Mike Pearson
RVF Newbee
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2023
- Messages
- 1
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
All the reports to the NHTSA on the issue seem to have fallen on deaf ears - there has been no response to anyone that I know of and it would appear they are completely ignoring the issue,.
Freightliner DEF headers (I believe still supplied by TE connectivity) manufactured after 2021 seem to have very few, if any failures. It’s early though so time will tell.
Having been kicking tires the last month considering getting back to a DP I can tell you the Spartan issues have permeated the market place. I was continually admonished by Newmar dealers to avoid Spartan chassis for now. When I started my search I was leaning toward a Spartan. Most of the standing inventory of 2023 and a few 2024 New Aires seem to be on Spartan chassis. Freightliner New Aires are hard to find.Spartan is still having problems as of 2022 although they are using a new supplier - Errecinque. Whether they are still using shaw or not I don’t know, but they still have problems.
Think about being stranded in central Wyoming (or anywhere similar) at night or on a weekend (or both) on the side of the road, perhaps in the middle of winter (failures are random and unpredictable) with no cell service and you can’t move your rig. A DEF head failure could most assuredly put people at risk and many “RVs” are more a domiciled than a recreational pursuit, and many of these domiciles house an older, more at risk population with health issues. Having spent over 40 years in public safety I recognized this as a safety issue immediately. And I was not the only one - quote to the contrary.Thank you for the comprehensive review.
just curious, why NHTSA should take action on the DEF head issues?
I have had dealings with NHTSA admins and their investigative people. There are ways to get thru.
However, as I understand it, their mandate is primarily safety issues and the emission control. emission control meaning if the system/engine is emitting fumes above and beyond the gov mandated parameters.
If the head is defective and failing to operate, that is the mfr issue. If I had to deal with this mess, I'd write a letter to the ceo of the DEF head mfr and copy his legal counsel and send copies to the engine, the chassis and the Rv mfr Execs as well and their legal counsel too. All certified letters and with return receipt. Worst case scenario, they would drop your letter in the trash bin. I have been told that many times, but my experience has been otherwise. Just be professional and let these people know they have a problem and it needs to be addressed.
you see, these crummy execs, nowadays, can financially benefit themselves immensely. These exec are entirely in charge of their operations. If there is a problem and no one is raising the issue, they have no reason to spend money out of their pockets. If the masses are willing to pay for their 'junk', you think they have any motivation to stop from profiting themselves? I am sure there are execs with integrity, very very few!!!
I've had dealings with such people previously. If they can cheat you out of a dollar, they wouldn't hesitate for a moment.
Every coin has two sides, we need to do ours. The DEF head issue or the newmar slide motor issues among others. Folks, need to consider writing a letter or two to the execs in charge and raise these 'defective' issues, otherwise, we own it. just a thought.
I wouldn’t eliminate Spartan chassis rings from the search (Spartan would actually be my preference) but I would build a DSS and take it with me to pick up the coach and have it with me at all times. And its worth noting that the DSS was an ad-hoc effort preformed by talented and motivated consumers fed up with the lack of responsibility and support from the manufacturers and regulatory agencies.Having been kicking tires the last month considering getting back to a DP I can tell you the Spartan issues have permeated the market place. I was continually admonished by Newmar dealers to avoid Spartan chassis for now. When I started my search I was leaning toward a Spartan. Most of the standing inventory of 2023 and a few 2024 New Aires seem to be on Spartan chassis. Freightliner New Aires are hard to find.
As I said I started my search with a bias for the Spartan chassis. But it gets your attention when a Newmar dealer tries to talk you out of an $11,200 upgrade to a Spartan chassis for a New Aire. This problem is taking on some significant new implications in the marketplace well beyond the inconvenience of being stranded with a DEF head failure.But I digress. There are many benefits to the Spartan chassis and I wouldn’t pass one up when the DSS is readily available for a safety back-up for around $100.
Yes just the up-charge has gotten ridiculous. It was around $4k just a couple years ago.As I said I started my search with a bias for the Spartan chassis. But it gets your attention when a Newmar dealer tries to talk you out of an $11,200 upgrade to a Spartan chassis for a New Aire. This problem is taking on some significant new implications in the marketplace well beyond the inconvenience of being stranded with a DEF head failure.