Alco scissor jack and wheel locks.

[KnL]

Our twin axle (2005) van came with a 2000kg Alco scissor jack, which locates into a receptor positioned just behind the rearmost wheel.

Having the Alco 'diamond' wheel locks, means that I have to lift the van with the jack on virtually every trip away, in order to turn both wheels to fit the wheel locks, as otherwise the holes in the wheels would never line up and both locks would not be able to be fitted.

Invariably, any slight shifting/settling of the van whilst away, sometimes rotates the wheels sufficiently to lock the bolts in position, which in turn requires the van to be lifted on the jack to release the locks.

The scissor jack is a pain to use and is barely capable of coping with the weight of the van, to the extent where the connecting eyelet for the handle is distorting and looks ready to shear from the jack.

Is there a hydraulic 'bottle' jack on the market that will fit into the Alco receptor or am I going to have to fit a post market receptor.

I have even toyed with buying a good hydraulic jack and getting a local workshop to fabricate a collar that will fit over the top of the jack and still fit the Alco receptor.

Any ideas or solutions welcome........Thanks,

Ken & Lara.

 

[Robtel]

I would agree that the alko side jack is not user friendly, you need the muscles of big Arnie whatsisname to lift the caravan. One option might be to get a trolley jack, I got one from either Aldi or Lidl (always get the two mixed up) for around a tenner. They're on special offer every so often. Makes lifting the van much easier.

Another option mentioned on here before is an air jack, much lighter to carry than a trolley jack and also reportedly much easier than an alko joack to use. I bought a Draper air jack via the net for around

 

[Roy_374355334]

A few years ago i was unfortunate enough to have a blow out on my van on the M6 near Birmingham and it was on the off side,I was brave or stupid enough to change the wheel myself,lifting the caravan that was almost axle on the deck and no room for the bottle jack[using a scissor jack would have been impossible]so through lifting a little at a time and also using the corner steadies i managed it and with lorries inches away i would not recommend or attempt ever again,anyway i now always carry a 2 ton trolley jack in its own plastic case that i bought from a cash and carry outlet and this will easily lift the van and if working under the van use axle stands.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Ken

I also bought a 2 tonne trolley jack from Aldi,

 

[KnL]

Thanks so far gents, looks like I'm in the market for a trolley jack !

Alan, I assume your van will be set up underneath, the same as our Wyoming, where do you jack up in relation to the bracket that is provided on the chassis.

Ken.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Ken

I put the "cup " of the trolley jack directly under the Al-ko bracket which was factory fitted to the chassis immediately to the rear of the rear wheel. Al-ko say you must never use a jack on any other part of the chassis. Some people use the axle tubes but I've never done that.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Ken

I got my trolly jack with case from E bay for a

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Ken

I got my trolly jack with case from E bay for a

 

[IanMc]

My twin axle does not have the Alko jacking point or the scissor jack and recently I had to get the wheel changed. Called out the RAC just to make sure. He put trolley jack under axle tube. After this I went and bought a trolley jack from local caravan shop, paid more than

 

[Tram]

Hi guys, I bought and fitted the Alco scissor jack system and find it a pain to use. I have seen these trolley jacks for sale but always thought that they would be too heavy to cart around.

My question is; what do they weigh?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I'm glad to read these comments as I thought that it was just me that didn't like the Alko jack as well as its price

 

[gooner44]

I appear to be the odd one out here. Took delivery of our twin axle Sterling Elite Searcher, complete with the Alko wheel locks 3 weeks ago. Have used the Alko side lift jack on 6 occasions in that time, moving sites & into storage etc. I think the system works brilliantly, and I've had no trouble at all with the jacks workings or lift capacity. Maybe I've just been lucky?

 

[KnL]

Tram,

In response to your question, I have just bought a 2 tonne trolley jack and while it's still nice and shiny I put it on the bathroom scales - It weighs in at 9.5 lbs, which if you are tight on the weights may be an issue for some.

We can cope with that as we have plenty of spare after recently changing our full awning steel poles over to fibre, saving us around 1.5 stone,

Ken.

 

[Dustydog]

Gooner

You seem to have a side lift jack which I think is different to the scissor jack supplied with my Wyoming.When I spoke to Al-ko they said the scissor jack was the best!! It really is crap and I threw down the gauntlet challenging any lady from Al-ko to try it. Guess what? No response.

I use the 2 tonne trolley jack and it works a treat as I said in an earlier post.

Ken

If I can shed 9.5 lbs I will be weight neutral. In any case the scissor jack weighs nearly as much!

Chers

Alan

 

[patey]

I had a side lift jack with my series 5 bailey senator caravan {twin axle} that was easy to use,i now have a series 6 bailey senator, i have just tried to lift my caravan with the alko supplied scissor jack and it wouldnt even lift it off the ground and also bent turning arm which the handle fits through. I have returned alko jack back to dealer who have spoke with bailey/alko and they are sendind me a new jack, if this is anothe scissor jack and it doesent work i will request a side lift jack which worked perfectly on my old van. I will let you know how i go on.

 

[pog]

Hey Patey... an news on that Jack?

 

[patey]

No news from dealer yet. I suppose a new one has not been delivered yet. Looks like trolley jack will be coming away with me next weekend!!

 

[Philip_374349976]

No news from dealer yet. I suppose a new one has not been delivered yet. Looks like trolley jack will be coming away with me next weekend!!

Hi

What about the Kojack hydrolic scissor Jack it has brackets that fit to holes provided on the ALKO chassie and is easy to use its around

 

[Philip_374349976]

Hi

What about the Kojack hydrolic scissor Jack it has brackets that fit to holes provided on the ALKO chassie and is easy to use its around

 

[Dustydog]

Se previous posts on the Al-ko jack issue.

My Al-ko scissor jack was absolute cr-p. It couldn't lift a flea and the energy I expended using it knackered me out for the rest of the day. Bailey tell me it is Al-ko who design and supply the jack. When I talk to Al-ko they say it is to "design specification". I have invited all those strong Al-ko l;asses to try and lift my Wyoming with their jack but so far , four months on , no takers!

My 2 tonne trolley jack does the job in a jify.

AL_KO LOOK AT YOUR PRODUCT. IT DOESN'T WORK. START SUPPLYING HYDRAULIC JACKS AND PROTECT THE WELL BEING OF US CUSTOMERS.

My invitation to Al-ko to try out their supplied jack on my Wyoming remains open.

Thank goodness for people like Aldi and Machine Mart.

Cheers

Alan