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Subject Topic: 1979 Carlight Casetta problem Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBob-Matthews
23/2/2014 at 7:31pm
 Location: Lingfield Surrey
 Outfit: Carlight Casetta View Bob-Matthews's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob-Matthews Reply   Quote Bob-Matthews Quote  
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Hi all, my first post here, so hope I have put it in the correct section.

Just got back from a lovely fews days away in our vintage Carlight 2 berth, but as we were towing I noticed in the rear view mirror that the caravan wasn't completely level side to side - I put it down to a badly adjusted mirror but when we got the van back home on the drive I could clearly see the list!! I could also see a difference in how high the wheels are sitting inside the wheel arches.

It has a torsion bar type axle made by 'Rubery Owen' and I suspect that the rubber inserts have either slipped or have become degraded. I am not sure if the axle is servicable or if any parts or a replacement axle is available. I will phone Carlight tomorrow and find out.

Another idea may be to buy a used Alko chassis and try and convert that for use on my Carlight.

It would be such a travesty not to be able to use this sweet old Carlight for the sake of a worn rubber bush inside the axle.

Any thoughts or ideas would much appreciated.


Bob


Personmichell8
23/2/2014 at 9:59pm
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If you want to preserve caravan then get the job done properly by Carlight if cost is not an issue, they will repair & refurbish their 'vans of any age. The rubbers can be replaced but its not a diy job. If the orignal parts are not available I guess a new Al-Ko axle could be fitted in its place. I wouldn't even think about attempting to detach body from existing chassis & fitting to another one, the body would most likely fall apart.

How much is the list? if its an inch or so plenty of caravans are like this so not really an issue just leave as is. It helps to spray the rubbers with silicone lubricant occasionally I find.


Personmichael
26/2/2014 at 12:19pm
 Location: Lancashire
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sounds like the rubbers have gone soft and only a refit would do.

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Personoxter
26/2/2014 at 4:18pm
 Location: NE Scotland
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Welcome to the UKCS. Sorry to hear of the problem Bob. Can you please let us know how you get on. My Carlight Commander 152 is a youth compared to yours but it is good to hear from fellow owners. Just getting mine ready for first trip of the season and the old girl is looking pretty sweet.
I have asked the mods here for forums for individual makes but I don't think they are keen on the idea.
Good luck but I'm afraid I am in the dark on the issue. Carlight Classic have been very helpful in the past so I am sure they will have a solution.

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PersonBob-Matthews
26/2/2014 at 6:28pm
 Location: Lingfield Surrey
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michell8 - The list is about 30mm across the van.
You say it helps to spray the rubbers with silicone lubricant - but how do you do that when the rubbers are inside of the axle tube?

oxter - Thank you for the welcome and nice to meet a fellow Carlight owner.


I have been tring to phone Neil at Carlight all week and no reply - maybe he is on holiday - but I don't hold much hope that they will stock the rubbers for an axle that was discontinued 30 years ago. The other problem would be getting the van to Sleaford for them to repair it if it was possible.

So, I have been looking at alternatives, like changing the axle.
I looked at Al-ko axles and am not sure of the suitability as most of them pass through the chassis and have a bolt on flange, this would mean I would need a section of Al-ko chassis to go with the axle and find a way of attaching the new chassis part to the old one.

I then came across Banbury Trailers who actually make the axle to the customer's specification and with galvanising it comes to about £320 - which I feel is a good price Full beam rubber suspension axle with solid steel arms, Knott 200x50 auto-reverse brakes, 5stud 6.5"pcd cast steel brake drums, to suit centre nave or dished wheels, bowden brake cables included. Capacity 1500kg per axle.
Full beam braked axle
I'm sure Carlight would want at least that amount to fix my old axle and if they had any old new stock (a replacement axle) my guess would be maybe £1000. The other attractive thing about fitting a different axle is that I would then have auto-reverse brakes.

Anyone have any experience of Banbury Trailer axles and Knott hubs/brakes?


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Personmichell8
26/2/2014 at 8:20pm
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On the Al-ko axles the rubbers are visible behind the hub & you can just spray them with aerosol silicone lubricant which works well enough on my 20odd yr old caravan, perhaps your type is different?

If you get that axle ensure wheels are available with tyres of correct load rating that will fit within wheel arches. The pcd of the available hubs will limit your choice of wheels if your existing ones do not fit.


Personoxter
26/2/2014 at 8:43pm
 Location: NE Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix + CRV View oxter's Profile View Profile   Reply to oxter Reply   Quote oxter Quote  
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I don't suppose you would be interested in a Carlight Commander for spares or repair? I saw this in Gumtree - don't know if still available or if the axle would fit yours or if a change would suit you?
Less than £1k
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/carlight-commandera-true-classic-others-available/1047921970

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Personoxter
27/2/2014 at 3:26pm
 Location: NE Scotland
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The link
[ http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/carlight-commandera-true-classic-others-available/1047921970

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PersonBob-Matthews
27/2/2014 at 6:27pm
 Location: Lingfield Surrey
 Outfit: Carlight Casetta View Bob-Matthews's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob-Matthews Reply   Quote Bob-Matthews Quote  
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Hi Michell, yes the rubbers on my axle are not visible at all due to the swing arm end. I understand about the PCD, the Carlight wheels are 5 stud, 15" rims with a 5" PCD - which won't fit any of the Banbury axles.

oxter - Thank you for the link - that's a lot of caravan for the money - if only I had the space to accommodate it, I would be sorely tempted.

Bob


Personarc systems
27/2/2014 at 11:53pm
 Location: None Entered
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It might be worth mentioning drums can generally be redrilled to suit different bolt PCD's


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PersonBob-Matthews
28/2/2014 at 7:20am
 Location: Lingfield Surrey
 Outfit: Carlight Casetta View Bob-Matthews's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob-Matthews Reply   Quote Bob-Matthews Quote  
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That's a good point and would mean I could retain the original wheels.
I will be measuring up the axle this weekend (weather permitting) and will speak to Banbury early next week.


Personoxter
28/2/2014 at 7:59am
 Location: NE Scotland
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Or you could look at this if you have a spare £27,500

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/CaravanClubApps/Applications/caravan-classifieds/details.aspx?id=689891&page=1

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Personoxter
06/3/2014 at 11:11am
 Location: NE Scotland
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Bob

Just spotted this ad in the classifieds which might help you.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/forsale/v/Trailer-axle-collection-&-repair-service/20209

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PersonBob-Matthews
06/3/2014 at 8:40pm
 Location: Lingfield Surrey
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Thanks for that oxter, I'll give him a call


Personoxter
28/3/2014 at 7:14pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Bob-Matthews on 06/3/2014Thanks for that oxter, I'll give him a call


How did you get on Bob?

Here's a thread you might find interesting
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=8&TopicID=254800

Interesting pics of a vintage

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