing.g up the van before a trip.
Will let you all know how things develop, if it does.
Thanks
When Harringtons were at Oakmere (sadly no more), their awning expert wouldn't sell me a porch awning until I came back with the exact roofline to ground measurement. I told him the book specs showed 2.5 metres(think it was). I thought he must be joking when he told me that caravans shrink over the years. It's true, the suspension settles down so a porch awning perfect fit when all was new, will be saggy when the suspension has compressed. My 1969 Thomson Glenalmond had proper suspension with lateral wishbones, coil springs and shock absorbers. Perfecto. Then they invented cheapskate rubber band suspension only fit for luggage trailers. The weight of all the heavy gear on one side is another design fault common with manufacturers who never spent a night in a caravan. What about fridge vents and toilet cassettes on the awning side?
Dealer has confirmed the caravan is 25mm lower on one side.
Alko and Bailey have confirmed that the maximum tolerance between left and right is 12mm. So mines is double what the caravan maker and the chassis maker says it should be.
Dealer says, everything is ok, suspension looks fine.
My way of thinking is if something exceeds the tolerance by twice what it should be, then everything isn't fine.
If the suspension has settled or becoming weak with use over a period of time, it will only get worse.
I have just brought a new swift challenger sport and like yours it has everthing on one side, heating system, fridge, cooker, microwave, wardrobe and toilet. I would expect after a few years that this will become lower on one side, will have to see !
Hi,
If buying new I suppose that gives you 3 or 4 years before things sink or you change your van. But buying one 5 years old, have I just bought someone's else's problem. Make you wonder.
According to Alko, there are 3 round rubber tubes that run through the axle. Alko said what has happened is the have squashed and became an oval shape and the van then gradually lowers on that side. This has probably happened as the weight of the caravan has not been evenly distributed over the axle. When this happens the axle needs to be removed and sent to alko to get retubed.
This could also cause some stability issues, much the same as if you don't load your caravan correctly.
Some maybe think I am fussing over nothing, but never the less, the facts remain. Suspension is twice both the manufactures tollerances. Given I have only just bought the van, it is 5 years old and paid a lot of money for it, why should I just except it.
As far as I am concerned, that is a defect that requires to be rectafied,
Well fair doos if you can get it fixed for nothing but there are caravans 30odd yrs old still running around on the original rubber suspension with no probs. Mine handles ok. I spray the rubbers with silicone spray a couple of times a yr which probably helps.
Well the only thing to do now is push for your dealer to get something done about it. Did Alko email that answer, if so take a copy to the dealer as proof. I think you will have a fight on your hands but if you feel that strong about it stick to your guns.
Hi
I know there is, I am just slightly disapointed, I notice it every time I park the van in the drive, and also when we go away I have always to put a block of wood under the left wheel.
Other than that we love the van, its a cracker and just looking forward to going away with it.
The dealer has also been very good, and can't fault them at this stage.
That's very interesting, so you need to prove it a defect, and not wear and tear. That's hard. Either way it was sold to me with that wear and tear, and I was not made aware of it at the time of purchase.
As secondhand you have to accept that there will be signs of use etc. But at what point does wear and tear actually become a safety issue? Or what is an acceptable level of wear and tear?
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Caravan low on one side
