Ducato (Gen 3) Hi from Sydney Australia

[Places2c]

Hi all. We are happy Ducato 180 2013 Horizon motorhome owners who hope to learn more about caring for our vehicle especially the auto clutch which sounds problematic.
Just fitted front AL-KO longer travel suspension which is a great improvement with car like comfort.

 

[Davren]

G/day, Welcome to the FF.
.

 

[adlarplant]

change the fluid in the actuator reguarly and that will solve most of the problems

 

[Mevi]

Car like comfort.... sigh. My 35 Maxi is punishing on a rough road surface. Welcome to the forum!

 

[FreeSpirit]

Hi all. We are happy Ducato 180 2013 Horizon motorhome owners who hope to learn more about caring for our vehicle especially the auto clutch which sounds problematic.
Just fitted front AL-KO longer travel suspension which is a great improvement with car like comfort.

Hi places2C
Where did you purchase the AL-KO suspension from, was it as a kit or did you get them installed through a suspension place. I tried contacting AL-KO about the cost of purchasing a set direct from them or one of their dealers & got no reply!!
Cheers

 

[oigle]

I also have the ALKO front suspension fitted to my 2013 Avida Eyre. Sure fixed the low ride height problem.
The suspension can be supplied by SR Automotive of Beach Street, KippaRing. This is a suburb of Redcliffe, near Brisbane. They are approved agents for ALKO. I had mine fitted there and they did an immaculate job.

Ian.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi all. We are happy Ducato 180 2013 Horizon motorhome owners who hope to learn more about caring for our vehicle especially the auto clutch which sounds problematic.
Just fitted front AL-KO longer travel suspension which is a great improvement with car like comfort.

Hi. And welcome

 

[ben]

Hi all. We are happy Ducato 180 2013 Horizon motorhome owners who hope to learn more about caring for our vehicle especially the auto clutch which sounds problematic.
Just fitted front AL-KO longer travel suspension which is a great improvement with car like comfort.

I had a chance to rent one of these when I was out there last, but in the end, I decided on one of the massive 3 bed things (just - well, because!)

Must be great to own your own RV

 

[Places2c]

Hi places2C
Where did you purchase the AL-KO suspension from, was it as a kit or did you get them installed through a suspension place. I tried contacting AL-KO about the cost of purchasing a set direct from them or one of their dealers & got no reply!!
Cheers

It was installed at RV-GO in Terrey Hills Sydney. Highly recommend them due great service & helpful tips. Buyer beware as one other company with ads in a national mag for suspension upgrades asked me if Fiats were made in France?.
South Coffs Motors in Coffs Harbour NSW are also very good & can fit AL-KO suspension.

 

[robinsonalex760]

hi nice to meet you

 

[adlarplant]

king springs make the springs you can buy them from repco or supercheap auto and they fit the standard struts ive been running them for close to 900000kms in my 2011 model no problems

 

[varesecrazy]

king springs make the springs
ive been running them for close to 900000kms in my 2011 model no problems

No typo's there.

 

[adlarplant]

No typo's there.

clicked over 900000kms last week
cheers Adam

 

[corcai]

clicked over 900000kms last week
cheers Adam

Must be a record at this stage even ignoring the dirt roads. Are you still on the original gearbox or did you swap that when the engine went? Was wondering how your lifepo4 battery is holding up too would you recommend them?

 

[oigle]

I looked seriously at just using King springs too. Considerably cheaper option. I was swayed by the fact that Jayco, Avida and most manufacturers of largish Fiat based motorhomes in Oz, have chosen to use the ALKO struts and springs in preference to just stronger springs. They would not be throwing away $1000 for nothing. I do not like bouncy suspension and I fear that stronger springs and standard dampers just don't make good companions. I do not want my $150K motorhome bouncing around on secondary roads. To me, suspension control is important.

Ian.

 

[adlarplant]

i enquired about the alko from what i researched they are the same springs and an aftermarket strut with the same damping as the original its just sold as an entire unit i get 350000 kms out of the struts and now buy the second hand from HID parts in melbourne with 20000kms on them cheaper still this way just watch the strut towers as they have a tendency to crack out at around 250000kms

 

[oigle]

Where did you do your research? I spent a lot of time talking to the head guy at ALKO about this and he told me a totally different story. I'm sure he would love to hear where you got your info from as he was involved in the design of this setup. The struts etc are made in Germany to totally different specs to standard. Springs are stronger and dampers are valved to suit. The springs give a 40mm lift. Kings give 50mm.
I also spoke to some users of Kings who admitted that the front end did bounce more than they liked which reinforced this statement. Mine does not bounce excessively at all.
Yes, the struts are very long lasting. Looked at selling my original ones on and found no demand.

Ian.