Great video. I spent this morning getting my Al-ko jack points off as one was badly bent. I reckon this solution is much better solution. I had my van up on axle stands as I’m having new tyres fitted. But it dawned on me that this would be a better solution to take the weight off tyres for winter. Very confined space even with the van up on stands.
Hi Guys, I bought one of these from Towsure and fitted it a couple of weeks ago , I first thought "it's only four bolts, how hard can it be. " You're right about the swear jar , i was fitting it on my own and didn't realise how difficult it would be to get both arms and body in the correct place to tighten up the bolts , ended up using my knee at one point to get the final torque . Great video as usual , it was this that made the decision to buy . Kind Regards Dave
Other than profiteering there is no excuse why jacking points shouldn't be fitted as standard, by the chassie manufacturer. Informative video keep it up.
Thank you, and yes i completely agree. there is zero reason why there shouldn't be a jacking point as standard. Unless you have a trolly jack and are on a flat surface there is no way you could jack up a caravan on the axel tube when you have a flat tyre. Thanks again. Dan
@@TheTrudgians our new 2020 Swift Elegance 645 came with jacking points fitted as standard but unfortunately when they fitted the motor movers they needed to be removed at the moment I hope I don't have a need to Jack it up.
Great video. I was considering the Kojack but in the end bought the Alko. Got mine from Obelink (from Holland) as it was way cheaper than the UK price. Didn't get a bag but not bothered about that as it lives in the front locker anyway. The issues with awkwardness of torquing up still apply though especially on the near side due to the overhang of the spare wheel carrier.
Hi Richard, yes completely agree on the position of the nuts, but as you can see with enough swear words it can be achieved. I guess it would be easier if the van was raised up off the floor for better access etc. How do you find the ALKO jack ? I'm guessing it's the side lift variety ? take care Dan
Thanks for another helpful video. Definitely not the easiest or most comfortable things to fit but I managed it. I did resort to the 19mm socket and bar I use for putting my mover on rather than a spanner on the inside of chassis and this seemed to help along with my ratchet socket. Trying to torque bolts up was a nightmare though.
Just came across this video dan.another great help for us newbies as i was just looking at these and will be getting them directly before we go back out in the van.thanks again
Hi there. Is there an update on this installation? I wonder how you are getting on. I also winder if you fitted it directly to the aluminium chassis rail. If so, did you ever choose to fit a rubber pad to prevent galvanic corrosion? Thanks.
I said on an earlier video how bad the van builder don't include jacking points , anyone buying new, I would recommend getting them to fit jacking points at point of sale ( bargaining)
Apologies Dan, I have now read the detail from the manufacturer and realise that I asked a very stupid question indeed and have removed it, thanks Dan!
Hi guys love your vids very informative. I have bought a new twin axel van and had quad motor movers fitted but to do so the dealer has removed the alco jacking points, any ideas for jacking it up now?
Great video Dan, however why place flat against the floor? The floor should not be load bearing as I understand, therefore all the caravan weight should be taken by the two bolts and jack point. Do I understand correctly?
Hi Roger, the jacking plates fit unto the floor, but apply no pressure to them etc. When fully jacked up, you can in fact slide a piece of paper on top of the jacking points, this shows the floor is not supporting the weight, and only the approved ALKO jacking location is being used. I hope that helps, let me know if you need any more info. Dan
Well followed the vid interesting and informative as usual. In the end yes why don't they fit them already but hey! Got the kit its much better these days no chips and the brackets smarter. Still a pain to fit and get the torque and it says ensure the spacers on the bolt head side then nut on the back. had to redo one side. read the instructions as they say! I paid 86 quid in aug 21 . fits nicely . Yes two sets of hands are better to get the torque but a bit of origami with the legs will still do it. Hopefully won't have to use it in anger. it came also with two spare spirit levels! many thanks for great vids. I have a lunar ultra with movers and didn't have an issue with them or the spare tyre.
Thanks for this but I notice that the brackets are available separately for around £30 and you can get a 2tonne Hilka bottle jack from Screwfix for £10. Would it be possible for you to provide the min and max heights of the jack provided with the KoJack system? Thanks.
Hi Peter, a standard bottle jack won't fit under the brackets here (ive tried) - The Ko-Jack bottle jack has a very low profile. For the correct information, i suggest you contact Ko-Jack directly. Thanks. Dan
Probably shouldn't be saying this but the jacking brackets would be easy to manufacturer with a engineering welding back ground. Probably go as far as to say you could make small slots as opposed to dead size holes for 1/2" movement and then if you already have a bottle jack then no need to buy that
Hi Graham, you are probably correct there. the only thing i noticed however was the lack of space getting a standard bottle jack underneath, It was quite a challenge.
