ALKO Axle

[MDT]

I have a 2013 Bailey I am told that my ALKO Axle is beginning to get 'soft' and will need to be replaced at some point. Can I get it repaired?

 

[RogerL]

I have a 2013 Bailey I am told that my ALKO Axle is beginning to get 'soft' and will need to be replaced at some point. Can I get it repaired?

It can be refurbished by Fraser Brown http://www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk/index.php?c=al-ko-axle-repair or a brand new Alko replacement fitted - the costs are similar - ballpark of £1200

 

[otherclive]

I have a 2013 Bailey I am told that my ALKO Axle is beginning to get 'soft' and will need to be replaced at some point. Can I get it repaired?

There’s a company in Scotland, Fraser Brown, who recondition axles, but Alko no longer provide that service. With a Alko, or other suppliers of Alko axles you get a brand new one with complete brake assemblies. With FB you have to have the axle removed for consignment. If you search on “ relaxed axle” you will see lots of stuff related to your problem. I went for a new replacement from Alko but even that wasn’t too straightforward as neither Swift nor Alko could identify my axle for replacement despite sending them photos of the bar code, labels etc on the failed axle. In the end the van had to be lifted and several dimensions measured before Alko would accept the order from a Swift dealership. Cottage industry springs to mind.

 

[MDT]

It can be refurbished by Fraser Brown http://www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk/index.php?c=al-ko-axle-repair or a brand new Alko replacement fitted - the costs are similar - ballpark of £1200

Thanks for the reply, I think by the time I pay for a repair I might as well get it replaced, annoying but thats life

 

[MDT]

There’s a company in Scotland, Fraser Brown, who recondition axles, but Alko no longer provide that service. With a Alko, or other suppliers of Alko axles you get a brand new one with complete brake assemblies. With FB you have to have the axle removed for consignment. If you search on “ relaxed axle” you will see lots of stuff related to your problem. I went for a new replacement from Alko but even that wasn’t too straightforward as neither Swift nor Alko could identify my axle for replacement despite sending them photos of the bar code, labels etc on the failed axle. In the end the van had to be lifted and several dimensions measured before Alko would accept the order from a Swift dealership. Cottage industry springs to mind.

Thanks for that. I can understand that ALCO only supply to a manufacturer but Swift should have the information on record!! Makes me wonder if I would buy from a company who do not keep basic information for there customers

 

[otherclive]

Thanks for that. I can understand that ALCO only supply to a manufacturer but Swift should have the information on record!! Makes me wonder if I would buy from a company who do not keep basic information for there customers

No Alko supplied to my dealer who wasn’t the original caravan supplier. They would have supplied to me but getting a business to fit it was a hassle. You can buy the axle from Western Towing providing you are confident of dimensions and part number.

 

[RogerL]

Thanks for the reply, I think by the time I pay for a repair I might as well get it replaced, annoying but thats life

Fraser Brown claim that their refurbishment is better than new as they use higher spec components - but they would say that anyway - a 1500kg axle would be refurbished as an 1800kg axle BUT without going through expensive recertification the caravan's MTPLM would remain at 1500kg.

 

[Dustydog]

And to date all these relaxed axle cases have nothing to do with a failed Al-ko product 🙀

 

[Caravan Nut]

Just had my Swift done a few months back. £1250 was the rough cost. I also had a full service done at the same time. I found out about axle problem when i took to and official Swift repairer to check the water ingress issue.

 

[toad a caravan]

If Alko supply axles/chassis to the caravan manufacturers specification then they fit thier body on the alko chassis with a minimum amount of tolerance with regard to any added weight does the blame of axle failure fall on the Alko or the caravan manufacturers lack understanding that end users may want to put accessories such as gas bottles, battery,spare wheel plus even a change of clothes 🙂

 

[Dustydog]

This is well worth a read.

Bailey ALKO Axle Problem

UPDATE A copy of an email was published on Bailey UK Owners Facebook page on 9th March 2018. It seems to suggest that Bailey are now addressing the axle problem IF REPORTED, however I am not sure o…

worldwidewalkies.blog

I’ve seen nothing since other than the usual,hard luck stories.

As many on here know there is a real life problem but proving it has been impossible.

Surely there is someone with better knowledge who can prove these axles are not fit for purpose?? A real shame because the attitude of Al-ko and the caravan manufacturers is so negative. In the real world they wouldn’t get away with it😥😥