Spartan's bread and butter is fire truck chassis. I love my 1996 Sartan chassis with 8.3CTA 12 valve Cummings and Allison MD060 transmission. We have 5,000 lbs payload and 15,500 lbs towing capacity. Well designed STRONG chassis!
Hey Nick! Nice hanging out with you & Peggy. We would have stayed longer but you wouldn't let us have one of your flushes. We found a porta-potty down the road way, and all is good again.
I wrote a super long, bit by bit eval of how much I enjoyed the various places you went and it disappeared at the end of the art section. Damn that Noah! Well, now I just want to say that I really enjoyed this video, probably one of my all time favs. I laughed and I learned. I miss you guys!
Excellent video showing the chassis! I have been doing a lot of research on the Freightliner vs Spartan chassis. In all the research and information I come across, I keep leaning towards the Spartan chassis. Thanks again for the video! Safe travels!
Glad it was helpful! Although I SEE many awesome ideas and features on the Spartan frame, when I read all the chassis comments and threads on irv2.com I am glad we have a Freightliner. I have been reading about the steering issues on the Spartan frames for a long, long, long time.
@@OurJourneyInMyles thank you for the update! I was unaware of a steering issue with the Spartan. I will have to dig deeper. I absolutely love the fact that Spartan has that rear service bay with the two filters. That’s what really has pushed me that way. But, if there is a known steering issue…I don’t want to deal with that. Thanks again! Off to more research. Keep those videos coming! Thank you for all that you and Sue do! Stay safe!
Loved the impromptu interview with Coach-net, I’m bringing my soon to be renewed contract to the tampa show and have them explain more about this coverage..thanks again..
Best of luck Vince! I am really hoping I got this all correct. For my money, the Progressive add on for the "accident towing insurance" is so cheap, I'll put it on no matter what anyone tells me!
Great video Mark & Sue. Really impressive display. My father owned two American Eagles with Spartan Chassis. Really well engineered. Great content as always. Thanks again from a retired industrial engineer soon to be retired educator.
Thanks for sharing! We are at the 2022 Florida RV Show now, and we looked at a $920,000 American Eagle motorhome. I forgot the model because my brain swelled when I saw that price tag!
Now that was so nicely done video. I have learned a lot about so many topics ! The only thing is that we didn't see Sue. Thanks for the video and sharing it with me,
Great info! Thanks Mark and Sue! Through these videos, there's usually a nugget, a piece of info that gives you a , "now I understand" moment. I get it... We've had those many times with you both. It's January and we hope that you're someplace warm and sunny! Happy and Safe Travels. Brendan & Lena Frozen Sneakers, Pa.
We will be at the 2022 Tampa Florida RV SuperShow from Jan 19th thru Jan 23rd 2022. Folks can stop by and say hi at the RV Trip Wizard Booth Friday 11am-1pm and Saturday 9am to 11 am. You can also visit us at the TSD Logistics Diesel Fuel Card Booth on Saturday 1pm to 3pm. Then,........it's off to Ft Myers to relax.
Nice job Mark, explaining the intricacies of the Spartan chassis. I have seen this or a similar chassis at prior Tampa RV Supershows and didn’t really know what was what. I always enjoy Sue’s and your videos as they are so informative. We too will be at this year’s Supershow. We love that show and have gone every year since 2016, except we passed on last year’s show for obvious reasons. We will certainly say hello and introduce ourselves if we see you.
Hey John. I highly recommend stopping at the Spartan Chassis booth to listen to one of the many presentations Greg Rinehart does throughout the day. He is simply fantastic to watch and listen to. The Freightliner group has a bare frame as well, with a half a dozen engineer type folks there to answer any questions.
Sorry that we missed you at the Tampa Super Show. We did see You, Me and the RV at the TSD Logistics booth, but the crush of people ensured that we only talked to the TSD rep. We were at the show Wednesday and Thursday, so we missed seeing you at their booth. We reached an agreement today with the North Trail RV salesman we met at the Super Show to trade our 2016 American Revolution (and a little cash) for a 2022 New Aire 3545 on a Spartan chassis. The New Aire is forecast to come off the assembly line in mid-May. Hope to meet you guys one of these days, maybe at a Newmar rally or getting service in Nappanee.
Wow. That is the perfect size rig, with a killer trim level. The 450hp will be like a race car. When we appeared at the TSD booth, we had enough room left over we could have parked the New Aire inside it!
@@OurJourneyInMyles Sorry that the crowd was so thin on Saturday, would have been great to introduce ourselves. We learned all we could on Wednesday and Thursday, plus the Holiday Express across the street was $300/night, so we headed home. The only alternate to the New Aire absent from the show was the shortest Allegro Bus (35 CP), but other aspects ultimately disqualifued it from our deliberations. Love your videos! You two are a great team! Thank you and safe travels!
Excellent video, especially details on Coachnet. Had opportunity to check out the Freightliner Custom chassis at Hershey show. Very cool to see a chassis without the “box” on top.
