Coachman offside wheel problem

[malcolm_374303220]

Last July I bought a new Coachman Amara 530/4, and 6weeks later towed it down to Southern Spain, after reaching the site and getting a pan out from the under cooker storage into which projects the wheel arch liner, I was horrified to find a hole in the latter, through which I could see the tire,this had been rubbing against the liner and worn right through that, and the carpet covering.

Any Coachman owners had a similar problem?

 

[JTS]

Malcolm, I have never had Coachman but i do know what you experienced is not right. When you did all those miles to Spain the offside wheel became the nearside wheel. Can you put your hand on your heart and honestly say that you were not grsssly overloaded. The Amara is a heavy van anyway. Get it to the Dealer ASP. JTS.

 

[vernon]

I heard of this happening on Lunars a few years ago.

A dealer told me it was due to them fitting the wrong axle.

But the one chap I met said his happenened going down through France on his first trip out with a new 'van, and it shook all the cupboards of the wall and wrecked the cooker.

 

[ValA.]

We had a similar problem when we bought our Swift (new) in 2001. After the first outing, on return to storage, we noticed that the gap between the tyre and the wheelarch was much greater on one side, than the other which nearly touched, and the van actually looked a bit lopsided when viewed from the front.

We phoned the dealer we bought it from(in Coppull in Lancashire - guess who), who suggested we bring it in. When we explained that it would actually be dangerous to tow, they suggested we tow it to the nearest Caravan dealership and ask the local dealer to look at it (on their behalf, as it was still under warranty)and give them a ring. The local dealer examined the van and thought there was a problem with the Alko axle (something to do with the triangular rubber used inside as a 'shock absorber' being twisted - OH will know the correct technical term). The axle was removed and sent to Alko, who agreed there was a problem and replaced it. It was fitted back on the van by the local dealer, but Chris (Service Manager) rang before we were due to pick it up to say he had been back in touch with Alko as the problem was not solved. Representatives from Alko, and Swift visited the van the following day, and agreed that the new axle had a similar problem to the one it replaced. Swift arranged for the van to be transported down to Alko on a transporter, the axle replaced again, and the van returned the following day. This was crisis stuff, as it was Tuesday and we were due to go to France on holiday on the Friday.

However, it was done, and returned - and we've had no problems since, and just are so grateful to the local Caravan dealer, who doesn't deal in Swifts, but has been our greatest friend since. I promote them whenever I can - but often it's removed by the moderators of various forums - but it was Dickinson's of Bradford. We've had our Swift serviced there, with excellent customer support, ever since the warranty expired.

Alko actually confirmed that a 'batch' of axles had the same problem with distortion of the rubber - perhaps yours may have the same problem.