Ugh!! No more Spartan chassis for 2023!!

[Rd1]

...... (Note in 2018 there was no difference in price for SP or FL) ......SP does steer until 45 MPH

Just to add; fyi

SP tag steer on accelaration is from 0-45mph, however on deceleration is from 25mph-0.

2017 and 2018 Newmars on Sp and FL had the same chassis price.. IMO, that was likely due to all the tag axle problems FL had for 2016 and 2017 units with the passive tag. Spartan steer tag version had issue with their introduction in 2014 and 2015, which was recalled. FL had their problem with their intro in 16 & 17, which for what ever reason was not recalled. IMO matt miller had been planning to sell newmar and didn't want to rock the boat. so they dropped the SP upgrade fee just in case. as it turns out, most RV people seem to be oblivious to such issues and various problems in general.

Regardless, personal choices are personal choices. However, the tribalism is not productive. When there is a problem regardless of the manufacturer, you have to call them out. Including Newmar, otherwise, it comes at all of our collective costs.

 

[13Charlie]

I owned a 2017 Newmar Ventana on a Frieghtliner Chassis. I wish I had not sold that motorhome as it handled great and only had a few problems from the time it was new. I noticed a problem with the chassis and called Frieghtliner. They got me in and handled the problem the same day!

Fast forward I just purchased a 2022 Dutch Star 4081 on a Spartan Chassis off the lot in Florida. I can tell you that the support is not as good at Spartan as Frieghtliner, had a difficult time finding a shop in the area I was in and had to drive over 300 miles to get to a shop that could address the issue. Issue is still not resolved. Im not impressed so far with the additional cost of the Spartan over Frieghtliner and I should notice a difference as the Dutch Star has independent suspension.

I got the right deal on this unit, but I would prefer the Frieghtliner which has more shops for maintenance and repair, and now with the additional cost of the Spartan I just don't see it.

With all that said, I am not a mechanic or an RV expert, just the average retired guy with toys.

 

[Just George]

I've not seen the 23's so if this has changed please chime in. One thing Spartan does that is really nice is they put the air system condensation filter in the service bay. Freightliner has it mounted on the frame rail by the tag & drive axels & it's a real pain to get to & change.

 

[Stuart W]

I've not seen the 23's so if this has changed please chime in. One thing Spartan does that is really nice is they put the air system condensation filter in the service bay. Freightliner has it mounted on the frame rail by the tag & drive axels & it's a real pain to get to & change.

Although the Spartan information shows the side mounted filters, the Newmar configuration is not this way. The filters are mounted in the back behind the engine similar to FL

 

[RandDescape]

From the Newmar spec sheet the upcharge for Spartan for '23 in the longer coaches does get you 1000lb higher weight limit on the front axle and 950lb more NCC for the coach because of that extra axle capacity. On the 43' FL the front axle is 19k, the Spartan is 20k. For some folks who run heavy that alone may be worth the upgrade.

We were going to order a FL in '19 but our dealer had no more slots left for FL and knocked off almost all of the upcharge for the Spartan to book the sale that day. We've been happy with the service (local Spartan shop specializing in EMS vehicles is 30miles away) except for the DEF head issue which affected a lot of folks who weren't traveling enough in '20. The only Spartan complaint I really have is that we had to upgrade the shocks because every bridge transition felt like we were going to slingshot into the air. Replaced the shocks at 6mo and it's been great ever since.

- Richard

 

[Rich W.]

From the Newmar spec sheet the upcharge for Spartan for '23 in the longer coaches does get you 1000lb higher weight limit on the front axle and 950lb more NCC for the coach because of that extra axle capacity. On the 43' FL the front axle is 19k, the Spartan is 20k. For some folks who run heavy that alone may be worth the upgrade.

We were going to order a FL in '19 but our dealer had no more slots left for FL and knocked off almost all of the upcharge for the Spartan to book the sale that day. We've been happy with the service (local Spartan shop specializing in EMS vehicles is 30miles away) except for the DEF head issue which affected a lot of folks who weren't traveling enough in '20. The only Spartan complaint I really have is that we had to upgrade the shocks because every bridge transition felt like we were going to slingshot into the air. Replaced the shocks at 6mo and it's been great ever since.

- Richard

Curious about what shocks you chose

 

[Tnedator]

The only Spartan complaint I really have is that we had to upgrade the shocks because every bridge transition felt like we were going to slingshot into the air. Replaced the shocks at 6mo and it's been great ever since.

- Richard

Ditto on being curious about the shocks. NIRVC has quoted me some replacement Konis, but I haven't researched myself to make sure they will fit. Previously, I reached out to Spartan and Koni, and they both said there wasn't a Koni option for my '19 Spartan Ventana. I would really like to get shocks upgraded.

 

[RandDescape]

At my first service I had the local Spartan shop replace the stock shocks w/ Koni's. My electronic receipt doesn't show a part number, I'll look for the paperwork in the cabinet later to see if it is listed on that. I have noticed over the years on multiple forums folks saying that Koni doesn't have a direct replacement which does give me a little bit of pause - but I've had no issues in the last 15,000 miles since I had them replaced and the ride is enough improved even my wife who doesn't drive agrees it is better.

Last year we drove from Maryland to the Grand Canyon and back on I40 and I10 and the RV handled as well as I'd expect from a solid front axle coach w/ the potholes you find on our roads these days. We had 0 instances of cabinets opening up and nothing shook loose in 6,000 miles on that trip.

On one our last trips of '19 (1st camping season w/ the Ventana) with the stock shocks we hit a bridge transition going around Richmond VA that started the front end porpoising wildly to where I was briefly concerned I didn't have control. Up until that point I'd put up with the random opening of the front overhead cabinets and exaggerated bouncing thinking "one day I'll look into new shocks". But that feeling of being on the edge of control pushed me past the "one day" into "next service".

I understand Newmar is trying to hit a price point and I respect that for the base price. But I really do wish they would offer upgrades on a few things - please take my $ on better shocks, headlights, an outside lock for the emergency door in case the front door mechanism fails, etc.

- Richard

 

[RandDescape]

Looked up the paper copy of the order and it appears they put on Koni Evo 99-B3254 shocks. I did a quick search and of course like most of you said the fitment tables don't show a match to the '19 K2 with a beam axle. At this point I'm curious what the difference is between the dimensions of the OEM Bilstein shocks and the Konis since my ride is greatly improved with these shocks that aren't listed to fit.

Thanks in advance

- Richard

 

[JRS]

I really-really love the FL DriveTech System (dash, steering wheel and column controls). I've spoken to lots of FL owners that would get another. That includes me....