Solid axel vrs ifs

Our previous coach had IFS. I thought man drives so good. This was after two attempts to get it aligned properly. When we purchased the coach we have now I was disappointed that it did not have IFS. Now I am wondering which is better. I believe the existing coach handles better but the tag could help that also. I have had both and if the one you are considering drives ok and is properly aligned I would not let it be a factor in your decision. But hey its your decision. Larry

sailor_lou wrote:
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

Thanks Lou, I would think that anything will drive better than my p30 I have now.

mike brez wrote:
Gary, I haven't seen it yet but from my research it's a solid axel Dynomax. It looks like the ifs came in the 2000 model year. It a 99 Allure. I'm hoping to go look at it tomorrow.

Oh....OK. Without dragging out my info...I think that 99 was the last year for the older style frame and the first for the electronic series Cummins.. ( ISB; ISC...etc..)

275 HP was the std engine on 99 and 2000 models BUT I dont think any left the factory without an upgrade to 330 HP

I hope ya like it...we sure do love ours

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

IFS would certainly NOT be a deal breaker for me.

Yes, perhaps slightly better ride, but lots more complex, but I am a KISS theory person.

Gary, I haven't seen it yet but from my research it's a solid axel Dynomax. It looks like the ifs came in the 2000 model year. It a 99 Allure. I'm hoping to go look at it tomorrow.

What vintage is that thing to have a solid axle? What chassis also???