Shaker replied:

The axle is under sized ..... in Victoria the axle capacity must be at least 120% 0f the ATM ( Aggregate Trailer Mass). So, at 1560kg ATM the axle must be a minimum of 1872kg, so really it should have a 2 tonne Alko axle under it.

BUT .... be very careful as these assemblies are vitrually irrepairable anywhere, but in the Al-Ko factory........ "Be warned"

Peter 2 replied:

We had one on a Jayco van a while back, it failed on the first trip because the van weighed more empty than the gross axle load. It was replaced with a heavier duty alko axle which also failed after a few years. before it failed though the wheels were tracking funny and flogged the tyres out quite rapidly.
As has been mentioned they are virtually unrepairable, definitely so on the side of the road as once the inner square tube has been forced past the rubber bits in the outer there is no way to get it back.

Rod replied:

Hi

Saw a CT broken down on the GRR with an ALKO suspension. Not sure of the exact type but the owner said it was they type that has a block of rubber that takes the shock of a bump. Apparently the rubber had given way.

I decided never to use that type of axle on an offroad CT.

flappa replied:

Quote: We had one on a Jayco van a while back, it failed on the first trip because the van weighed more empty than the gross axle load. It was replaced with a heavier duty alko axle which also failed after a few years. before it failed though the wheels were tracking funny and flogged the tyres out quite rapidly.

Thats interesting.

My parents just had an accident with their Phoenix Offroad van , when the wheel sheared off. It had ALKO suspension , and had been back a number of times for fixes because it kept flogging the tyres out.

ianmc replied:

Remember hearing a while back that the rubber suspension as it softens/wears lets the wheels lose their alignment & go into a toe out situation hence quick scrubbing out of tyres & extra drag trying to run em a bit side on so to speak.
Not sure if it was alko they referred to!

gregr replied:

hey pce its a bu**er is it not
the van looks the goods for medium off road 4x4 work particularly for an older codger like me who likes a bit of comfort these days but the alko suspension is only reasonably relaible and then only for sealed roads - so we chickened out and
thats why we did not buy one - but its your call and your decision - and your money around $40K plus extras

if you buy one i would also suggest you could maybe consider to order a spare alko axle which we thought about doing just to have one availbale in the garage at home if something went and stuffed up on a trip - as things do
but it makes the whole thing pretty bl**dy expensive yes

i cant understand why they build a reasonably good off road van and then put a sus suspension under it

but then i cant understand why nissan put a sus 3-.0 litre diesel in the gu patrol which i then went and bought in good faith - so far mine has been pretty good and i have extended warrty but kind of waiting for something bad to happen

good luck with your decision
see you greg

Farmer Jones (ret) replied:

Alko suspension on my grandsons bike trailer would be great
Look around and find all the failed Alko suspensions and ones that have gone soft.

For the money of a Jurgens you can get a custom built off-road pop top caravan with everything. Nothing to unpack or do anything when you stop tired.
I had a TVan previously and thankfully sold the thing at a good price.
Depends how old you are what you want and what you understand by the term 'off road'. I take my poptop on bush tracks gravel roads and anywhere I can. Towing anything seriously limits your so called 'off road' capability. I think there has been to much salesman talk about this off road stuff. Get real and think about where and how you are going to use this camper/poptop/popup/popout

gregr replied:

hi pce
to answer your query we tow a 2004 kimberley kamper classsic mariner with a 3.75 m tinney carried on the boat loader by a nissan 2001 3.0 litre T diesel patrol with a few extras on the patrol - air locker roof rack extra wheel and tyre etc

the nissan has been a very good vehicle no probs and bought new mid 2001 and even though this particular model has had its share of probs in the past its now done 120 K kms but i have extended warranty just in case

the kimberley has been a bl**dy pain the bum with quite few warranty probs and poor workmanship and an ongoing lousy taste in the water tank which kimberley seem to be unable or unwilling to fix under warranty - we have never been able to drink the water from it to this day

dont get me started on the kimberley - surfice to say we got a friday built one and its very heavy to tow off road particularly in sand as weight is 1500kgs and its ball weight is 250 kgs - we expected to be very very happy with it but we are not

good luck with your decision its not an easy choice
see you greg

gregr replied:

pce
maybe just have a quick look at the bushtracker off road caravan site www.bushtracker.com
i guess this is our ultimate aim a 16 ft / 17 ft tandem independent suspension bushtracker with hot shower loo and air conditioning when i get to retire in about five years time for me unless i win lotto of course
not cheap but they seem really really good - i have not been to see there factory but have had a look at a couple parked up near me in the past and was very impressed but they start at $48 K
maybe of some help
see you greg