Ducato Front Sag

H B Watson
H B Watson Forum Participant Posts: 183
edited October 2016 in Motorhomes #1

I thought I would share my experience of saggy Ducato's.

You may have noticed Ducato based motorhomes with a distinctly front end down attitude, this is a fairly well known problem, particularly with 3.0l A class ones. Apparently the standard Fiat front springs are not up to the job, and after a couple of years
they sag down pretty much onto the bump stops, giving a hard, harsh ride. 

I picked my "new" second hand MH up and as I drove home noticed that the ride was okay, but very harsh when going over bumps or holes in the road. I spoke to the dealer who said yes, that's what Ducato based MH's are like. Not one to accept the situation,
I investigated the issue on various forums, (although I didn't spot anything on here), and found out that there are several manufacturers of upgrad springs around, MAD, Goldschmitt, VB and one or two others. 

I decided to try a set of VB comfort springs (£400, not cheap), however I cannot describe just how much of an improvement they have made, the front of the MH now rides 50 - 60 mm higher, giveing a much more level stance (and easier to level). The ride is
amazing, no more crashing over speed bumps, while always acceptable, the ride is now truly excellent.

Incidentally I believe Hymer is now offering these springs as an optioin on new MH's, which is probably what all manufactureres should do, or frankly they shoud just be fitted as standard.

So if you're Ducato based MH is nose down there is a solution short of air suspension.

Cost for the job, £408 for springs and £150 for my local garage to fit them.

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #2

    Thats an interesting post,as its a well known fact that nearly all Sevel based M/vans have had what appears to be slightly "nose down" attitude, when we had our 2004 Autocruise  (Pug)) it was the same,and speaking to Fiat staff at the shows they say it is
    because the rear suspension is arranged to allow the vehicle to ride level when loaded,which on a lot of m/vans will not be the case ?Undecided
     

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,356 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #3

    ours lies nose down, as do the majority....

    the people sit in tne front (in lieu of one white van man), we have a loungw witn a heavy sliding table in tne front, the frisge/freezer and cooker and watertanks are amidships with only the beds and our bikes (in the garage) at the rear...

    much of the other load is spread around in underfloor hatches which sit between the axles, so we dont have. WVM type load over the rear axle...

    but a good post from HBHappy

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