Just sold my two berth motorhome and bought a Abbey Chorus two berth 98 model and the Tow Car is a Rover 75 2.O diesel on a 51 plate .Never towed before but I,ve got my HGV so as long I take my time I can,t see any problems .Any one got any thoughts on the van or the tow car.I,ve got one question for any one in the process of fitting a Snakemaster got the tow bar end sorted but do I clam or drill on to the caravan A frame. Any help would be helpful. Hope I enjoy caravaning as much motorhoming. Thanks Wayne.
And another first timer
- Thread starter wayne_5090614
- Start date
Welcome aboard wayne
Drill the A frame and make sure you rust treat the holes with paint and use backing plate behind the frame you drill into!
ps, other drivers don't move out the way quite as well with a Caravan compared to an HGV ;-)
Drill the A frame and make sure you rust treat the holes with paint and use backing plate behind the frame you drill into!
ps, other drivers don't move out the way quite as well with a Caravan compared to an HGV ;-)
Never drill any holes in the caravan chassis without approval from the manufacturer. Always clamp to be safe.
Welcome to the forum Wayne and I'm sure you will prefer the van to a motor home. I've found most people who decide to change over do the same as you - motor home to caravan, not many do it the other way round (with the exception of one certain member in here ;O) )who no doubt will make his views known soon, heheheh!
Wayne despite Lutz comment, I suggest that you may wish to check.
But all the vans I and my friends have and have had, have the A frames drilled. Most UK Vans have a fibre glass cover over the A frame so it is not very practical to clamp in most cases.
A friend purchased a van 3 weeks ago and the Al-Ko A frame was drilled by a 16 year old work experience lad at the main dealer!
Many thousands of UK Caravans have the stabiliser bracket drilled and fitted to the A frame so I can't see any Chassis manufacturer having a problem with it !
I have even seen some clamps where you have to drill through the A frame .
Lutz is German based and no doubt they have some rule or something re type approval ;-0
But all the vans I and my friends have and have had, have the A frames drilled. Most UK Vans have a fibre glass cover over the A frame so it is not very practical to clamp in most cases.
A friend purchased a van 3 weeks ago and the Al-Ko A frame was drilled by a 16 year old work experience lad at the main dealer!
Many thousands of UK Caravans have the stabiliser bracket drilled and fitted to the A frame so I can't see any Chassis manufacturer having a problem with it !
I have even seen some clamps where you have to drill through the A frame .
Lutz is German based and no doubt they have some rule or something re type approval ;-0
Wayne, I beleive the Abbey uses an Alko chassie so I have go the information directly from ALKO
When the Al-KO Group took over B & B Trailers in 1982, the standard practice for the fitting of brackets for the arm of a 'blade' type stabiliser to a caravan / trailer chassis 'towbar' members; (using Scott as an example); was by drilling and fitting an "L" type bracket. This required 2 holes to be drilled, one above the other on a vertical plane. Such a method of fitting was NEVER permitted on AL-KO chassis 'towbar' members. If such drilling has taken place, it is our recommendation that the chassis member be replaced.
Permission was given for 2 holes to be drilled, providing they were on a horizontal plane and neutral axis, in the centre of the towbar member. This resulted in the introduction (using Scott as an example) of the 'A' type bracket with 2 horizontal fixing positions.
In preparation for the proposed introduction of EEC standards, AL-KO wrote to all stabiliser manufacturers on 25/02/91 making the following statement:-
From January 1992 the drilling of chassis 'towbar' members would no longer be permitted. All 'blade' type stabilisers MUST use a clamp or bolt-on bracket. If after this date drilling is carried out this will invalidate all warranties. As a result of this statement some manufacturers (Scott included) have produced clamp-on brackets, which have been tested by our R & D Division and have received AL-KO approval.
During this period, 1982-1992, a great many caravans / trailers have had the chassis 'towbar' member drilled, using side by side fixings, with no detrimental consequences. A few failures have been recorded; these have been traced to multiple drilling and/or towing with 'chassis based' vehicles. This type of vehicle has heavy springing (this does not include soft spring off road vehicles) but vans of the 'Transit' type and lorries, usually with leaf springs. Such springing can produce a heavy shock wave; placing undue stress on chassis members with forces it is not designed to accept and thereby could cause a failure.
Unless multiple drilling has taken place or the caravan / trailer is to be towed by a chassis based vehicle, the drilling of 2 holes side-by-side on an AL-KO chassis 'towbar' member was and is considered acceptable for the period 1982 to 1992. No problems are expected to arise although occasional inspection is recommended. After 1992 all chassis MUST use a clamp or bolt-on bracket.