@@TheTrudgians Yes did notice they used two round bars welded that were stepped I would use flat bar with a bit more land to take a bottle jack made out of 10mm over that width it will take the weight no trouble. plus not copying their patent if it is patented lol
Dan made my two brackets this morning to fasten to chassis all in all 2 hours from cutting 10mm x 25mm flat steel , two holes in each strap and a 40mm x 40mm x 3mm wall cut off at 75mm long which is then fully welded at the bottom of the flat. I would love to know how i could upload a picture onto youtube for me to show finished item once I have painted them if you could give me some bullet points, Bottle jack in the morning and job done once I have fastened the brackets using 10mm or 11mm bolts and locknuts with washers onto the chassis utilising the two holes you identified in your video close to the axle
Astonishing that the vans don’t come with proper jacking points ready fitted or incorporated. I suspect that in some models the fragile floor of the van could end up carrying some of the load.
These look great, (i do like Purplelines products)..........but one question: If these can be used for levelling on a sloping pitch.......do they recommend we still put something under the wheels of the jacked up side? My feeling is we should? Does it say in the instructions?
HI Nick, to be honest I would level up as usual and not use the jack. If you needed too I would jack up and insert planks under the tyre to raise the 'van. Another great benefit of this jack is being able to "align" your wheel with the ALKO lock. this would again be excellent for twin axle vans, where both wheels need aligning etc. Hope that helps. Dan
Ok - Yep I hear you. Mine is a twin axle with the wheel inserts fitted, but I dont use them, because of the hassle of aligning the wheel, which as you say this jack would solve. I personally use a Purpleline Nemesis wheel lock (Highly recommend), and a very thick padlock and chain to the other wheel. I can see this Jack would be useful for changing wheels and generally working under the van though. It might be worth noting also that your kit is for single axle only, There is a twin axle version which is another £20 and comes with 2 additional brackets to fit....... all the best Dan
You might not have meant it that way, but you should not work under a vehicle supported on a jack; it should be on stands. The jack is needed to get it onto the stands though, obviously.
@@TheTrudgians when I tried on my Compass Corona 482, the tyre jams on the chassis unless the van is raised at least 3 inches. I used a trolley jack on the steel suspension plate but t is difficult to set up and on the roadside or soft ground would be near impossible - hence why I'm looking for another system. I'll try with a bottle jack in the right relative place for the jack brackets and see what clearance I have. Otherwise good video although it would have been nice to see you complete the jacking and change the wheel
check out my other video on changing a caravan tyre, you can see us changing our tyre for the spare whilst in the storage yard. ua-cam.com/video/6WXt6VhzpZ4/v-deo.html
A bit difficult to read those spirit levels! It does not matter about any gap under the floor - you say yourself the floor does not and should not carry weight. 18mm AF bolt and 19mm AF nut! Why can't these clowns standardise? BTW, no-one needs to go out an buy a torque wrench for this job - it's "agricultural" engineering, not critical. The torque you mentioned is just the traditional value for an M12 bolt. Just do it up tight - it won't fall off. Is the jack range enough to lift from a flat tyre? Peter Bird asked something like this and you suggested asking Kojack. You mean you have not found out or tried it yourself? Better to find out in a rehearsal at home than by the side of the road on a dark wet night!
@@andysherman711 Must admit that would not have occurred to me, having a huge collection of spanners of all sizes and types. Is that really the thing? Only trouble might be if 18 and 19 are on opposite ends of the same spanner! - I do have some like that.
Great video. I spent this morning getting my Al-ko jack points off as one was badly bent. I reckon this solution is much better solution. I had my van up on axle stands as I’m having new tyres fitted. But it dawned on me that this would be a better solution to take the weight off tyres for winter. Very confined space even with the van up on stands.
Hi Guys, I bought one of these from Towsure and fitted it a couple of weeks ago , I first thought "it's only four bolts, how hard can it be. "
You're right about the swear jar , i was fitting it on my own and didn't realise how difficult it would be to get both arms and body in the correct place to tighten up the bolts , ended up using my knee at one point to get the final torque .
Great video as usual , it was this that made the decision to buy .
Kind Regards Dave
Can't believe how much weight you have lost. Well done sir.
