Alko Axle Problems

That's interesting Fozzie, we have just brought a VIP 530 and the plated Mtplm is 1545Kg so if the axle is 1550Kg  doesn't leave very much margin of error.  The other day after a short trip I weighed the van and it was 1500Kg so a tiny bit to play with on longer holidays

Thanks Fozzie 👍.

I had and still do weight issues regarding MTPLM, my axle is under its plated weight, last weighed on an axle weigh pad at 1510kg, but add in the nose weight of 80kg and that's 1590kg MTPLM. Current estimated MTPLM 1550 to 1560 kg

I have the weight plate upgrade, making my MTPLM 1550kg, still rubbish.

Since we weighed it bought a new awning which travels in the car, before caravan. New awning furniture, again in the car replacing the old which again went in the caravan and threw away loads of collected, well junk. 

So I'm sure its lighter, but I dont know by how much, need a trip to the weigher. Getting the nose weight was a bugger, going to have to check again before we leave this site.

When I first took delivery I removed the carpets, spare wheel and carrier just to save weight, my next wheeze is when I replace the battery, cant be long now it's over 6 years old going for a 85 amp hour, saving 7kg over the 110amp.

But I'm confused over an axle failure due to weight, how much load baring do corner steady's have? Presumably in habitation mode the axle is well above?

Looking at how little kit we have stored in the caravan to stay within limits, the majority of folk must travel with overloaded everything, especially my pet hate, cycle carriers. Swift really!

Years back a thread was about Alko and a sloping axle, turned out Alko had put the rubbers in the wrong way round.

How did you weigh the van?

Put the entire thing on a weigh bridge or drive over an axle pad then add in nose weight or not?

Just unhitched on the weighbridge

Ok thanks.

So the 1500kg is distributed between axle and jockey wheel (nose weight).

Just gives a better idea as to how much of the load your axle is carrying. It could be around 1430kg actual, well within design.

Where as mine is within but not by as much.

W and M

The axle was weigh on a reich axle weight scales pad,the print out shows the noseweight as correct.

I have no idea if you minus the noseweight off of the axle

.I would not of thought static weight effecting axle failures as corner steadies will share the load

And yes I am surprised at the lack of items we carry in the van now,gone are the days when you could load it for a two weeks holiday.I just wonder if MOT's were bought in how may more van's would have axle issues discovered.

Hi

To all those people with Bailey Unicorn Vigo axle problems.

Dont bother to try and get your problems resolved by Bailey, the company should not be in existence.

How a company as big as this can get away with in building such a critical mechanical fault, that will fail within a very short number of years.

We have purchased a Bailey Unicorn Vigo last August 2018, we purchased it from Abercaveny Caravans Dingestow Monmouth, we had only towed the new van to us about eight miles where we have sited it, when we found we had the suspension problem.  When we contacted Abercaveny Caravans and explained the problem, there was no problem in getting it sorted, and we are sure Abercaveny Caravans didn’t know about the problem, we had a chat, and we came to the agreement that they would pay for the refurbishment of the axle, and I would remove the axle and replace, I am a qualified mechanic so it was not a problem.

What a difference dealing with a small established company, that went the extra mile, and has kept a customer for life, thank you Abercaveny Caravans for all you have done, would have no problem in recommending this company.

The axle was sent to Scotland, Fraser Brown, who I would strongly recommend, it was returned in under a week, and refurbished to a higher spec.  We will have no problem in the future.

If anyone has this problem out there, phone Fraser in Scotland and have a chat, he is very helpful, and will give you help and guidance.

If anyone needs the transporting pallet I have one.  Give me a call 07986157779.

good post but would hesitate at publishing my mobile number on an open forum 

I fully understand your anger and frustration, I have been through this myself with a 2015 Bailey with the addition of roof leaks and brake issues. There should have been a recall on safety grounds after all if your car had the tyres wearing the wheel arches caused through collapsed suspension it would fail the MOT. I suspect a cover up as no club or organisation such as DVSA has done any to publicise this problem. All Bailey dealers are aware and many customers have received goodwill  a fixaxles.Getting  is great but these faults should not happen in the first place.

Please email CAMC technical department and report bthe axle failure to the DVSAas many have, maybe eventually a recall will happen

Incidentally what year is your Vigo,this problem peaked in 2015/16 I have been compiling stats in the hope of getting a recall.

Just to note that there is a difference between a refurbished axle and an Alko replacement.

Refurbished have firmer suspension this gains ride height.

Replacement have softer suspension but the axle is set lower in the chassis to gain ride height.