Freightliner pros or woes?

[Emmojo]

I’m sure this topic has been covered , but I don’t know how to search it.
So tell me your thoughts in the Freightliner chassis used on the Newmar Dutch Star, and others. Good or bad.

[Mr_D]

I prefer the Spartan so when we ordered our 2002 DSDP I paid extra even though I worked for Freightliner at the time.

[oscarvan]

30K miles.... a few issues but minor and taken care of by FL, me, or both.

[theroc]

I've had two motorhomes on a FCCC. --we never had anything major go wrong and usually nothing inherent to the chassis itself will generally prove to be troublesome. Good or bad? Probably like asking is Ford good or bad.

I'm not sure if you're asking about the new Dutch Stars specifically or just generally if FCCC is better or worse than Spartan? The newer Dutch Stars are built on either.

The Freightliner Custom Chassis is a separate division of Daimler's Freightliner commercial truck section and as such, can give focused service and attention to motorhome owners. Their headquarters is in Gaffney SC where the commercial truck division is headquartered in Fort Mill SC. Also, the Freightliner service network is extensive as you probably can imagine.

Since you said that you weren't able to do a search, I'll give you a google link to all the iRV2 threads on Freightliner which you'll be able to see quite a few threads on "Freightliner vs Spartan" etc so you can read through all the prior threads on this forum pertaining to the subject.

freightliner site:www.irv2.com

[Finance]

Pro, lots of dealers and continent wide support.
Con, rampant globalism coupled to supply chain misinformation. They made a running change to fuel filtration apparently, and the FL dealers kept trying to sell me an Alliance spin on filter. The vehicle has a DDE cartridge filter; I had to write Newmar and FL to prod them into researching the chassis build to get the correct part identified. Recently while doing maintenance discovered the rear axle is made by EGE Industri in Turkey; FL insists it's a Detroit.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The Freightliner under my 2004 American Tradition was solid. I'd like to say trouble-free, but it had its share.


At the time my coach was built, Fleetwood was offering a choice of FTL or Spartan. Buyers chose Spartan 5:1, but in subsequent years it became obvious (thru the owners club) that the two chassis were about equal in repair frequency. They just had different parts that failed.




Comparing FTL to Spartan is often apples to oranges, cause low-end coach builders select the cheapest FTL chassis configurations and may even undersize them. Only a few companies have offered equivalent FTL and Spartan chassis choices, notable Newmar and American Coach (Fleetwood)

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I'm a Roadmaster guy so can't help with the Freightliner questions, but noticed you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[FIRE UP]

Well,
Not sure of what is considered a problem but, in the almost 8 years and 45,000 miles, (89,000 miles total) we've owned our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 CAT 330HP and Allison MH3000 trans, we've had only one small repair on it. And that was a rear left, axle seal which, I did myself. Other than that one axle seal, that Freightliner XC Evolution chassis has performed flawlessly.
Scott

[Winemaker2]

I say dont sweat the chassis. That's the most dependable solid part of a MH.
Not saying there can't be issues buy my feeling is they are minor compared to the other potential problems.
FL and Allison are a great combo IMO