Chassis comparison

[#1footballfan]

Wanted to know if there is a huge difference when driving either a Spartan K2 or Freightliner chassis? Thanks for the input.
Dave

 

[Neemer]

IMO, no.

 

[Underboss]

The only difference you feel is 5k lighter in the wallet if you option the Spartan chassis

 

[#1footballfan]

IMO, no.

Thanks. Also, we were told there is a difference with a side mounted radiator as opposed to the one in the very back like in a Newmar Ventana. Do you know about that ?

 

[Underboss]

Thanks. Also, we were told there is a difference with a side mounted radiator as opposed to the one in the very back like in a Newmar Ventana. Do you know about that ?

I owned a 21 Ventana with the rear radiator. Yes, its a little more difficult to do the maintenance for you, but not a professional shop. Many will say well maintenance is done through the floor hatch in the bathroom. Not really, had full maintenance done twice and they never went inside the coach. The only time that hatch was accessed was for the fuel rail recall and had I not been there I never would have known. All Ventana's are rear rad and all Dutch Stars are side rad, no matter Spartan or Fl

 

[Neemer]

To be totally honest, the only way to fairly answer that question is to drive two units of the same year and model, one on FL and the other on Spartan. My previous coach was on a 2004 Spartan, but it’s unfair to compare its ride against a modern FL. Having said that, my modern day FL rides just fine, as did my old Spartan.

 

[#1footballfan]

To be totally honest, the only way to fairly answer that question is to drive two units of the same year and model, one on FL and the other on Spartan. My previous coach was on a 2004 Spartan, but it’s unfair to compare its ride against a modern FL. Having said that, my modern day FL rides just fine, as did my old Spartan.

Thanks. I was looking at a spec sheet and it showed an upcharge for the Spartan K2 chassis, so I thought there was a difference in the ride.

 

[JRS]

On Dutch Stars, Newmar now charges $11,200 for the option of going with the K2 on the 43ft floor plans! I've never driven a Spartan. Even if they were priced the same, I would still go with a FL chassis. Mine has treated me well.

 

[Rich W.]

When I was shopping in 2020 the up-charge was around $4000. And back then Spartan had 7 or 8 features that to me made it worth the additional cost. Over the last few years FL has incorporated most of those features (traction control, air to the rear for towing, collision avoidance etc) and now FL has a better warranty. So to me, unless I’m missing something (and I reviewed current specs for both this morning) FL has closed the gap while the Spartan up-charge has more than doubled. The only functional differences I can see now are the shifting style and the maintenance bay on Spartans and maybe the engine brake although the current Spartan spec sheet doesn't list this detail. So I guess it would come down to whether or not you believe the Spartan chassis is a higher quality product being an RV specific design, and whether that difference (if it exists) is worth the price bump. Hopefully someone who has driven both and shed some light on ride and handling.

 

[osuallen]

Unless they have changed this year, for that $11k upcharge for Spartan, you get an older version of the DEF head that has a higher failure rate. You also get an older version of the TPMS that has problems communicating with the sensors.

 

[Rich W.]

Unless they have changed this year, for that $11k upcharge for Spartan, you get an older version of the DEF head that has a higher failure rate. You also get an older version of the TPMS that has problems communicating with the sensors.

FWIW (which isnt much) they have a new supplier for DEF headers. Shaw Development is apparently no longer the supplier. After 14 years of mandated crap, technology has finally caught up with the requirements so I think we’ll start seeing a lot fewer strandings due to faulty sensors.

 

[Neal]

FWIW (which isnt much) they have a new supplier for DEF headers. Shaw Development is apparently no longer the supplier. After 14 years of mandated crap, technology has finally caught up with the requirements so I think we’ll start seeing a lot fewer strandings due to faulty sensors.

Nope, I know a few with the new brand that have failed inside of 10K miles.