rusper said:
But Mr AL_KO says not to weld their chassis but to replace any damaged sections.
yeah but Mr Alko is in business for profit, a 10/20 year old chassis is well out of warranty, look at it this way, 10 year old caravan, worth probably around £2000, cracks are at rear near the suspension units [both sides], so strip all the suspension off, remove the rails from the chassis split bolts and floor, buy new chassis rails at about £1000 +vat retail then replace the rails using a jig to make sure it's straight, rebuild all the suspension, no small job, average cost new rails £1200, plus labour say 12hrs @ £100 per hr [workshop rates] makes the job a cool £400 more than the van is worth so therefore an uneconomic repair, for two small cracks. nice little earner for Mr Alko.
alternative decent welder that knows what he is doing 15mins work with a manganese rod, £50, do the sums yes they may crack again in a couple of years but by then the vans had a few more years use, and probably been part exchanged for another van.