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Subject Topic: BPW chassis with AL-KO hitch? Post Reply Post New Topic
Personearmonster
28/8/2015 at 9:58am
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After a nasty experience involving a wheel falling off our Sprite Alpine C a few days back, I took it to a dealer to get the wheel hub checked out.

They called me just now to say that it needs a new drum and shoes, but they can't do the work because the van has a BPW chassis but an ALKO front end. Apparently the two aren't compatible and the van is therefore unroadworthy.

We've taken the van several hundred miles since we got it in April (and spent weeks stripping the damp and restoring it, and it all seems in good condition structurally.

So here's the question...

Is this just the company protecting themselves and the van will be fine, or have we had a lucky escape and the van is really unsafe to drive like that, and basically needs scrapping?

Any advice appreciated


Personbilly
28/8/2015 at 10:48am
 Location: North Essex
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Depends what they mean by an Alko front end. If it is just an Alko stabiliser hitch then they can be fitted to a BPW chassis no probs as Alko hitch includes vertical hole to fit BPW draw tube.

So does yours have Alko stab hitch with front fixing bolt horizontal and rear bolt vertical? If so then that is definitely ok.

If they mean complete Alko draw tube and damper bolted to BPW chassis then I can't really see a prob either provided its not some sort of lash up with extra holes drilled in chassis front end.

However if van is immobile at workshop then its a difficult one because if they refuse to do the work then you are a bit stuck.


PersonWobbly Box
29/8/2015 at 6:44pm
 Location:  Scotland
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Surely they can fit the new drum and shoes to BPW spec. Did you ask what needs to be done to make it in their opinion roadworthy.


Personearmonster
31/8/2015 at 7:29pm
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Ok, so I had some time today to go and check out the van. Although the caravan service place said it was unsafe to tow, they did hitch it to my car and let me take it away, so it's now back in storage.

I've taken done photos in case anyone can help...



here are the photos

The hitch is attached by two horizontal bolts, which I assume means that the BPW to Alko switch happens further back, but the fixing plate also looks fairly secure using 4 large bolts (see photos)

I'm tempted to ask my local mechanic to change the brake drum for me and potentially tweak the brakes which apparently aren't tuned up properly.

However it would be good to get some definite advice from anyone on here that the hitch is safe and ok to tow before paying out for any more work to be done.

Thanks again.


Personbilly
31/8/2015 at 8:57pm
 Location: North Essex
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I can see nothing wrong with that from your photos, I'd get it repaired and brakes set up properly and away you go.


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PersonWobbly Box
31/8/2015 at 10:13pm
 Location:  Scotland
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Im not qualified to comment on the pictures youve posted but I would go to a local mechanic and get the drums fitted and the brakes adjusted. A mechanic may also be able to check if the current set up is secure and in working order, if it is I dont really see ant reason not to continue using it.


Personalan126
01/9/2015 at 8:34pm
 Location: West Scotland
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that is just a standard hitch fitted with a alko 1300, you can fit alko hitches to bpw drawbars and the winterhoff to a alko. your caravan place is talking utter balls, fit bpw brake gear and away you go. getting bpw spares is easy as last year I overhauled my bpw chassis with new hitch damper, cables, shoes and springs

-------------
My E-mail

knockhill marshal and proud


PersonBattie
02/9/2015 at 6:14am
 Location: SHROPSHIRE
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Actually no you cant just fit alko to bpw. Alko state that themselves. Reason being that they have different handles. The alko handle can catch the handbrake handle therefore if during transit it popped up it has the potential to pull on the handbrake. Now wouldnt that be fun at 60mph!
this applies to certain hitches and handbrakes but is relayed through both bpw and alko.
Yours is not the type and the 4 bolts is standard fitting. So not sure what they are on about. However i would refrain from using vehicle mechanics to adjust your brakes as most dont understand the reversing mechanism and adjust them from the wrong place.
So think about what you post people because not all are compatible!!

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Personbilly
02/9/2015 at 8:33am
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
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Alko stabiliser hitches can be not compatable with Alko front ends for the reason you state although handbrake levers can be adjusted slightly to miss them. Not applicable to op question so not relevant.

Alko stab hitches with vertical bolt hole in rear are perfectly compatable with BPW front end provided fitter has sense they were born with. Its not rocket science, provided it looks ok and all functions are checked, it is ok.

'These brakes must have been adjusted by a car mechanic'... I think all caravan fitters say that, don't they?



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