Tyre fitter dilemma

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
I noticed when we arrived back at our caravan storage site recently that one of the tyres on my twin axle Abbey 620 had developed a slight bulge on the sidewall.
We're off again on Sunday so I arranged for a new tyre to be fitted at the caravan storage by a well known mobile tyre fitting service from the internet.
The fitter, who is self employed and working as a local agent for the main company, arrived as arranged and he had his two sons with him, one about 13 and the other about 15.
The tyre fitter was a really nice chap, and as he changed my tyre and balanced the wheel the younger of the two sons was helping him by passing tools and putting things back.
After the wheel with the new tyre was fitted the tyre fitter told his son to lower the jack which had raised our caravan.
Imagine my horror when instead of turning the jack handle gradually to gently lower the caravan, the boy turned it fully, dropping the caravan rapidly about 2 feet to land on the jockey wheel with a bump.
The tyre fitter reprimanded his son and assured me that he 'didn't normally do that'.
I checked the A frame chassis area and the tyre fitter also looked, there were no obvious signs of damage, but the hard landing was more severe than one would normally expect a caravan to undergo in normal use.
The main franchise will email me tomorrow for my feedback on the tyre fitting service.
Should I report that my caravan has been lowered too rapidly with a possibility of unseen damage, or should I simply report that the tyre and the fitting was ok?
I wouldn't want the fitter to lose his livelihood, and I told him at the time in no uncertain terms that he had no right to allow his son to touch our caravan, but should I tell the parent company?
Herself witnessed what happened, and it has already cast a shadow over our forthcoming holiday because she's worried about the possibility of hidden damage.
If I don't mention the involvement of the son and damage later comes to light, I doubt if the parent company would take responsibility.
If I do mention the sons involvement the fitter might lose his franchise.
What would you do?
 
Jun 16, 2020
4,624
1,829
6,935
Visit site
I had a worse experience which involved my caravan bouncing up and down on the back of a lorry repeatedly for about 5 miles. I was following and convinced it was ready to fall off. So I held well back and hoped it would having new for old insurance. I could see the jockey wheel repeatedly lifting and slamming back down.

Much other damage was caused by this garage and by subsequent French transport ‘specialists’. These required very expensive repairs after repatriation. I complained and was awarded £1200 from the recovery insurance.

But. And the point I am getting to. Despite the welds on the jockey wheel being broken. The chassis itself passed all subsequent inspections.

Very poor service you had though. It also shows that people in associated industries don’t know how to handle caravans. Although I have a single axel. The last two times I have had tyres done, I have hitched up first.

John
 

Damian

Moderator
Mar 14, 2005
7,510
936
30,935
Visit site
Hi Parksy, the first thing is why was the van that high up in the first place? the wheel only needs to be just clear of the ground to change a tyre.

Anyway, back to the question of possible damage, I dont think there would be any problems , when I undertook my AWS certification at a well known dealers, their workshop jack was awful and even a small release of pressure caused the van to drop to the floor very quickly, and noisily.

Having examined the van and measured everything to ensure all was good, it was, nothing damaged or bent.

Al-Ko chassis are surprisingly strong and it would take a huge amount of force to do any damage and as the weight is split between the non raised wheel, where it would be more heavily loaded, the effect will be reduced a lot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Parksy

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
Thanks John
The jockey wheel, post and bracket is ok, it was the first thing I checked.
I'm just hoping that after such a drop onto solid ground that thes A frame or chassis have suffered no damage that hasn't yet been seen.
 

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
Hi Damian.
The fitter used his garage trolley jack to lift the side with the damaged tyre just enough to remove the wheel.
It was a front wheel of the two, so the front of the caravan lifted with the bottom of the jockey wheel between 1 and two feet off the ground.
I suppose that the kid was just looking at the replacement tyre which only had about 2" clearance, without noticing that the jw was quite a bit higher because it was only raised enough to release the hitch from the car last time out.
 
May 24, 2014
3,687
763
20,935
Visit site
Well to be honest, you made the point yourself, that the children had no business being in conta t with your property. I too doubt any damage has been done but having had the experience that i have had, i would want to cover my back, and yes, i would report it.
 

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
I think that I might report back that the caravan was dropped heavily but without specifically mentioning the fitters son.
If the parent company question him about the incident it's up to him to either say that he did it or to confess that the boy was involved.
 
Mar 14, 2005
17,557
3,051
50,935
Visit site
I would be surprised if the chassis has suffered any damage from a single drop as you describe. Even though it might have appeared to be rapid, compared to the hammering it can receive from towing over traffic calming features the loads should be within the chassis capabilities. I am more concerned for the structure of the caravan which generally are less durable than the chassis.

I suspect you feel the fitter has done a good job with the tyre and balance etc and its just this one issue with the dropping the jack that concerns you. I can understand your dilemma regarding the report.

You need to rationalise the risk of not mentioning the drop, vs the recovery of the cost of any possible damage that might not have be discovered yet. Or are you prepared to cover any costs yourself

Let me paraphrase the police miranda

“You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm a claim if you do not mention in the fitting report something which you later rely on to make a claim

Honesty is usually the best solution.

There is every chance no harm has been done.

