Any Spartan 2017 Dutch star Owners?

[Bowl300]

Has anyone ordered the 2017 DutchStar on the Spartan and driven it yet? If so, how does it compare with the FL chassis.

Ed & Doreen

[Norm Mac]

I saw one on the production line in Nappanee last week but have not seen one in the real world yet.

[tom chelbana]

BOWL300 There is a lot of information on the advantages of the Spartan chassis over the FL on forum question on were to buy a 2017 Dutch Star. I think there were post on it in the last couple days.

[tom chelbana]

Here are some on the advantages of the Spartan chassis over FL.

1 1580 pounds more carrying capacity on the 43 ft. chassis
2 Disc brakes on the drive axle
3 55 degree wheel cut vs. 52
4 3/8 frame rails and cross members
5 20 year transferrable warranty on frame and cross members
6 Easy access side service center for quick maintenance and visual inspection
7 Higher resale value

[joe4rvfun]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Here are some on the advantages of the Spartan chassis over FL.

1 1580 pounds more carrying capacity on the 43 ft. chassis True
2 Disc brakes on the drive axle True
3 55 degree wheel cut vs. 52 False, under 50 degrees with current tire size, 55 degree is based on 305 tires.
4 3/8 frame rails and cross members has anyone ever had a frame issue?
5 20 year transferrable warranty on frame and cross members
6 Easy access side service center for quick maintenance and visual inspection
7 Higher resale value

False, more and more people are wanting FL, Spartan costs more because they build very few.

Tag cut on FL is 12 degrees, Spartan is 10
FL locks in 20 MPH, Spartan is 45 MPH, Spartan gets loose above 40 MPH.
Yes, I did A LOT of research and driving

[Bowl300]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Here are some on the advantages of the Spartan chassis over FL.

1 1580 pounds more carrying capacity on the 43 ft. chassis
2 Disc brakes on the drive axle
3 55 degree wheel cut vs. 52
4 3/8 frame rails and cross members
5 20 year transferrable warranty on frame and cross members
6 Easy access side service center for quick maintenance and visual inspection
7 Higher resale value

Tom,
Appreciate the info on the Spartan. I've actually read several posts of owners opinions of their coach on either chassis, as well as the Spartan specs for the Newmar DS. We really would prefer a Spartan, but hesitate as this is the 1st year the DS is on a Spartan 40 footer with a tag. ( also keep thinking about the drivability issues that Entegra has with the same chassis, even though it's not a passive steer tag)

I know it's still early out there for actual new owners of the 2017 DS, but was hoping for an actual review of someone that may have already ordered and driven their new DS on the Spartan.

I don't even see any dealers who have 2017's on their lot with the Spartan.

Doreen

[RJ51]

Here's a gentleman with a new 2016 Entegra Anthem that is having difficulties with the K2 Spartan chassis which i believe is the same one Newmar uses for the Dutchstar, whether the 2017 are better i don' know but interesting blog if anyone cares to read also has videos.
Entegra Coach Owners Story Archives – Our Great Escape

[siggyd]

FWIW, My 2011 FTL XCR chassis with 305-70R-22.5 tires has a label that says
60 degrees wheel cut.

[jmon129]

Originally Posted by siggyd

FWIW, My 2011 FTL X degre eCR chassis with 305-70R-22.5 tires has a label that says
60 degrees wheel cut.

Sounds right, 315's will limit the cut to 56, 325's around 52.
Spartan claims the same 55 degree front end cut with all of the above size tires. Not posible, but who's going to take them to task on it? I say SHAME on spartan.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by jmon129

Sounds right, 315's will limit the cut to 56, 325's around 52.
Spartan claims the same 55 degree front end cut with all of the above size tires. Not posible, but who's going to take them to task on it? I say SHAME on spartan.

Sort of the same marketing bunk that is claimed for the passive steer tag. Exaggerated claims made by comparing the steerable to non lifting/dumping tags.

[Norm Mac]

One difference I noticed on the factory line was...
The Spartan has a hydraulic driven radiator fan.
The Freightliner has a belt driven fan.

If the hydraulic fan operation is selectively controlled by engine temperature it may reduce the "DutchStar Dust Storm" that the Freightliner is known for.

[KPHuber]

I have 2017 Dutchstar 4018 with Spartan chassis so far so good. I never drove the FL so I can't compare. My opinion is FL has too many issues and the dealer I purchased from which was a great experience (NIRV Dallas) will not put them on a FL chassis anymore for the same reasons. I have financed semi tractors ( Class 8) for over thirty years and FL (Daimler) has poor resale and many issues. Again just my opinion but if you look at all the recalls on MH's most have been on Fl chassis's. Wish I would have drove one to compare but still would have gone to Spartan.

[tom chelbana]

We were just at Newmar Kountry Klub International rally in Pueblo and saw a number of Spartan chassis on DS's on 2017's.

[hellojohnny]

Originally Posted by joe4rvfun

False, more and more people are wanting FL, Spartan costs more because they build very few.

Tag cut on FL is 12 degrees, Spartan is 10
FL locks in 20 MPH, Spartan is 45 MPH, Spartan gets loose above 40 MPH.
Yes, I did A LOT of research and driving

Costs more? Newmar states that he Spartan and Freightliner are the same price?