Help ! Broken van..

[Notmyvan]

If it was my caravan I would buy 4 of the Tow Bar Drop Plates 4 inches or more, and bolt a pair on each side of the chassis. They are quite substantial and come complete with pre-drilled holes, and bolts and washers which fit the holes are easily available.
The only hard part is drilling the holes through the chassis, but a reasonably large drill then putting a round file in the end of the electric drill would widen the hole to the right size.

 

[ProfJohnL]

There have been several posts which suggest either or a combination of welding or drilling ( and I would assume enlarging holes) into the chassis members. Certainly Alko and probably other similar manufactures make it clear that any such action can seriously weaken the integrity of the chassis.

That is why caravan movers are clamped to the chassis and no holes or other processes are needed that might impact the chassis's integrity.

Whilst some people may have welded or drilled and got away without incurring subsequent damage, that does not make it a sensible or proper solution for others. It certainly a no no for any chassis that's within the manufacturer's warranty period.

In the OP's case the nature of the chassis failure will have put considerable additional stress on the floor and sides of the superstructure, and may have damaged them enough to render them unsafe or unusable. We can actually see the floor having been distorted in the pictures, so even if the chassis could be repaired or have the broken sections replaced, there will be additional as yet not full understood damage to the floor and walls.

In reality all mechanical failures can be rectified, but whether it's worth it (either for value or emotional attachment) is a personal matter for the OP to decide.

From a pure economic perspective, the repairs may cost less than purchasing a replacement caravan, but then you'll have a strong chassis but still an 18 year old body and fittings which with the best will in the world is already well through its natural life expectancy and as we all know as things get older they don't seem to work quite as well and break more easily.

 

[RogerL]

Is it not possible to get replacement sections from Alko and have them fitted by a specialist, eg those who can replace Alko axles - that way the integrity of the chassis won't be compromised - I appreciate that wouldn't be cheap but would enable the life of the caravan itself to be extended.

Any other type of repair, by welding or drilling/bolting custom plates would be a big no-no.

 

[otherclive]

Is it not possible to get replacement sections from Alko and have them fitted by a specialist, eg those who can replace Alko axles - that way the integrity of the chassis won't be compromised - I appreciate that wouldn't be cheap but would enable the life of the caravan itself to be extended.

Any other type of repair, by welding or drilling/bolting custom plates would be a big no-no.

When I had my Alko axle replaced it wasn’t a specialist just a Swift Main Dealership. It is quite a simple fitting exchange providing you have the right equipment to support the caravan during the procedure.

 

[Jcloughie]

A word to the wise re getting or doing work on a site in France, or moving a van around France or repatriating. I went through very similar. it was extremely stressful. My van was moved 3 times by French companies, in doing so they managed to break both rear fenders, the Jocky wheel and the aerial. They attempted repair but failed. One even stole my chassis ID plate.

When it was repatriated by an British company it was highly professional. Then, instead of attempting a makeshift job, just in case, they insisted on, a whole new axle, new mover, new steadies, new hitch complete, new wheels and tyres.

Total cost around £10,000. And even after they had finished, the stress caused to the structure put a crease in the side and the whole side needed replacing.

So disillusioned were we we part exchanged it before work was completed.

I dare say plating the chassis may be strong. Though it would be far easier to simply replace the front chassis sections. But how can it be determined how much stress and damage the body has suffered.

John

 

[Notmyvan]

With an 18 year old Caravan I would try my method of bolting plates to the chassis and seeing if it re-aligns the chassis to where it was before. Its either that or dispose of the caravan.

 

[RogerL]

With an 18 year old Caravan I would try my method of bolting plates to the chassis and seeing if it re-aligns the chassis to where it was before. Its either that or dispose of the caravan.

That needs holes drilling in the existing chassis - which isn't recommended.