Other than profiteering there is no excuse why jacking points shouldn't be fitted as standard, by the chassie manufacturer. Informative video keep it up.
Thank you, and yes i completely agree. there is zero reason why there shouldn't be a jacking point as standard. Unless you have a trolly jack and are on a flat surface there is no way you could jack up a caravan on the axel tube when you have a flat tyre.
Thanks again.
Dan
@@TheTrudgians our new 2020 Swift Elegance 645 came with jacking points fitted as standard but unfortunately when they fitted the motor movers they needed to be removed at the moment I hope I don't have a need to Jack it up.
Great video. I was considering the Kojack but in the end bought the Alko. Got mine from Obelink (from Holland) as it was way cheaper than the UK price. Didn't get a bag but not bothered about that as it lives in the front locker anyway. The issues with awkwardness of torquing up still apply though especially on the near side due to the overhang of the spare wheel carrier.
Hi Richard, yes completely agree on the position of the nuts, but as you can see with enough swear words it can be achieved. I guess it would be easier if the van was raised up off the floor for better access etc.
How do you find the ALKO jack ? I'm guessing it's the side lift variety ?
take care
Dan
Thanks for another helpful video. Definitely not the easiest or most comfortable things to fit but I managed it. I did resort to the 19mm socket and bar I use for putting my mover on rather than a spanner on the inside of chassis and this seemed to help along with my ratchet socket. Trying to torque bolts up was a nightmare though.
Just came across this video dan.another great help for us newbies as i was just looking at these and will be getting them directly before we go back out in the van.thanks again
Hi there. Is there an update on this installation? I wonder how you are getting on. I also winder if you fitted it directly to the aluminium chassis rail. If so, did you ever choose to fit a rubber pad to prevent galvanic corrosion? Thanks.
I said on an earlier video how bad the van builder don't include jacking points , anyone buying new, I would recommend getting them to fit jacking points at point of sale (
bargaining)
Hi. For a twin axle van do you need 4 brackets, 1 either side of wheels each side or just the 2. Thx
Apologies Dan, I have now read the detail from the manufacturer and realise that I asked a very stupid question indeed and have removed it, thanks Dan!
Are the brackets the wrong way round?
Hi guys love your vids very informative. I have bought a new twin axel van and had quad motor movers fitted but to do so the dealer has removed the alco jacking points, any ideas for jacking it up now?
Great video Dan, however why place flat against the floor? The floor should not be load bearing as I understand, therefore all the caravan weight should be taken by the two bolts and jack point. Do I understand correctly?
Hi Roger, the jacking plates fit unto the floor, but apply no pressure to them etc. When fully jacked up, you can in fact slide a piece of paper on top of the jacking points, this shows the floor is not supporting the weight, and only the approved ALKO jacking location is being used.
I hope that helps, let me know if you need any more info.
Dan
Well followed the vid interesting and informative as usual. In the end yes why don't they fit them already but hey! Got the kit its much better these days no chips and the brackets smarter. Still a pain to fit and get the torque and it says ensure the spacers on the bolt head side then nut on the back. had to redo one side. read the instructions as they say! I paid 86 quid in aug 21 . fits nicely . Yes two sets of hands are better to get the torque but a bit of origami with the legs will still do it. Hopefully won't have to use it in anger. it came also with two spare spirit levels! many thanks for great vids. I have a lunar ultra with movers and didn't have an issue with them or the spare tyre.
forgot to say had to put my hat in silly mode as demonstrated to do this job ;-)
Why aren't jacking plates not in stalled at point of manafacture.
Thanks for this but I notice that the brackets are available separately for around £30 and you can get a 2tonne Hilka bottle jack from Screwfix for £10. Would it be possible for you to provide the min and max heights of the jack provided with the KoJack system? Thanks.
Hi Peter, a standard bottle jack won't fit under the brackets here (ive tried) - The Ko-Jack bottle jack has a very low profile. For the correct information, i suggest you contact Ko-Jack directly.
Thanks.
Dan
Probably shouldn't be saying this but the jacking brackets would be easy to manufacturer with a engineering welding back ground. Probably go as far as to say you could make small slots as opposed to dead size holes for 1/2" movement and then if you already have a bottle jack then no need to buy that
Hi Graham, you are probably correct there. the only thing i noticed however was the lack of space getting a standard bottle jack underneath, It was quite a challenge.
