Buying a European Caravan? Look out for the following issues

Are you considering buying a caravan or inspecting your vehicle?

When inspecting or purchasing a European Caravan, it is very important to check the suspension first. In New Zealand, second-hand caravan importers buy caravans at auctions in Europe at bargain prices; these caravans are often sent to auction by European dealers because they require costly repairs, and the dealers can't make a profit on them.  Those caravans are then polished up and sold in New Zealand at a premium; the local dealers may not even be aware of any issues. These dealers have subsequently given European caravans a bad reputation; a well-maintained European caravan is a good option in NZ

Where to look first

Most problems start with poorly maintained suspension and axles. First, check the suspension, including trailing arms; ensure the lever arm faces downward and that there is sufficient space for it to move up and down. Refer to the image below for guidance. Additionally, check the gap between the tyre top and the mudguard.

                            
The lever arm is supported at a 25-degree angle by rubber inserts inside the axle tube. Over time, these rubber inserts become increasingly compressed, causing the lever arms to lose their downward angle and resulting in a rigid suspension. As a result, road vibrations can damage the structure, leading to cracks in the body and allowing moisture to penetrate the interior.

Watch a video of this repair

If you already find yourself in this position, don't despair

An axle can be repaired; a refurbished axle will correct the trailing arm angle so it points downwards, raising the caravan much higher off the road surface and significantly improving towing ability.

As a rough guide, the distance from the bottom of the caravan floor to the road surface, measured at the axle, should be about 400mm with some manufacturers and 500mm with others. A refurbished or new axle will usually measure approximately 500mm, depending on the make and model.
  
                  
Be cautious not to overload your European caravan. A plate on the side of the entrance door displays the weight restrictions. If you want to know how much your caravan weighs when it is fully loaded and ready to go, you can take it to the local waste depot. They typically have a weighing bridge available, and you can weigh your caravan for a small fee for peace of mind.

The following paragraphs examine the consequences of towing a vehicle with a damaged axle.

What happens when the caravan is being towed
Imagine sitting in the back of your caravan while it's being towed down a bumpy road in New Zealand at 90 km per hour. (Please don’t try this!) It can be quite frightening, right? Now, think about what it would be like if the axle were rigid with no flexibility. In that case, the forces from the road would be transferred directly to the caravan’s structure and internal cabinetry, causing everything to shake and potentially loosen. Eventually, you would be towing a flexible, leaking container filled with dislodged cabinetry. See this link for an example of such a situation.

Watch a video of the damage caused by poor suspension.

About the caravan chassis construction
The ALKO chassis is designed for convenience and is not welded. Instead, it consists of multiple interchangeable components made from galvanised pressed steel, which are bolted together. This versatile design allows manufacturers to use the same axle across different models by simply adjusting the lengths of the chassis rails. The strength of this design relies on the internal cabinetry, which is part of the structure and is heavily supported by the bulkheads.

The bulkheads support and connect the vehicle's floor, walls, and roof. If the chassis flexes, the forces are distributed throughout the vehicle, ensuring stability and durability. The ALKO chassis is not welded (for ease of build); it comprises multiple interchangeable galvanised, pressed-steel components bolted together. The versatile design enables manufacturers to use the same axle across various models by varying chassis rail lengths.

As mentioned before, a key aspect of this design depends on the bulkheads and cabinets, which serve as structural elements that support the floor, walls, and roof. When the chassis flexes, the forces are distributed throughout the vehicle.
            
The tow hitch 
The tow hitch and its components experience the greatest forces within the caravan. When the tow vehicle accelerates, decelerates, or turns, large forces are transmitted through the front bulkhead (typically located inside the front gas locker) to the rest of the caravan via the floor and sidewalls. Consequently, the front bulkhead is the area most prone to movement. To check for any movement in your front bulkhead, ensure that the four outer steadies are lifted off the ground, leaving only the jockey wheel on the ground, or attach the caravan to a tow vehicle. Then, open the gas locker and observe where the bulkhead meets the sidewalls. Have someone else move the caravan up and down using the handles on the front wall. If you notice even the slightest movement at the connection between the bulkhead and the sidewalls, it may indicate that issues are already developing.

If there is movement, don't despair.
The vehicle is repairable. We can identify the source of the problem, correct it, and then adjust the chassis to be perfectly level in accordance with factory specifications. After that, we will reattach the walls to the bulkheads, restoring the vehicle's structural integrity.

Conclusion
If you have any doubts about the caravan, its towing, or if it is swaying or jerking excessively, you should consider having it checked.
  
If you want to ask questions, you can contact us