BruceM Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 I’m trying to determine whether or not my 2003 i5830 Dethleffs has an Al-Ko chassis or not so that I may ensure that it's maintained appropriately. There’s nothing on the VIN plates to indicate the chassis type and having crawled under the vehicle I’ve not spotted anything that sports the chassis manufacturers name. Has anyone an idea what to look out for and/or where to look? The rear axel has leaf and coil springs and what looks like regular Fiat bump stops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Hi BruceM, Have a read of this earlier thread and watch the video linked in the third post and hopefully all will be explained. http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Chassis/29500/ Basically if you have an Al-Ko chassis you will have a join in the chassis around the rear edge of the original cab position. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 There is some id on the chassis by alko. But not a real identification of what you really have. Some of the most weak points of a alko chassis. At present they have a full history of your axle by chassis number. And all technical details and drawings in a split second. They have not you. They means their internal network. For that reason i have said to alko go to hell. And serve yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted April 19, 2017 Author Share Posted April 19, 2017 Many thanks for the info. The main chassis certainly appears to be connected to the cab chassis in the manner shown in the video so I’m thinking that it’s an Alko. However I’ve been all over the rear axle and nowhere can I spot a grease nipple. This axle would date from 2002/3. I guess it could be that this is a maintenance free version if such a thing existed then. I think I’ll try dropping Dethleffs an email to see if they can cast any light on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beltie Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 Bruce, If it has leaf or coil springs, it's definitely not Alko. Alko chassis are also usually galvanised and not painted. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 BruceM - 2017-04-17 6:58 PM I’m trying to determine whether or not my 2003 i5830 Dethleffs has an Al-Ko chassis or not so that I may ensure that it's maintained appropriately. There’s nothing on the VIN plates to indicate the chassis type and having crawled under the vehicle I’ve not spotted anything that sports the chassis manufacturers name. Has anyone an idea what to look out for and/or where to look? The rear axel has leaf and coil springs and what looks like regular Fiat bump stops. Not Alko then. They have torsion bar rears not springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Thank you. That’s really useful. I’ve emailed Dethleffs and if they respond I’ll let the forum know their response. Meanwhile I’ve attached some pictures showing the axle/suspension. Also, there’s the remnant of a bar code and number on the axle so I’ve attached a picture of that as well. It appears to read 138208. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 And having peered at the (German!) Fiat Ducato service manual I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s probably an uprated Fiat chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 I am fairly certain that the leaf spring and painted chassis mean you have a Fiat chassis. I believe all Al-Ko are galvanised and never painted. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beltie Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Bruce, That's a standard Fiat chassis, although it looks to have been uprated at some point by the fitting of coil spring assisters. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 BruceM - 2017-04-20 9:49 AM And having peered at the (German!) Fiat Ducato service manual I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s probably an uprated Fiat chassis. No probable about it. Fiat with spring assisted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Just had a response from Dethleffs – excellent and prompt after sales support – I wish more manufacturers appreciated the importance of this. It makes a refreshing change from just being redirected to a UK dealership. Dethleffs checked their records and have confirmed the forum’s conclusion. Thank you to all forum contributors for their insights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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