AL-KO ESC Frequently Asked Questions
At AL-KO, we are constantly listening to our customers needs and requirements. We have been documenting the questions you have been asking lately and have compiled them in to the F.A.Q on this page. If you have any questions about AL-KO ESC that are not included on this list, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Q. How much will AL-KO ESC cost?
A. The average cost of fitting AL-KO ESC on to a new caravan is approximately $1000 plus GST.
If you are purchasing a new caravan, we suggest you contact your caravan dealer for full details regarding the cost of having AL-KO ESC supplied and installed.
Q. How much will AL-KO ESC cost for retrofit to my existing caravan?
A. The average cost of fitting AL-KO ESC on to your existing caravan is approximately $1,200 - $1,500 plus GST, plus any costs associated with the wiring required for your tow vehicle. Your Certified Installer will confirm the actual cost to install AL-KO ESC
Q. Is AL-KO ESC currently available for installation on new caravans?
A. Yes, As of June 2012, AL-KO ESC is available to caravan manufacturers for installation on new caravans. If you are in the market for a new caravan insist on having AL-KO ESC fitted.
Q. Can I have AL-KO ESC retrofitted to my existing caravan?
A. Availability for retrofit to caravans with AL-KO brakes, axles and approved suspensions by specialist certified installers has commenced. Please register your interest to receive regular updates in regards to progress in this department.
Q. Who are my local AL-KO ESC dealers/installers?
A. Retrofit of AL-KO ESC will be available only by certified specialist installers. A list of the current members of the AL-KO ESC Certified Installer netwrok is available here. To book a fitment to your caravan, please complete the retrofit booking form available here
Q. What certification will my local ESC dealer/installer have?
A. A certified dealer / installer will have specific training on ESC installation.
Q. I don't have any AL-KO running gear on my van, will AL-KO ESC still work?
A. To date, AL-KO ESC has only been developed to work on AL-KO Brakes and approved Suspension brands. Testing and development with other brands of brakes and suspension will be completed in the future.
Q. Which suspensions are compatible with AL-KO ESC ?
A. The caravan must be fitted with AL-KO brakes, in addition to one of the following approved suspensions:
- AL-KO Independent Rubber Suspension (IRS)
- AL-KO beam axle & leaf springs
- Simplicity
- Cruisemaster
- Control Rider (Heavy Duty)
- Control Rider (Light Duty)
- Austrak
- Coromal Knee Suspension
- Vista RV - MS Series Independent Suspension
Q. I have an X brand caravan, can AL-KO ESC be fitted to my caravan?
A. AL-KO ESC can be fitted to all caravans that have AL-KO electric brakes, axles & approved suspension brands installed.
Q. I have a new caravan on order with X, how do I have AL-KO ESC installed by my manufacturer?
A. AL-KO ESC is initially only available as OEM fitment on manufacture.
We suggest you contact your caravan dealer to confirm AL-KO ESC can be added to the configuration of your new caravan.
Should your manufacturer be unaware of or need more information on AL-KO ESC, please have them contact us on (03) 9767 3700.
Q. Is AL-KO ESC suitable for tandem axel caravans?
A. Yes, AL-KO ESC can be fitted to both single axle and tandem axle caravans.
It should be noted that different ESC models are required for each axle and weight configuration.
Q. Is AL-KO ESC suitable for 5th wheeler caravans?
A. To date this has not been evaluated, so we must answer no.
Q. How long does it take to install AL-KO ESC?
A.
For a new caravan, AL-KO ESC will be installed during the manufacture of the van.
Fitting of AL-KO ESC to an existing caravan takes should take between 1 and 2 hours.
It must be fitted with AL-KO brakes, axles and approved suspension.
Retrofit will not be available until specialist installers have been appointed and certified.
This is expected to be finalised by early to mid Febuary 2013.
Q. Can I install AL-KO ESC myself DIY?
A. No. AL-KO ESC must be installed by an authorised AL-KO ESC installer or trained OEM manufacturer.
Q. Can AL-KO ESC be fitted by my local mechanic?
A. No. AL-KO ESC must be installed by an authorised AL-KO ESC installer or trained OEM manufacturer.
Q. Has AL-KO ESC been tested with independent suspension caravans?
A. Yes. AL-KO ESC has be tested with all AL-KO suspension systems.
The caravan must be fitted with AL-KO brakes, in addition to one of the following approved suspensions:
- AL-KO Independent Rubber Suspension (IRS)
- AL-KO beam axle & leaf springs
- Simplicity
- Cruisemaster
- Control Rider (Heavy Duty)
- Control Rider (Light Duty)
- Austrak
- Coromal Knee Suspension
- Vista RV - MS Series Independent Suspension
Q. Has AL-KO ESC been tested on a large tandem axle off road All Terrain van on a wet dirt road?
A. Many and various combinations of single and tandem caravans have been tested in wet and dry conditions.
Q. Is AL-KO ESC suitable for use in rough terrain off road situations?
A. AL-KO ESC should be disconnected for serious off road use as extreme bumps and rough terrain could activate the ESC.
AL-KO ESC is safe to use on unpaved roads.
