Spartan Service Experience

[JavaJelly]

Arrived at Spartan yesterday at noon. Having handling and ride problems since taking delivery on 10/27/06. Also, getting 5,000 mile service.

So far, very impressed. Write-up went well and Chris identified 3 bulletins. Service tech took it for a ride and identified several things I didn't. They are really giving it the once over.

Here is what they are going to do:

1. Alignment - think the front is towed out some.

2. Remove and reset all tires and check for out of round. Check wheels including balance. Tech said one of my wheels had significantly more weight than the wheel opposite. He sees a lot of problems when this happens. I might be getting a few new wheels.

3. Put on NEW 30% shocks b/c ride was so rough. Said Tiffin is the one that started to demand them. Said my ride will be noticeably softer but, the trade off is more residual bounce/float. OK by me, and I know it will for the DW.

4. Weigh it correctly and adjust inflation.

5. Verify ride height and all drive train alignment.

6. Replace bearings in tag axle per campaign.

7. Lube

Many other things plus whatever else they find today. I may be here an extra day.

I will be going into the service area today to get some education. Will update tomorrow.

[JavaJelly]

Arrived at Spartan yesterday at noon. Having handling and ride problems since taking delivery on 10/27/06. Also, getting 5,000 mile service.

So far, very impressed. Write-up went well and Chris identified 3 bulletins. Service tech took it for a ride and identified several things I didn't. They are really giving it the once over.

Here is what they are going to do:

1. Alignment - think the front is towed out some.

2. Remove and reset all tires and check for out of round. Check wheels including balance. Tech said one of my wheels had significantly more weight than the wheel opposite. He sees a lot of problems when this happens. I might be getting a few new wheels.

3. Put on NEW 30% shocks b/c ride was so rough. Said Tiffin is the one that started to demand them. Said my ride will be noticeably softer but, the trade off is more residual bounce/float. OK by me, and I know it will for the DW.

4. Weigh it correctly and adjust inflation.

5. Verify ride height and all drive train alignment.

6. Replace bearings in tag axle per campaign.

7. Lube

Many other things plus whatever else they find today. I may be here an extra day.

I will be going into the service area today to get some education. Will update tomorrow.

[JavaJelly]

Well, will be here another day. So far, Spartan has had to replace all 8 tires. This is primarily due to the dealer's tire shop putting silica sand bags into the tires to try to balance them.

First, the bags broke so the sand was just rolling all over. Second, they didn't remove the existing weights. Obviously they didn't know what they were doing. I do know that the figure, just for the tires is over $4,000. I feel bad for them and told them to go after the dealer. I would support them. However, I do not believe that is their style.

They also had to do an alignment and adjust some clamps to remove a popping sound when turning into an incline. I was all set to leave this afternoon when that sound returned on the test drive. It is still a mystery which will be worked on tomorrow.

That said, the new ride is awesome. True, smooth and silky on these bad mid-winter Michigan roads.

I also have to say how much time Chris the service writer, my lead tech, Gary, and Kim the head of service operations have spent with me showing me everything. I went out to the service area and went into the pit under my coach. We went over every major component. I really feel a lot more comfortable w/the chassis and the maintenance.

BTW, everybody here agrees that most of us coach drivers don't use our service brakes enough. They said they rarely replace breaks from wear. The effect of glazing is so risky that they recommend using the engine brake sparingly. I know I was guilty of this.

Occasionally, they recommend going 50 - 0 mph aggresively (but, not emergency stopping), wait 1 minute and do it again. This will keep your brake pads in good order.

[GaryKD]

Scott,
Get some recommendations on places to eat. I remember there is a place in downtown Charlotte that has food to die for and a lot of it with a readonable price. It is almost as good as the Amish restaurants.

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">BTW, everybody here agrees that most of us coach drivers don't use our service brakes enough. They said they rarely replace breaks from wear. The effect of glazing is so risky that they recommend using the engine brake sparingly. I know I was guilty of this.

Occasionally, they recommend going 50 - 0 mph aggressively (but, not emergency stopping), wait 1 minute and do it again. This will keep your brake pads in good order. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've been hearing this from the Spartan and Cummins folks also, so I've been using the service brakes a little harder.

[JavaJelly]

OK, I just want everybody to know that I actually cooked for myself this evening. I actually used that new fangled convection microwave. (I did have to call my wife in Key West for help though).

Any way, this factory camping is getting old. I don't know how Bob did it for so long. I will never come w/o a vehicle again.

Last night I took the rig to the store.

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Any way, this factory camping is getting old. I don't know how Bob did it for so long. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

He had a vehicle, and that makes quite a difference.

[smlranger]

Java:

Don't short change Equal balancing beads. If used correctly, they work great. The bags are supposed to break and release the powder (beads) into the tire. I have those in my Goodyear G670's and they are silky smooth.

If someone left wheel weights on and added balancing powder, don't think they knew what they were doing.

Sounds like they are taking good care of you.

[JavaJelly]

I didn't mean to imply I was shortchanging the beads/sand. I have heard that they are a solution that works.

I'm frustrated w/the dealer and the lack of expertise.

[JavaJelly]

One problem I had was with a metal popping sound when I turned hard left or right w/a load on. Chris originally thought it was a clamp that was hitting that just needed to be turned.

They worked on it all yesterday afternoon. Turns out to be the bell crank was popping up under load.

How did this happen? The Dealer's alignment shop mounted the tie rods too tight and crooked. Ruined the bell crank. Spartan had to take the part from a production IFS and they are working on it now.

So essentially, the dealer took in a coach w/two bad inside dual wheels. He attempted to have it "fixed" and cost Spartan $5,000 so far. Spartan said they have little recourse.

I do know they are taking care of me very well.

[rebelsbeach]

Scott, with regard to "factory camping" I was not doing that at all...I was staying over at the Inn at Amish Acres with Angel and her very competent staff...Even still, I did tire of living in a hotel room,doing laundry down the street and eating EVERY meal away from the coach...

Kudos to Spartan Chassis for doing what looks like a WONDERFUL job on your coach...

What DOES concern me is that,when you work "dreaming" of the '08 MADP you actually were considering using this WACKO dealer again!!

[JavaJelly]

Bob,

Actually the whacky dealer would have given me an at cost deal due to the circumstances.

I would factory PDI and the dealer would never even see the coach, let alone touch it. I also doubt that I would ever see him again.

Otherwise I'd go to Howard or Schaffer.

[JavaJelly]

Update:

Still here at Spartan. The metal popping sound has become a mystery. The pop happens when the coach is twisted while driving, usually very slow. Seems to be coming from the rear. Seem to have narrowed it down to the tag axle.

Today they are going to try to add nylon washers next to a bushing to see if they can at least pinpoint the problem. I can't get mad b/c the guys here at Spartan are busting their but and very frustrated.

Spartan has already offered to pay for a rental car to get me home this weekend.

[JavaJelly]

I forgot to mention that Spartan found that the rear shocks were leaking. They replaced them before even telling me about the problem. Also, the tag hubs were too tight so there was definite drag and a lot of heat build up while driving. They replaced the bearings that had already started to burn up.

Drove the coach last night about 40 miles round trip to dump and just take a ride. Wow, drives like a dream. Coach was perfectly silent and in a 30 mph cross wind, I was still able to drive w/one hand, usually two fingers, no problem even in gusts.

BTW, because of all the work they are doing the wheel is still off center. I know it doesn't really matter to the handling, but it really feels uncomfortable to drive with an uncentered wheel.