Off-road axle suspension systems from AL-KO
To withstand even the most adventurous routes and reliably protect the vehicle body, suspension systems need to able to neutralize the roughest pothole passages. AL-KO VT offers off-road adventurers the equipment they need with the Enduro series’ axle suspension systems.
Off-roading takes you practically anywhere
The next adventure is often just a few meters away
Those who glide along well-paved roads towards their pre-booked parking space in a vacation paradise often fail to notice that most of the earth's land surface is untarmacked. Even the longest asphalt strips end, and an off-road adventure usually awaits just a few meters to the left and right of it.
Professional cross-country driving equipment
Going beyond the impassable
Professionals who earn the majority of their money off the beaten track don't get a choice in the matter. Forestry teams and rangers, disaster control and technical relief organizations, water rescue services and the Red Cross, gamekeepers and shepherds – they all go wherever they are needed, bringing their equipment with them into the most remote areas. Good ground clearance and uncompromisingly robust axle suspension are the key factors here.
Designed for towing off-road
A lot of investment goes into the all-terrain mobility of towing vehicles. The VW Amarok, Nissan Navara or Ford Ranger are also very popular with off-road enthusiasts, as four-wheel drive can be considered standard from a certain vehicle class upwards. “Of course, this is where the people sit who want to enjoy the ride as much as possible,” says Product Manager Mircan Ünsal from AL-KO VT. “But what use is the most comfortable off-road-capable towing vehicle if the unit it’s towing, and its valuable body, touches down on the first deep bump and is damaged?”
Investing in the body’s axle
Whether it's a decent mobile sleeping facility for occasional forest campers, a diesel generator with a floodlight system, or a field kitchen for a disaster area: The right axle suspension system ensures the trailer body lasts longer and retains its value. The axle system itself can also keep pace for longer if it is specially designed for traversing untamed terrain. The Enduro X from AL-KO VT is without doubt one of these axle systems. The suspension system, which is primarily designed for professional use, is lightweight, equipped with high-performance shock absorbers, and is resistant to rust and stone chipping.
The Enduro X system was developed for the Outback by AL-KO’s Australian team. Grant Douglas, AL-KO Managing Director Australia, says: “Getting off the beaten track gives you a truly unparalleled experience of nature in this country. A fully off-road-capable axle system ensures unalloyed pleasure for at least two reasons: The conditions in the Outback far exceed the limits of standard road vehicles. Plus, the long distances involved make any vehicle malfunction a real risk.” The Enduro X systems are suited for these requirements in every respect.
AL-KO VT has now adapted the system for European applications, with the Enduro G providing a variant on the Enduro X concept for occasional off-road use. Despite its low weight, the independent wheel suspension has a high load-bearing capacity thanks to its clamshell design. The bolted wheel brake offers the expected level of performance and is easy to replace if needed. The position of the wheels can also be individually adjusted using extender bolts to optimize toe and camber. This reduces tire wear and takes driving comfort to the next level. The twin side-mounted shock absorbers reliably compensate for any rolling tendency, even on high bodies. To summarize, the independent wheel suspension enables very high ground clearance. On the other hand, the sophisticated component design with several suspension variants makes it possible to achieve a very high level of driving comfort.”
The spring as central element
As robust as bolted steel
The central element of the Enduro X is its steel coil spring. It is an absolute icon of robustness, and is able to withstand practically any impact or shock load. Dust, mud or gravel casually slide off. And if it ever does need replacing, it's easy to do so.
The G variant
For smoother comfort
If you are less interested in extremes, but want the option of making the occasional detour to remote stretches of water or viewpoints, you can rely on the Enduro X’s smoother sister: The Enduro G delivers everything the X version can, but cushions the towed unit with a rubber spring. The guys from R&D inverted the system’s design to make it suitably robust. So, we can achieve a larger rubber volume than comparable spring-damper systems. The result is very good damping behavior and thus low wobble and good lane handling. The development team behind the Enduro G all agree that its driving response in off-road conditions is comparable to that of the Enduro X. Despite the change in design, it is still based on the proven rubber spring technology and thus promises the usual durability.
The streetwise Enduro
Regardless of which vehicle body you want to tow behind you over rough terrain, you can protect it and your equipment and enjoy the ride much more in the long term with the Enduro X and Enduro G axle systems from AL-KO VT. The two off-road specialties pull your towed unit faithfully along through thick and thin. The driving response when you return to civilization is impeccable as well.
Armanc Amac, Managing Director AL-KO VT Turkey, explains the huge interest in the two Enduro variants: “Whether you are an off-roading professional or enthusiast, the two Enduros give you that extra degree of freedom on the road. It simply feels good to know you have everything you need, without having to shrink away from difficult terrain. Even self-confessed fair-weather drivers sometimes have to bump over fields or short stretches of unmended side roads. With an Enduro-damped chassis, you can simply take the most direct path instead of time-wasting detours. This not only makes driving more satisfying, but also more fun.”
