Technical Ducato motorhomes with ALKO suspension

[oigle]

Here in Oz, we have an upgrade to the standard Fiat 180 Ducato front suspension by ALKO being offered to owners whose vehicles are too low in the front. They call it their ACS system. It is being fitted mainly to largish motorhomes due to weight on the front.
There have been many complaints about the steering pulling to left after the mod is done. ALKO deny any complaints have been received .....
Has anyone here had any experience with this issue, particularly those driving on the left side of the road as it seems that driving on the left,as we do, makes the problem worse - drive on the "wrong" side along with the road camber change and all steers well.
ALKO tells us that the system has been used in Europe for quite some time.
Thanks
Ian.

 

[Deefordog]

Here in the UK (and Europe?), many 3.0lt MHs, especially when on the 3-axle AL-KO chassis, sit very nose down. Trying to get longer replacement aftermarket springs is very difficult unless you go down the German Goldschmitt route at c.£6-800 fitted. Problem in the UK is that there's only one Goldschmitt dealer. There are other solutions but none that are widely advertised.

Back to your question - I didn't even know that AL-KO offered such springs. Again, they don't seem to publicise the fact here in the UK, maybe thy don't offer it here or in Europe. I wonder what the cost would be. It's also not something that's been mentioned on any MH forums that I can think of in all the years I've been on them.

As an experiment, and I only know of one other guy that's done it on a 2004 Fiat X250/AL-KO chassis with great success, I'm going to try these rubber things on the front springs http://www.springassisters.co.uk/menu.htm. At £34 a pair, it's worth a punt.

 

[Deefordog]

I've just sent an enquiry to AL-KO UK to see what they say regarding price, availability and any feedback on longevity and problems lol.

 

[Deefordog]

Just had a very fast reply from AL-KO UK. Seems the ACS suspension can only be fitted at the time of manufacture and depends on whether the MH manufacturer even offers the option. So for us in the UK, it's a non starter for the likes of Swift and Autotrail even on new vehicles.

Sorry I can't shed any more light on your issues but will be interested to learn of any solutions.

 

[oigle]

Just had a very fast reply from AL-KO UK. Seems the ACS suspension can only be fitted at the time of manufacture and depends on whether the MH manufacturer even offers the option. So for us in the UK, it's a non starter for the likes of Swift and Autotrail even on new vehicles.

Sorry I can't shed any more light on your issues but will be interested to learn of any solutions.

Different strokes for different folks....they are certainly available here for aftermarket fitting. Strut and spring sell for around AUS$450 each incl 10% tax. They are also being fitted as standard on all Jayco motorhomes over 25'. The fitting is being done by ALKO when they fit their rear chassis to the cabs. All large Fiat MH's that are built here start with an imported cab only with no chassis behind the cab. ALKO then build the rest.
The end result of fitting the ACS to the front lifts the front by 40mm. Much better. I believe the standard springs are way overloaded with a large MH.
Ian.

 

[oigle]

Just a quick follow up to advise that the pulling left issue seems to be a non-issue. ALKO Oz have been very good in their response to the queries and have satisfied any qualms. I'll advise on results when I have the system fitted. Looking forward to an extra 40mm front clearance....
Ian.

 

[Deefordog]

Looking forward to an extra 40mm front clearance....
Ian.

I'm jealous, very jealous lol.

 

[Techno100]

Not heard of a front ALKO upgrade but most in the UK upgrade to VB comfort springs.
Mine before

AND after, quite a lot more than 40mm lift

Generally about £600 fitted unless an A class then dearer due to only one front door.

The problem with my van was purely down to Rapido's lack of moral standards. This van with a 3 litre comfortmatic and 2100kg front axle should NEVER have been fitted with standard springs.

As an aside mine is being up plated to 4750kg from 4250kg by a competitor to the greedy SVtech for only £142. Should get the paperwork shortly

 

[oigle]

Not heard of a front ALKO upgrade but most in the UK upgrade to VB comfort springs.
Mine before

AND after, quite a lot more than 40mm lift

Generally about £600 fitted unless an A class then dearer due to only one front door.

The problem with my van was purely down to Rapido's lack of moral standards. This van with a 3 litre comfortmatic and 2100kg front axle should NEVER have been fitted with standard springs.

As an aside mine is being up plated to 4750kg from 4250kg by a competitor to the greedy SVtech for only £142. Should get the paperwork shortly

Many here have also just replaced springs with stronger ones to gain height - around AUS$600 fitted. Unfortunately the standard shockers are not designed to cope with the rebound on the stronger springs. This is the reasoning behind the ALKO matched set - stronger springs and uprated rebound settings. Extra money for sure but hopefully a more controlled ride on secondary roads along with better clearance.

 

[Techno100]

All the serious upgrades over here are VB full air which replaces the complete strut and allows the suspension height to be controlled manually and automatically
For the Rear Alko axle they replace the torsion bars with weaker ones so that air can again raise or lower the rear

 

[oigle]

That would be a nice setup but I can only guess at the price

One problem with lifting the front too much is the onset of severe understeer in emergency steering movements ie. brake and turn simultaneously, particularly if road wet.
Roll centres change a lot.

 

[Techno100]

Mine have been on a couple of years and if anything there is no difference to the steering at all

 

[oigle]

Mine have been on a couple of years and if anything there is no difference to the steering at all

Good to hear. Have you been in an emergency situation requiring heavy braking and turning at the same time? Unusual for sure but can happen.

 

[Techno100]

No but who has and who has done it with standard and heavy springs to compare in exactly the same circumstances and weather? There is no evidence that it will behave any different

 

[Techno100]

http://www.vbairsuspension.com/upload/files/00003141.pdf

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u_YNck3OrQA

 

[corcai]

As an aside mine is being up plated to 4750kg from 4250kg by a competitor to the greedy SVtech for only £142. Should get the paperwork shortly

Can you share the details, I always thought svtech were taking the mick.

 

[oigle]

No but who has and who has done it with standard and heavy springs to compare in exactly the same circumstances and weather? There is no evidence that it will behave any different

Fair comment. I was talking the accepted theory of lifting the front to produce understeer - have experienced that myself setting up rally cars and it is a well known fact. One of our well versed members in Oz, Collyn Rivers, has warned of the dangers. Research the subject and it is there.

 

[oigle]

http://www.vbairsuspension.com/upload/files/00003141.pdf

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u_YNck3OrQA

Good utube flick. Very informative.

 

[Techno100]

Can you share the details, I always thought svtech were taking the mick.

Half way down the page


http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum...ating-our-rapido-a-class.130317/#post-1855686

 

[Techno100]

DVLA got my V5C and supporting documents on 7th of June. I've still not got it back but at least the details have been updated online