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Has anyone had experience of the Alco ATC system fitted to some of the newer vans. It is supposed to apply the brakes on the caravan automatically when it detects side ways movement and therefore stop snaking.

I bought a new series 7 Bailey at the end of last summer that has the ATC fitted. Used it several times without any problems apart from one trip I made when it seemed to apply the brakes for a second or so for no apparent reason. This happened on the outward Journey and on the return, I was on a straight piece of road at the time and could see no reason for it to come on. It took me by surprise and was a bit worrying as I wondered what was going on.

I reported this to Alco who did not seen to think there was a problem.

Has anyone had a simlar problem with theres?

We got ATC, no problems with ours.

Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 21/2/2009

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I have heard that it can be activated by poor wheel balancing.

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must work and has been tested all through,do not like the idea of it braking when i am not.just my opinion petrol use will rise due to the ongoing braking.

http://www.al-koatc.co.uk/

http://www.al-koatc.co.uk/pages/watchthevideo.htm

Quote: Originally posted by michael on 21/2/2009

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petrol use will rise due to the ongoing braking.

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Quote: Originally posted by Mr Brittass on 21/2/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 21/2/2009

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I have heard that it can be activated by poor wheel balancing.

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Hi, my goodness! how?
regards

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If you were fitting new tyres to your car you would have them balanced as a matter of course, any tyre fitting place includes it in the cost. Unfortunately caravan places seem to fit tyres without balacing them.

I would say get your caravan tyres changed at your local Kwik Fit or ATS not when you get your caravan serviced. Unbalanced wheels on a caravan will wear the bearings as well.

Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 22/2/2009

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IMO the likes of ATC are a great step forward simply because they make a towed caravan, which even the best are capable of going unstable, significantly safer. You can’t have a better placed intent than to improve safety.

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I would say that if car/caravan is correctly loaded there is no need for such devices. Unfortunately when reading these boards regularly it becomes clear that some folk have no understanding or concept of  correct loading/matching of car/caravan.

Hopefully by taking advice on here they gain knowledge & understanding.

If devices such as this will save a dangerously loaded outfit then so well & good but I'm sure the manufacturers would not claim their safety devices make a dangerous outfit safe.

I suppose it could be argued that the knowlegable(& well financed)caravanner adds these safety devices when they are not really needed whereas those that need them most(the unknowing 'vanner with badly matched outfit)do not.

Quote: Originally posted by MartyM on 22/2/2009

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I would say that if car/caravan is correctly loaded there is no need for such devices. -- they are not really needed whereas those that need them most(the unknowing 'vanner with badly matched outfit)do not.

Thanks for the replies.

I agree that the ATC if working properly is a big step forward in making towing safer.

I had towed the van probably 1000 miles previously without any problem. The last trip of last season was no more than 50 miles. A straight piece of road and travelling at about 45 mph when the van brakes came on, only for about a second but enough to make the tyres squeal. It took me very much by surprise and I wondered what the hell was going on. The same thing occurred on the return leg.

I never considered that it might be a tyre imbalance, I have not had them checked and would think that was done when the Tyrons were fitted. and I have felt no vibration that would normally occur with this.

Talking to Alko, the engineer says it is the system checking itself to see that all is working properly.

The van has been laid up over the winter and will be out for its first trip shortly. I will wait and see if the problem arises again.