Trailer Accessories: Original vs. Reproduction – is cheaper better?
They look almost identical and are attractively priced: reproductions of AL-KO VT parts for vehicle trailers. But how do non-original brake shoes and Bowden cables perform? AL-KO VT has compared its own products with reproductions from other manufacturers in standardised tests.
The result: clear differences in quality. The reproductions were more susceptible to corrosion, which jeopardises safety on the road.
Trailer brake shoes: Original parts are more rust-resistant
As part of a corrosion test, four trailer brake shoes for AL-KO VT trailers with the 2051 type wheel brake were put to the test. They are offered by NB Parts, Valeryd, Pro Trailer, and SQB. After 24 hours in the salt spray chamber (Votsch VSC 450), test sample 1 showed severe rusting, while test sample 2 exhibited partial corrosion (see image). The AL-KO VT standard shoes (Mat. No. 384294) showed no noticeable signs of rust.
Rust can cause problems, for example, if the brake shoes become stuck to the drum. To get the trailer moving again, the brake shoes have to be torn free from the brake drum. If this cannot be achieved by forceful driving, more extensive repairs will be needed. In addition, some samples proved to have smaller friction surfaces. These factors negatively impact the braking performance of the vehicle.
Original AL-KO VT Bowden cables achieve better corrosion protection
Quality differences also became clear in a reproduction Bowden cable from a Chinese manufacturer. When newly installed, it worked efficiently. However, in the standard long-term corrosion protection test, after 240 hours in the salt spray chamber, the operation of the Bowden cable was noticeably jerky and noisy. In addition, severe wear was visible on the rubber protection sleeve over the course of the endurance test. Some parts even became brittle and completely detached. The result: the efficiency of the cable deteriorated by around 15 per cent compared to its condition when new.
The original Bowden cable from AL-KO VT performed significantly better in the same test. Only minor signs of corrosion were evident, with the rubber sleeve – unlike the reproduction – fitting snugly and without any play around the cable. This keeps it fully functional, i.e. it prevents moisture from entering as effectively as possible. The efficiency changed only minimally compared to its new condition, by around two per cent. The cable end-piece holding force was approximately 25 per cent higher than that of the reproduction.
Our advice: Safety comes first
The tested reproductions clearly fall short of AL-KO VT quality standards. AL-KO VT therefore strongly recommends: do not compromise on safety and make sure that only genuine AL-KO VT components and spare parts are fitted to your trailer!
For more information about driving safety, visit www.alko-tech.com/de.
