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Topic: Swift Corniche Alloy Chassis

jasbo

18/8/2016 at 1:29am
Location: Northamptonshire
Outfit: Abbey Freestyle 570 SE

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Hi All,

I am new to Touring and my 1990 Swift Corniche 14/4
After two wonderful vacations I have recently become aware of issues regarding the Chassis.

There appears to be excessive flex particularly at the front A Frame area. On inspection the point at which the Chassis turns inward towards the A Frame the Chassis appears to have cracked at the weld joints, only at the bottom, the wall section appears to be solid.

I am at a loss if this is normal or is an adverse condition that requires remedial action / repair.

I am of a mind to Strenghen this part of the chassis with Steel Plates Bolted Through The Chassis Wall on Each Side and to add a Steel Cross Member to give lateral support.

Any comments / advice would be most welcome.
Thank you.... Jas

Opensauce

18/8/2016 at 7:24am
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Chassis is galvanised steel. Cracks can sometimes be welded. You need to take it to a trailer repair workshop.

Repairs as you describe should not be carried out as chassis is thin heat treated steel which relies on stresses being equally distributed around chassis.

jasbo

18/8/2016 at 10:08am
Location: Northamptonshire
Outfit: Abbey Freestyle 570 SE

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thank you for your advice / comments. the chassis is the Alco Alluminium Type with sold walls, there are no cut ots as you would normally find on galvanised chassis.

Because the material used to make the chassis is very thin alloy and has a tendancy to flex easily I am unsure if adding strengthening plates / cross member will help or have an adverse effect....

Opensauce

18/8/2016 at 11:43am
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Cracked chassis need to be welded, they should not be drilled & braced as you propose as it prevents load being evenly distributed through chassis which will cause further cracks.

edwind

18/8/2016 at 8:34pm
Location: herne bay kent
Outfit: compass connoisseur

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We had a 1990 Swift Corniche 14/4 (see profile pics) a few years ago, that had the Aluminium chassis. I felt there was quite a bit of flex at the front from the hitch to where the body mounts started, there were no visible cracks.

Certainly would need welding to maintain the weight distribution as Opensauce says.

Robbie

19/8/2016 at 1:47pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Coachman 520 2019 Volvo V60 D4

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This was a common fault on Swifts with the alloy chassis. They were introduced by Swift for lightness but they later went back to galvanised steel chassis from Alko.

I'm sure you will find lots of information on these if you search.

tango55

19/8/2016 at 2:05pm
Location: Lichfield
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An 'alloy' is a combination of two or more melted metals combined, so what alloy are we specifically talking about here that a caravan chassis was once made from?
Aluminium although light is too soft so normally contains zinc to make it structurally stronger and if this is the case then welding this material will require a much lower heat in comparison to welding mild steel otherwise it will just disintegrate under the intense heat. You will also find that special welding rods will be required for this application that's why it's important to know exactly what type of alloy the chassis is made from.

Johnnie Boy

19/8/2016 at 6:58pm
Location: Cleveland
Outfit: Swift select 164

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Me thinks to carry out any repairs you would need to get the welding procedures specifications from the chassis fabricator and some body who has the qualifications to carry out the job.

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