How much AL-KO is in Fendt Caravans?
Fendt is an established name in the caravaning world and – just like AL-KO Vehicle Technology – stands for quality and durability. It is precisely this premium standard that connects our two companies and makes the collaboration between Fendt and AL-KO mutually valuable and enriching – as it has been since the early 1990s.
A solid chassis for many years of driving comfort
Company detailsAs a caravan owner, you might not be able to see much of what Fendt-Caravan and AL-KO, along with their subsidiaries, have achieved at first glance – but their collaboration has proved itself essential for your travel comfort and safety. That’s why we’re taking you behind the scenes of your caravan’s technology today to show you the wide-ranging impact of the partnership between Fendt-Caravan and AL-KO – all so that you can travel safely and comfortably on your camping holiday!
Every single Fendt caravan is built on an AL-KO chassis. In total, more than 70 percent of all caravans in Europe are built on one of our chassis. But beyond the chassis, AL-KO offers a wide range of products, many of which are an integral part of your Fendt caravan: from stabilizer couplings and hitch locks to state-of-the-art electronics.
Fendt Caravan stands for high quality with maximum functionality and quality. Over the last few decades, the company has developed into one of Europe’s leading brands for premium leisure vehicles. From the small, maneuverable two-person complete caravan to the extremely well-equipped luxury dual-axle model: Fendt Caravans make camping a comfortable experience!
Products for increased safety while driving
Safety is our highest priority. That’s why we at AL-KO offer a comprehensive range of systems to help you and your caravan reach your destination safely. These include the ATC anti-snaking system, the overrun hitch with the AKS stabilizer coupling, and the semi-trailing arm axle.
The ATC anti-snaking system
Responds reliably before swinging becomes a problem
The AL-KO Trailer Control (ATC) is currently an optional extra in Fendt caravans and ensures increased safety when driving with a caravan. From evasive or overtaking maneuvers to a gust of wind: Caravans have a large contact surface and tend to react more sensitively to these impacts than a car. The result: A risk of skidding. The ATC detects and corrects an impending skid before it becomes a problem for you.
How does it work? The ATC is mounted on the rear axle and is equipped with all kinds of technology, including sensors. These detect when the trailer starts to snake dangerously. This activates the ATC, which in turn actuates the trailer brakes via Bowden cables. This brief braking on the trailer stretches out the vehicle combination and pulls it straight again. Lateral acceleration is reduced, and the driving situation is instantly steadied.
Overrun hitch with AKS stabilizer coupling
The perfect complement to the anti-snaking system
This safety feature from AL-KO has several names, but whether it’s an anti-snaking hitch, a stabilizer coupling or just a stabilizer – the AKS ensures a safe, smooth and relaxed ride. If the caravan is affected by e.g. uneven road surfaces crosswinds or driving out of a truck’s slipstream, it decelerates the trailer and reduces any swinging movements.
The stabilizer coupling is fitted to your caravan’s drawbar instead of the conventional coupling head. Friction linings are attached to the ball head, which are tensioned with a spring to dampen resulting movements. Together with the AL-KO ATC, this keeps you safer and more comfortable on the road with your caravan. This is why the AKS now comes as standard in caravans from Fendt and numerous other manufacturers.
AL-KO semi-trailing arm axle
Counteracts centrifugal force
An added value, it is therefore standard equipment for almost all European caravan manufacturers: The semi-trailing arm axle is inclined slightly so that the inside wheel on your caravan is less likely to ‘lift off’ during cornering and rolling movements. This is because the inclined axle gently negates the centrifugal force at this point and thus offers maximum safety during:
- cornering
- rolling movements
- overtaking
- side and tail winds
AL-KO Automatic Adjustment (AAA) self-adjusting drum brake
For safe and effective braking
Brakes are of course vital, and wear or settling happen automatically as they are used. To ensure a steady and reliable braking distance on your travels, the brakes must be adjusted regularly.
The AAA self-adjusting drum brake engages whenever the play between the brake shoes and drum becomes too great due to wear. If the service brake is then hit hard, the play is automatically reduced again. The prerequisite is, of course, a basic brake adjustment and adherence to the maintenance intervals and necessary care in a specialist workshop.
As this system is as comfortable as it is crucial, it is now standard equipment on Fendt Caravans, but can also be retrofitted to older or other models without needing a new inspection. The AAA is not a substitute for regular caravan maintenance, including brake testing within the scope of service intervals.
Anti-theft device while travelling: The Safety Compact hitch lock
Effective theft deterrent
This worthwhile optional extra ensures greater safety when traveling and therefore a relaxing vacation for you and your fellow passengers. The Safety hitch lock from AL-KO is available in two versions: The entry-level Compact version in the color silver protects your caravan against theft. The premium version in black from AL-KO has a slightly thicker wall and a technically more complex lock.
