Community Forums

mrock · 11-24-2012, 08:21 AM

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2004 Fleetwood Providence w/Freightliner chasis 37K on the 350 CAT for $73K or a 2005 Fleetwood Providence with a Spartan chasis 13K on 350 Cat for $80K with Spartan chasis. Both units are super clean. What chasis is the best and is the 2005 worth the additional cost. Looking for opinions. . .

Traps90 · 11-24-2012, 09:14 AM

I'd say go for the one that momma picks, if all things are equal, I think you'll find most will give the nod to the newer one with Spartan Chassis.

rvrepairnut · 11-24-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrock

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2004 Fleetwood Providence w/Freightliner chasis 37K on the 350 CAT for $73K or a 2005 Fleetwood Providence with a Spartan chasis 13K on 350 Cat for $80K with Spartan chasis. Both units are super clean. What chasis is the best and is the 2005 worth the additional cost. Looking for opinions. . .

Do both have IFS or just the sparton? same # of slides? same length?
same options? I would go the extra 7K because of 1/3 the mileage and will assume 1/3 the tire wear plus one year newer and especially if it has the IFS suspention
I seriously never get the wife involved in much of the the purchase because she knows nothing about suspention,tires,engines,electronics etc etc and these are important when buying a decent used pusher.I just kinda do my own thing because its my money and shes usually quit happy in the end

Steve Ownby · 11-24-2012, 10:31 AM

Since both of these coaches have had a few birthdays, if there are any maintenance records available they could give you a clue as to the care the coach has had.from previous owners. If the tires are OEM you should build replacements into the purchase price as they are reaching the end of their service life. Since you have no way to know if the tires have been overloaded or under pressure it would not be wise to trust them. Spartan had issues with the ball joints on their IFS for a number of years so check that out. If both coaches are in good condition and have had good previous care then it's really a question of which will suit your intended purpose the best.

Good luck and safe travels.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-24-2012, 01:28 PM

Fleetwood configures the chassis the same whether they buy it from Freightliner or Spartan and I believe both 2004 and 2005 Providence have a solid front axle rather than IFS. To the best of my knowledge, you have to move up to the American Coach brand to get an IFS in any Fleetwood model. The 04 will have a Cummins engine and the 05 a Cat, if that makes any difference to you. Both good engines, but maybe you have local service available for one but not the other? Similarly, Freightliner chassis factory service is in Gafney, SC, while Spartan factory service is in Michigan. If I lived closer to one or the other, that might make a difference in my chassis preference.

**I see you refer to the '04 as having a 350 CAT engine, but an 04 should be a Cummins ISC 350

Other than the minor points mentioned above, I wouldn't choose between them based on the chassis brand. However, for the small price difference I would probably choose the 2005, assuming all other things are equal. $7k isn't much to get a year newer - you are basically buying a year of depreciation and 24k miles of wear and tear.

As I recall, there was very little change from 2004 to 2005 in any Fleetwood brand, so the coaches are probably very much alike except for any floor plan differences.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-24-2012, 02:22 PM

Your other post about these coaches says that the '04 has four (4) slides while the '05 has three (3). That changes the value comparison by quite a bit.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f107/flee...ce-143826.html

In yet another thread you indicate that the '04 has "2010 rubber", which also makes a huge difference.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f107/your...ce-143434.html

rvrepairnut · 11-25-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrock

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2004 Fleetwood Providence w/Freightliner chasis 37K on the 350 CAT for $73K or a 2005 Fleetwood Providence with a Spartan chasis 13K on 350 Cat for $80K with Spartan chasis. Both units are super clean. What chasis is the best and is the 2005 worth the additional cost. Looking for opinions. . .

Do both have IFS or just the sparton? same # of slides? same length?
same options? I would go the extra 7K because of 1/3 the mileage and will assume 1/3 the tire wear plus one year newer and especially if it has the IFS suspention
I seriously never get the wife involved in much of the the purchase because she knows nothing about suspention,tires,engines,electronics etc etc and these are important when buying a decent used pusher.I just kinda do my own thing because its my money and shes usually quit happy in the end

Now its seems your posting all over the net U say 18K in one post and 13K in another
u say their equal?? yet one has 2010 rubber and 3 slides verses I assume original rubber and 4 slides etc
If you cant come on here and answer questions like i asked how can one give a proper opinion

Mac99 · 11-25-2012, 10:34 AM

You are getting lots of good advice here, I can only add that the layout of the coach should be a big consideration.
More so than the chassis brand. As to being near Gaffney, SC for
Freightliner "factory" service, don't bother. They are no better than other Freightliner service centers, and worse than many.
In my opinion, you will get your best service from bus specialists, as they work on a lot of bus chassis' from Freightliner and others.
Also, if a service center is not equipped to lift your coach to have good access, then find one that does.