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What chassis have I got ?

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What chassis have I got ? Empty What chassis have I got ?

Post by Bill Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:28 am

Hope that this is not a stupid question !

I was thinking of having the  E & P levelling system fitted  to my 2017 Fiat Ducato Auto Sleepers Symbol, despite the high cost, and was asked if it had an Alko chassis.

Could somebody tell me what chassis I do have and if not how I tell ?

Many thanks.  Bill
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Post by FreelanderUK Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:34 am

Do you have leaf springs fitted at the rear , is the chassis painted or galvanised

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Post by Bill Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:41 am

FreelanderUK wrote:Do you have leaf springs fitted at the rear , is the chassis painted or galvanised
I think that I have leaf springs fitted with inflatable air bags.  Not sure if its painted or galvanised.   Bill
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Post by FreelanderUK Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:50 am

If leaf springs are fitted it’s not an Alco chassis and Alco chassis’s are galvanised not painted and use a torsion bar on the rear axle for suspension

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Post by Dave 418 Wed Jan 11, 2023 12:17 pm

If I am not mistaken the Symbol is a van base built into a Seval van body. The only thing that may be required is wheelbase because Autosleeper used different length vans depending on the model.
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Post by Tinwheeler Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:27 pm

Alko chassis are not used on panel vans. Your Symbol base chassis is as it was when it rolled off the Sevel production line.

AS only use Alko extended chassis on some coachbuilt models. Can’t remember which.

I must say it’s unusual to fit a levelling system to a van as short as the 5.4m Symbol but I’m sure you have your reasons, Bill.
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Post by Bill Wed Jan 11, 2023 3:38 pm

Tinwheeler wrote:Alko chassis are not used on panel vans. Your Symbol base chassis is as it was when it rolled off the Sevel production line.

AS only use Alko extended chassis on some coachbuilt models. Can’t remember which.

I must say it’s unusual to fit a levelling system to a van as short as the 5.4m Symbol but I’m sure you have your reasons, Bill.
Thanks for that.  I must admit that I am reconsidering have the levelling system fitted especially with the price as well.  Bill
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Post by Tinwheeler Wed Jan 11, 2023 4:34 pm

Bill wrote:
Tinwheeler wrote:Alko chassis are not used on panel vans. Your Symbol base chassis is as it was when it rolled off the Sevel production line.

AS only use Alko extended chassis on some coachbuilt models. Can’t remember which.

I must say it’s unusual to fit a levelling system to a van as short as the 5.4m Symbol but I’m sure you have your reasons, Bill.
Thanks for that.  I must admit that I am reconsidering have the levelling system fitted especially with the price as well.  Bill
Tbh, Bill, unless you have some particular need, I’d not think the system to be necessary. We had 6m Warwicks and only rarely needed to level them with wedges. The shorter the van, the less of a problem there is. Most levelling issues could be overcome by eying up the ground and picking our spot. The Sevel vans ride a bit nose down so pitching the front on higher ground usually sorted any problem.
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Post by FreelanderUK Wed Jan 11, 2023 4:46 pm

I use my air suspension bags as a leveling aid

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Post by Dave 418 Wed Jan 11, 2023 5:00 pm

Our Duetto always sat front down and was the reason for buying leveling ramps. Our Rienza sits level and I can’t remember using the leveling ramps more than a handful of times in the seven years we have had it.
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Post by Caraman Thu Jan 12, 2023 5:49 pm

I don't buy into the idea that shorter vans have less need of levellers.  It's true that the front wheels or front jacks, or the rear wheels or rear jacks, need less elevation on a short wheelbase van than on a long wheelbase van to level it fore and aft but it still needs to be level fore and aft.  The length of van or wheelbase has no bearing on side to side levelling which we find more important than fore and aft levelling.  

I think you will find that most people who have levelling jacks, and it's a growing number, speak well of them.  I particularly like being able to tip my van to the offside when out of use to improve drainage and to get all 4 wheels off the ground with the parking brake off.  For the first time I am able to inspect the tyres properly and remove stones from their tread by spinning the wheel around.  If the van is out of use for a while, I no longer inflate the tyres to their maximum pressure or worry about sidewall damage.  Removing or changing a wheel is a doddle as is fitting wheel covers and it's easier to get under the van for maintenance. Cleaning the alloy rims is even easier.   

Their only drawback is cost and finding space for the hydraulics if going for that option.  This is why I went for the cheaper all-electric Autolift 4, which so far and touch wood I am very happy with.  Jack elevation is generally less than the hydraulic systems but its good enough for shorter vans like a Nuevo.
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