Chassis Which Suspension?

[Dove]

Currently have a Starcraft Outback. In 2 years we have done about 15k mainly on highways. Last year at 5k distance the AlKo axle and tyres were replaced. Axle bent and tyres scrubbing out. Now after our latest trip of about 10k the left hand shocker is leaking oil.

So what should I do? Replace the shocker? Replace both shockers with the same AlKo type? Or, is there another brand shocker I should use? Or, should I trade the van on the latest Outback with independent suspension?

Ninety nine percent of our travel this trip was on highways. Sure the the small gravel bits were a little rough but were driven slowly. The worst highways were NT border thru Qld down to Bourke. Very bouncy, travelled at about 90kph. Didnt hit any pot holes or dead roos. Im becoming very disillusioned with this AlKo suspension.
Advice appreciated.
Peter.

 

[Bluey]

Currently have a Starcraft Outback. In 2 years we have done about 15k mainly on highways. Last year at 5k distance the AlKo axle and tyres were replaced. Axle bent and tyres scrubbing out. Now after our latest trip of about 10k the left hand shocker is leaking oil.

So what should I do? Replace the shocker? Replace both shockers with the same AlKo type? Or, is there another brand shocker I should use? Or, should I trade the van on the latest Outback with independent suspension?

Ninety nine percent of our travel this trip was on highways. Sure the the small gravel bits were a little rough but were driven slowly. The worst highways were NT border thru Qld down to Bourke. Very bouncy, travelled at about 90kph. Didnt hit any pot holes or dead roos. Im becoming very disillusioned with this AlKo suspension.
Advice appreciated.
Peter.

I have a 2014 model very good rides very nice evan turning out of step drive ways its so good but the vans are heavier with the new suspension a lot heavier 2 to 300 kgs I think but check that

 

[Drover]

Is it a single axle ? The axle should be 50mm square and really shouldn't bend but if your tyres were scrubbed out and a dealer said the axle was bent , well it probably wasn't, just badly alighned, a trip to a truck alighn place will fix it all. Buy a set of after market shocks but theAlko should be okay.
My rig has covered some 20,000kms since I upgraded my suspension (original was no good) with Alko springs and all good but greasable pins and good alighnment is crucial.
Chunky off road tyres on dual axles will chop out even when alighned, just need highway pattern on lazy axles.
Buying a new vanis a bit drastic and alighnment on independants is even more crucial.

 

[Dove]

Thanks for the replies. My van is the 16.51 Outback, single axle. The tare is 1829 vs the new model with independent suspension at 1930 kg. Last year I also considered alignment as the tyres were scrubbed on the very inside edge of tread, worse on the right. They tried to blame me for mistreating the van and eventually replaced axle and tyres under warranty. Yes the axle is the 50mm square one. Before leaving on our last trip I had the wheels balanced. The rig has towed very well. It was only by chance I crawled under the van and realised the shocker was leaking. None of these problems should show up on the K's travelled or the roads hence my worry about Alko. I am very careful how I tow as I know it doesn't take much to start shaking screws out.
I can't do much about the springs but is there a good brand of after market shocker I could consider?
Trading the van is a big step. But next year I want to go Tibooburra and home via Cunamulla. I also have Lawn Hill on my list. The issues I have had leave me wondering what else might come adrift.
I have met several people towing new Jayco's with the independent suspension. All indicated that they were better than the earlier beam axle design.

 

[mfexpanda]

Thanks for the replies. My van is the 16.51 Outback, single axle. The tare is 1829 vs the new model with independent suspension at 1930 kg. Last year I also considered alignment as the tyres were scrubbed on the very inside edge of tread, worse on the right. They tried to blame me for mistreating the van and eventually replaced axle and tyres under warranty. Yes the axle is the 50mm square one. Before leaving on our last trip I had the wheels balanced. The rig has towed very well. It was only by chance I crawled under the van and realised the shocker was leaking. None of these problems should show up on the K's travelled or the roads hence my worry about Alko. I am very careful how I tow as I know it doesn't take much to start shaking screws out.
I can't do much about the springs but is there a good brand of after market shocker I could consider?
Trading the van is a big step. But next year I want to go Tibooburra and home via Cunamulla. I also have Lawn Hill on my list. The issues I have had leave me wondering what else might come adrift.
I have met several people towing new Jayco's with the independent suspension. All indicated that they were better than the earlier beam axle design.

We had 2 16' OB with the single axel leave springs and now duel axel with j-tech and I don't know if it's a duel axel thing but it's so much smoother and better all round . I'd never go back to the leave suspension it that much better .

 

[Crusty181]

We had 2 16' OB with the single axel leave springs and now duel axel with j-tech and I don't know if it's a duel axel thing but it's so much smoother and better all round . I'd never go back to the leave suspension it that much better .

Im with @mfexpanda, he's very wise. I wouldn't go back to leaf either .... but the Jtech does come a cost. Its expensive, its very heavy and the van is way to high for my dodgy knees (didn't know I had dodgy knees until I bought a van with Jtech suspension)

 

[Dove]

Thanks for the replies. We will see what sort of deal we can negotiate at the Oct leisurefest. If it doesn't work out I will look at having a set of Pedder shocks fitted.
Our current Outback has good ground clearance. We carry one of those moveable caravan steps. If the ground is such that we only need one step we use the moveable one. If the ground is steeper we extend the fold away step built into the van. My wife has doggy knees and she is fine with this set up.

 

[Drover]

In addition to my earlier post.........okay scrubbing on inside of both tyres, in reality an easy fix at a dedicated alighnment shop (not a van dealer or tyre shop) it means a slight bend of axle.......but if you haven't got greasable pins, the bolts that hold the axle to body then it would be a waste of time...........the ability to grease your shackle pins is invaluable in keeping your suspension in top shape, I grease mine weekly when on the road, more so after rain or dirt roads............you shouldn't worry about ALKO stuff it is not too bad, mine has belted along some horrible stuff out around Aramac which tested my upgrade very well and I was very pleased that it didn't fall off as I did it all myself.
Don't be concerned with the shocks, I have had top brand ones fail on truck and FWD in weeks, it's really luck of draw but there are others around which are pretty good, take old shock off measure it at full extension and at compression , take pic of mount type and go shopping.

Independant suspension is great but since most folks only belt along the tar it is an expensive/heavy addition, properly set up spring/axle is just as good in many ways if staying on the tar plus if done right is still far better if it breaks when out in the never never, easier to fix.

So basically take it to a Truck Alighn specialist and get it set correctly and your tyres and springs will last for ages, they will more than likely have decent shocks to suit, decent ones because they don't want you coming back again for warranty and rather you spread the word on what a top mob they are...................it does work.

A dealer is the last place to go for specialist work...........

 

[Dove]

Thanks Drover. If I cant get the right change over price I will definitely be talking to a specialist as you suggest. The reason I am interested in the up grade is the independent suspension to enable us to visit more out of the way places.

 

[Drover]

the independent suspension to enable us to visit more out of the way places.

Thats what they reckon but I can only think it's sales pitch as we always managed to get to out of the way places years ago and I can tell you they were more out of the way than now, we didn't have all this fancy stuff then..............even though it's good gear.