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boshog's avatar
boshog
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017

What is the difference between chassis

Wife and I are looking at class A diesel pushers. The one we seem to keep coming back to is the Newmar Dutchstar. The Dutchstar is offered two ways, either the Spartan chassis or the Freightliner chassis.

I've done a bit of Googling but have not found a comparison between the two, since Newmar offers both, I figure there is a good reason, I'm trying to understand that reason.

Anyone have insight?

13 Replies

  • If you google Frieghtliner vs. spartan chassis, you'll get about a hundred links, mostly to forums like this. I didn't see any official "study" except this from LazyDays.
  • This is a bit of a Ford/Chevy debate.

    Our last MH was on a Freightliner, our current MH is on a Spartan. Both have served us well.

    I think if I were buying today I'd lean more to the Freightliner simply for more service centers nationwide. With that said, the few warranty service items (very minor) we've needed on our Spartan, we paid for and Spartan reimbursed us without any issue.

    Our Freightliner never needed any type of warranty service.

    Nice choice in a MH too, BTW.
  • You can go on the Freightliner and Spartan websites and check the specs for those chassis. In previous years there were some differences that IMO swung the advantage to Spartan. In recent years, for all but the most diehard hair splitters, either chassis is fine. Both of them now offer passive steer tag axles and it seems FL has some growing pains related to that.

    One very high end coach builder, Foretravel, has recently stopped making its own chassis and now uses a Spartan with some special mods just for them. Not sure if that is based on Foretravel's feeling that Spartan is really better or the fact that Spartan was more willing to do something special for Foretravel.

    In the end, you need to drive coaches with both and see if you notice differences that would sway your decision.