Community Forums

BBelanger · 09-16-2017, 03:58 AM

4 months ago I finished putting 10,000 miles on a 2017 DSDP 4018 with the Freightliner chassis. My impressions of the K2 are largely "seems like", may not be factual, so take it FWIW. It seems to ride better, now I have 3 more feet and 365's up front instead of 315's with about the same air pressure, so that may be the reason and not the chassis. It seems like it's quieter, we can whisper while going down the highway at 65. Very nice. It seems like the front end spins around less quickly than the FL. I believe the turning radius numbers favor the K2, but I've had to back up several times when it seems I would have made that turn in the FL, but I'm older now. �� I understand it's longer, but I'm talking about how fast the front end moves horizontally at full turn, if you know what I mean. The basement seems to have more headroom. On the FL I had that awful full length pull through tray that I was never able to pull through because something stuck up on the other side. I know, I'm the only one with that problem, so pull though lovers no need to make me understand how it's supposed to work, or how to reengineer that compartment with shelving. I got two singles sided trays instead, nice. I asked for 3 but no go since the singles are longer than half way. The turn signal lever is about an inch further from the steering wheel, easier to use with my hand on my knee than on the steering wheel. Not sure which I like better. For some reason the comfort drive seems more aggressive than the Freightliner and that's probably not true, it just feels like I don't need to turn it up as much as I did. That leaves the instrument cluster. Still boiler gauges although digital and not a glass panel, but oh my...way, way, nicer than the FL. More information, easier to get at that info and much cleaner, more modern looking. The DW even commented on the looks. I don't know if the excite radio/gps belongs in a chassis or floorplan review, but the excite is way ahead of the Clarion, and I really liked the Clarion. This one is dead on in agreement with the Garmin 760rv.

Winner in my opinion, Spartan by a wide margin. I'd say it's worth 10k more and wouldn't be surprised to see that happen as the dealers are saying how everyone is going to Spartan, especially since so many are having FL issues. All I had was the power steering hose too close to the starter recall. No tag problems on my 4018, but I did factory pickup and I could see where the tag had been adjusted post factory by washer movement marks.

On another note, I see my video doesn't work on the 2018 delivery thread although irv2 allowed the upload. I'll have to convert it to a different format and try again as I don't seem to be able to edit it. And thank you for whoever gave us the tip of leaving the "theft deterrent" covers off the Eez tpms sensors so they fit in the wheels without extensions.

BB

NEWMARDS3724 · 09-16-2017, 04:41 AM

Thank you for the write up and I am looking forward to reading more on your assessment of your new coach...hoprfully one day I'll be able to convince the DW we need a bigger, more powerful coach on the K2. Have fun exploring my friend...

willipaul · 09-16-2017, 05:31 AM

thanks for the write up as well, and ignore my post on your other thread....typed it before i saw this....

safe and happy trails back to new england !

willipaul · 09-16-2017, 05:32 AM

thanks for the write up as well, and ignore my post on your other thread....typed it before i saw this....

safe and happy trails back to new england !

BBelanger · 09-16-2017, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willipaul

thanks for the write up as well, and ignore my post on your other thread....typed it before i saw this....

safe and happy trails back to new england !

Back to Caribou to pickup the jeep then off to Tucson.

willipaul · 09-16-2017, 06:30 AM

and i think the 3 extra feet and the rear axle placement makes a pretty big difference, regardless of chassis manufacturer....

i drove a '17 DS4369 on a freightliner chassis as a test drive, and noticed quite a swing difference to my current FL chassis 40' phaeton.....so going from a 40' tag DS to a 43' tag DS would be somewhat similar, i should think....

Stuart W · 09-16-2017, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the write up BBelanger! K2 was the only one for me, could have purchased almost everything we wanted out of dealer stock 3 months ago on a FL, wife really wanted it but I couldn't make myself ok with it and the wife respected my decision to wait. Sounds like the almost 5 month wait will be worth it. The rear disc brakes, frame that is 420 pounds heavier with a lifetime warranty, and easier access to the engine stood out to me. BTW on the distance from storage tray floor to frame, measured both Fl and K2 side by side......same

tom chelbana · 09-16-2017, 08:57 AM

Newmar and a Spartan chassis is the way to go and has been for a couple decades. There are still some major issues with FL chassis in the areas of tag axle and fan drive brackets. These aren't new to FL but still after 2 plus years you read on both Newmar forum and FL owners not happy campers with their FL chassis. BBelenger does a great write up on comparing both chassis.

BBelanger · 09-16-2017, 09:49 AM

Forgot to mention the extra set of discs in the back do make a difference. I didn't expect to feel it but I definitely do.

The chassis battery compartment is very clean and tidy, unlike the Freightliner that was constantly dusty.

