Al-ko and BPW

[FrintonMike]

Just received my CC mag (sorry CMC mag) and see that DexKo Global who own Al--Ko have taken over BPW
I hope this does not mean one company having a monopoly for manufacturing caravan chassis

 

[Dustydog]

I wouldn't worry too much Mike.They're all German B) Hymer will be happy.
Remember the Peak and B&B chassis of old. Where are they now

 

[Hutch]

You could always contact the British Monopolys commisiion, there is only one, !

 

[RayS]

Be good if hitchlocks and friction pads were universal

 

[Raywood]

It does worry me that if one company have the monopoly then this can only be bad for the consumer with increased prices and worse service. Although the price seems to have been agreed I believe it has to clear the regulators so there is an outside chance of it falling through.

 

[JoshuaB]

I wouldn't worry too much either.
AL-KO are a good chassis manufacturer as are BPW (although I prefer AL-KO).
I think a merger is likely, however as Truma has with Powrwheel, I think they will keep them running independently; although most UK caravan brands are running an AL-KO chassis...so who knows?

 

[chrisn7]

I wouldn't worry too much either.
AL-KO are a good chassis manufacturer as are BPW (although I prefer AL-KO).
I think a merger is likely, however as Truma has with Powrwheel, I think they will keep them running independently; although most UK caravan brands are running an AL-KO chassis...so who knows?

I'm the reverse - the ALKO engineering always seems crude:
-Their top end Prmium jockey wheel wobbles like crazy when the lock handle is released - no smooth action there
- Some of their handbrakes are gas strut assisted with riveted construction, making it very hard for most people to replace just the strut, so forced into buying the complete assembly.
- The spare wheel carrier - its renowned for difficulty of use, and taken them maybe 10-15 years to revise the design.
- Continuing to position the carrier in the same place required for motor movers.
I've transferred my Winterhoff hitch from van to van as IMHO its superior to the equivalent ALKO.

Most UK brands? Explorer Group as the second largest manufacturer is using BPW