Improving the Fiat Ducato suspension: how to do it!

The Fiat Ducato is an extremely popular vehicle base for motorhomes and camper vans worldwide. However, like its competitors – such as the Citroën Jumper, Peugeot Boxer or Ford Transit – the vehicle still has room for improvement when it comes to handling. Motorhome drivers therefore ask themselves how they can improve the Fiat Ducato suspension. We have the answer!

Motorhome drivers know the problem: when cornering, in crosswinds or during evasive maneuvers, their vehicle tends to sway considerably. Bumps or potholes are also often poorly damped. The Fiat Ducato is no different. But with the right components, campers can effectively improve the Fiat Ducato suspension.

Stock suspensions have design-related disadvantages

The problem with the stock suspension: Because almost all motorhomes are based on simple van suspensions, they also inherit the design-related disadvantages. Unlike vans, which only drive fully loaded from time to time, motorhomes are always 75 percent or more loaded due to the fixed installations. As soon as the motorhome goes on vacation, it quickly reaches 100 percent. This means that they are often just under the permissible total weight. A load condition for which the standard suspension is generally not designed.

Improve Fiat Ducato suspension with air suspension?

Quite a few Ducato owners therefore opt for additional air suspension, which supports the spring work of the standard steel springs on the rear axle. The height of the air bellows can be continuously adjusted to the respective load, controlled from the cockpit. However, retrofitting additional air suspension is quite cost-intensive.

Two new shock absorbers from BILSTEIN have proven to be an extremely powerful, more economical alternative to air suspension.

Fiat Ducato drivers can eliminate the design-related disadvantages with special shock absorbers. With the BILSTEIN B6 Camper and the even more powerful BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced we have significantly improved both ride comfort and driving safety for the Fiat Ducato.

Special BILSTEIN shock absorbers significantly improve driving behavior

The reinforced motorhome shock absorbers not only significantly reduce the tendency to roll in bends and crosswind sensitivity, resulting in much safer and more precise handling. Compared to motorhomes with stock suspension, the dampers are noticeably more stable without compromising comfort. With the BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced, we have also been able to give motorhomes based on the Fiat Ducato a driving experience that is otherwise only known from premium cars. The improved shock absorber uses the patented BILSTEIN DampMatic® system, which we developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz.

At the heart of this technology is the automatic damping force adjustment, which works without expensive electronics and implements two different characteristic curves: When road conditions permit, the BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced damps very comfortably. However, if the situation requires it, the optimized shock absorber is able to provide high damping forces. It maintains stability on smaller road excitations and automatically absorbs larger excitations.

The trade press confirms that the BILSTEIN camper shock absorbers increase comfort and driving safety

The trade press has tested how well the new BILSTEIN shock absorbers for Fiat Ducato motorhomes work. “Auto Bild Reisemobil” confirmed the excellent handling of the BILSTEIN B6 Camper and BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced shock absorbers in its test vehicle (Fiat Ducato Malibu): “It’s hard to believe, but the new BILSTEIN shock absorbers make a huge difference! A clear recommendation to buy!”

And “promobil”, Europe’s largest motorhome magazine, and “Reisemobil International” also confirmed that the shock absorbers specially developed for motorhomes and camper vans offer a significant increase in comfort and driving safety.

What are the benefits of additional air suspension in motorhomes?

Many motorhome fans rely on additional air suspension from specialist suppliers such as Goldschmitt, Linnepe or Ramto to significantly optimize driving safety and comfort. The additional air suspension supports the spring work of the standard steel springs on the rear axle. The height of the air bellows can be continuously adjusted to the respective load using compressed air controlled from the cockpit. This makes it possible to raise the rear of heavy motorhomes permanently or only when necessary.

When retrofitting air suspension, clever motorhome owners decide to install special motorhome shock absorbers such as the BILSTEIN B6 Camper or BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced at the same time. After all, replacing the air suspension and shock absorbers at the same time not only makes economic sense, but also promises maximum performance for the vehicle.

The advantages of BILSTEIN B6 Camper and B6 Camper Advanced

• Noticeably more driving comfort and increased directional stability
• Greater driving safety – even in critical situations
• Reduced tendency to roll and crosswind sensitivity
• Registration-free
• With the BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced two characteristic lines for maximum comfort AND maximum safety