Magnum Chassis

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

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

[davegvg]

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
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

Have a 98 beaver monterey on a magnum chassis - rides and handles like a dream.
As good or better than any rig of comparable size and weight and light years beyond a gasser

Ive towed 7K with it - no bad manners Ive picked up.

Its good enough that I invested a bunch of dough into it already with zero chassis concerns.
Ive only got 24K on her, but have already repainted it, and dropped in a diesel genny in place of the propane unit.

Uncle Dave

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

Brett,

Okay, thanks! I had no idea that the suspension types were so distinct and easily identifiable in practice.

Wayne

[wolfe10]

Wayne,

Just ask what suspension it has when you inquire about a coach.

Really only three choices:

Leaf spring-- clearly identifiable-- yup, you can see the leaf springs.

Torsilastic, also known as Velvet Ride (my personal opinion, the lesser of the three choices as it has been out of production for over a decade).

Air suspension (most early ones were 4 air bag). Monaco higher end Safaris 8 air bag.

If a seller can't tell you that much about his coach, "Run Forest, Run"!

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

wolfe10 wrote:
Being a big fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). . . Basement storage generous and with its simple leaf spring suspension, very little maintenance.

. . . and light weight (under 21,000 loaded) make for good performance and MPG.

The idea of Simple appeals to me as well. I wish I could find somewhere a credible list of which Safaris had the leaf-spring suspension.

The lighter weight of an aluminum skin appeals to me also.

Wayne

[Ivylog]

Previous MH was a 40' 98 Beaver Patriot on a 8 air bag suspension. Handled well although I probably should have put new shocks on the front as it would bounce a little after hitting a good bump. Some years had a brake recall for the Bosch disk brakes. Nice MH all the way around with a 330Cat/6 spd Allison and the exhaust brake worked really well.

[Twomed]

Magnum Chassis

Lots of reading in the search above.

Personal experience...we drove the 99 for 155k miles it spent zero overnight time in a shop in six years.

I did all my own maint. The good part of Magnum, it was assembled from all standard heavy duty truck/bus parts. The part numbers for almost everything was either on the part or readily searchable. Very easy to find and replace almost anything on the chassis.

Find a good clean floorplan that you both like, one with good maint records...PULL THE TRIGGER...hit the road and enjoy the ride. 🙂 🙂

[MrWizard]

Any coach produced by SMC Safari Motor Coach, before it was bought out
Will have the chassis , marque on the rear along with the SMC logo
I can't vouch for Manaco MFG coaches
But look at the rear of the coach for the chassis marque

BTW. AFAIK..The blue steak chassis was MFG by smc not Monaco

[wolfe10]

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
The floor plan looks to be identical to a 1998 Safari Sahara 3540, but I have no idea what other similarities there may be.

Wayne

Being a big fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) we have the Sahara 3540 (a 1997 model) you mention. Agree the floorplan is very workable. Basement storage generous and with its simple leaf spring suspension, very little maintenance.

The 300 HP/860 lb-ft of torque at 1,440 RPM Cat 3126, Allison 6 speed and light weight (under 21,000 loaded) make for good performance and MPG.

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

MrWizard wrote:
You ask this same question last week on the 22nd

Safari chassis

And got the same answers. . .

The answers I got last week when I asked about Safari, particularly answers by PM, and research I have done since, have me spooked about Safaris, however much we like the floor plans and general reputation for quality.

I've done some research about Beaver motorhomes, and I have found not one thing to suggest that Beavers shared this trait, despite similar floor plans and same chassis maker.

I'm trying to get confirmation that Beaver motorhomes do not share the same issues that trouble at least some Safaris.

Sorry my questions seem similar, but I'm really asking about Beaver this time and trying to understand reasons for the difference, if one exists.

Wayne

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

wolfe10 wrote:
. . . So generalizations really are not helpful. . .

Brett,

Talk of torsilastic suspension issues, and trouble identifying exactly which Safari coaches have it due to various confusing trade names for suspensions, has me a little spooked about Safari in general. What appeals to me is their reputation for quality and their floor plans that appear ideally suited for a retired couple. I know the suspension issues are fixable, but I live in a remote area and finding someone with the knowledge to sort out problems with an unusual type of suspension is a challenge I do not want to undertake.

Curiously, I have not yet found the same kinds of issues raised about Beaver motorhomes on Magnum chassis.

The current interest is a 1998 Beaver Moneterey 3600. Owner claims it has a “Blue Streak Air Ride” suspension, whatever that is. I don’t know whether that is a true air suspension or some other type of suspension with an air assist. The floor plan looks to be identical to a 1998 Safari Sahara 3540, but I have no idea what other similarities there may be.

Wayne

[MrWizard]

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]

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]

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]

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.