Alko chassis

[pw9crab]

Hi can you fit air ride to alko chassis

 

[stevewagner]

There are several companies that make kits for an Alko chassis including Gliderite

AL-KO Semi Air Suspension | Glide Rite Products

As market leaders in the specialist field of air suspension, we have developed a low-cost Semi-Air system for the AL-KO chassis – Enquire Today!

glide-rite.com

 

[pw9crab]

Thanks just had a look 1750€

 

[Bailey58]

AS Suspension at Warrington. Many of us used these in the past and they gave excellent service.

 

[68c]

Does this just add extra support to the existing Alko torque shafts or are they removed. I ask as my van sits nose down so to level I need the rear to go down, cannot see how that can happen with the torque shafts still in place.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[stevewagner]

Does this just add extra support to the existing Alko torque shafts or are they removed. I ask as my van sits nose down so to level I need the rear to go down, cannot see how that can happen with the torque shafts still in place.

It just provides additional support and reduces sway when being overtaken. It won't level the motorhome front to back unless you go for full air all round. I believe the Goldschmitt system achieves this but is quite expensive.

 

[Figaro]

I ask as my van sits nose down

Sounds like you need uprated springs on the front, just had mine done.
Common feature on A class vans

 

[dunnah01]

Sounds like you need uprated springs on the front, just had mine done.
Common feature on A class vans

Was it just springs at the front or was the whole strut assembly replaced? My AlKo chassisd van also has it's @r$e in the air. Raising the front would seem the simpler solution

 

[Figaro]

I spotted a leaking shock absorber so took the opportunity for new shocks, springs and top mounts.
It made a big difference, about 60mm lift to the front.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Where did you have the springs work carried out and how much?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

We had semi-air fitted on the rear by SAP at Doncaster, it cost £2,000 as we got a £100 funster discount.

Specialist Automotive Products

They did a very good job, very neat and easy to use.

 

[Minxy]

Thanks just had a look 1750€

The one we had was dearer but you might like to have a look at the quality of the stuff being fitted (not just the air-bags).

 

[peterc10]

Sounds like you need uprated springs on the front, just had mine done.
Common feature on A class vans

Does not always work. The Hymer B678 I bought from new has an Alko maxi chassis and uprated springs on the front but still sits nose down, despite the load on the front axle being considerably lower than the maximum. I think it is (or was) common on motorhomes with the Alko maxi chassis.

As I understand it the only way to get mine level on the road is to fit full air suspension to front and rear. Not worth it for me because I only need it level when parked up, and can achieve that very easily and quickly using the self levelling jacks I had fitted by SAP in Doncaster.

 

[Lenny HB]

Does this just add extra support to the existing Alko torque shafts or are they removed. I ask as my van sits nose down so to level I need the rear to go down, cannot see how that can happen with the torque shafts still in place.

With the semi Air the I'm fairly certain the torsion bars are left unchanged, with full air the torsion bars are changed for lighter ones. The torsion bar are required to locate the swinging arm.
As Peter peterc10 says the only way to get the front level is to fit full 4C air, we have it and the van sits level regardless of the load.

 

[Figaro]

Where did you have the springs work carried out and how much

Dave Newall and £800
Parts were £600

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[denisejoe]

I think it depends on the age of the van not sure it fits on older vehicles we hand stronger front springs and shocks lasted about a year before the front started dropping again,

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Thanks for reply Figaro. My Bavaria is nose down . Does it make a softer ride mine is like it has concrete wheels?

 

[Figaro]

It helps a bit with ride comfort but not a huge amount, just less likely to bang on bumps and uneven surfaces.
Less roll and more precise steering.
Do you have michelin agilas ? Me too. I think thats part of the problem, my fronts are getting to the stage of needing replacement so Im going to look at alternatives.
Recommend psi for mine are 80 but I've been running at 75 recently and that helps a little.

 

[Minxy]

With the semi Air the I'm fairly certain the torsion bars are left unchanged, with full air the torsion bars are changed for lighter ones. The torsion bar are required to locate the swinging arm.

Correct, this is a benefit of the semi-air being a 'secondary' suspension system in that if one fails you still have the other to ensure you can drive it.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

No continental vancos but think running to high but not been able to get on weighbridge so i can ask continentals opinion on psi. All four of my tyres are full of tread so loathed to change but may change to van four seasons if we head to snow next Christmas!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SandraL]

Correct, this is a benefit of the semi-air being a 'secondary' suspension system in that if one fails you still have the other to ensure you can drive it.

When I was researching semi air for alko Travel World ( goldschmitt?) were replacing the torsion bars with "softer" bars so any problem with an air bag meant a recovery lorry. All others I visited or rang kept existing the existing torsion bars.

Edit, this was back in 2017/18. May have changed since

 

[Minxy]

When I was researching semi air for alko Travel World ( goldschmitt?) were replacing the torsion bars with "softer" bars so any problem with an air bag meant a recovery lorry. All others I visited or rang kept existing the existing torsion bars.

Edit, this was back in 2017/18. May have changed since

Now you mention it, that rings a bell and one reason why we didn't go for their system as we prefer the 'belts and braces' of having both usable independently if the worse happens.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

When I was researching semi air for alko Travel World ( goldschmitt?) were replacing the torsion bars with "softer" bars so any problem with an air bag meant a recovery lorry. All others I visited or rang kept existing the existing torsion bars.

Edit, this was back in 2017/18. May have changed since

It depends where you’re starting from, our rear axle was at its limit and therefore needed assistance from the air bags. If the springs are already up to the job and fully supporting the rear end then adding air isn’t going to change the ride, except for maybe controlling side sway a bit.
Ours was done by AS in Warrington, exceptionally good service.