Can anyone advise us on what to do about the suspension rubbers on our 1998 Avondale Dart. They appear to have hardened and there is no effective suspension when towing. This has resulted in damage to some of the interior fixing particularly the fridge. Is it possible to replace the rubbers or are we looking at a much bigger task or even the death of our beloved little van?
Suspension on Avondale Dart 370
- Thread starter Mummysouth
- Start date
Hello and welcome to the forum
I'm unable to give you any technical answer but I'm sure some of the forum members will have experienced similar situations over their many years of owning caravans.
However your problem sounds to me like one of those situations where you may need professional help and advice. I'm sure you will have a mobile caravan engineer within a reasonable distance of your location and in the absence of any more detailed advice from forum members I would recommend you get the engineer to visit to give you a full picture of what the situation is.
Some of the members of the forum can post links where you can enter your post code and find approved engineers close to your area. Very often you get reviews regarding people's experience of dealing with the engineers.
I believe that because they are usually individuals working for themselves, then if they weren't dependable they probably won't stay in business very long. Plus to get accreditation they have to commit to receiving training at their own expense.
So they tend to be familiar with the equipment fitted to most caravans. And committed to giving a good and friendly service.
Best regards Brian
I'm unable to give you any technical answer but I'm sure some of the forum members will have experienced similar situations over their many years of owning caravans.
However your problem sounds to me like one of those situations where you may need professional help and advice. I'm sure you will have a mobile caravan engineer within a reasonable distance of your location and in the absence of any more detailed advice from forum members I would recommend you get the engineer to visit to give you a full picture of what the situation is.
Some of the members of the forum can post links where you can enter your post code and find approved engineers close to your area. Very often you get reviews regarding people's experience of dealing with the engineers.
I believe that because they are usually individuals working for themselves, then if they weren't dependable they probably won't stay in business very long. Plus to get accreditation they have to commit to receiving training at their own expense.
So they tend to be familiar with the equipment fitted to most caravans. And committed to giving a good and friendly service.
Best regards Brian
he chassis is an ALKO so the rubbers should be available through any caravan dealer if you give them the chassis number. If you are not sure about fitting them though I would try a mobile engineer who should be able to source them for you and fit them.
You can get a list of NCC approved fitters on their website using their search facility http://www.thencc.org.uk/Our_Members/find_Member.aspx
You can get a list of NCC approved fitters on their website using their search facility http://www.thencc.org.uk/Our_Members/find_Member.aspx
........the suspension rubbers can only be renewed by Alko as it requires specialist equipment.
It is very unlikely there is anything wrong with your suspension as it should outlive the life of your caravan.
You may be able to improve things by fitting shock absorbers and there are Alko after fit kits available for DIY fitting and they cost £65-£70.
There are different kits available depending on the axle fitted to your caravan .......different axle loading being the deciding factor in what kit to fit.
Fridge fixing is often inadequate in caravans and will shows up in older vans that have been subjected to more towing.
The original screws into a wooden frame have long been replaced with much stronger nut and bolts in my 1995 Swift and this cures the problem.
It is very unlikely there is anything wrong with your suspension as it should outlive the life of your caravan.
You may be able to improve things by fitting shock absorbers and there are Alko after fit kits available for DIY fitting and they cost £65-£70.
There are different kits available depending on the axle fitted to your caravan .......different axle loading being the deciding factor in what kit to fit.
Fridge fixing is often inadequate in caravans and will shows up in older vans that have been subjected to more towing.
The original screws into a wooden frame have long been replaced with much stronger nut and bolts in my 1995 Swift and this cures the problem.
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