Hi Gang,
Have a friend considering a coach for several months of travel per year. He's planning on a 1/2 ton Chevy/GMC 4X4 Crew Cab, not a light toad.
Was wondering if those with the ISC350 in 04 era Inspires, have any opinion on if this might be 'too much' weight for this unit? Braking as important as pulling. (Exhaust Braking on the ISC vs Compression Braking on the Jake with the ISL or CAT C9.).
Here is a cut and paste of the add:
"2004 Country Coach Inspire 40 ft. 3 slides. 350 Cummins with 6 spd Allison trans. Double door fridge (rebuilt in 2017). New front ac in 2017. New tires less than 1500 miles. Inverted rebuilt in March 2018. New porcelain toilet in 2016. All three slides and roof resealed at country coach factory summer of 2015. Less than 39000 miles. Beautiful coach."
Coach has not been seen in person, so normal due diligence would be required.
On Inspire's. We were sitting in the OMC waiting room a few years back, gabbing with other customers. One gent explained that when they were moving to CC from SOB that was higher up in the model lineup - that the seemed to be spending quite a bit of time fixing some of the higher level components. So, his words not mine, when buying this coach - they were attracted by it's KISS approach to components. (He like the AquaHot in his old coach when it worked, and cursed it when it did not, and when it drained his checking account for repairs
! As one of the examples he gave. (And note, we have HydroHot, and sure we've made some repairs on it, but would not be without it, as we do like it.)
I won't get this gents exact wording, but his sentiments on the Inspire were:
Good layout for them, with the three slides. 10 gallon water heater supported them well, and same on the furnace. Had plenty of capacity for their traveling needs, as far as weight and gear the carried. Suzuki SUV was hardly felt behind them when they were towing. And, he said they were getting a solid 8 MPG in their travels. He did miss his SOB's Jake Compression, and felt it's suspension was more sophisticated, had a Tag. (It was a Monaco Dynasty, don't recall the year.). He said both he and his wife always felt secure with the Inspire.
So, that along with other posts from other member's here with Inspires - reinforced my input that the Inspire is a good bang for the buck. Not as sophisticated as higher models, but compared to other brands, on average a better build quality, good wood working and other materials.
OK - So, my two main questions of this gang with Inspire experience:
1) Is that a pretty fair assessment? Inspires are above average in build quality and design, then other brands models at that point in the model line up?
2) What about the ability to tow, and stop, a 1/2 Ton 4X4 Crew Cab?
Any other general cautions, or input that I should pass on, so when he does go look the coach? (If I can, I'll go with him, as I like kicking tires and helping others spend their money!).
TIA, and best to all,
Smitty
(And note: I've the spec's from Damon's site, 350HP and 1050 lbs, so know that. And can research more on the ISC from 04. It's the seat of the pants pulling and stopping that I can't get...)
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