Why is it in the AWS annual schedule when it's not required every year by Alko - don't need to be much of a cynic to suggest it's just a revenue raising exercise for AWS members.
No different to knowing the service history of cars given the difference between interim, standard and major services.
Since AWS services include a tick list of tasks completed, it's not difficult to give the customer a record of what has, or hasn't, been done on previous services.
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Assuming such history is available? No guarantee the last engineer didn’t just tick the box? But I accept for those who do know then every other year is in line with Alko.
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We have encountered that on two different occasions with a service done at a dealership. First time we paid for the service and got the papers, but no service tick sheets. The person disappeared into the office and I could see them ticking off the service sheet.
The next time after another service we got the service sheet and on it the boxes had been ticked, but where it had the tick box for the shock absorbers was a not not "fitted"so not checked. However during the year we had shock absorbers fitted by them!
We used AWS after that as felt service by a dealership seem to be a big con as on many occasions despite asking them to check or remedy something, it was never done!
Wow this thread reveals some interesting aspects of caravan servicing.
I was hoping a proper wheels/drums inspection is included by default
I was hoping a proper wheels/drums inspection is included by default
All my old cars had drum rear brakes, same design as caravan brakes - the drums were only ever removed to change the brake shoes - which could be inspected for lining depth through a hole in the back plate.
Annual adjustment of the brakes doesn't need the drum removal.
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I don’t feel guilty in the slightest, I’ve been vanning for over 30 years, we get our caravan serviced every year and the brakes are always stripped for inspection. Despite the service, there are always creaks and groans during towing but they are what they are - if you are concerned get it checked, otherwise turn the radio up and enjoy your holidays.
- Mar 14, 2005
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We have no way of knowing what the source of the OP's noise is, so I cannot believe that a potential issue with a primary safety system on a vehicle is being treated with such contempt by some contributors.
We know from post both here and in other threads that both the manufacturers and the service shops have missed critical issues becasue there is no statutory testing regime for trailers brakes and other road going equipment, (In other words a statutory MOT). We rely on the professionalism of the services we have done , and whilst in general they do try to do a good job, sometimes (as described in other posts) there is good reason to be suspicious about some.
Any suspicion of a problem with a primary safety system such as brakes should never be dismissed or ignored or masked by turning the radio up. It should be a matter immediate concern to arrange to get the system professionally checked out as soon as possible. To suggest other wise is entirely irresponsible.
I will decide based upon my own understanding of a situation or system if , what and when I add a comment. But based on your own assessment and conclusion "Until it is properly investigated, there is nothing more that can be added at this point." Its strange that you have not heeded your own advice. by adding #30
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That is exactly the message I posted at #4 and have reiterated throughout this thread, yet I was shouted down and post like some of your own strongly suggest ignoring the issue which is the disservice to both the OP and the integrity of those who suggests such an irresponsible attitude.
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Not sure about contempt Prof. 🤔
The problem with a Forum is technical questions can only be answered with potential solutions , not guaranteed diagnosis. It goes without saying safety items imo have always been treated sensibly by most Forumites.
If that is no longer the case and suggestions, even the tic ones , are unwelcome or cause concern perhaps none of us should answer any “technical” questions🙉
As the OPs caravan was only serviced one month ago perhaps he should see his engineer?
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When a Safety Critical system such as brakes are causing a concern, who in their right mind would tell the questioner to ignore it? If that isn't contemptuous I don't know what is.
And again I will state that I suggested and have maintained the OP should seek professional advice from my first post at #4.
There should be no place for TIC comments when discussing safety Critical systems like brakes, gas and electricity. How is a novice to know who is closest to the truth?
TIC humour in technical discussions have all too often backfired, as we don't all have the same sensibilities and understanding of the writers background or intent.
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Prof, you are no professional expert anymore but offer all sorts of advice, I’d suggest you lighten up and enjoy the forum rather than trying to be the font of all knowledge.
Humour has a place in life.
Forums can be a great place to ask questions and learn but if the OP is that concerned then they should engage with a real expert in real life.
If the admin, mods or members don’t want humour or banter in the forum then it’s a very sad situation.
Humour has a place in life.
Forums can be a great place to ask questions and learn but if the OP is that concerned then they should engage with a real expert in real life.
If the admin, mods or members don’t want humour or banter in the forum then it’s a very sad situation.
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- Jun 20, 2005
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I understand your concern which is directed at #3.
But I felt it was offered in good faith based on years of experience rather than contempt.
Not the way I would have responded but no different shall we say when the doctor tells you not to worry😉
Personally I agree . However times are changing and I have noticed on this and other Caravan Forums there is a cultural shift towards TIC comments across the board.
I repeat my point that perhaps we are reaching the stage where even suggestions on gas , electricity and chassis matters should not be made . That will be a sad day as this is “Practical “ Caravan .
I do not want to see a halt to advice “ suggestions” which as I know from personal experience has got me out of trouble on a number of occasions.
I had this when I bought my first caravan a couple of years ago. Fortunately it wasn't a major job to replace the damper.
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I think the subtle difference between car and caravan brakes is that car brakes are tested for operation and efficency on a rolling road every year. Whilst you can test the operation of caravan brakes manually (to an extent) you can't easily check their efficiency. Does this warrant a more in depth inspection? Maybe there is an argument for trailers to have a yearly MOT - the armed forces treat trailers as independent vehicles and do exactly that.
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Please, no, we have enough rules/regulations/expense in life as it is, lets not push for more to fix a theoretical problem.
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One could use the same argument about the car MOT!
It is not theoretical becasue there have been many instances where trailers (inc. Caravans) have had faulty or inefficient brakes and have contributed to the cause or the effect of a motoring incident.
Is it so silly to consider the need for some sort of formal trailer brake performance test that measures brake function and efficiency?
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The MoT only covers cars over 3 years old and up to 40 years old. While I have no data whatsoever I suspect that any incidents involving trailer deficiencies is far outweighed by incidents involving other legally compliant vehicles.
Some folks might think a trailer MoT is good, personally I wouldn't support it.
I suspect that you're correct but it's an invalid argument.
Using similar logic, in 2022 18% of deaths in road collisions occurred when one (or more) of the drivers involved was over the alcohol limit. By simple maths that means that 82% of deaths occurred when all drivers involved were under the alcohol limit. Does this mean that drivers over the limit are safer than those under the limit? Of course not, the statistics are skewed due to the number of drivers under the limit compared to the number over. In the same way, the number of legally compliant vehicles on the road far outweighs the number of trailers with deficiencies.
Would you support it if a car towing a caravan with defective brakes jack knifed and crossed the carriageway causing a head on collision that killed someone close to you?
Anyone, me included, would probably become a campaigner if personally affected by something of this sort.
But introducing an MOT test for trailers does not guarantee that accidents like this won't happen (because the trailer might not have a valid test cert, or the fault might develop between tests). In any case, the most common trailer accidents are by jack-knifing following out of control snaking and I don't see much that an annual MOT would do to reduce the chance of that happening. As a control measure for mitigating the risk, the cost and bureaucracy burden is out of all proportion to the likelihood of occurrence.
When we pulled up at reception on one of the CAMC sites in Scotland last year, accompanied by our typically lightly squealing brakes, the Warden came out of the office to great us with 'as I was just commenting to my colleague, here comes another Alko chassis'.
Nothwithstanding all the theoretical, terrible and rare issues there might be with the braking system I think it's reasonable to share with the OP the practical knowledge that lightly squealing brakes are very common.
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