Dutch Star Bounce -Spartan Ride Height is critical

[StuartS]

So yes I was experiencing a front end bouncing issue in our 2017 Dutch Star 4369 but it was not all that concerning.

At Factory Pick Up in May of 2017, Newmar did check the ride height for me & they said it was within tolerance... NOT!

Called Spartan & spoke to Dave. He opened a warranty case on my coach & told me that they would get it straightened out. Dave sent me to Tom Kszepka at Massey's Diesel in Phoenix AZ. Massey's is one of Spartans top service center in the country & I am lucky enough to live 30 minutes away.

Ride Height was the first thing Spartan wanted checked before looking at replacing shocks. Sure enough the Ride Height was off by about 1/2".

WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN RIDE!!! - NO MORE FRONT END BOUNCE. Bumps in the road, cornering & just ride comfort is night & day different. Yes, Ride Height being off just a little made that much difference.

I'll be at Spartan in September & I'll be thanking Dave in person.

[426smartin]

Originally Posted by StuartS

So yes I was experiencing a front end bouncing issue in our 2017 Dutch Star 4369 but it was not all that concerning.

At Factory Pick Up in May of 2017, Newmar did check the ride height for me & they said it was within tolerance... NOT!

Called Spartan & spoke to Dave. He opened a warranty case on my coach & told me that they would get it straightened out. Dave sent me to Tom Kszepka at Massey's Diesel in Phoenix AZ. Massey's is one of Spartans top service center in the country & I am lucky enough to live 30 minutes away.

Ride Height was the first thing Spartan wanted checked before looking at replacing shocks. Sure enough the Ride Height was off by about 1/2".

WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN RIDE!!! - NO MORE FRONT END BOUNCE. Bumps in the road, cornering & just ride comfort is night & day different. Yes, Ride Height being off just a little made that much difference.

I'll be at Spartan in September & I'll be thanking Dave in person.

front or back off ?

[Mark71]

How should I even check ride height on my DS 4018?

[Stuart W]

On a 43 foot (maybe the same as yours)
The rears are measured from the center of the top and bottom shock bolt, 20 inches
After rear is correct, fronts are measured by measuring the height of each air bag, they should measure 9 inch’s.
The rears are tuff on the ground, I was able to reach from the front of the pass rear drive wheel and feed a tape from the bottom up, then when it measured 20 inches, I measured the airbag height and compared it to the drivers side.
The fronts, I slid my generator out and turned the steps off so they stayed in. It’s easy to measure the air bags

[StuartS]

Originally Posted by Mark71

How should I even check ride height on my DS 4018?

You first need to call Spartan & get the specs for your coach.

[StuartS]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

On a 43 foot (maybe the same as yours) fronts are measured by measuring the height of each air bag, they should measure 9 inch’s.

Stuart, did you call Spartan & get the specs for your coach?


Ours is a 2017 DS4369 & I the number we were given by Spartan for the front was 9.25". Tolerance is less then 1/2" as per Spartan but Tom at Massey's want it as dead on as possible.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by StuartS

Stuart, did you call Spartan & get the specs for your coach?


Ours is a 2017 DS4369 & I the number we were given by Spartan for the front was 9.25". Tolerance is less then 1/2" as per Spartan but Tom at Massey's want it as dead on as possible.

stuart the information is in the Spartan CD under front suspension, I’m sorry I miss spoke the dimension for the front is 9.25 with a tolerance of +/- .125 inch, Spartan said to set them at 9.25. the rear is 20 inches center of shock bolts and was provided by Spartan, the listed inspection of 7” from axle center is too difficult to measure ( see CD) I should add my rear was right on my left front was 9.75 inch’s. Right side was right on

[Desertboyz]

We had the heights examined and adjusted. And then still had the shocks replaced under warranty at Buddy Gregg RV in Knoxville, TN. While we were there, we met another couple with a 2017 Dutch Star 4369 with the same bouncing complaint. We shared our experience with them. They complained and lo and behold, they too had their height adjusted and replacement shocks installed.

Everyone else seems to have gotten a run-around or been made to jump through hoops to get new shocks. What does Buddy Gregg do to push things through? I don't get it.

[StuartS]

Originally Posted by Desertboyz

And then still had the shocks replaced under warranty

What shocks were put on?
Bilstein or Koni?

[10 fan]

When measuring the front is it the bag and both metal plates?

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by 10 fan

When measuring the front is it the bag and both metal plates?

I believe so as they are the top and bottom of the air bag

[Desertboyz]

Originally Posted by StuartS

What shocks were put on?
Bilstein or Koni?

I'm not sure. Is it important?

Why some, not all is my question.

[V3600]

I thought they only bounced when the airbags weren't inflated. That's been my experience.

[Stuart W]

I believe it has to do with centering shock travel at rest and weight transfer