@@TheTrudgians Yes did notice they used two round bars welded that were stepped I would use flat bar with a bit more land to take a bottle jack made out of 10mm over that width it will take the weight no trouble. plus not copying their patent if it is patented lol
Dan made my two brackets this morning to fasten to chassis all in all 2 hours from cutting 10mm x 25mm flat steel , two holes in each strap and a 40mm x 40mm x 3mm wall cut off at 75mm long which is then fully welded at the bottom of the flat. I would love to know how i could upload a picture onto youtube for me to show finished item once I have painted them if you could give me some bullet points, Bottle jack in the morning and job done once I have fastened the brackets using 10mm or 11mm bolts and locknuts with washers onto the chassis utilising the two holes you identified in your video close to the axle
Astonishing that the vans don’t come with proper jacking points ready fitted or incorporated.
I suspect that in some models the fragile floor of the van could end up carrying some of the load.
These look great, (i do like Purplelines products)..........but one question: If these can be used for levelling on a sloping pitch.......do they recommend we still put something under the wheels of the jacked up side? My feeling is we should? Does it say in the instructions?
HI Nick, to be honest I would level up as usual and not use the jack. If you needed too I would jack up and insert planks under the tyre to raise the 'van. Another great benefit of this jack is being able to "align" your wheel with the ALKO lock. this would again be excellent for twin axle vans, where both wheels need aligning etc.
Hope that helps.
Dan
Ok - Yep I hear you. Mine is a twin axle with the wheel inserts fitted, but I dont use them, because of the hassle of aligning the wheel, which as you say this jack would solve. I personally use a Purpleline Nemesis wheel lock (Highly recommend), and a very thick padlock and chain to the other wheel. I can see this Jack would be useful for changing wheels and generally working under the van though. It might be worth noting also that your kit is for single axle only, There is a twin axle version which is another £20 and comes with 2 additional brackets to fit....... all the best Dan
You might not have meant it that way, but you should not work under a vehicle supported on a jack; it should be on stands. The jack is needed to get it onto the stands though, obviously.
why did you fit the twin axle brackets when you have a single axle van.
umm, we didn't. We fitted the single axle version - check the link in the description to the model we fitted.
@@TheTrudgians umm yes you did. Check again.
Chris Derrick no they didn’t
@@jimjam8149 yes they did.
Hi have you made a vid of you using the jack as would love to see it working and find out what you think.
Excellent, well done
Thank you Marc.
as you have to jack up the van to fully pull out the wheel carrier to lift the wheel out, won't the bottle jack be in the way?
Hi Michael, we managed to pull the spare wheel out without jacking the caravan up, it is not easy but it can be done.
Hope that helps
Dan
@@TheTrudgians when I tried on my Compass Corona 482, the tyre jams on the chassis unless the van is raised at least 3 inches. I used a trolley jack on the steel suspension plate but t is difficult to set up and on the roadside or soft ground would be near impossible - hence why I'm looking for another system. I'll try with a bottle jack in the right relative place for the jack brackets and see what clearance I have. Otherwise good video although it would have been nice to see you complete the jacking and change the wheel
check out my other video on changing a caravan tyre, you can see us changing our tyre for the spare whilst in the storage yard. ua-cam.com/video/6WXt6VhzpZ4/v-deo.html
Why was it named after that 70s TV detective played by the late great Telly Savalas? lol
haha, I have no idea.
Thanks
Dan
its a Jack for an Al-'Ko' chassis is the only reason i can see why.
A bit difficult to read those spirit levels! It does not matter about any gap under the floor - you say yourself the floor does not and should not carry weight.
18mm AF bolt and 19mm AF nut! Why can't these clowns standardise? BTW, no-one needs to go out an buy a torque wrench for this job - it's "agricultural" engineering, not critical. The torque you mentioned is just the traditional value for an M12 bolt. Just do it up tight - it won't fall off.
Is the jack range enough to lift from a flat tyre? Peter Bird asked something like this and you suggested asking Kojack. You mean you have not found out or tried it yourself? Better to find out in a rehearsal at home than by the side of the road on a dark wet night!
Standard thing with the nut and bolt size. Not everyone may have 2 of the same size spanner’s so hence the 2 different sizes.
@@andysherman711 Must admit that would not have occurred to me, having a huge collection of spanners of all sizes and types. Is that really the thing? Only trouble might be if 18 and 19 are on opposite ends of the same spanner! - I do have some like that.
Duke Nukem I must admit though, 18mm? To me that’s an odd size! 16mm / 17mm / 19mm but I don’t have an 18mm 🤣
Caravans should never be jacked up unless hitched to a tow vehicle, to prevent them pivoting round and falling off the jack.