Shock Absorbers with Motor Mover

[Dirky]

I write on behalf of my Brother-in-law.

He has a Bailey Senator California 2009, on purchasing the caravan he asked the Dealer if they could fit the motor mover from his part-ex, they did this with no problem, but when he collected the caravan he was handed the shock absorbers in a carrier bag saying these were not needed on the van, since then we have had conflicting information regarding the necessity of the Shock Absorbers.

He has been told by the dealer that they have spoken to the manufacturer and they say they are not required - but why fit them on the caravan in the first place if not required.

When his van went in for a service, the company asked him where his shock absorbers were, he informed them of what his dealer had told him, they then proceeded to tell him that if an item is fitted to a caravan then it should remain on the caravan, and charged him £60 to refit the shock absorbers.

Could anybody out there please advise us as to whether these shock absorbers are required or not.

Any information would be greatly appreciated

[john (smiffy)]

i think they were removed to make it easier to fit mover instead of the correct way
im not sure on the new models
but on some a few years back the mover had to be fitted behind the wheels & not in front
because the shocks would would not let the drive tight against the wheels

as for do you need them i would say if there fitted leave them on

ask your B-I-L if he can engage & use the mover properly with the shocks fitted

if so i would ask the people who fitted the mover for the cost of refitting the shocks

[john]

My view is if the dealer has now fitted the shock absorber and the motor mover is still in place and functional the mover firm told you a lie.

[Dirky]

It's the Dealer who fitted the mover and removed the shocks, and the dealer who told him the lie.
Thanks for all replies, I'll be sure to pass them all on.

[klyne]

Shock absorbers are not required to be fitted to caravans in the UK but they make a much needed improvement to road holding and I would not now have a van without them fitted. Caravan manufacturers are not going to waste money fitting them if they are not needed! I think the truth of the matter is that they were not compatible with the motor mover being fitted. There were problems with some early models of Carver/Truma and Powertouch movers.

David