Spartan vs Freightliner

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Catch14me

Spartan is hard to beat but if you need service there are lots more Freightliner service centers.

You'd be surprised at how many places there are that service the Spartan chassis. Many...if not most...Cummins service centers also service Spartan.

I've found that a call to your Newmar brand specialist asking for help finding a Spartan service center produces good results. Just ask them to conference you with Spartan while they stay on the line.

Last July, we had an issue with the new coach and called our brand specialist at Newmar. In less than five minutes, he had a tech from Spartan on the line. He diagnosed the issue, found a shop qualified to do the work under warranty and even called that shop to make arrangements for us to come in. It was extremely well-handled.

TJ

[PeterFTH]

All I can say about Spartan is I went to Michigan from Florida specifially to have my used Travel Supreme gone over. I had several bullet points - they were sloppy, and defensive when I later complained that what I had asked for had not been addressed. If I were buying somethinig new and had a choice, I'd not pick Spartan. Others may have had better experiences, but I don't care for shops that ignore what the customer tells them. One example was that the dash a/c started cold, but quicky got warmer until it was not working at all. They turned it on, it was cold, so they charged me $110 and left it at that. A few weeks later I spent 3 days at a radiator shop in New Orleans (awful neighborhood for overnight) where they quickly diagnosed that the new compressor the previous owner had installed was done by idiots who didn't blow out the system or replace the drier - thus trash from the previous compressor destroyed the new one. Shame on you Spartan.

[Catch14me]

Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim

You'd be surprised at how many places there are that service the Spartan chassis. Many...if not most...Cummins service centers also service Spartan.

I've found that a call to your Newmar brand specialist asking for help finding a Spartan service center produces good results. Just ask them to conference you with Spartan while they stay on the line.

Last July, we had an issue with the new coach and called our brand specialist at Newmar. In less than five minutes, he had a tech from Spartan on the line. He diagnosed the issue, found a shop qualified to do the work under warranty and even called that shop to make arrangements for us to come in. It was extremely well-handled.

TJ

I liked my Spartan Chassis but service where I live was not as readily available and more expensive. The factory was a long drive. I guess this is something worth checking into in deciding. The Cummins shop I use now doesn't do RV chassis work. More so than the Spartan Chassis work service on the Cat Diesel was also less available. The Spartan factory didn't do that and I was hoping to have a one stop shop for both. Your experience was better.

[vito.a]

I'm amazed at the number of RV folks that associate Freightliner with class 8 trucks and assume they are a quality product. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most of the over the road Freightliner trucks are one or two year leases. Anyone that owns their own truck and works it hard for several years will pay more for another brand.
We sold off the last of our Freightliner class 8 trucks a few years ago. The only thing worse were the two Navistar trucks they paid us to try out.
Most Freightliner chassis are built to a lower price point. The small difference in price for the upgraded chassis is well worth it if you intend to keep your coach for several years.

Next time you are at a large RV show look at the endless row of low price point diesel coaches and you will see almost all Freightliner chassis.

Bottom line is I would not own a coach on a Freightliner chassis just like I would not own a coach with a Navistar engine.

Edit: My intent was not to insult Freightliner owners but to better inform those who are trying to decide if the upgraded chassis is worth spending extra hard earned money.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by vito.a

Next time you are at a large RV show look at the endless row of low price point diesel coaches and you will see almost all Freightliner chassis.

Most low end diesels also have rubber tires, and a steering wheel.

[tom chelbana]

There is so much to say about service on FL chassis but this thread has gone on way to long. Just read the FL forum for some stories about unhappy RV owners at there service centers.
Newmar Man

[redbaron73]

I just read that reindeer can fly and some guy climbs down chimneys to steal milk and cookies.

[a7pilot]

I have not had or driven a Spartan Chasis and can not attest to the difference between it and FCCC. I do know that after 5 years of ownership, FCCC corrected a problem I brought to their attention when they realized the problem was a manufacturing defect. They also covered the cost of an out of warranty turbo replacement that a Freightliner dealer had failed to replace under warranty even though it was a Cummins issue. I know that FCCC stands behind their product and offers above normal customer service.

[Lug_Nut]

Sorry the disclaimer was missing in my original post.

Disclaimer: No animals were hurt or otherwise messed with during the production of this post.

[PandS]

If you have the time, visit both factories and make an informed decision.- Paul

[Stuart W]

Something I learned yesterday at the FMCA rally in Indio: Freight liner had an ISL FL Chassis on display, I was looking at the Air Dryer spin on cartridge inconveniently located directly above the tag axle. The FL rep came over to me and we had the why do you put the filter in such a hard to service location conversation ? His answer “ we can move it anywhere the motorhome manufacture specifies, we sometimes mount them on the right rear side or in the back of the engine depending on how the manufacturer specs the chassis” I pointed out that I have friends that have spent as much as 4 hours labor to have a shop replace the filter, his Answer “ they must not have the right tools it should take that long”.

My question is why if it’s in a terrible location, would FL not just move it?
This is not a dig on FL, in fact if what the rep said is true, maybe some of the blame is on Newmar.
Just one difference.
Stuart

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

Something I learned yesterday at the FMCA rally in Indio: Freight liner had an ISL FL Chassis on display, I was looking at the Air Dryer spin on cartridge inconveniently located directly above the tag axle. The FL rep came over to me and we had the why do you put the filter in such a hard to service location conversation ? His answer “ we can move it anywhere the motorhome manufacture specifies, we sometimes mount them on the right rear side or in the back of the engine depending on how the manufacturer specs the chassis” I pointed out that I have friends that have spent as much as 4 hours labor to have a shop replace the filter, his Answer “ they must not have the right tools it should take that long”.

My question is why if it’s in a terrible location, would FL not just move it?
This is not a dig on FL, in fact if what the rep said is true, maybe some of the blame is on Newmar.
Just one difference.
Stuart

I have talked to FL reps at the tampa show several times, and the 2 main issues I always bring up is the location of the dryer filter, and their terrible implementation of the Oasis network.

I too have been told the same story about the Air Dryer, although 2019 is the first year AFAIK that it is a spin on. This should be much faster to replace than the prior, as long as you can wiggle into a position to reach it.

I asked Newmar about the location, and received the company line "Oh, this is the first I have heard about it...I will look into it". That line sure does sound good, until you realize that it is over used.

[on safari]

So, Do you want to support Germany-Freightliner, or Spartan - United States Of America,


Mike

[NealC]

Originally Posted by on safari

So, Do you want to support Germany-Freightliner, or Spartan - United States Of America,


Mike

Posted using a Chinese made phone, wearing clothes made in china sitting on a chair made in China.

I’m hungry. Who wants to meet for Chinese food?

P.S. where is SP getting there materials from?