Alko spare wheel carriers

[kbrad]

Can I suggest if you have one of these is to check it out regularly to make sure the sliders are free.
After coming home and put caravan on drive.,next morning there was a flat tyre,to make matters worse our drive is a downward slope.Spare wheel carrier seized up,had to take everything off.Lashed car to van to act as a brake and managed to put spare on.spent last 2 days renovating carrier.2 new tyres put on as they are 5 yrs old,tomorrow will put back on carrier.if anyone wants info how I repaired the sliders just let me know and I will put on site

 

[Hutch]

Sorry to hear about your problems, I think you will find many caravanners have removed the Alko wheel carrier and stowed it in sheds or garages. On my last two Coachman vans the spare wheel is under the fixed bed. Removed the carrier. A saving of 6.5 kg. If your touring Europe, changing a wheel and trying to remove that AlKo carrier is a NoNo.

 

[Jcloughie]

I kept the carrier although I did not like it. but it was greased as part of the yearly service and tyre check.

John

 

[Hutch]

I kept the carrier although I did not like it. but it was greased as part of the yearly service and tyre check.

John

Ah, that's another point, when the carrier and wheel are clamped up the carrier wears on the tyre.

 

[JTQ]

It can be a big help to tow the flat or even both wheels up onto some wooden blocks to gain more access space; still needs you to maintain the carrier so it will slide as it is designed to, properly,
Still not one of the better bits on caravan chassis design IMO.

 

[otherclive]

It can be a big help to tow the flat or even both wheels up onto some wooden blocks to gain more access space; still needs you to maintain the carrier so it will slide as it is designed to, properly,
Still not one of the better bits on caravan chassis design IMO.

I used my levelling ramps to raise the unit higher, but the Alko carrier was removed in 2006 when I first had a van fitted with it. Prior to that spare wheels were in the front locker.

 

[Buckman]

Surely when they service the caravan they should be checking the spare wheel which means removing the carrier?

 

[JTQ]

Surely when they service the caravan they should be checking the spare wheel which means removing the carrier?

Also "surely" with your years of experience with this so-called industry, you "said" that with your tongue firmly in your cheek?

 

[Buckman]

Would the spare wheel be regarded as part of the "running gear"?

 

[JTQ]

No I doubt it, many come without one, as is now the trend with cars.

 

[RogerL]

Surely when they service the caravan they should be checking the spare wheel which means removing the carrier?

I'ver never known the spare wheel be "serviced" by a dealer or mobile AWS technician - I guess if you specify it they'll do it at extra cost.

 

[Buckman]

No I doubt it, many come without one, as is now the trend with cars.

We have never had a caravan without a spare wheel so not sure which ones are not supplied with a spare wheel?

 

[Buckman]

I'ver never known the spare wheel be "serviced" by a dealer or mobile AWS technician - I guess if you specify it they'll do it at extra cost.

It should be included as it should be part of the "running gear"?

 

[otherclive]

Surely when they service the caravan they should be checking the spare wheel which means removing the carrier?

Your AWS schedule should say if the spare wheel and carrier are checked or serviced by inflating the tyre and/or greasing the carrier.

 

[Beachball]

We removed our Alko carrier and put it in the garage and there was room in our caravan front locker and the spare wheel went there it was easier access for my mobility issues

 

[Buckman]

Your AWS schedule should say if the spare wheel and carrier are checked or serviced by inflating the tyre and/or greasing the carrier.

I agree as I would have thought that they would check the pressure of the spare tyre and to do that you need to remove it. Although we have an ALKO hitch & axles etc I have a feeling that we have a BPW chassis as the spare wheel carrier is a drop down and very easy to access.

 

[Sam Vimes]

My service was done yesterday. The checklist shows that the carrier and condition of the tyre where checked. The report listed the tyre manufacturing date, pressure and tread depth.

Whether or the spare was removed I can't say - maybe its possible if the van is on a hoist it could be checked from underneath.

 

[Buckman]

My service was done yesterday. The checklist shows that the carrier and condition of the tyre where checked. The report listed the tyre manufacturing date, pressure and tread depth.

Whether or the spare was removed I can't say - maybe its possible if the van is on a hoist it could be checked from underneath.

Wouldn't they need to check both sides of the tyre?

 

[RogerL]

Wouldn't they need to check both sides of the tyre?

The tyre valve is usually inaccessible as it's up against the caravan floor when in the holder.

 

[Jcloughie]

I'ver never known the spare wheel be "serviced" by a dealer or mobile AWS technician - I guess if you specify it they'll do it at extra cost.

I have assumed that the carrier and spare was serviced when a dealer has done the service. (But who knows). But both mobile techs I have used, have done it without being prompted.

John

 

[Bluetonic]

I removed the Alko spare carrier on our 'van.
Saved about 15kg on the payload. Now lives strapped down under the bed so no scrabbling around on a wet floor at the side of a busy motorway when needed

 

[Bluetonic]

I have assumed that the carrier and spare was serviced when a dealer has done the service. (But who knows). But both mobile techs I have used, have done it without being prompted.

John

After picking up my mum's car following a service at the main stealers and discovering they had forgotten to put any oil in the car, I don't assume anything other than they will have wiped a silicone soaked rag over the engine cover

 

[Sam Vimes]

I have assumed that the carrier and spare was serviced when a dealer has done the service. (But who knows). But both mobile techs I have used, have done it without being prompted.

John

It was certainly on the checklist the dealer had of things to do.