Community Forums

chucklesg · 09-03-2012, 12:13 PM

In looking at used Newmar Dutch Stars, the Spartan chassis with a larger engine is an option. What the the advantages of the Spartan chassis over the Freightliner? Is the larger engine worth going to the Spartan chassis?

Many thanks. This is the best RV forum on the net! Can spend all day learning!

SteveLevin · 09-03-2012, 02:40 PM

If the money is the same, always get more engine

Chassis seem to be a bit of religious belief.

To me, the factors to look at are:

Engine size (bigger is better)
Side vs. rear radiator (side is better)
Independent Front Suspension vs. Beam Axle (IFS is better).

If the money was the same I'd always want big engine, side radiator, and IFS. But the overall floorplan of the coach, etc., was more important. I just lucked out to get all the fancy widgets

Steve

Gary RVRoamer · 09-03-2012, 06:14 PM

KIX · 09-03-2012, 06:21 PM

x 2 on what SteveLevin said

vtwinwilly · 09-03-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucklesg

In looking at used Newmar Dutch Stars, the Spartan chassis with a larger engine is an option. What the the advantages of the Spartan chassis over the Freightliner? Is the larger engine worth going to the Spartan chassis?

Many thanks. This is the best RV forum on the net! Can spend all day learning!

What year are you looking at? At one time the Dutch Star came on the chassis listed. The standard was the freightliner with a Cat engine, the upgrade was the Spartan with the Cummins Engine.

In this case you are not comparing apples to apples. The Spartan chassis came with IFS (Independent Front Suspension). The Freightliner had a solid front axle. The ride difference was/is significant. I drove both, and the Spartan was the way to go. That was back in 2001.

Later, Freightliner came out with their own IFS. It is a very nice chassis. So year model makes a difference.

Mr_D · 09-03-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtwinwilly

What year are you looking at? At one time the Dutch Star came on the chassis listed. The standard was the freightliner with a Cat engine, the upgrade was the Spartan with the Cummins Engine.

In this case you are not comparing apples to apples. The Spartan chassis came with IFS (Independent Front Suspension). The Freightliner had a solid front axle. The ride difference was/is significant. I drove both, and the Spartan was the way to go. That was back in 2001.

Later, Freightliner came out with their own IFS. It is a very nice chassis. So year model makes a difference.

Agreed, I drove both in a 2000 DSDP, the Spartan was smoother. Also the torque difference is significant with the Cummins having 90 ft lbs more at 950 ft lbs (in 2000 that is). In that era all of the DSDP's were side radiator. Did go with the FL chassis since it was cheaper, which led to us trading it in on a 2002 DSDP with IFS and Cummins ISC 350 and more slides!

chucklesg · 09-03-2012, 10:30 PM

To all who replied. I decided on an 03 DSDPI 4005 with Spartan, IFS, and 350 Cummins. IRV2 is a great and trustworthy resource.,

historyljc · 09-03-2012, 11:18 PM

Enjoy the coach!!!

Mr_D · 09-03-2012, 11:22 PM

Good choice!

szy · 09-04-2012, 12:39 PM

After a long search for a forever coach Newmar stood out with many features.

Good call on your part.

chucklesg · 09-04-2012, 03:05 PM

Yes Szy, Looked carefully at Country Coach (eliminated due to flaky new operation) Tiffin (becoming more a mass producer) and Newmar (good old reliable family) and it became clear that Newmar was the manufacturer of choice, and the Dutch Star was the right version with the Spartan chassis etc.

And also a factor was that those folks who owned the above brands, of the private sale folks, the Newmar owners were decidedly nicer and gave me a better feeling of trust and honesty about their coach.