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Solid front axel

Yahoo Message Number: 94523
Looking at a 1999 Allure. It has a solid front axel. I didn't get to drive it yet but wanted some feed back on how they ride and if it would be a deal breaker vrs the ifs. Also anything to pay special attention to on this model and year for problems? I'm guessing the fridge and the rubber on the windows creeping.

Re: Solid front axel

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94525
We have a solid front axle, and it rides very nicely. After we had the chassis renovated at Country Coach last year, we found it is very close to an IFS in ride quality.

Re: Solid front axel

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94526
I had one of the last 10 98 Allures built, basically a 99. Mine was 36' but measured 37' 10. My current 42' 2004 Intrigue can turn inside my old Allure. I would make sure someone has kept the exhaust brake serviced, and check to make sure the electric heating element on the water heater is OK. I never used mine, just the propane. make sure the coach has 275R80 tires instead of the original 275R70, which couldn't handle the front axle weight. I believe by 99 all the coaches had two ride height valves on the rear axle and one on the front axle. If not you need to have the swap made. The front axle can't handle the dynamic roll moment of the coach. 40 ft coaches could be easily over loaded on the front axle. So, after you fill the coach and have a full fuel tank have the coach weighed front to back and side to side. If you have the kitchen slide you may need to have the ride eight valves tweaked to transfer some of the weight off the left front corner of the coach to the duals. I put struts on the doors on the front cabinets and cabinets in the slide so they could be opened with one hand and accessed easily by one hand. I would throw out the old TV's and have the front cabinets modified to keep from striking your forehead. I have a long torso, so seats on Allures and Intrigues are very uncomfortable for me, so I had them changed. Keep your wood work treated with panel magic and if you store your coach in a dry climate place some water containers in side to keep the wood from drying out. I would insist on having all the service records on the coach to verify proper maintenance if bought from a dealer. 99 Allures only have clear coat on the paint and on the front fiber glass, so I would pay close attention to the condition of the fiberglass on the sides and rear of the coach.

The list goes on and on. There were at least a half dozen updates by Cummins on the ISC 330 engine, a couple for the injection pump could really improve fuel milage and performance. I would have the transmission flushed and Transynd installed. Make sure the CAC is checked as they all fail eventually. I would have a drain installed on the fresh water tank for winterizing. And one on the fuel tank. I'm having to deal with water in my fuel tank for the second time in 3 years! What a pain. I'm not in love with the Flying J in Eloy at the moment. I would have all rubber hoses inspected carefully.

Zip Dee Patio awnings can have the extension arms attached either at the top or at the roller. Having them attached at the top makes life much easier. The awning over the front slide can get caught by the wind and unfurl if not adjusted properly. I had a travel lock on mine but you have to be careful and release the lock before extending the slide!!!!!!!!!.

TWI 98 Allure 30255 and 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Solid front axel

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94532
I haven't seen the coach yet I'm going to see it April 6th. I have a question about this clear coat. I wax under the impression the exterior was going to be full body paint with clear coat. Are the side graphics painted on?
 

Re: Solid front axel

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94537
On 98 and 99 Allures only the painted graphics and the front cap had clear coat, unless you paid extra foe a total clear coat which was not a published option. 2000 was the first year for total 2 stage clear coat over the entire coach, roof excluded. 2002 was the first year for total body paint and clear coat. The clear coat will only stick to paint faithfully. 2000 and 2001 coaches suffered from the clear coat peeling on the radius where the roof curves to over lap the walls.

Intrigues had full body clear coat from 98 to 2001. They received full body paint with full clear coat on 2002 ALSO!!!!

My 98 Allure listed for $200,000 and I paid $138, 900. I could of had a 40' for another $1800.00. If I had, I probably would not have purchased the 42' Intrigue 6 years later. I had saved $12,000 to have the entire coach repainted at the factory, and had an appointment, when I ordered the Intrigue.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731.