This probably doesn't help you at all
 
  • Like
Reactions: Parksy
Nov 11, 2009
20,100
6,131
50,935
Visit site
I have a reservation about tyre fitters, mobile or otherwise. That’s why when I had two new tyres fitted last May I removed the wheels myself and took them to the tyre dealer for fitting and balance. However I do recall when having the van measured fir a new axle I was surprised at how the main Swift dealer lifted it just on one side first then up on the second side. But it was all lifted and lowered slowly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Parksy
Jun 20, 2005
17,263
3,486
50,935
Visit site
Al-ko chassis are very robust and use malleable metals rather than brittle. A pothole on the road at speed would cause more stress than yours experienced.
I doubt the jockey wheel, it’s assembly or mounting suffered any damage that may manifest itself at a later date. Examine the wheel itself. A plastic centre may have fractured🤔🤔.
Check the fridge , heaters and cooker etc all work ok.
How deep are your pockets? Why not just record that the Jack was lowered too fast causing the drop. The fitter agreed this didn’t he? So fingers crossed do you really need to mention the kids involvement? Let dad take the wrap?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Parksy
Jul 18, 2017
11,942
3,326
32,935
Visit site
I would suggest putting it in writing to the fitter only, so that you have a paper trail should anything unforeseen occur within the next few months that could be related to the drop.
However taking into consideration the state of many of our roads I doubt very much if the drop would have caused any damage.
Enjoy your holiday.
 

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
Thanks for the replies
I'd have taken the wheel off myself and used my usual tyre fitters, but because my legs and back tend to ache these days I opted for the mobile service.
I'll mention the too rapid lowering of the jack in my feedback without mentioning the involvement of the son.
I didn't see any damage when I looked, but if anything crops up that I hadn't seen the fitter and his parent company can sort it out between themselves.
If any reluctance or denial took place if we find any hidden damage during our holiday we still have the information about the son as leverage if needed.
 
Jun 1, 2021
49
16
1,535
Visit site
Can i ask do caravan tyres need balancing, Ive just had 4 put on my lunar this morning and the mobile fitter told me they dont balance tyres on caravans when i querried them not being balanced
maggie
 
Jul 18, 2017
11,942
3,326
32,935
Visit site
Can i ask do caravan tyres need balancing, Ive just had 4 put on my lunar this morning and the mobile fitter told me they dont balance tyres on caravans when i querried them not being balanced
maggie
It is a very good idea to have them balanced as prevents vibration in the caravan.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chatter
Jun 16, 2020
4,624
1,829
6,935
Visit site
It is sensible and logical to balance any wheel. It makes complete sense to do so. Why risk having your van shaken to bits when the fix is easy.

Manufacturers say it’s not necessary, but over the last few years I believe that Bailey do balance theirs, (perhaps others do now, someone will say). The others keep saving the coppers. After buying my Lunar new, my first call was to have the wheels balanced.

John
 
  • Like
Reactions: chatter
Mar 14, 2005
17,557
3,051
50,935
Visit site
Balancing wheel on a caravan is a very good idea. for the reasons given above. I would also advocate having dampers fitted, teh combination can significantly reduce the vibrations stresses of towing on the caravan's body.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chatter
Jun 1, 2021
49
16
1,535
Visit site
I was supprised when he said they dont and he didnt even though i asked, so i guess i will get the wheels taken off and done somewhere else for balancing. Only just getting to grips with this van had it since 2019 just before lockdown year and not used it yet had it serviced but then couldnt go anywhere so no doubt i will have questions aplenty eventually. Still using the RV at the mo, was away in it last weekend but would like to try thecaravan out
 

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
The wheels are balanced on our caravan.
When I had the new tyre fitted
recently the mobile fitter balanced the wheel without me having to ask him to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chatter

JTQ

May 7, 2005
3,280
1,110
20,935
Visit site
Can i ask do caravan tyres need balancing, Ive just had 4 put on my lunar this morning and the mobile fitter told me they dont balance tyres on caravans when i querried them not being balanced
maggie
"Need" gets too complicated so let me put it this way, if not balanced all the out of balance forces go into the structure, where nobody will be able to argue they do it good.
And they certainly have real potential to do harm.

Not balancing is just a cost saving, not necessarily for you, but you live with any consequences.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chatter

Damian

Moderator
Mar 14, 2005
7,510
936
30,935
Visit site
When you buy tyres you pay for the tyre, a new valve and wheel balancing.

Personally I would get in touch with whoever you bought the tyres from and insist that fitter comes back and does what you have paid for, and expect to have done.

It makes perfect sense to have any wheel balanced , and especially so with a caravan, and as has been said, dampers are a really good thing to have too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jcloughie
Jan 19, 2002
1,472
409
19,435
Visit site
Likewise had mine balanced when I fitted replacement tyres with an 'on the drive' company that also saved me towing my car to a fitters where sometimes the forecourts are quite tight to access.
 
Jun 20, 2005
17,263
3,486
50,935
Visit site
As all others. Try driving a car with unbalanced tyres!. The damage that can be caused to the caravan is unnecessary and expensive.
 
Mar 27, 2011
1,332
507
19,435
Visit site
If anyone books a tyre replacement on a caravan at home then best get a quote and ask if it includes balancing and if the answer is no or an extra charge then I think I’d say ok I’ll go else where, if you get a quote for a car tyre they don’t add on an extra charge for balancing.

BP
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts