Alko Axle Problems

Though our caravan is now sixteen years old, we noticed a 'lean to one side' within a week of taking it home brand new.  Fortunately, at the time, it was sorted out by Alko/Swift without cost to us, and done very quickly because we were due to go on holiday.  It was actually done twice - a replacement axle assembly sent up to our dealer by Alko had the same problem (twisting of the inner rubbers which given the 'suspension' effect) as the one it replaced, so at that point Swift insisted it be towed back to Alko on a low loader, repaired with a complete new axle assembly, not refurbished, and returned within the same week - and it was.  The whole thing was sorted out within two weeks by our fantastic local dealer, Swift, and Alko.

There are many other posts about what is obviously an on-going design problem.  We were told a 'whole batch' was faulty!

If it's a similar problem of a 'lean', I wouldn't expect it from a caravan of any age and think it's an inherent fault, and would fight hard, quoting posts such as this one:  Alko axle problems and other similar ones which you can find by googling.

There are other posts related to over-heating wheel bearings - but the cost you quote sounds like a whole axle replacement, rather than just two sets of wheel bearings.

Now there are two threads about the same subject.  Is it possible to combine them?

I am the owner of a 2013 Bailey Unicorn 2 Cadiz and have just been told that I will require the axle to be removed and sent back to Alko for refurbishment.

This will mean the caravan being off the road for 6 to 8 weeks and a cost of about £1000.

Is this due to bad design/production of the axle or the caravan layout ? - the gas locker, fidge and cooker are on the side that has failed.

Is this what we should expect from a 3/4year old caravan?

Write your comments here...If your van is just 3years old then unless it was because of a "mishap" on your part I would think it would be covered by "not fit for purpose" and Alko and your dealer should take the hitq

DO not send the van to Bailey factory ,Ours has been away for over 18 weeks (6 to 8 weeks is a joke)

Just heard from the insurance company that it is not covered as it does not look like pothole damage. If it was pothole damage thre would seemingly be other signs such wheel and mover damage.

It looks to me as a design or production fault but will AlKo accept  reponsibility.

Somehow I think I will have to payout over £1000 for repairs

I will not be buying the new Bailey this year or anything with an AlKo axle

I am the owner of a 2013 Bailey Unicorn 2 Cadiz and have just been told that I will require the axle to be removed and sent back to Alko for refurbishment.

This will mean the caravan being off the road for 6 to 8 weeks and a cost of about £1000.

Is this due to bad design/production of the axle or the caravan layout ? - the gas locker, fidge and cooker are on the side that has failed.

Is this what we should expect from a 3/4year old caravan?

Write your comments here...If your van is just 3years old then unless it was because of a "mishap" on your part I would think it would be covered by "not fit for purpose" and Alko and your dealer should take the hitq

fit for purpose is only for the first 30 days I think you will find, but you could try trading standards 

Hi, we also have a unicorn cadiz 2 2013 and have what they term a relaxed axle, ours is also not covered by warranty as we purchased the van in Oct 2012 therefore they are saying it is over the 3 year warranty. The dealer where we have the van serviced has been in touch with alko and bailey but no joy as they wont take responsibility, therefore the bill is over to us as they state it could be due to  potholes or overloading.  The bill for new axle and fitting comes out at £1,230 ouch. By the way ours in the other side to yours by the door, also not what we expected from a relitively new van  

Time to trade in perhaps?

Hi, we also have a unicorn cadiz 2 2013 and have what they term a relaxed axle, ours is also not covered by warranty as we purchased the van in Oct 2012 therefore they are saying it is over the 3 year warranty. The dealer where we have the van serviced has been in touch with alko and bailey but no joy as they wont take responsibility, therefore the bill is over to us as they state it could be due to  potholes or overloading.  The bill for new axle and fitting comes out at £1,230 ouch. By the way ours in the other side to yours by the door, also not what we expected from a relitively new van  

Get as many similar complaints off the webb, tell the dealer the axle was defective and the number of failures reported by others shows this. Tell the dealer that Under The Sale of Goods Act you require reimbusement and if not forthcoming you will be isduing a small claims court summons. Very doubtful they will defend it but cost to you is modest for them though it is more than your claim.

Hi georgevan Your insurance company is qute right about pothole damage, when this occurs there is almost always internal damage ie split floor, split funiture and even furniture pulling away from thye wall all caused by the shock.  I hit a pothole at a mere 5 miles an hour and the damage was all of the above plus it totallydestroyed the suspaension on one side.