Anxious to see that we make less dust in a campground. The customer service person at Spartan explained why, something you do with the distance or configuration of the radiator fan shroud. I'll be sure to report when I exoerience a dusty campground.

jrs · 09-17-2017, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBelanger

4 months ago I finished putting 10,000 miles on a 2017 DSDP 4018 with the Freightliner chassis. My impressions of the K2 are largely "seems like", may not be factual, so take it FWIW. It seems to ride better, now I have 3 more feet and 365's up front instead of 315's with about the same air pressure, so that may be the reason and not the chassis. It seems like it's quieter, we can whisper while going down the highway at 65. Very nice. It seems like the front end spins around less quickly than the FL. I believe the turning radius numbers favor the K2, but I've had to back up several times when it seems I would have made that turn in the FL, but I'm older now. �� I understand it's longer, but I'm talking about how fast the front end moves horizontally at full turn, if you know what I mean. The basement seems to have more headroom. On the FL I had that awful full length pull through tray that I was never able to pull through because something stuck up on the other side. I know, I'm the only one with that problem, so pull though lovers no need to make me understand how it's supposed to work, or how to reengineer that compartment with shelving. I got two singles sided trays instead, nice. I asked for 3 but no go since the singles are longer than half way. The turn signal lever is about an inch further from the steering wheel, easier to use with my hand on my knee than on the steering wheel. Not sure which I like better. For some reason the comfort drive seems more aggressive than the Freightliner and that's probably not true, it just feels like I don't need to turn it up as much as I did. That leaves the instrument cluster. Still boiler gauges although digital and not a glass panel, but oh my...way, way, nicer than the FL. More information, easier to get at that info and much cleaner, more modern looking. The DW even commented on the looks. I don't know if the excite radio/gps belongs in a chassis or floorplan review, but the excite is way ahead of the Clarion, and I really liked the Clarion. This one is dead on in agreement with the Garmin 760rv.

Winner in my opinion, Spartan by a wide margin. I'd say it's worth 10k more and wouldn't be surprised to see that happen as the dealers are saying how everyone is going to Spartan, especially since so many are having FL issues. All I had was the power steering hose too close to the starter recall. No tag problems on my 4018, but I did factory pickup and I could see where the tag had been adjusted post factory by washer movement marks.

On another note, I see my video doesn't work on the 2018 delivery thread although irv2 allowed the upload. I'll have to convert it to a different format and try again as I don't seem to be able to edit it. And thank you for whoever gave us the tip of leaving the "theft deterrent" covers off the Eez tpms sensors so they fit in the wheels without extensions.

BB

Was the 4018 on a tag too? Considering which way to go. Spoke to 2016 DS 4369 freightliner owner who will go with another FL on his Essex upgrade

tom chelbana · 09-17-2017, 06:09 PM

There is a 2016 Essex owner right now at the factory who is very unhappy with is FL chassis and wants a Spartan. He has already had the fan bracket brake a let the fan drive damage his radiator and CAC. He says he has hired an attorney and is suing FL and Newmar. Read the FL forum on irv2 and find out the problems for the last 2 years for FL.

BBelanger · 09-17-2017, 07:23 PM

Noticed substantially less lean on the on ramps and off ramps today. Felt like I had active air.

NealC · 09-17-2017, 08:11 PM

The ole FL vs. Spartan, I swear it's a religious war

Some hate one or the other, you typically only hear the bad stories. My salesman was adamant against Spartan and swore I should get FL, so I did, and I am happy with it. I ran into a guy at the last campground in his 3rd Newmar and second Essex on a FL and swears he will never have anything to do with Spartan after years of problems.

Just hope whatever you have works for you, if not, seek warranty or service, I think they are both fine or Newmar wouldn't use them. Comparing a different coach on FL with a different length on Spartan is probably something you cannot compare. Even if you had two identical coaches on the same chassis they would feel different just based on new vs. old tires and shock absorbers, used vs. new airbags on and on.

Congrats on your new coach and I hope it brings you many many years of joy. But these discussions on FL vs. Spartan are just odd at times and I don't know their value.

I would love to hear about a completely different discussion, how did the process of going from a one year old DSDP to a new DSDP this year work? I hear so many stories of people changing coaches here I have no concept of how it works. No, I'm not looking to do the same, I love my VTDP but I just wonder how this works financially. Only if you don't mind sharing as it's personal of course.

Was your 17 DSDP financed? What did you lose in the process such as depreciation? Pay cash for both and just don't care? Some here obviously are financially better off than others and have different theories on taking out a loan vs. paying cash (yet another financial opinion/discussion). Did you trade in or sell on your own? So again, I'm more interested in the story of the process of moving from old to new especially with only 1 year apart between them. If you don't mind sharing.