Class A Chassis Question - Spartan vs Freightliner (Newbie)

[richardclark]

So me and my wife went to an RV Show in Hershey, PA near where we live and it was as much fun as they always are in our experience of going for about 2-years now.

We started out thinking we wanted to go with a 5th wheel but then decided on a Class A for long-term livability reasons. We plan on selling the house and going RV full time. We plan on pulling a trailer behind our Class-A for 'my garage and toys' I want to carry.

I have compiled a great deal of information around units that met our specific creature/comfort requirements, completed much of the engineering specs and I've narrowed my choices to 3 manufacturers and 2 models.

My choices in order are:
- Entegra Anthem 44B
- Thor Tuscany 45AT
- Newmar (under consideration)

One question I have is with regards to the chassis. There are two players that I've found out there; Spartan and Freightliner.

From what I've observed, the Spartan chassis has some superior features and will make the long-term maintenance of the coach more cost effective. Entegra uses the Spartan chassis.

The Freightliner chassis is in most coaches and so has the benefit of being popular but that doesn't mean it's necessarily the best. Thor uses a Freightliner chassis.

Some chassis are customized to a particular coaches manufacturers preferences which in my thinking, could compromise the chassis in some ways that are not good. I'm not trained in structural integrity analysis but I am a scientist of a different nature so I understand the math and the physics.

My questions are how important is the chassis in relation to the overall quality of the coach and long-term maintenance? What is your opinion of the two players I mentioned?

If anyone has experience with the above manufacturers or coaches, can you share your experience? Thanks!

[2gypsies1]

We full-timed for 8 years in our Newmar Dutch Star with a Spartan. No issues. If you're choosing one because of basement space, any diesel over 40' is going to have plenty. We had room to spare. Besides, you're going to be hauling a garage around.

Which brings up a point....a 45' with a cargo trailer to hold a car means you'll be limited as to the types of parks you can go. We had no problems in public parks, national parks, national forests, Corp of Engineers, county and city parks with our 40' towing the Jeep. Think it out carefully.

Definitely get a side radiator!

[RFCN2]

Richard,

The chassis of your motorhome is very important. Both Spartan and Frieghtliner will work just fine. Just make sure you get one with sufficient length and carry capacity for you to full time. Do not rely on any of the three makers you mentioned to put the chassis you need beneath your motorhome. Look up the specs. Make sure you have enough carry capacity when fully loaded to pull your towed and accept all the things you will carry and still handle with comfort and not cause you to white knuckle on the highway.

The last time I looked at motorhomes there were many many models of many lengths. If you look closely you will see different chassis lengths and weight carry capacity depending on the model, length, and perhaps what you order special. Keep in mind that the less front and rear overhang you can get makes for happier time behind the wheel. Short chassis means you will spend endless hours keeping it between the lines. And that is with or without electronic add ons like comfort drive. The best chassis is the one that goes down the road without anything to help it. Then if you add a feature like comfort drive it will add to an already good system.

I don't own any of the three you mention. I do like good vehicles and do go to shows and have many friends that own motorhomes. I would not rank Newmar over Entergra. They are both mid to higher level coaches that in my opinion are quite similar. Likely if you spend X amount of dollars at either you will get very comparable features. Likely similar motors, transmissions, quality level of interior and so on. I am not very familiar with Thor and cannot comment.

The several people who have posted the importance of floor plan have it right. It is very important you love the floorpan. If you don't love it, keep looking. Tiffin, Winnebago, Monaco, and Fleetwood also make motorhomes of comparable quality and cost to Newmar and Entegra.

I watch this forum and also IRV2.com. IRV2 has brand specific forums. If it were me looking to buy a motorhome I would go and watch those brands for a while to see what other people are saying about those makers.

By the way. The best chassis is very likely a Prevost. That is a very high end bus chassis good for 2 million miles. Below that are the chassis made specifically for that particular coach by makers like Foretravel, Country Coach, Monaco, Travel Supreme (Who was bought by Entegra.), Wander lodge, Newell, and a few others. I believe Entegra still puts a custom chassis under some of their models. And I think Tiffin puts the Peak chassis under a few of their coaches which is a custom chassis. Monaco I believe makes some custom chassis.

But back to your question. I would not worry about the two brands of Spartan or Freightliner, but I would make sure they put a big enough one under your motorhome.

[richardclark]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Excellent information and some things to consider.

The underlying theme amongst all the responses is to look more closely at Newmar. I've went to their site and it appears the King Aire is the line that I should consider in equivalence to the Entegra.

I did consider the specs for the chassis and the Spartan won me over in part because of the box design. The Entegra was my first choice because of the build quality as well and the voluminous space in the basement.

Most if not all of you seemed to throw Thor under the proverbial bus (pun intended) but I didn't see any reasons why. I suspect that part of this has little to do with the chassis discussion but perhaps overall build quality, warranty, maintenance or some other issues. I was on the fence with Thor anyway so it's not a big deal to me. I was just hoping I could have gotten similar quality and saved some paper too.

Anyway, thanks to all of you for your comments. I just built a Newmar King Aire online and then I'll compare it to the Entegra Anthem.

[holstein13]

I just did a little research to compare the Thor and the Entegra and would choose the Entegra if I had only those two choices. They both have the same engine, but the Thor has a rear radiator which accumulates dust and dirt quickly. The Thor also has smaller storage compartments. Looking at the pictures and comparing the specs, I'd say the Entegra is the superior model all around.

But definitely look at Newmar. I'd say they are better than both other choices.

[Big_Katuna]

Both use trucking industry standard parts and both build basic to top of the line versions. I'd make a list of features you want on a chassis.
Independent front suspension.
Disc or drum brakes.
Side vs rear rad.
Slide out genset.
Engine size.
Smart wheel or not.
Hydro Hot

Have you looked at a used Foretravel in your budget?

Motorhomes of Texas.

[Bruce_Brown]

We've owned both, it's a Ford/Chevy type of question. Spartan is fine, so is Freightliner. Either one will out live both you and the house attached to it.

Buy the Newmar and enjoy your full timing. :B

Actually, all kidding aside, of the 3 choices you've offered I'd eliminate the Thor for a number of reasons.

Newmar and Entegra are both wonderful units, only one offers Comfort Drive - the Newmar. We've own a CD unit since Aug '07, it truly is a game changer. That was our 3rd new Newmar, if we ever decide it's time for another it will be another Newmar.

[sch911]

Entegra makes a nice coach for sure but anything Newmar is top shelf. IMHO forget Thor completely. Everything I've read about those two chassis is good. Newmar shows the Freightliner as the optional chassis on many models.

[holstein13]

I'm sure you will be seeing this comment or a version of this comment repeatedly below. The comment is this: "Go with the floor plan you prefer first, and then consider the chassis."

That's because Freightliner or Spartan, you will be getting a great chassis with any of those models. They are all at the top of their price points so the chassis will be good. Consider this, the chassis consists of the frame, engine, tires, suspension, axles, steering, air system and brakes. Many of the components used will be the same whether you get Spartan or Freightliner.

I have the Spartan K3 which is used by both Entegra and Newmar. The K3 chassis is the only box truss chassis that I know of. As far as I know, Freightliner doesn't make anything like it. The K3 box truss chassis is so rigid that the manufacturers don't need to straighten it upon arrival at the MH manufacturer. It allows for tighter suspension, more resistance to twisting, and more space in the storage compartments.

I went to the Spartan training last month and enjoyed the class and got a tour of the factory. It is a first class chassis with top components used throughout. I highly recommend it. But either way, I think you'll be happy.