IFS

[supercub]

Looking at an 06 coach that has the Spartan IFS front end.......looking for pros and cons on it. Anything I should be aware of? Thanks

[Route 66]

My '07 has IFS.

No cons that I know of.

It handles good, rides good, steers good, 55* wheel cut.

[Parkerrs]

The only drawback that I have read or heard about is with the ball joint boots. The ball joints are not greasable and once the boot succumbs to the elements the joints are short lived with no boot or grease.

[a1elect]

We have a K2 IFS chassis and it has been great. I know we do not have ball joints per say just large pivot shafts at top and bottom. We do have grease fittings that i lube every year. I think maybe the Mountain master chassis may have the ball joints mentioned above, not really sure. The only thing i can say is if it is the k2 chassis do install the Koni shocks. They really make the ride Great!
2005 travel supreme select

[JMonroe]

Don't automatically discount the beam axle chassis. While an IFS may have the edge on a 'bomb cratered' surface, fact is we rarely drive on those (unless you're from CA ). Our Revolution is our first DP, first on an air suspension. I can't imagine how much better an IFS would have to be to notice a real difference.

[AFChap]

I have MM chassis w/IFS on my '03. Love the ride and handling. Apx 62k mi and never had an issue of any kind. Sure wish the rear were independent too!.

[GaryKD]

Hi supercub,
This is my first IFS coach. Except for the ball joint problem, too many front end alignments to count, having to spend spend over $7k of my $s to get the chassis to steer and ride right I have had no problems with the chassis. I would not pay more for IFS. For me it is not a selling point. For me, once the jump to air suspension is made, solid beam vs IFS is a moot point.

[David K]

I have the mountain master chassis on my rig. Love the ride and on mine, there were grease zerts to allow me to grease the ball joints. I did have the problem with the boots deteriorating so I "bit the bullet" this year and had them replaced (the ball joints with new boots). It has made a big difference in the handling (tightened it up) so I am glad that I did it.

[bullheaded]

I beams are for trucks....I'd rather drive a Caddy......Sorry, just my opinion, again.

[JMonroe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullheaded I beams are for trucks....I'd rather drive a Caddy......Sorry, just my opinion, again.

bullheaded, you come by your user ID naturally.

Your caddy doesn't weight 40 to 50k lbs. If they sized up the ball joints on your rig proportional to those on the caddy, they'd be big as basketballs! They aren't.

Suspension technology has come a long way in the past 50 years. I'd wager that given a ride in two identical coaches, one IFS and the other beam axle, you'd not be able to tell the difference, if blindfolded, except under some infrequent exceptions.

Bottom line, everything we spend our money on is a compromise of needs, wants and wishes matched with what we have available or are willing to spend to get it. To many the $12 to $15k premium paid for IFS is better spent elsewhere.

[bullheaded]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe bullheaded, you come by your user ID naturally. Your caddy doesn't weight 40 to 50k lbs. If they sized up the ball joints on your rig proportional to those on the caddy, they'd be big as basketballs! They aren't. Suspension technology has come a long way in the past 50 years. I'd wager that given a ride in two identical coaches, one IFS and the other beam axle, you'd not be able to tell the difference, if blindfolded, except under some infrequent exceptions. Bottom line, everything we spend our money on is a compromise of needs, wants and wishes matched with what we have available or are willing to spend to get it. To many the $12 to $15k premium paid for IFS is better spent elsewhere.

Still have a Kenworth 300 series toterhome with a 14' box with living qtrs that I pull a 36' offshore boat. It has a straight axle...rides and drives like a truck.

Drove a Revolution and a Travel Supreme 2 years ago..no comparison..both had air ride, bought the TS.

Like I said...my opinion.

[Tha_Rooster]

Super cup I noticed you where on fleetwood asking about shocks mine has bilstens I believe Spartan got best ride in it's class or until someone corrects me anyway the ride is smooth and quite.

[Cruzer]

We've had both. On a smooth road the slid front axle rides fine and it's hard to tell the difference between it and IFS. The IFS begins to shine when the roads aren't so good. I can think of three situations where IFS has benefits.

1) Potholes will make a big difference because the shock is absorbed by one wheel rather than transfer across the entire axle.

2) Entering a driveway approach at an angle tends to rock the coach back and forth with a solid axle as first one wheel hits the ramp and then the other. With IFS this is minimized because the wheel lifts rather than leveraging the entire axle.

3) Should a steer tire blowout occur, IFS will make it easier to control the vehicle. A solid axle requires a bit more wrestling to keep it out of the weeds.

Other than those benefits there's nothing really wrong with a solid front axle. If the right coach came along I wouldn't let the axle choice deter me from buying it. It I had the option of choosing either way I would pay the extra for the IFS if my budget allowed it. If not, I'd settle for the solid front axle.

Now, whether or not to go with a single rear axle or a tag axle - that's a whole different story (and topic ).