Community Forums

gomac · 08-12-2010, 09:12 AM

I'm posting here rather than in the General conversation area as I THINK this is the correct place. Now for the disclaimer!!! I do not own a MH, yet, but am researching, asking questions (like this one, eventually) and reading. Question one, what are the differences in Spartan (sp) vs FL? The impression is the Spartan (sp) is better but why? I posted a question concerning the Sprinter conversions but that is just plan B if my wife thinks a class A is to big. Newmar seems to be such a quality company if one purchases and older Newmar is there such a thing as factory reconditioning? I guess what I mean is if I find something and want to have the factory check it out and fix what ever is not up to "spec" do they do that sort of thin? I guess a follow up quesiton to that one would be if they do have such a service then do they offer a warranty one can purchase after the coach makes it though?!?

A question my wife would ask is what kind of noise do you have from the coach as you drive down the road? Do the slides leak air as you travel? Meaning whistle and if so does that mean water can also come in?

I live, currently, in Inidana so a trip over to that side of Indiana is not out of the question. Any help, guidance, adivice you can give is and will be appreciated!

(we will think of more questions)

"007" · 08-12-2010, 09:25 AM

Welcome gomac to the Newmar forum & irv2.
Here is some information no matter what coach or chassis you will purchase.
There are plenty of Spartan owner on the forum that will have your answer.
If you interested in a Newmar a good used one year 08 up may meet your needs because of options on 08 up. Older Newmars are as good but do not have Comfort Drive.
If you go to this LINK you will learn all about the Newmars and dealers with old and new Newmars.
Enjoy your hunt and the forums.

Route 66 · 08-12-2010, 09:40 AM

There is no such thing as a general reconditioning, however Newmar will repair, upgrade or replace just about anything in a RV. It all depends on how much money you want to spend.

Newmar does not offer extended warranties or service contracts.

Spartan was an extra cost option over Freightliner several years ago, then only Spartan was available and now Spartan is used only on the Essex and King Aire. Lower models are now on Freightliner.

Many of us believe the Spartan chassis better, but if you find a MH on a Freightliner that you like, I wouldn't pass on it just because of the chassis.

See this thread about the recent chassis switch.

There is no noise or leaks from the slideouts when traveling.

p.s. ask away

astonge · 08-12-2010, 10:22 AM

Hi. We bought an RV in early 2010; it was an auctioned bank repo unit that had been sitting for sometime and not well maintained. We changed all of the fluids in the engine and the generator. This spring, we waited until the unit thawed out (Calgary, Canada, it gets cold here), expecting that we would have to replace frozen and broken water lines. Everything works fine. We don't have comfort drive (it is a 2006 chassis front mounted gas motor), but it rides well, even through the mountains in British Columbia. Driving down the road, dishes and the screen door can rattle, buy towels and foam tape can cure some or most of that noise.

I would not be too afraid of buying a used motorhome from a person privately. If you look at some of the posts on these forums, you can see how most of these people maintain their RV's well. The trick, I guess is finding one of these people with such an RV for sale! Good luck!

**NLOVNIT** · 08-12-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astonge

... The trick, I guess is finding one of these people with such an RV for sale!

You can start with our Classifieds section. Lots of well-cared-for units there looking for a new home.

Lori-

oldcouple · 08-12-2010, 10:27 AM

One of the big factors in how it drives and rides is the air pressure in the tires. I had new tires on mine when I got it, so did NOT check the pressure, thing was all over the road on first trip, then I checked the pressure and found a ten psi difference in the front. Corrected it and wow, then I had the wheels weighed individually, another shock, reloaded the cargo, and now its on rails.

Lug_Nut · 08-12-2010, 10:30 AM

Both Spartan and Freightliner make a quality product and have both given owners exceptional service. But your question is why is the preception that Spartan is better? Well, here are some of my thoughts.

Spartan specializes in only custom application chassis and some custom turn-key vehicles. This results in a less mass produced product and a more personal touch assembly. Their product selection offers a wider choice of GVW. Their tag axle equipped chassis uses a reversed wheel mount for a better uniformed look. This standard feature costs more as it requires a substantially larger wheel bearing. Their service is second to none. Spartan is the Cadillac in the medium weight custom chassis industry.

But, again, on a used unit, it should not be a deal breaker. Both are good.

Peter

gomac · 08-12-2010, 03:03 PM

Next set of questions! Where is the diesel generator on the coach and how much noise does it make? Traveling down the road I've seen a small exhaust pipe coming out close to the front drivers wheel but not sure what that is for. Also, considering the weight of these coaches what is normal wear and tear on the tires and brakes? I know some of that is answerable by driving habits but just generally speaking.
Thanks again for your quick responses! I have enjoyed reading and the links supplied!

Route 66 · 08-12-2010, 03:12 PM

The diesel generator is behind the front license plate. In some Newmars it slides out with part of the front cap and in others it's accessed by opening what could be referred to as the "hood".

The slide out feature is preferred for the better access the generator and everything else up front.

Tires are usually replaced because of age, 5+ years instead of wear.

Diesel brakes seem to last forever and it's rare to have to replace them.

Lug_Nut · 08-12-2010, 04:42 PM

I will add to that what Dirk said in regards to DP brakes. Generally they will last to 200,000 to 300,000 miles, or, in other words, you will probably never have to replace them.

So, what other question do you have?

Peter

TechWriter · 08-12-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomac

Next set of questions! Where is the diesel generator on the coach and how much noise does it make?

I used to have a gas Class A with a 5.5KW Onan gen in one of the back compartments. It was pretty loud. You knew when it was on.

In my Newmar DP there's a 7.5KW diesel gen up front that's VERY quiet. It makes about as much noise as the roof ACs.

allynne · 08-13-2010, 02:27 PM

In my opinion there is not a dimes worth of difference between Spartan and Freightliner. I have had both and both are fine. I had a freightliner in an '01 Dutchstar with over 120,000 miles and now I have a '05 Mt. Aire on a Spartan chassis with 56000 miles.

Slides should not whisle or leak if properly adjusted. Never had any problem with either of my MH's.

Onan quiet Generators are just that quiet. Can't hear them going down the road.

Tires can last over 90K miles and brakes 300,000 or more.

Ask away.

Al Sawyer

DonnaB · 08-13-2010, 02:53 PM

Gomac,

We were at Newmar a year ago for some work and there was a couple that had been there a couple of weeks. They had purchased a 2001 or so Dutch Star and brought it to Newmar for a health checkup so to speak. They paid a $200-300 fee for Newmar tech to go over the coach and make recommendations for things that need fixing. They said they felt they got their money's worth out of the deal and they had Newmar fix many of the things on the list. Of course if you are going to do that come with the checking acct flush, but you won't find a better place to have it checked out and fixed.

BTW, if you are going to do this, be making your appt as soon as you get your Newmar coach as Newmar is working on November now due to short staffing. In the interim, you can be working on your list as well.

gomac · 08-13-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnaB

Gomac,

We were at Newmar a year ago for some work and there was a couple that had been there a couple of weeks. They had purchased a 2001 or so Dutch Star and brought it to Newmar for a health checkup so to speak. They paid a $200-300 fee for Newmar tech to go over the coach and make recommendations for things that need fixing. They said they felt they got their money's worth out of the deal and they had Newmar fix many of the things on the list. Of course if you are going to do that come with the checking acct flush, but you won't find a better place to have it checked out and fixed.

BTW, if you are going to do this, be making your appt as soon as you get your Newmar coach as Newmar is working on November now due to short staffing. In the interim, you can be working on your list as well.

Thank you :-)
The information supplied on this forum is wonderful! More questions coming!:-)