A couple of the brands of motorhome we’re interested in are Safari and Beaver from the late 1990’s. Both are built on Magnum chassis.I’ve seen enough references to poor handling of Safaris (due mostly to weight distribution issues, apparently). Gives me pause in buying a Safari. I have not heard the same reports about Beaver motorhomes. Beaver floor plans seem very similar to Safari floor plans for the late 1990’s. I’m not sure how similar the other engineering may be.Do Beaver motorhomes on Magnum chassis for model years 1995 to 1999 have the same issues with handling and ride as their sister Safari motorhomes?Thanks!Wayne

Beaver M/H of that period were high quality coaches. After Monaco took control of the company, not so much. I wish I could have found a Contessa with in our budget when we were in the market.

Wayne,Just like Freightliner and Spartan, Magnum made a variety of chassis that were used on a variety of different weight and length coaches. So generalizations really are not helpful.Their leaf spring sprung coaches did/do very well. Shorter length Torsilastic suspension coaches with their short wheelbase and lightly loaded front axles not so well. A 30' DP is very hard to "do right"!They also had air suspension chassis.

We had a 99 Safari Continental with 8 air bag chassis. 155k miles of great rides. The air chassis was available on both Beaver and Safari in that time period. Best choice (IMHO) of those years would be a Beaver Patriot Thunder. Air chassis and a bigger CAT engine. Kind of like a Corvette motorhome. :) :) First year for slides was 97, maybe look at 98 and up.

I have a 2001 Beaver Contessa with the 8 air bag chassis and have no concerns with it at all.....drives well with no bad habits for me.

You ask this same question last week on the 22ndSafari chassisAnd got the same answersThere should be no suspension problems with model you are looking atIt is not the short wheelbase with problem sway barsSafari friend's on Yahoo groupsCould give you more detailed answers

Magnum Chassis | Good Sam Community

MrWizard
Moderator
May 29, 2014
You ask this same question last week on the 22nd

Safari chassis

And got the same answers

There should be no suspension problems with model you are looking at
It is not the short wheelbase with problem sway bars

Safari friend's on Yahoo groups
Could give you more detailed answers
lj2654
Explorer
May 29, 2014
I have a 2001 Beaver Contessa with the 8 air bag chassis and have no concerns with it at all.....drives well with no bad habits for me.
Twomed
Explorer
May 29, 2014
We had a 99 Safari Continental with 8 air bag chassis. 155k miles of great rides. The air chassis was available on both Beaver and Safari in that time period.

Best choice (IMHO) of those years would be a Beaver Patriot Thunder. Air chassis and a bigger CAT engine. Kind of like a Corvette motorhome. :) :) First year for slides was 97, maybe look at 98 and up.
wolfe10
Explorer
May 29, 2014
Wayne,

Just like Freightliner and Spartan, Magnum made a variety of chassis that were used on a variety of different weight and length coaches. So generalizations really are not helpful.

Their leaf spring sprung coaches did/do very well.

Shorter length Torsilastic suspension coaches with their short wheelbase and lightly loaded front axles not so well. A 30' DP is very hard to "do right"!

They also had air suspension chassis.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
May 29, 2014
Beaver M/H of that period were high quality coaches. After Monaco took control of the company, not so much. I wish I could have found a Contessa with in our budget when we were in the market.

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