Alko ESC

L

LUK77Y

Active Member
Dec 22, 2012
125
40
28
Central Coast - NSW
Hey boys & girls,

I've been very quiet lately, busy busy ...

Anyways, have booked Expanda in for Alko ESC being fitted. Have Jayco Newy scheduled to do the work. I've read many articles and researched the technology considerable well.

Would like to hear anyones feedback on having ESC retrofitted to an older van?

Cheers/
Luke
 
CJ1177

CJ1177

Active Member
Jan 28, 2013
250
100
43
Newcastle
www.facebook.com
I have recently had my van retrofitted by Jayco Newy, what can I say....
I booked the van in & the lady on the phone had no idea about ESC, so the install guy gave me a call back but even he was vague, but i did manage to get out of him that he will splice the supply wire into the pin 2 battery hotwire lead.

I dropped the van off, the guys I handed it over too had no idea on ESC, arranged a pick up time.

I got a phone call the following day to come get it, so knocked off work early & turned up to collect the van & had an argument with the office because they said it wasn't ready, & I'm saying well I got a phone call to say it was ready, any way they checked & it was ready, one hand doesn't talk to the other.

At handover again this guy had very little idea about the instal other than if the lights are red thats bad, if the green lights are flashing thats OK & will turn solid once you start moving & solid is great & your good to go, gave me the paperwork & said see you next time.

As far as the instal goes the main unit is screwed to the floor over the axle, & the head unit is screwed to the drawbar, albeit that I should fit new screws as one is stripped & the other is as tight as it will go but isn't holding the display unit firm, & the head unit isn't square to the drawbar.

Other than that I think it works, as a country road I was driving on the other day was quite lumpy & was pushing the car & van around from side to side & the van seeeemed to handle better than expected.
 
CJ1177

CJ1177

Active Member
Jan 28, 2013
250
100
43
Newcastle
www.facebook.com
I forgot to add, they also installed two lovely big stickers on the van, one under the grab handle & one under the number plate to tell the world that the van has ESC installed.

I'm not normally a fan of stickers, so let me say they didn't last long....
 
L

LUK77Y

Active Member
Dec 22, 2012
125
40
28
Central Coast - NSW
Okay, will see what comes of the team at Central Coast Trailers. Dropped off last Friday, so should see it back later this week.

I will say I have used CC Trailers for a few things now, the guys are great & very professional and can highly recommend their work. The lead engineer is highly regarded by Alko.
 
L

LUK77Y

Active Member
Dec 22, 2012
125
40
28
Central Coast - NSW
Handover today with ESC fitted successfully. They've changed over the tow plug from 7 to 12 pin as mandatory requirement for the system. Hot wire running back from battery at 8mm. The guys took me throughly over the system, how it work's etc.
First drive was about 20Km's south bound on F3 without sway bars and medium 40km winds. Ideal test opportunity for van, given this part of the F3 is very prone to tunnel winds etc.

I found it to be a much more enjoyable driving experience. Absolutely, little to if at all no sway in expanda. At speed whilst overtaking semi trailers still found the alignment, control and handling of the caravan simply amazing. As I exited at Ourimbah, purposely took a route that include many round about, slow points and the van points as accurately as you turn the wheel!

First distance trip coming up shortly. Early indications are system is money well spent. Additional safety, analogue to ensuring my family is safe during our trips. ESC when first introduced to car's, was claimed as the biggest safety inclusion post seat belts. With that said, this can only be seen as eventually mandatory requirement for all caravan and boat trailers in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cruza driver and CJ1177
Brad

Brad

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2012
2,645
723
113
Rowville, Victoria
LUK77Y said:
Handover today with ESC fitted successfully. They've changed over the tow plug from 7 to 12 pin as mandatory requirement for the system. Hot wire running back from battery at 8mm. The guys took me throughly over the system, how it work's etc.
First drive was about 20Km's south bound on F3 without sway bars and medium 40km winds. Ideal test opportunity for van, given this part of the F3 is very prone to tunnel winds etc.

I found it to be a much more enjoyable driving experience. Absolutely, little to if at all no sway in expanda. At speed whilst overtaking semi trailers still found the alignment, control and handling of the caravan simply amazing. As I exited at Ourimbah, purposely took a route that include many round about, slow points and the van points as accurately as you turn the wheel!

First distance trip coming up shortly. Early indications are system is money well spent. Additional safety, analogue to ensuring my family is safe during our trips. ESC when first introduced to car's, was claimed as the biggest safety inclusion post seat belts. With that said, this can only be seen as eventually mandatory requirement for all caravan and boat trailers in the future.
Click to expand...
That's interesting... I didn't realize the ESC constantly worked like that. I thought it would only activate for more severe swaying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom