It’s no exaggeration to say that Al-Ko has probably saved many lives. It offers a range of safety and security products that are highly regarded across the world – and it all started with a master locksmith named Alois Kober.
In 1931, Alois was a 23-year-old locksmith who opened a small forge in the Bavarian village of Großkötz. From those modest beginnings, he laid the foundations for what would become one of Europe’s most respected names in engineering – Al-Ko Kober. It’s a name you’re likely to be familiar with, for instance, if you’ve been looking at motorhome security accessories or even a motorhome self-levelling system.
The company name is drawn from its founder, and Alois Kober’s early focus on innovation, craftsmanship and quality set a tone that continues to define the brand.
After the Second World War, Al-Ko grew rapidly, shifting its focus from agricultural metalwork towards more specialised mechanical components.
By the 1950s, it was producing overrun brakes and trailer couplings, soon followed by complete touring caravan chassis and running gear. These innovations secured Al-Ko’s place as a key player in Europe’s burgeoning leisure vehicle industry.
Who are Al-Ko?
The firm’s UK arm, Al-Ko Kober Ltd, was established in 1951 to serve the British trailer and caravan markets.
From the company’s base in Warwickshire, it has supplied axles, chassis, towing and suspension technology to manufacturers and consumers across the country, becoming a trusted name among motorhome and caravan owners.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, Al-Ko diversified into air technology and garden machinery, broadening its reach beyond leisure vehicle technology.
In recent decades, the company has continued to expand globally, while maintaining a family ethos rooted in precision engineering and safety.
Today, following its merger with Dexter Axle, under the DexKo Global umbrella, Al-Ko remains synonymous with reliability and technical excellence – a company that has evolved constantly, while staying true to its founder’s original values.
Al-Ko’s UK Customer Service Centre
Al-Ko’s new UK Customer Service Centre in Southam, Warwickshire, is a good example of the company’s hands-on, customer-first philosophy.
It’s more than a workshop, it’s a one-stop hub where owners, dealers and fitters can get advice, technical support and professional installation of Al-Ko and E&P products. From the precision fitting of HY4 hydraulic levelling systems to chassis upgrades, everything is handled by trained specialists.
The site offers free customer parking with power hook-up.
Al-Ko chassis and axles
You’ll likely have noticed when reading reviews in Practical Motorhome (or when consulting our buyers’ guide) that some motorhomes feature Al-Ko chassis, including the Auto-Sleeper Nuevo EK Plus and the Le Voyageur 7.6 GJF Heritage. Al-Ko chassis and axles hide beneath numerous motorhome models – Al-Ko has worked with manufacturers including Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Mercedes and VW – providing strength, stability and precision.
Engineered from lightweight, high-tensile steel, each chassis is hot-dip galvanised for long-term corrosion resistance, so should last for decades.
Al-Ko’s AMC (Al-Ko Motor Chassis) is available in a number of variants. It combines a lightweight base and Al-Ko wide-track chassis with independent wheel suspension; it also features standard torsion bar suspension. Its lightweight design gives a lower centre of gravity, to help improve road-holding. This also allows for an increased payload, more storage space (always handy when loading your motorhome), easier access to the motorhome and better aerodynamics.
Two and three-axle versions are available. As an example, Pilote’s 2026 A-class models, Bailey’s Autograph coachbuilts and Swift’s Kon-Tiki coachbuilts all use this system.
A premium variant, called AMC VARIO Space, is also available.
Al-Ko accessories
Al-Ko produces a number of accessories to complement its chassis, including levelling systems (such as the Al-Ko HY4), steadies, suspension systems, security locks, towbars, trailers and more.
Al-Ko HY4 hydraulic levelling system
Al-Ko’s HY4 hydraulic system promises to help take the stress out of levelling a motorhome. Instead of wheel ramps, spirit levels and sweaty manoeuvring, with HY4 you simply press a button.
Four hydraulic jacks then extend from the motorhome’s chassis, automatically adjusting themselves to achieve a level, stable and balanced attitude on the pitch.
The clever bit is that each jack has its own self-contained hydraulic pump, eliminating messy pipework and future connection/seal issues, and ensuring the system adds minimal weight (68kg).
Controlled via a handset or smartphone app, HY4 also has a memory function for repeat levelling positions, ideal for regular pitches.
Once parked and ‘jacked’, the motorhome feels solid and stable, with doors closing cleanly, plugs draining and beds level. Moving around the ’van no longer gives the other occupants sea-sickness!
When it’s time to move, the jacks retract back into position.
Al-Ko Vehicle Technology Group took full control of levelling experts E&P Hydraulics UK in December 2021.
Here are some of the leisure-vehicle products from E&P Hydraulics available on the UK market.
LevelM
This hydraulic levelling system for motorhomes uses four hydraulic jacks to level and stabilise the motorhome in two minutes.
LevelM Pro
This lightweight hydraulic levelling system for motorhomes uses four rams to achieve a flat, stable stance. It also has an optional weighing function to check axle/gross weight, and a variant for off-road 4×4 vehicles.
LevelVan
Weighing under 50kg, this hydraulic levelling system is designed for campervans and panel vans. It features an ultra-lightweight structure (carbon cylinders) and high-quality construction.
Contact
AL-KO Customer Centre
Unit 7&8 Sucham Park,
Northfield Road,
Southam
CV47 0AB
Tel: 01926 818 500
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances and skill level. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.
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