Community Forums

fulltimereh · 02-21-2010, 06:08 PM

hello newbie here. am presently in a jayco designer 36rlts. am looking to upgrade to a 40 ft diesel pusher. I have two in mind and they have different chassis. I know this is the sparten chassis, but. one has a sparten, the other a roadmaster.the sparten has two slides, while the roadmaster has 3. my question is Which is better chassis???? any comments would be appreciated thanks doug

Lee Litchfield · 02-21-2010, 06:27 PM

Go with the Spartan. Roadmaster is chassis built only for Monaco products. Since Monaco went into bankruptcy, it's harder to get parts. Spartan is the superior chassis anyway, IMO. Lee Litchfield

fulltimereh · 02-24-2010, 10:44 PM

Thanks for the come back Lee. I did have a spartan chassis before and rather liked it. i am looking at two coaches now, one with a spartan mountainmaster and another with the roadmaster 8 bag. still looking for any and all comments on the better of the chassis in regards to handling, cost of maintenance, etc. Again thanks Doug

Avalondanes · 02-25-2010, 05:15 AM

Go with the Spartan. I will not buy any DP with out a Spartan under it. The chassis is the best as far as I can tell, no twist, flex, handling is great on highway. I sometimes have to turn around or park in un-level grounds and have never had a problem with coach box, slides, windshield, tile floor. I can not say that about the past 5 MH I have had that were not on a Spartan.
JMHO,
Richard

Papa_Jim · 02-25-2010, 10:36 PM

Well, at risk of causing an argument here......

If you're interested in used, I think the absolute best chassis available out there is the 2002 to 2006 Monaco Dynasty, which has the tag axle Roadmaster Chassis, or the 2002-2006 Monaco Windsor, which has the standard two axle chassis. That's my next coach of choice in a few years.

I currently own a 1995 Monaco Dynasty, and I bought it only because I think the Roadmaster Chassis is the absolute best chassis on the road.

Most motorhomes sit on top of a truck chassis. That means the springs or the air bags are directly underneath the frame rails, with the wheels at least a good foot outside of that. Then the motorhome body is bolted or welded onto that. Lots of problems with sway and wind control.

The Roadmaster Chassis places the air bags directly in front of and behind each wheel, almost out at the outside of the motorhome, which means superior sway and wind control. Plus the upper frame of the motorhome and the chassis are all one unit.... a semi-monocoque design.

Another company that I've heard builds their own semi-monocoque chassis is Foretravel. I've heard that they have a very strong full frame chassis.

So, there. My vote for best chassis is the Roadmaster Chassis.

Jim Sanderson
1995 Monaco Dynasty 36'
Canada, eh?

AFChap · 02-26-2010, 10:13 AM

You apparently are not familiar with Spartan chassis, Jim. Mine has no sway, and is not affected by passing trucks, etc. It is the best driving & riding vehicle I have had ...and I've had many! And it is great to know there are Spartan service locations all over the country, though the only time I really needed one was for a minor recall very early on. I have a Mountainmaster GT/Winnebago semi-monocoque chassis.

Isn't Roadmaster the one that has problems with broken trailing arms?? Since the old Monaco is gone, and the new Monaco LLC is not honoring any former warranties, I agree that Spartan would be my very easy choice since it is a superb chassis, and has a strong company behind it.

Cruzer · 02-27-2010, 06:49 AM

With the exception of Tiffin's Powerglide chassis, I'd have to say Spartan is my favorite. We have one now under our Allegro Bus and it's a great chassis. It handles well, rides well, is easy to service, and is built very well. Compared to my last Freightliner it's a huge step up. Spartan really sweats the details and it's those little things that make the difference. Plus, the company is very customer service oriented.

Phaeton60 · 11-04-2019, 02:59 PM

Does anyone or has anyone attended the powerglide academy? Or is there one? Thanks.

Ray,IN · 11-04-2019, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer

With the exception of Tiffin's Powerglide chassis, I'd have to say Spartan is my favorite. We have one now under our Allegro Bus and it's a great chassis. It handles well, rides well, is easy to service, and is built very well. Compared to my last Freightliner it's a huge step up. Spartan really sweats the details and it's those little things that make the difference. Plus, the company is very customer service oriented.

I thinks this is because Spartan has so much experience building commercial bus chassis, and fire truck chassis. Aren't the powerglide and roadmaster chassis custom-built specifically for MH frames?

It's been a long time since we've met Mark ( 2002 Branson national rally), hope you both are doing well.

Ramets · 11-08-2019, 07:24 AM

You didn't say what years you're looking at. Spartans in the early 2000's had a problem with rotting ball joint boots. That would let all kinds of crud get in and destroy the ball joints. Easy to see behind front wheels. About a $2000 fix if shot because you can't just replace the boots. The entire assembly has to be replaced.

jacwjames · 11-08-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Jim

If you're interested in used, I think the absolute best chassis available out there is the 2002 to 2006 Monaco Dynasty, which has the tag axle Roadmaster Chassis, or the 2002-2006 Monaco Windsor, which has the standard two axle chassis. That's my next coach of choice in a few years.

Can't really speak of the Spartan chassis but I do own a 2002 Monaco Windsor, 8 airbag coach, no tag. It is rock solid, rides & drives great. Parts for mine hasn't been an issue since I haven't had to buy anything. The Dynasty, Executive, and Signatures has the same chassis.