To Al-Ko or not to Al-Ko ?

[Jim lea]

Morning all,

Will be purchasing new a class shortly 3500 kg. Options out there regards chassis seems to be mainly “wide” Fiat or Al-Ko.
Is there a definitive plus side for the Al-Ko, bearing in mind the extra expenditure ?

Thanks in advance

 

[mike mcglynn]

I have driven the Ducato with the Fiat axle and the Ducato with the AlKo and the alko is a better ride but needs to be greased every year to avoid any problems

 

[Jim lea]

Thanks Mike

 

[peterc10]

Our first motorhome as on a Fiat chassis and the present one is on the Alko Maxi. Alko uses torsion bar suspension rather than the leaf spring out of a horse drawn cart on the Fiat. Alko gives a much better ride IMHO.

 

[Bailey58]

Similar thread here.

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

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Our first motorhome as on a Fiat chassis and the present one is on the Alko Maxi. Alko uses torsion bar suspension rather than the leaf spring out of a horse drawn cart on the Fiat. Alko gives a much better ride IMHO.

Yes - a big improvement

 

[jezport]

Fiat with full air suspension is better than both, no torsion bars and no leaf springs, better payload and smoother ride. Plus its self leveling and you can lift the rear end for ferries etc.

 

[Korgrocker]

Our first motorhome as on a Fiat chassis and the present one is on the Alko Maxi. Alko uses torsion bar suspension rather than the leaf spring out of a horse drawn cart on the Fiat. Alko gives a much better ride IMHO.

I would slightly disagree - I have had three motorhomes, two on a Peugeot chassis and one on AlKo. The AlKo suspension with its transverse torsion bar I found to give a very hard and unforgiving ride (confirmed by a dealer I spoke to at a motorhome show), especially on our poor road surfaces. But on the plus side, road holding is marginally better. On balance I prefer the leaf spring approach because it seems slightly softer and doesn't shake the inside of the motorhome so much when traveling over bad road surfaces.

 

[SandraL]

Should any repairs be required Alko will be dearer. If you want to add semi air for increased payload Alko will be dearer.
Floor height of an Alko chassis may be lower as indeed ground clearance maybe lower.
Only had 2 vans, both on Alko and happy.
Annual greasing of Alko needs to be done with wheel suspended, in past I have asked mot man to do it, I supplied grease gun and he was happy to do so.

 

[Allanm]

Our first motorhome as on a Fiat chassis and the present one is on the Alko Maxi. Alko uses torsion bar suspension rather than the leaf spring out of a horse drawn cart on the Fiat. Alko gives a much better ride IMHO.

Didn’t Morris Minors and Morris Marinas have torsion bar suspension?

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

 

[tonyidle]

Didn’t Morris Minors and Morris Marinas have torsion bar suspension?

Only on the front. Despite leaf springs being referred to as cart springs the reason they fell out of favour on cars was the need to more accurately locate the axle (handling) and on off-road vehicles because they limit wheel travel. In both cases the reduction in unsprung weight is a bonus. Technically there's no reason to think they are a poor solution for the rear of a commercial vehicle (or motorhome). The reason for the popularity of Alko is the lower floor height allows for a double floor and a wider track is possible - less important now that Fiat offer the Camper chassis. The only real improvement (in comfort and adjustable ride height) that can be made for motorhome use is full air as already suggested.

 

[Lenny HB]

First van was on the Fiat Camping Car chassis, 2nd on Al-Ko both 3500 kg, Al-Ko was a far better ride. Current van is on an Al-Ko 4500 kg bone shaker ride even the front crashes over bumps.
I think it really depends on layou tand weight distribution only real way to find out is to drive both, not very practical.
Big down side of the Fiat is you can't have a double floor, personaly I would go for the Al-ko.

 

[Jim lea]

Thanks all, really helped out. Just put deposit down on a 4400kg double floor al ko Rapido a class

 

[Lenny HB]

Did you go for a completely different van or just upgraded to a maxi chassis to give a sensible payload.?

 

[Jim lea]

Did you go for a completely different van or just upgraded to a maxi chassis to give a sensible payload.?

Completely different van Lenny, can’t wait

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