When the Al-KO Group took over B & B Trailers in 1982, the standard practice for the fitting of brackets for the arm of a 'blade' type stabiliser to a caravan / trailer chassis 'towbar' members; (using Scott as an example); was by drilling and fitting an "L" type bracket. This required 2 holes to be drilled, one above the other on a vertical plane. Such a method of fitting was NEVER permitted on AL-KO chassis 'towbar' members. If such drilling has taken place, it is our recommendation that the chassis member be replaced.
Permission was given for 2 holes to be drilled, providing they were on a horizontal plane and neutral axis, in the centre of the towbar member. This resulted in the introduction (using Scott as an example) of the 'A' type bracket with 2 horizontal fixing positions.
In preparation for the proposed introduction of EEC standards, AL-KO wrote to all stabiliser manufacturers on 25/02/91 making the following statement:-
From January 1992 the drilling of chassis 'towbar' members would no longer be permitted. All 'blade' type stabilisers MUST use a clamp or bolt-on bracket. If after this date drilling is carried out this will invalidate all warranties. As a result of this statement some manufacturers (Scott included) have produced clamp-on brackets, which have been tested by our R & D Division and have received AL-KO approval.
During this period, 1982-1992, a great many caravans / trailers have had the chassis 'towbar' member drilled, using side by side fixings, with no detrimental consequences. A few failures have been recorded; these have been traced to multiple drilling and/or towing with 'chassis based' vehicles. This type of vehicle has heavy springing (this does not include soft spring off road vehicles) but vans of the 'Transit' type and lorries, usually with leaf springs. Such springing can produce a heavy shock wave; placing undue stress on chassis members with forces it is not designed to accept and thereby could cause a failure.
Unless multiple drilling has taken place or the caravan / trailer is to be towed by a chassis based vehicle, the drilling of 2 holes side-by-side on an AL-KO chassis 'towbar' member was and is considered acceptable for the period 1982 to 1992. No problems are expected to arise although occasional inspection is recommended. After 1992 all chassis MUST use a clamp or bolt-on bracket.
The last line above gives you your answer. Simply, ALKO do no allow or warrenty frames drilled since 1992. As your van is a 98 then the stabaliser should be clamped into place.
Is it possible for you to consider a hitch stabaliser? this would get around the problem all together
Steve
Is it possible for you to consider a hitch stabaliser? this would get around the problem all together
Steve
As impressed as I am Steve with this info.
The van I have now and my previuous Bessacarr both with Al-Ko chassis had the A frame Drilled by the main dealers who supplied them. Two holes in both!
My friends van was drilled by a very large main dealer only 3 weeks ago. (Al-Ko Chassis}
The dealer even advised against fitting a clamp before offering to fit it FOC !
The van I have now and my previuous Bessacarr both with Al-Ko chassis had the A frame Drilled by the main dealers who supplied them. Two holes in both!
My friends van was drilled by a very large main dealer only 3 weeks ago. (Al-Ko Chassis}
The dealer even advised against fitting a clamp before offering to fit it FOC !
There will be no comeback to ALKO if they fail.
Also, With the drilling being against the advice of ALKO, I cannot see the insurance paying out if a incident did occur. I would take the van back and ask them to correct it if only to ensure it is insured
Steve
Also, With the drilling being against the advice of ALKO, I cannot see the insurance paying out if a incident did occur. I would take the van back and ask them to correct it if only to ensure it is insured
Steve
wayne,
Great to have you aboard, at least with this forum you will get a quick response to any questions or info you wish to share, unlike the sister Practical motorhome forum never seen the moderator mention once of course i stand to be corrected .
Roy
Great to have you aboard, at least with this forum you will get a quick response to any questions or info you wish to share, unlike the sister Practical motorhome forum never seen the moderator mention once of course i stand to be corrected .
Roy
Welcome to the world of caravanning. I am the one who, as Lord B. states, has gone from caravanning to a motor home and find it great - would not now go back to a caravan as the advatages of a motorhome are great and too numerous to list here.
As Royston stated you will be given quick respons to a question relating to caravanning on this forum but reading the answers given you are now probably more confused than ever. The answers are not always what you wished to read. Regarding the remark about Practical Motorhome forum I will agree with Royston that this forum is far more user friendly and also more with it regarding the general contributer. The other forum could learn a lot from this site.
As Royston stated you will be given quick respons to a question relating to caravanning on this forum but reading the answers given you are now probably more confused than ever. The answers are not always what you wished to read. Regarding the remark about Practical Motorhome forum I will agree with Royston that this forum is far more user friendly and also more with it regarding the general contributer. The other forum could learn a lot from this site.
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