Solid axel vrs ifs
Looking at a CC with a solid front axel. Besides the wheel cut that I really don't care about would it be a deal breaker for you. I know everyone says floor plan first. For me after driving around a p...
Forum Discussion
Our first MOHO (97 Winne Vectra, F53) had a solid front axle and it rode like stagecoach. We felt every bump in the road and it wandered badly, esp. when being passed by a truck or on a windy day. I installed new shocks and a Davis Tru-trac bar on the front which did help considerably, but it still required 100% concentration when driving. After that I was convinced I would only go with an IFS.
When we started looking for a new MOHO I drove several different rigs, both with and without an IFS. Much to my surprise after driving similar coaches I found the IFS was no longer a game changer for me. My observations noted the IFS was marginally smoother on extremely bumpy roads, but overall felt about the same when driving on a normal street/highway. Also, the rigs with the straight front axle seem to require fewer corrections when traveling in a straight line over those with the IFS, although this could have just been me. Our current MOHO is on a Spartan Mountain Master chassis and it has a straight axle. I drove the same year/model rig with the IFS and to be honest, I couldn't tell the difference.
Granted, these observations are limited to the few coaches that I drove and I cannot attest to whether or not they were all properly aligned, had the correct tire pressures or even were in need of some minor repair, but I was surprised at what I found. I think the bottom line is to not rule out anything (esp. when you are considering a quality rig like a CC) and let the test drive determine what's acceptable for you. I'm willing to bet a MOHO on a well designed chassis with proper weight distribution and a straight axle will drive better than an under designed chassis with an IFS. Good luck with your search.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
When we started looking for a new MOHO I drove several different rigs, both with and without an IFS. Much to my surprise after driving similar coaches I found the IFS was no longer a game changer for me. My observations noted the IFS was marginally smoother on extremely bumpy roads, but overall felt about the same when driving on a normal street/highway. Also, the rigs with the straight front axle seem to require fewer corrections when traveling in a straight line over those with the IFS, although this could have just been me. Our current MOHO is on a Spartan Mountain Master chassis and it has a straight axle. I drove the same year/model rig with the IFS and to be honest, I couldn't tell the difference.
Granted, these observations are limited to the few coaches that I drove and I cannot attest to whether or not they were all properly aligned, had the correct tire pressures or even were in need of some minor repair, but I was surprised at what I found. I think the bottom line is to not rule out anything (esp. when you are considering a quality rig like a CC) and let the test drive determine what's acceptable for you. I'm willing to bet a MOHO on a well designed chassis with proper weight distribution and a straight axle will drive better than an under designed chassis with an IFS. Good luck with your search.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
