Intelligent design (I don't think so)

[WoodlandsCamper]

I purchased an AlKo side-lift jack for our new Lunar and have been to the storage site this morning to fit the brackets. Guess what - they won't fit

. AlKo conveniently provided two holes each side of the van to fit the brackets, however Lunar in their wisdom decided that mud flaps would look nice and screwed 1" x 1" timbers right where the upper part of the brackets need to go. Probably needs to go back to the dealer to get them to remove the mud flaps and seal any holes in order to maitain the water ingress warranty.

No job ever seems easy!!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

After studying various pictures from Al-Ko, Lunar, etc I have come to the conclusion that the L-shaped brackets, as seen in the picture at:

http://shop.al-ko.co.uk/products/replacement-jack-bracket-kit-800-kg.html

could be cut down with a hack saw to remove the unwanted part. The brackets are manufactured such that "one size fits all". It is fitted 'long' side down for deep chassis members, and 'short' side down for shallower chassis members, with the horizontal unused side just tucking up under the floor. There are no fixings to the floor itself, and a flimsy floor can offer no additional strength to the bracket. Indeed, the line diagram in the 2012 Lunar Owners Manual only shows an "Al-Ko Side Jack" with only a vertical part to the bracket, not L shaped. Also, a Kojack bracket only has a vertical part to it.
To cut or not to cut is the question.
PS My van has a deep chassis member.

 

[Sproket]

Saw or angle grinder

& you will have two spare ones left

What have you got to loose ?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Saw or angle grinder

& you will have two spare ones left

What have you got to loose ?

Sir Sproket CJ ( BAR) - yours was the only good answer I had.
Lunar said "Unfortunately
we do not have customer services or technical support departments at the factory
as we are purely a manufacturing plant; these services are provided by your
vending dealer. If you would like to contact them they will be able to
assist/advise you."

Aren't Lunar the designer of the caravan?????? Passing the buck again.

I asked the vending dealer, but they have not responded, so I used a hacksaw to cut the brackets on Friday night (put Hammerite on the cut ends) and fitted them to the van on Saturday (after removing the useless underslung spare wheel carrier). It's not very easy using a large torque wrench in one hand with the wheel brace in the other whilst lying on your back in the limited space under the van.

The spare wheel will travel inside the van on the floor, then go in the front locker when parked up.

 

[Lutz]

I find Lunar's response absolutely unacceptable. As you say, they are
not only a manufacturing plant, but are also product responsible. The
dealer should only be acting according to procedures laid down by the
caravan manufacturer. Any deviation from this procedure could have
serious consequences pertaining to product liability.

 

[Lutz]

dual post

 

[tradewinds]

I have a Lunar Clubman 2011.
I also purchased the ALKO brackets for the side lift jack.
They fitted perfectly as designed, there must be a change to your 2012 van.
Do ALKO know this?

 

[Lutz]

I have a Lunar Clubman 2011.
I also purchased the ALKO brackets for the side lift jack.
They fitted perfectly as designed, there must be a change to your 2012 van.
Do ALKO know this?

The mudflaps that were mentioned and which are apparently causing the problem have nothing to do with AlKo.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I also purchased the ALKO brackets for the side lift jack.
They fitted perfectly as designed, there must be a change to your 2012 van.

Were your brackets L shaped, or just flat? Do you have mud flaps? Do you have a different sized van. These could all affect the fitting.

 

[Martin24]

I think with a response like that from Lunar If I'd just ordered one I'd be cancelling, I imagine if there was a serious issue they'd just say we only build them!!! It was good to see all of the Coachman team at lawns and to have the usual banter with them. It also goes a long way when the MD thanks you for buying another of his units!!

 

[tradewinds]

The reason I asked if ALKO were aware of this was that they might then come up with a different design of bracket if this is where the mudflaps must be fitted.
I ordered ALKO brackets from their website. They are rightangled brackets fitted with the two nuts and bolts, the nuts being nyloc. I could not see any other type of bracket on their website.
Yes I have mudflaps, all Clubmans do have mudflaps.
I will look at the mudflaps today and see how they are fitted.

 

[Lutz]

The onus is on the caravan manufacturer to come up with a design of mudflap that doesn't foul the bracket, not AlKo.

 

[tradewinds]

/sites/practicalcaravan.com/files/images/Sept2012/ALKO-BRACKET.jpg

This is a picture of how the brackets fit on my 2011 Lunar Clubman ES.
The rod and split pin on the left is the underslung wheel carrier.
The brackets could be fitted either way round as they supply a distance piece.
I doubt Lunar make mudflaps anymore than they make chassis so I suppose Lunar,Alko and mudflap manufacturers are not reading the same script.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Thank you for the excellent picture. On my van the light coloured piece of timber to which the mudflap is screwed is directly in line with the fixing holes for the jack bracket. The inside edge of the timber is within 2 inches of the chassis and hence I had to cut the top part of the bracket off to get it to fit.
It also means I have to push the mudflap towards the wheel in order to engage the jack.