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Old 04-05-2018, 09:41 AM   #1
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2018 Spartan Shocks

Anyone else have experience with the Spartan shocks on the 2018 43 footers? I've spoken with Newmar as well as Spartan. Spartan says it might be my ride height, but if they check it, and it is correct, I have to pay. My front end seems to bounce more than it should, but other than the one thread saying he got his replaced with heavy duty for free, which I can't seem to find again, I've not heard of anyone else having this problem. Anyone else have an issue?
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Old 04-05-2018, 09:45 AM   #2
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Have a '17 Essex w/K3 and all is good, 17k miles driven since new (Sep-16)
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Old 04-05-2018, 09:58 AM   #3
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Bill I have a pretty severe bounce over ramped up fwy bridges (common in So Cal) one high deflection upward, flowed be 2 or 3 more up and down cycles. On the large ones it can be very eye opening. Spartan also told me the same thing about having it checked on my Dime, they would pay to correct ride hight if it were off, but even after this exercise, the shocks unless failing would not be covered and upgrading to the heavy duty version is on the owner.
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Old 04-05-2018, 10:03 AM   #4
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The King Aire comes with a 60 mm front shock and the rest get a 46 mm front shock. I would think the big shock would give better ride on poor roads. They also make a air valve that can be put on before the air goes inti air bag that slows the air movement which would also reduce air bag movement of air which would tighten up front end.
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Old 04-05-2018, 10:27 AM   #5
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There are significant differences between the K2 and K3 chassis. That's one of the reasons why we selected the MA vs the DS. I am in no way suggesting that the K2...or, by extension, the DS...are bad; just with the heavier coaches, I think the K3 resolves some handling issues.

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Old 04-05-2018, 10:30 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom chelbana View Post
The King Aire comes with a 60 mm front shock and the rest get a 46 mm front shock. I would think the big shock would give better ride on poor roads. They also make a air valve that can be put on before the air goes inti air bag that slows the air movement which would also reduce air bag movement of air which would tighten up front end.
Spartan told me the "heavy duty" version of my shock is the same shock with different valving. As many of us are experiencing unpleasant effects from the standard shock, Spartan should pay attention. I've been between the local Spartan service center, Spartan, and Newmar CS this morning. Pretty much if I'm not happy, I can pay to get it upgraded. I expected more from Spartan to be very candid.
I have a contact at Spartan and I will email him as well as CS at Newmar, just to be on record.
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Old 04-05-2018, 10:32 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim View Post
There are significant differences between the K2 and K3 chassis. That's one of the reasons why we selected the MA vs the DS. I am in no way suggesting that the K2...or, by extension, the DS...are bad; just with the heavier coaches, I think the K3 resolves some handling issues.

TJ
With only a change in the shock they could make the K2 much better. Pretty cheap fix if you ask me. The K2 corners better than the Freightliner, but now I have that unpleasant bounce. DW noticed it day 1.
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Old 04-05-2018, 10:46 AM   #8
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The current MA has the 46mm shocks. Are they different or tuned different to the DS 46mm. The 60mm are installed only on KA? Does that seem right? The info came from the Spartan Website for 2018 models.
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Old 04-05-2018, 10:49 AM   #9
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2018 Spartan Shocks

Koni shocks are 56mm for the DS
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Old 04-05-2018, 10:59 AM   #10
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Here are the email contacts for Spartan that I have.

Joel.Badskey@spartanmotors.com
or/and
Michael.butler@spartanmotors.com

Maybe if they get enough complaints, they'll look into it.
I emailed Joel and Michael as well as Newmar just now.
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Old 04-05-2018, 11:00 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBelanger View Post
Anyone else have experience with the Spartan shocks on the 2018 43 footers? I've spoken with Newmar as well as Spartan. Spartan says it might be my ride height, but if they check it, and it is correct, I have to pay. My front end seems to bounce more than it should, but other than the one thread saying he got his replaced with heavy duty for free, which I can't seem to find again, I've not heard of anyone else having this problem. Anyone else have an issue?
Have a 18' DS 4018 on Spartan and the bounce since day 1. Returned to dealer and they did tire balancing, helped some but still very noticeable to the point the front visor and shade bounce up and down going down the road. Newmar passed me off to Spartan. Spartan told me to have ride height checked and not covered under warranty. Sad. I will be taking to a Spartan garage they suggested and see what's up. It is also hard to keep in one lane. Constantly sawing on the wheel back and forth, can't take eyes off the road for 2 seconds. Not fun to drive right now.
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Old 04-05-2018, 11:03 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by MJM1954 View Post
Have a 18' DS 4018 on Spartan and the bounce since day 1. Returned to dealer and they did tire balancing, helped some but still very noticeable to the point the front visor and shade bounce up and down going down the road. Newmar passed me off to Spartan. Spartan told me to have ride height checked and not covered under warranty. Sad. I will be taking to a Spartan garage they suggested and see what's up. It is also hard to keep in one lane. Constantly sawing on the wheel back and forth, can't take eyes off the road for 2 seconds. Not fun to drive right now.
Thanks for the response. Please send your comments to Newmar as well as to the two email addresses I listed above. I thought it might only be the 43 footers, but since it's an issue on the 4018 as well, maybe we can get something done.
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Old 04-05-2018, 11:20 AM   #13
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I will be at the factory in a couple of weeks for other issues. Hopefully they will step up if not resolved by then. Last coach was a 13' Ventana that I could easily put 600 miles a day on if need be. I'm wore out after 350 on this one.
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Old 04-05-2018, 11:27 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Stuart W View Post
Koni shocks are 56mm for the DS
This came from Spartan. Maybe they have changed to Koni?

http://www.spartanmotors.com/wp-cont...Spec-Sheet.pdf
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