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 £1200I 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.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?
Thanks for the reply, I think by the time I pay for a repair I might as well get it replaced, annoying but thats lifeIt 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 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 customersThere’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.
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.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
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.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
Probably poor design by caravan manufacturer not fully taking into account tolerances and safety margins. Why was it that only Baileys seem to have been loosing wheels or have axle issues?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 🙂
It’s not only Bailey that have had axle issues. Three have been reported on this Forum, I’m one of them.Probably poor design by caravan manufacturer not fully taking into account tolerances and safety margins. Why was it that only Baileys seem to have been loosing wheels or have axle issues?
Each manufacturer is responsible to ensure the products they make or assemble with perform satisfactorily against the specifications they have established for their product.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 🙂
I am sure that Alko like all other chassis manufactures will specify their chassis at a static maximum load, in the knowledge that under driving conditions those static load limits will be exceeded by the dynamic loads. I do not know what Peak margin they include, and whether the percentage margin differs across their range of caravan chassis's.It really is a bleak mid winter for the caravanner.
I believe the majority of pot hole damage caused to vehicles relates to the wheels and tyres. Suspension issues do not appear very often. Under the Freedom of Information Act it may be worth asking the Local Authorities what % pothole claims relate to tyres / wheels and what the rest are?
My MTPLM is 1649 kgs. Each of the two axles are labelled by Al-ko at one tonne. Capacity. Perhaps some of the singles don’t have the same margin? There again I would expect the safety margin to be in excess of one tonne.
It seems Al-ko offer no leeway. Is that correct? ?
My grandsons 5 series with run flats has had 5 new tyres and one alloy repaired since early 2023. Fortunately he took out a Motor Easy policy which has paid for all of the replacements and the repair of the alloy. But the car’s suspension is okay as it was MoT a couple of months back.It really is a bleak mid winter for the caravanner.
I believe the majority of pot hole damage caused to vehicles relates to the wheels and tyres. Suspension issues do not appear very often. Under the Freedom of Information Act it may be worth asking the Local Authorities what % pothole claims relate to tyres / wheels and what the rest are?
My MTPLM is 1649 kgs. Each of the two axles are labelled by Al-ko at one tonne. Capacity. Perhaps some of the singles don’t have the same margin? There again I would expect the safety margin to be in excess of one tonne.
It seems Al-ko offer no leeway. Is that correct? ?