The AL-KO IRS axle is clever design and is sometimes known as a “Rubberised Axle”, how it basically works is that the axle itself has strong rubber inserts mounted within a large tube housing and the independent axle stub swing arms are mounted within these at a set angle to the ground, the rubber then becomes your suspension as the stub axle arms movement and travel are controlled by this created tension much like a spring absorbs shock and then rebounding on it with an opposite action. To smooth out this process for travel comfort and safety as well as taking up the added bumps and movement that can occur between vehicle and trailer a dampener or shock absorber is required to regulate all this excess energy within the IRS suspension movement under load which in-turn provides a smooth ride.

The AL-KO IRS axle being a unique design requires a unique shock absorber and AL-KO cater to this with their very own being the AL-KO IRS Shock Absorber and if yours isn’t dampening like if once did it you may just need to be replaced to simply get your van towing at it's very best once again.