Suspension upgrade? (1 Viewer)

Nov 6, 2013
3,201
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East Sussex
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I have a 2015 Swift Bolero 684FB on an Alko Chassis and the max permissible weight is 3800. The rear axle has a max 2000Kg. I recently used a weigh bridge and although with fall water and fuel was under 3800 the rear axle was 1900kg. I want to carry a scooter and have already had the tow bar etc fitted (included in the 1900kg) Is there any way I can upgrade to increase the rear axle max permissible weight?
 

Bailey58

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Jun 23, 2010
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There have been numerous threads on this subject. From memory to upgrade the rear axle requires air suspension - £1000+ on an Alko plus uprated tyres and to be on the cautious side 5 tyres not just the rear for peace of mind re spare etc. SV Tech is the place to look.
 
Jul 29, 2013
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Agree with SV TECH they advised us when we had our Autotrail done,you can do it yourself but we chose to save the hassle and use SV Tech worth every penny.

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OP
OP
Baycott
Nov 6, 2013
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Agree with SV TECH they advised us when we had our Autotrail done,you can do it yourself but we chose to save the hassle and use SV Tech worth every penny.
Would you mind saying how much "every penny"was?
Do you know if there is anyone in the south that does the same as SV Tech?
 

Bailey58

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Jun 23, 2010
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When it's an uprate from 3500 to 3800 they will do the paperwork for you liaising with DVLA for I think around £280 plus VAT. Probably no different for what you want to do but they will only advise, as far as any necessary work goes you will have to source that yourself I would think. As it's all done on paper it doesn't matter where they are. There are guides and forms on the website so you can complete the details re current axle weights, overhang etc and forward it to them for an opinion. AS Suspension did my air suspension on a standard chassis a few years back and come highly recommended on Fun. Phil and Cathy, great people and very helpful.
 

kelv

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Jun 23, 2014
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As air suspension fitted my air suspension last week very neat and tidy job it has made a big change to the rear height of the motorhome and will be great for going on and of the ferries. Total cost was £1,700 not cheap but having uprated from 3500kg to 3850kg it will help with the extra payload.

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Jul 29, 2013
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Would you mind saying how much "every penny"was?
Do you know if there is anyone in the south that does the same as SV Tech?
If my memory serves me correctly £320 that covers all paperwork and new plate of course the other costs were air suspension on rear and larger tyres.
I believe there are other companies that do it but don't know any.
We no longer have that van as we wanted an A class
 

Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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Assuming it is the Al-Ko AMC chassis you will be limited to 2000 kg on the rear axle to upgrade to 2240 kg you will need to change the tyres to 225x70R15 and fit air assist on the suspension. Cheapest option on the the suspension is the Dunlop, if you can find someone with the manual setup in stock cost about £800 otherwise £1475 as Dunlop now only sell with the compressor and gauges, those are diy prices.
 
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Baycott
Nov 6, 2013
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16'' rims will get you 2150 kgs without any air suspension, sv tech has just done ours, paper exercise as we had 16'' rims anyway,
Did you have to change the tyres?
Do you know what size you have fitted?
 

TerryL

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Mar 5, 2010
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I believe the 684FB has 16" rims as standard on an Alko chassis. We had our 680FB uprated from 3500 to 3850, which is as far as the Fiat camper chassis was allowed I understand. Needed to uprate the tyres (plus air suspension) to get the increased load rating. SVTech were happy to explain exactly what I needed on the phone; suggest you ring them first.

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Baycott
Nov 6, 2013
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I believe the 684FB has 16" rims as standard on an Alko chassis. We had our 680FB uprated from 3500 to 3850, which is as far as the Fiat camper chassis was allowed I understand. Needed to uprate the tyres (plus air suspension) to get the increased load rating. SVTech were happy to explain exactly what I needed on the phone; suggest you ring them first.
Thanks for that Terry.
Yes I have 16in rims with 225/75/16cp tyres. It is already rated at 3850kg as it is a 4 berth with 4 belted seats.
I might just need to run with 1/4 full water tank :xwink:
 

SandraL

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Jan 24, 2012
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I think op said his van is already at 3850kg, and only change required is to raise rear axle weight.
So am I right in thinking v5 will not need changing?
But you will need a qualified engineer to produce a new weight plate for the van AND a Design Weight Certificate.
Alko torsion bar axles can usually have their load increased by adding air suspension or possibly using torsion bars from a higher rated axle if they are available.
Tyres will need correct load rating as well.
When I checked having air suspension for an alko added last year all suppliers insisted on fitting compressor as well, except Marcle who did not have any alko kit available at that time.
Best price I got was from Glide Rite 01428 751711 / Carl leake 07764 271 445 of £1245 inc vat fitted. I looked around their workshop at Liphook, Hampshire and they have all facilities needed to do this work.
Having visited 3 companies it is obvious that they all fit similar kit apart from Marcle/Dunlop which is clamped to swinging arm, the others are bolted which entails removing the hub.
Martin
ps you will need to check my comment about v5 changes if not raising MGW

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Al-Di

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Mar 15, 2014
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mine is an AlKo chassis, tyres are same as yours, ring sv tech,
 

Kevan

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SV tech did ours recently from 3500 to 3850 we have AS air-suspension fitted, we are on 15" wheels no mention of changing tyres 215 70R 15 CP but may change to 16" this year

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Jun 25, 2012
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Does anyone know we have a Rapido 7065ff on Alco AMC chasis it was paper exercise with svtech to raise it to 3850kg no mods
Since doing I’ve weighed and on limit of 2000kg on rear axle does anyone know what is required to increase rear axle to 2050kg and keeping within the 3850kg payload
I am running on 15=inch 215 tyres and know I can change to 225 profile that’s the easy bit
Don’t fancy air compressor etc do Alco do a replacement rear suspension unit and does anyone know the cost and where from
 
Jul 29, 2013
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Speak to SV Tech again.
VB air is very good but not cheap although probably cheaper than the Alko and you don’t have to install a compressor.(y) We had it done to back axle not to uprate but to keep back end higher for towing on our last van an Exsis with maxi alko chassis.(y)(y)
 
Sep 28, 2015
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do Alco do a replacement rear suspension unit
No, is the simple answer. The whole axle is the suspension unit. You have to add air assist and the tyres to get an up rate to the weight, as we did going from 2000 to 2240kg.

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Last edited:

Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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No, is the simple answer. The whole axle is the suspension unit. You have to add air assist and the tyres to get an up rate to the weight as we did going from 2000 to 2240kg.
Yep and it gets expensive if you change all 5 tyres plus the air suspension you are looking at around £2500.
 

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