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Topic: Servicing tow hitch question

V6Steve

02/7/2023 at 11:09am
Location: Chatham Kent
Outfit: Elddis Elf

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Hi. I have a 1996 Elddis Elf. Probably the smallest van that they constructed (about 950kg). I'm giving the running gear a service. Brakes/bearings and tow hitch.
I have a question concerning the damper on the hitch. As I pull away there's a slight "bonk" on the hitch which is the draw-bar coming to the end of its travel. As its probably unlikely its been changed for a new one in a long time I thought I'd change it but now its off and I can compress it, it still seams quite firm to me. Do these dampers go soft over time and use? I don't want to waste my money on a new one if the one I have is working. Input on this would be most welcome. Thanks. S

billy

via mobile 02/7/2023 at 11:53am
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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The slight clonk is the damper on the way out even though it is still hard to compress by hand. Replace it I would suggest. Also the draw tube should slide smoothly in the bushes. The plastic bushes can expand over time so if tube does not slide smoothly you can ream the bushes a bit with glass paper wrapped around a suitably sized stick.

Post last edited on 02/07/2023 11:57:53

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V6Steve

02/7/2023 at 12:03pm
Location: Chatham Kent
Outfit: Elddis Elf

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Thanks for that billy. You are probably correct. As I have it out of the hitch it does make good sense to put a new one in. The hitch is an Al-Ko so it'll be easy to find a new one.

Colin21

02/7/2023 at 12:44pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Must admit I've not heard of the Elf, is it a 2 berth? It is a similar weight to my 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT so it can't be a lot smaller I wouldn't think. My Wisp is a 4 berth though, although there are only 2 of us now so it is quite roomy for us.

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Colin

V6Steve

02/7/2023 at 3:37pm
Location: Chatham Kent
Outfit: Elddis Elf

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Hi Colin. The Elf is only 193cm wide. I think they were made up to 1997 and it doesn't suprise me you may not have heard of it as I can never find even a mention of it in any of the service manuals or Elddis literature.
Seams like a bit of a secret.
There's a page on FB for pre 2000 Elddis vans and I have seen a few pop up on there sometimes. The interior is identical to the small versions of the Wisp but the front windows are the "three" type and are prone to leaks in that area. I had to replace most of the framework in that area a couple of years ago. The floor had de-laminated up the middle as well and I've also done that. Towing it is a doddle with our XF.

Colin21

02/7/2023 at 3:58pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Hi Steve. Yes I go on that Facebook page occasionally. Our Wisp has the three windows at the front, unlike some of them, and I have exactly that problem at the moment. We would normally be away with it this week and/or next but I'm in the middle of carrying out the repairs. The floor seems ok at the moment so we are hoping to get a few more years out of it. Hopefully we will be going away later in the year with it, but being retired we always avoid going anywhere during school holidays as we've been through all that. Too expensive and too crowded everywhere.

We have a 2008 X Trail, and that barely notices the caravan on the back. It hardly even affects our fuel consumption.

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Colin

V6Steve

02/7/2023 at 4:14pm
Location: Chatham Kent
Outfit: Elddis Elf

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Yes I think there were some Wisps with the three windows arrangement. The water ingress is mostly due to the front panel (plastic) cracking above the windows under the rail that the windows slides into. Really, all the windows need to come off the van, and the seals (you can use them again) Then go inside and remove the inner paneling to reveal the rotten wood frame. I'm lucky enough to have all the woodworking tools. The reason for all this is that the rain gets in and rots the top woodwork of the frame. Then, the weight of the windows causes the front roof to sag, then the cracks appear.
Make a measurement drawing of the whole frame before you pull it all to bits. If you need pictures let me know but I'll need your email to send them. We too are retired so we know your pain as to when you go for a break!
My next step is to fit a tow bar to the wife's Mazda CX5 as it will tow better than the Jag I think.

Colin21

02/7/2023 at 5:11pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Thanks Steve, the job's nearly finished now though. Just a few bits of tidying up left to do. You are absolutely right about how it starts. I found 3 cracks exactly as you described. I'm no expert but I enjoy a bit of woodwork and I had all the necessary tools except for a step-platform that I needed to get at the outside. That cost me about £60.

I got a quote before I started from the local dealer where I bought the van as a trade sale a few years back. £2,000 plus they said, but they wouldn't commit to how big the plus might be! I think I've saved myself about 90% of that, as probably most of it was labour. All in all I am very happy with the caravan as I paid £1,100 for it initially, and all I have really spent on it so far is for a new water heater that I fitted 2 years ago. This window job is the biggest expense to date, and I think that's only going to cost about £200 as I've hardly anything left to buy.

We've had some great holidays with the van, and I'm sure we will have more. We are planning to visit West Sussex later in the year. Not sure exactly where yet but it's somewhere we haven't been for a while.

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Colin

V6Steve

02/7/2023 at 5:23pm
Location: Chatham Kent
Outfit: Elddis Elf

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Oh, good to see you've nearly sorted it. I had to melt some white ABS plastic using acetone to use as glue to seal all the cracks, then repair the wood at the floor as when that goes the whole window section sags. Also put some shelf supports under the front window sill to help with the load. I was lucky enough to find a half-wall board panel that matches the board in the van for £20. It just went inside the Jag as well.
We haven't been very far since we bought it. Covid came along so I thought I'd do the window frame repair. I'm doing some engine servicing on the CX5 and as soon as I've done that we will start using the van. Funny, we were looking at east or west Sussex just this afternoon. Never know, we may meet up!.

Colin21

02/7/2023 at 5:38pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Yes we may well meet up down there! looking at your location you probably have a similar distance to us to travel. It's a nice area and my wife wants to visit West Wittering while we are there as she has never been. Looking at campsites nearby they are a bit too expensive for us so we will probably look further inland and go there for a day out. We often do that sort of thing.

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Colin

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