IFS vs solid front axel

Now some have brought diesel pushers into the discussion. There is no comparison because diesel pushers ride on air bags, so the ride will be smoother. Different application all together.

Since the current availiility of class A's with anything but a straight axle front end is quite limited and generally owners spend lots more time parked and living in our coaches. I would not allow the presence or absence of any suspension to be a deal breaker either way.

I've found very little difference in overall maintainance or performance one way or the other in about 80,000 miles on three different coaches. I can't go further with that thought since I've traded every unit at about the same mileage, 80,000. Although that has been the trend so far, I don't see any way that I will be replacing my current Dutch Star any time soon and it has 80k+ as of last weekend.

bluebirdPT36 wrote:
Gjac
I am sorry that I kinda hijacked your thread. The only thing I can add is that any well designed suspension should last 100k miles with zero replacement parts.
(shocks may not go that far, but quality ones can).

Do a little homework on whatever coach you choose and if no problems appear, go for it.

No need to apologize peripheral comments are always interesting. If I get a newer gas MH it will have to be on a solid front axle. What I have concluded from the comments is that the ride may be smoother with IFS but the solid axle would be better for tire wear and long term and long term maintenance. I have spent roughly $5000 so far between Henderson coil springs, bell cranks, idler arms etc. When my ride height was low as Randy explained the tires scalloped badly. It rides great now.

I drive a solid front axle.

The biggest difference that I can see is the need for a Trac Bar or Pan-Hard bar (Same thing, different names) IFS does not need them on the front (though a rear one may help). Solid front with leaf springs does (And again a rear one may help as well).

I had a F-53 in 2002, and it did ride kind of rough. But it just makes sense that it would with leaf springs all around. But you do have an advantage over IFS and that is less parts to wear out. And IFS you do get a lot of weird tire wear if your weight is not distributed even through out the coach.

topflite51 wrote:
My butt dyno told me that my '83 P chassis that I owned was a softer ride than my current 97' Ford chassis, can't say it was better or worse. The airbags inside the coils on the P were a joke as were the bellcranks, but this is just my opinion. If you were buying an old P chassis today and keeping it for an eternity the best thing one could do to that chassis is to replace those items with springs and bellcranks from Henderson's, again just my opinion. Haven't owned a diesel so I won't comment on their ride.

I have changed all those items that you mentioned plus ball joints and tie rod ends. I felt that It was a lot of parts to replace in in a 100k miles. Reading some of the threads on here about the F-53 chassis many are complaining about a rough ride.

Gjac
I am sorry that I kinda hijacked your thread. The only thing I can add is that any well designed suspension should last 100k miles with zero replacement parts.
(shocks may not go that far, but quality ones can).

Do a little homework on whatever coach you choose and if no problems appear, go for it.

My butt dyno told me that my '83 P chassis that I owned was a softer ride than my current 97' Ford chassis, can't say it was better or worse. The airbags inside the coils on the P were a joke as were the bellcranks, but this is just my opinion. If you were buying an old P chassis today and keeping it for an eternity the best thing one could do to that chassis is to replace those items with springs and bellcranks from Henderson's, again just my opinion. Haven't owned a diesel so I won't comment on their ride.

The biggest disadvantage to IFS is immediate and drastic alignment shift with changes in ride height. On your P-30, if you added weight to the rear of your RV that changed the ride height the front alignment would go negative on the camber and should toe out dramatically. The result of this is tire wear. Adding weight any where on a straight axle vehicle does not change the alignment just the position of the steering wheel in relation to straight ahead. Ride is secondary to tire wear on vehicles that have drastic changes in load weight and load location.
Randy

Maybe my question wasn't clear enough I have a IFS now in the P-30, I know many of you long time RVers must have went from a P-30 to a solid axle on either the newer Ford or Chevy. Was the ride better or worst, smoother or rougher? Or no noticeable difference? Theory is nice and car comparisons are interesting but if you have had both on the same size MH that would be a better comparison. Also does the solid front axle require fewer replacement parts over 100k miles?