Things to be aware of with regard European Caravans (continued)

Are you considering buying a caravan or just checking the condition of your vehicle? 

This is part 2 of the blog regarding European Caravans, so you might want to read part 1 first, then come back to part 2

So you have already read part 1, all about the axles used for the European Caravans; we will now talk about the consequences of towing with a faulty axle

What happens when the caravan is being towed

Imagine what it might be like to sit in the back of your caravan while towing down a bumpy NZ road at 90km per hour. (please don't try it!)
Frightening hey? Now imagine what it would be like when the axle has no flex left in it. The road shock is transferred to the caravan structure and internal cabinetry, which results in the shaking and breaking loose of all the internal fastenings and components. Eventually, you will be towing a flexible leaking container full of loose cabinetry. See this link for just such an example.

For your entertainment, I put in a link to Top Gear so you can see what not to do 

About the caravan chassis construction
The ALKO chassis is not welded (for build convenience); it is made up of multiple interchangeable galvanized pressed steel components that are all bolted together. The design is very versatile enabling manufacturers to use the same axle for a variety of models.

The key to the strength of this design is that the internal cabinetry acts as bulkheads, holding the floor, the walls, and the roof together. If there is any flex in the chassis (and in this case, I am thinking of the tow hitch), the forces are transferred through the entire vehicle.
            
The tow hitch 
The tow hitch and components attached to it are subject to the most significant forces within the caravan.
As the tow vehicle accelerates, decelerates, and turns in different directions, these forces are transferred via the front bulkhead (the one inside the gas locker) to the rest of the caravan by way of the floor and sidewalls. The front bulkhead is, therefore, an area that is most likely to start moving. To check if your front bulkhead has movement, ensure the four outer steadies are lifted off the ground, and only the jockey wheel is down, or the caravan is attached to the tow vehicle. Open the gas locker and look where the bulkhead meets the sidewalls; get someone else to move the caravan up and down using the front wall handles; if there is only the slightest bit of movement at the bulkhead-to-wall connection, then your problems have already started.  

If  there is movement, don't despair
The vehicle can be repaired; we can find the source of the problem, fix it, and then set the chassis back to factory settings and reattach the walls to the bulkheads, which will stiffen up the vehicle as the original.

Conclusion
If you have any doubt about the caravan, the way it is towing, if it is wallowing or jerking excessively, then you will probably need to have it checked.