Best diesel pusher chassis ?
What's your thoughts ? Freightliner ? Roadmaster ? Spartan ? DynoMax ? Workhorse Custom ? Others ?
Forum Discussion
Are you are advocating for a solid steer axles vs. IFS because of fewer moving parts? I am old enough to remember solid front axles on the Dodge M-series chassis as well as the Rockwell front axle used on vintage Newells and I believe on older Prevosts.
On the bigger coaches of the mid-to-late 1970s (like a 1976 Executive) with the Dodge chassis, unless an aftermarket Positrol spring-loaded front suspension stabilizer was added, crossing railroad tracks often induced a front end shimmy that required stopping and starting again. The Rockwell axles axles required the bearing to be repacked on a scheduled basis. After Rockwell went to oiled front axle bearings, oil would seep out in hot weather at highway speeds, never enough to cause a mechanical issue but unsightly to be sure.
The IFS systems were much more maintenance free right from their introduction on motorhomes, they ride and steer better, and they allow for a greater steering cut angle for a shorter turning radius. The next steps include computer controlled active suspension, active tag axle steering, and Dana electric column drive steering. But as I recall, this thread started with the search for a great used coach, so that last good stuff may have to wait.
On the bigger coaches of the mid-to-late 1970s (like a 1976 Executive) with the Dodge chassis, unless an aftermarket Positrol spring-loaded front suspension stabilizer was added, crossing railroad tracks often induced a front end shimmy that required stopping and starting again. The Rockwell axles axles required the bearing to be repacked on a scheduled basis. After Rockwell went to oiled front axle bearings, oil would seep out in hot weather at highway speeds, never enough to cause a mechanical issue but unsightly to be sure.
The IFS systems were much more maintenance free right from their introduction on motorhomes, they ride and steer better, and they allow for a greater steering cut angle for a shorter turning radius. The next steps include computer controlled active suspension, active tag axle steering, and Dana electric column drive steering. But as I recall, this thread started with the search for a great used coach, so that last good stuff may have to wait.
