jetsets Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I have a bessacarr motor home with fiat and alko, I used to have an auto trail with same cab and chassis , both suffer from being nose down when on a flat pitch, and always need the front wheels up on ramps. My old 2.8 fiat auto trail never had this problem. Looking at other vans I see we are not alone. How did this get through the design stages without anyone spotting it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerThat Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I've a 1999 Swift and it suffers the exact same problem :'( You pose a very good question! Why aren't they level when on level ground?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I wasn’t aware that 1999 Swift Sundance 590RLs were bult on an Al-Ko chassis, but the example in the attached photo looks level enough (though I guess the rear suspension might have sagged by now!) I would have thought it was normal and expected for any coachbuilt motorhome that does not have suspension with a levelling capability to be nose-down when on level ground whatever type of chassis it has - my Herald and Hobby were nose-down and my current Rapido also is. How much nose-down when NORMALLY loaded is, of course, another matter and I recall seeing (years ago) two new Hymer A-class Al-Ko chassis motorhomes that looked superficially the same but one was much lower at the front than the other. The reason was simply that one vehicle’s maximum overall weight was higher than the other and the chassis settings had been adjusted accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keninpalamos Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 My '99 Hymer was just same. It got so bad on full lock at slow speeds the tyre would rub on the outer wheel arch. Cured a couple of years ago by having Goldschmitt front coil springs fitted. Mind you I wouldn't use the UK agents for Goldschmitt, Absolute butchers. The springs improve the ride and handling and level up the 'van. A good investment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 My Renault based Alko chassis van is also low at the front. I usually eye up the parking area to find a slight incline, otherwise I just live with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagrid Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Our Hymer which is Fiat-Alko 4000kgs and has Goldschmidt front springs, is slightly nose down in normal trim, much less so when we are returning from France though. I believe it is designed to be so as, most additional load, personal effects bikes etc will be on the rear axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Hi Have had5 motorhomers and they have all been nose down. I see it as a great advantage, most pitches are not level so I park facing uphill and van is level enough. I hate using levelling blocks and rarely dig them out. Of course you vans nose down may be extreme for some reason. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 You have two front springs from fiat -alko- goldsmitt. they have nothing to do whit designed nose down.They are in light or heavy and two axle loads and are a compromise depending on your real front axle loads. If you have a alko torsion bar rear axle their are multiple ride height settings. If you are not satisfied whit your ride height positions F/R consult a specialist or go for full air suspension. In that case you can calibrate your axles in load terms. If you load your rear the nose will come up. But you have a FWD axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsets Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Don't agree about all coach builts, my old 2.8 fiat autotrail Dakota with all fiat chassis seemed quite level inside when on a level pitch, but my newer Cheyenne and Bessacarr on fiat alko combos both are nose down so to get the fridge, cooker etc level we always have to use ramps or park on sloping pitches, nose up. Interestingly in France last year talking to a rapido a class owner with levelling jack system, he said it often failed to get it level as the fron had reached its max before the rear had lifted Still seems odd to me and a pain. Anyone know Is it the same with merc based units? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanedwin Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Our Hymer 544 and the le voyageur were both nose down and neither were on an Alko. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 You can retro fit Goldsmittch springs, they will increase the ride height by 50mm, give a higher front axle loading and give a much better ride quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keninpalamos Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 lennyhb - 2017-01-12 3:15 AM You can retro fit Goldsmittch springs, they will increase the ride height by 50mm, give a higher front axle loading and give a much better ride quality. that's what I did Lenny (see posting near the top of the page) and it works on my elderly Hymer E700. Cornering is a joy in comparison with hardly any roll and almost flat but I don't carry much in the garage apart from my Honda Dax ( monkey bike) 70kg, which sits less than a metre back from the rear axle and a 2k Honda genny and I'm thinking of leaving that out as I only use it for 5 mins. For a microwave. One of the best things about it is I no longer have to park facing up a hill, which was a real problem in Holland :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 lennyhb - 2017-01-12 3:15 AM You can retro fit Goldsmittch springs, they will increase the ride height by 50mm, give a higher front axle loading and give a much better ride quality. We've got the front Goldschmitt springs, Lenny, and although they do increase the front ride height, and are claimed to slightly "soften" the front suspension, there was no gain in permissible front axle load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 your nose empty will always down that we call the empty ride height and it is good for traction. It compensate if you load your back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsets Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 Ok thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 You can raise the nose by the front springs to save your dome bearings. 5 cm about. or go for air struts. In case of alko only the rear is somewhat adjustable by turning one teeth on the three torsion bars. Your standard ride height is set by your chassis and tyre size and axle loads and wheel base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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