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01-10-2009, 08:02 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
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In our plans to move up from a fifth wheel to a motorhome, the three motorhomes we are looking at all have different chassis manufacturers. Can anyone suggest what considerations we should take into account? The three chassis manufacturers are
Freightliner, Spartan and Roadmaster.
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01-10-2009, 08:02 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
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In our plans to move up from a fifth wheel to a motorhome, the three motorhomes we are looking at all have different chassis manufacturers. Can anyone suggest what considerations we should take into account? The three chassis manufacturers are
Freightliner, Spartan and Roadmaster.
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01-11-2009, 01:04 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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The new ones of today are all much better engineered than those of a few years back. Are you looking at new? If not what range of years? Have you also asked this in the various chassis owners forums? You should also do a search the "Find" button and unchecking the box to expand the search to the full forum. Good luck in your research.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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01-11-2009, 05:41 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
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RV Wizard,
Thanks for the direction on the chassis forums. I didn't realize that there were so many. I'll have lots to research before I post.
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01-11-2009, 02:01 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ...East Texas
Posts: 5,325
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Freightliner, Spartan and Roadmaster </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, Freightliner & Spartan are independent chassis manfacturers while Roadmaster is unique to Monaco. You won't find a Winnebago, Fleetwood, Newmar, etc on a Roadmaster chassis.
I can't speak about a Roadmaster as I have never owned a Monaco product. Spartan is higher end than Freightliner ... perhaps like Lincoln vs Ford or Cadillac vs Chevy. But Freightliner still makes a good chassis. There are some variations of both Spartan and Freightline chassis's depending on the invidual motorhome mfg'er, what they ordered from the vendor, and exactly what they did with what they ordered.
My coach has a Spartan chassis, further customized by Winnebago (they bought both ends from Spartan, then added a unique middle section). I love the ride, and have no need for steering enhancements, stabilizers, etc like I hear some folks spending lots of money for.
__________________
Paul (KE5LXU) ...was fulltimin', now parttimin'
2022 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
towing 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
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01-11-2009, 04:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,029
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Freightliner </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would go for the Freightliner chassis with the Cummins 350 Diesel. The Cat engine is "cold" (takes too long to get to operating temperature).
Whatever you do don't buy a Workhorse gas chassis. They have numerous unexplained brake problems.
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01-11-2009, 04:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Knoxville, TN, USA
Posts: 3,994
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dunda:
In our plans to move up from a fifth wheel to a motorhome,...... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't want to start a chassis war so I will not recommend one brand over another. As a general rule, the longer and heavier a motorhome is the better it will ride and handle. I see you are coming from a 5th wheel to a motorhome. We did the same thing and were not prepared for the difference. Make sure you drive each unit before you make up your mind and don't be surprised if they don't handle as well as your 5th wheel and truck. We traded our first motorhome after 3 1/2 months because we could not resolve bad handling issues.
Bob
__________________
Bob and Pam
2022 Quantum JM31
2023 Colorado Z71
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