Both products can be fitted in a few simple movements and are a simple yet effective way to prevent your caravan from being stolen, or at least make it more difficult to steal. The hitch lock means the caravan cannot be docked to a third-party towbar.
The optional additional Safety-Ball provides even more protection by locking the coupling head and thus preventing unauthorized persons from inserting a hook into the hitch to pull the caravan away. Another plus: The hitch lock can remain fitted during the journey.
Comfort and well-being on the road and at the campsite
AL-KO not only impresses in terms of safety with a wide range of high-quality systems and products. The comfort of our customers is also particularly important to us. With lightweight chassis, jockey wheels with nose load indicator, Stabilform steadies and state-of-the-art electronics, we will help you feel at home at the campsite.
Fully galvanized lightweight chassis system
More payload possible
AL-KO and Fendt-Caravan focus on low weight and high comfort. And that has many advantages: Fendt Caravans equipped with a lightweight chassis system do not have to save on every gram of the caravan body.
And you benefit as a caravan buyer, because you can pack more of the things you want for your vacation, without worrying if everything will fit. Less weight also means less fuel consumption – and that’s good for the environment too. Fully galvanized means that the chassis is coated with a protective, long-lasting protective paint that also counteracts rust.
Jockey wheel with nose load indicator
Convenient loading aid
A valuable assistant when loading your caravan: The AL-KO Plus jockey wheel indicates your caravan’s nose load as you pack it. It is always a delicate issue for caravanners, because an overloaded caravan can be dangerous on the road.
However, before the jockey wheel with nose load indicator does what it is supposed to do, you need to make some one-off settings and measurements to scale and adapt it to your individual caravan. The individual steps are clearly explained in the operating instructions. Alternatively, our service staff in one of our customer centers will be happy to assist you.
Galvanized Big Foot Stabilform steadies
Stability on any surface
The galvanized Stabilform steadies come as standard equipment in all Fendt Caravan model ranges; the Big Foot version is installed as standard in the Premium series but can be ordered as an option for all caravans.
The standing area of 200 x 180 millimeters is particularly recommended if you value an even firmer footing, no matter the surface. Big Foots master any surface, from sandy to particularly soft and muddy ground to snow. Slipping or sinking are outdated. Big Foots can be retrofitted to caravans with AL-KO chassis and Stabilform or Premium steadies.
State-of-the-art electronics for your travel comfort
Fitted as standard and usually made by AL-KO: The latest electronics in caravans are often black boxes that you as the user don’t even (must) notice. The only important thing is that they do their work in the background – for your camping vacation safety and comfort. Fendt Caravans carry a range of electronics from AL-KO.
The distribution box for central light distribution is one of the black boxes in your Fendt Caravan. It is responsible for conducting current to the corresponding light sources so that the right light comes on when you press the switch. The monitoring module for floor heating in Fendt caravans also comes from AL-KO: This component is a safety module and is responsible for monitoring the resistors for the underfloor heating system’s current.
The voltage transformer, often referred to as an inverter, also has an important function: Caravan owners are increasingly opting to install a 12-volt leisure battery, for example to operate a Mover or for greater self-sufficiency when traveling. The inverter converts the 12 V voltage to 230 V and vice versa as required to ensure that you always have the current you need to operate the respective device – depending on whether you are connected to shore power or securing the power supply via a battery.
Every Fendt caravan is equipped with an indoor and outdoor temperature sensor on the control panel display above the entrance door. We also supply all the light switches and dimmers installed in Fendt caravans as well as special cable adapters for the connection and thus the function of certain components, such as the drinking water probe. Electronic components from AL-KO: Essential to ensure that everything in the caravan works perfectly for you, even if – as is so often the case – you cannot see it.
Onwards together on behalf of our customers
As you can see, there is a whole lot of AL-KO in every Fendt caravan. This is no coincidence but the result of decades of collaboration, joint product developments and testing that form part of both companies’ daily business.
“Over the decades of working together, the collaboration with AL-KO has become ever more in-depth and therefore more productive, because we know each other, we appreciate each other, and we work together efficiently. Of course, the geographical proximity of our two companies is also a major advantage, but we are both committed to our premium standards in the field of caravan technology,” says Thomas Kamm, Head of Marketing at Fendt-Caravan.
Jörn von Ahlen, Head of Marketing & Product Management at AL-KO Vehicle Technology adds: “The expertise that both partners have been able to gather over many decades in the camping industry and in contact with customers lies behind our excellent work together. The result is high-quality products that are precisely tailored to the needs of campers.”