Q. Can AL-KO ESC be used with hydraulic brakes?
A. No. AL-KO ESC can only be used with electric drum brakes.
Q.Is my brake controller compatible with AL-KO ESC ?
A. AL-KO strongly recommends the use of motion sensing electric brake controllers on all vehicles.
The tow vehicle should be fitted with an AL-KO approved electric brake controller, listed below:
- Tekonsha Prodigy P2
- Tekonsha Primus IQ
- Hayes Energiser III
- Tekonsha P3
- Tekonsha Prodigy
- Hayman Reese Guardian IQ
Other confirmed compatible electric brake controllers are listed below:
- Redarc EBRH
- Hayes Lemmerz Synchroniser
- Predator DX2
Q. How will AL-KO ESC work in conjunction with the manual override on my existing electric brake controller?
A. The function of the brake controller will be unaffected by the ESC.
In most critical situations the sway will be detected by the ESC before the driver
has the opportunity to manually apply the caravan's electric brakes.
Q. How does AL-KO ESC interact with/ affect the tow vehicle's existing sway control/ stability control system?
A. The AL-KO ESC operates independently of the tow vehicle's stability control system.
AL-KO ESC will not have any detrimental effect on the operation of these systems.
Q. Are weight distribution bars still required if i have AL-KO ESC installed?
A. AL-KO ESC is an additional safety system and does not replace the need for the caravan to be setup correctly.
The caravan must always be loaded correctly with the recommended ball weight and weight distribution bars fitted if required.
Q. Does AL-KO ESC apply the brakes independently to each wheel?
A. No. AL-KO ESC applies all the brakes on the caravan simultaneously.
Q. Could the AL-KO ESC unit be transferred from our Van to another, if we choose to eventually upgrade?
A. It depends on the details of the old and the new caravans.
If both caravans have exactly the same ATM, number of axles, type of brakes and wheel size
then it may be possible for you to transfer the AL-KO ESC from one van to another.
As improvements and upgrades occur to most well engineered products over time
it would be better to use the existing AL-KO ESC as a selling benefit and have a new/latest version of AL-KO
ESC fitted to your new caravan.
Q. Is AL-KO ESC suitable for marine use?
A. The ESC has successfully completed waterproof testing.
If the marine trailer is fitted with electric drum brakes then this may be possible,
but it would need to be clarified at the time of proposed installation.
Q. If AL-KO ESC is installed on my caravan, will my insurer offer me a reduction in my premium?
A. Some insurers may offer price reductions for caravans fitted with the AL-KO ESC. Please contact your insurer for further details.
Q. Is AL-KO ESC the same on all caravans?
A. No, AL-KO ESC is pre-set to suit each caravan.
The ATM (Total maximum loaded free standing rated weight of the caravan), number of axles, brake size & wheel size all affect the ESC's factory settings.
Q. Do the brake lights illuminate when AL-KO ESC is activated during a sway?
A. No, neither does the ESC on your tow vehicle when it is activated.
The ESC applies the brakes the caravan to correct alignment rather than to stop the combination, so stop light illumination is not appropriate.
Q.What are the requirements for my tow vehicle wiring to allow installation of AL-KO ESC?
A. The tow vehicle which will be used to tow your caravan or trailer fitted with the AL-KO ESC, must have the power supply for the ESC wired directly to the battery and a 30Amp fuse or circuit breaker fitted.
The AL-KO ESC should be connected to the tow vehicle using a standard 12 pin plug or 2 pin connector.
The layout for a 12 pin plug varies between manufacturers so we suggest you contact the manufacturer of your caravan to confirm how your caravan is wired.
For off road use it is recommended that the ESC is connected to the tow vehicle using a 2 pin plug such as a 50AMP connector in order to allow the simple disconnection of the ESC unit for periods of extreme off road driving.
A 2 pin connector can be supplied by AL-KO if required (Part number: 350350).
For more information regarding the wiring requirements for AL-KO ESC, please consult the AL-KO ESC user manual.
Please Note: All electrical work must be performed by an Auto Electrician.
