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Quote: Originally posted by D-4-v-e on 01/9/2009

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Getting your 'van 7months ago would presumably mean you were out caravanning during the winter when the roads were gritted? This salty environment would speed up the dulling of the shiny finish, having said that it looks pretty much the same as my al-ko chassis though yours is considerably cleaner than mine! Nothing to worry about so far as I can see.

Hi.

The chassis on my 2005 Lunar Lexon is worse than yours.

I left it parked on a coastal site in western France for three

years, and the sea air (salt) caused the problem, I had it checked

by a main dealer when I brought it home, and they said there were no

problems as the oxidisation was surface only, so no worries.

The only time to worry is when the galv. breaks down, and then you

get rust???????

Cheers.

T.

 

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You say you've not travelled on any gritted roads but how did the 'van get to the dealers in the first place? it may not have been on the back of a lorry. Many times I have seen lorries loaded with brand new caravans and one being towed. If the 'van was fresh from the factory and not sat on a forecourt, it being delivered in this way last winter could be a factor in the rapid dulling. It would be in the right time frame of when the bad weather struck, we were out in it and had a great time!

I wouldn't try adding more protection on a new chassis. If it leaves a sticky residue it will attract more dirt which may retain moisture and encourage rusting to start.

After the winter with my 'van having had a pelting of grit and salt the underside just got a good wash down with the hosepipe. Once it had dried out I regreased the threads and oiled the pivot points on the corner steadies. Job done, nothing to worry about.

Had a reply from Bailey & Alko - they are just intent on stating warranty statements pointing the finger at each other but the sh*t wont stick to either.

Hows this for customer service. Statement from Bailey that they dont manfacture the mechanical bits so its not really their problem. Come on - they buy all the bits put it together surely the buck stops with the final manufacturer.

Are you telling me that if your Car assembled by thousands of parts from different manufacturers but if the altenator is fautly or substandard you would get a response like i had from Bailey. Or a bolt on your car is rusty but it was made by a company in India so tough sh*t.

Whats the world coming too

 It says in the Alko book that came with my Pathfinder.On page 5 under maintenance quote.The formation of white rust is only a blemish and can never be excluded completly.   In other words its completely normal and nothing to worry about.