Mark and Sue, hello from Mount Dora, FL. Another great and informative video, and thanks for the insight on Coach-Net. Like you, we have Progressive coverage too. Since our 2021 Holiday came with towing coverage as well, we didn’t sign on with Coach-Net yet. We will at the end of the month since REV only provides one year of coverage. Hope to see you this week at the Tampa show.
We will be at the 2022 Tampa Florida RV SuperShow from Jan 19th thru Jan 23rd 2022. We will be at the RV Trip Wizard Booth Friday 11am-1pm and Saturday 9am to 11 am. You can also visit us at the TSD Logistics Diesel Fuel Card Booth on Saturday 1pm to 3pm. Stop by the Coach-Net booth to see if they have any current incentives to continue the coverage. Tell them we sent you. They will then say, "who are they?"
Like you and Dutch Star Don, I weigh and ponder all OJiM advice for a few milliseconds before acting. I got Coachnet based upon your advice from 2020. Loved the drone footage of the Spartan chassis since my Foretravel is on a Spartan frame.
Love it when you 'splain things so I can understand them. Could easily rename your channel the Pragmatic RV'er and his Bride. Is the Spartan chassis in your future????
I don't think so Larry. Freightliner has a new frame series and design coming out soon that will include a lot of new maintenance improvements that will most likely include and exceed a lot of what I talked about in this video.
Freightliner builds all their own RV Motorhome Frames in Gaffney South Carolina. They have the vast majority of the RV Motorhome Frame business and therefore have way more chassis frame shops throughout the USA to get it serviced.
Excellent content. Newmar uses a 2” tubular steel to build a raised triangulated structural support rail foundation on late model high end DP’s. It would be interesting to get your perspective as an engineer on Newmar’s STAR platform. Appreciate the tip on Coach Net and towing insurance rider.👍
Our DS Freightliner frame is a 2014 model year, and does not have the STAR platform. I can see why they went to it. On certain campsites, the leveling process twists the frame enough that our bay doors open goofy, and don't close and latch easily. That improvement was needed and welcomed.
Thankful for ALL the awesome "RV guys" on irv2.com I never comment on there because I cannot post links to our videos because it is viewed as "self serving" by the admin folks. They have deleted ALL my video links in the past, which leaves an empty shell of a discussion in any replies I have to offer. We understand. If OTHER people post a link to a video that we did, then I believe that is allowed. We appreciate it when individuals do that so we can all learn together!
Yes,..... you are correct. It does have coolant in it though, right? If so, I am hoping the TECHS at Freightliner changed mine! I wanted to start with fresh hoses!
@@jeffw7644 I will be at the Tampa Show in two days and I will get the facts! I am thinking you may be right, and it is a Charge Air Cooler Hose or something like that. I am going to check if these hoses have not been changed when I am in the mood to crawl under the rig. I just assumed all the hoses with antifreeze in them would be changed. Are you thinking compressed "air" is flowing through this pipe?
@@OurJourneyInMyles One of the lines you reference should be your intercooler loop from your turbo. It too needs maintenance. If it develops a leak it will severely affect performance. No coolant just air.
@@mikeussery4583 Thanks for setting me straight Mike. That really explains the spring material on the outside of the hose I guess. Our 8.9L 450 HP Turbo Boost max. is in the 32 psi range.
Nice job Mark and Sue, Please correct me if I'm wrong, I don't know what year that demo chassis was, but I thought the K3 chassis had electric-driven cooling fans, not a belt and shift-driven fan, or is the electric-driven cooling fans on only the late-model K4 chassis?
I do not claim to be an expert, but I thought the K4 chassis was only for SUPER PREMIUM RV'S like Foretravel. That fan could be nuclear powered for all I know! Since I drive a 2014 DS, I just looked at the shaft driven fan as normal. I will try to remember to peak at the "newer" bare frames at the 2022 Tampa Show this year. You may be correct,..........the companies are always trying to sneak out a few more usable horsepower!
You are so correct! I google "disciple" while I was editing the video, and read the wikipedia definition but then switched around who is who! I hope DS Don forgives me,.......
Don;t know where in the video I said 265, but I must have mis-spoke. The big daddy tires are 365, and only produced by Michelin at this time. They only produce them a few times a year, so availability some times get dicey!
@@OurJourneyInMyles Sorry if I misunderstood you but it sure sounded like you said 265 in the beginning of your video. And I didn't even know that the 45's had upped their tire size. Now that is a big daddy!
Mark, OUR coach.... thought Sue might whack you in the head.... besides, you will get more brownie points with her...I would expect her name is on the tittle too...Great video, love your frame flybys, can stop at anywhere for great detail....hope all is well...Also watching Bus Grease Monkey gives you a great info on wheel bearings and suspension problems, you might not do the work yourself but will understand what needs to be done...
You guessed it John,......Sue's name is on the title of the Rig because without her I don't see the point of it all,.... Thanks for the tip about the big & successful Bus Grease Monkey TH-cam Channel!
@@OurJourneyInMyles I thought the Dutch Star was also offered a Spartan chassis with a 450.... but I think the bad boy 605 would be more fun.... Pointing out the differences between Spartan and Freightliner is quite helpful and sooo obvious as to the advantages...it is only money....that we can not take with us
the fact that its a skinny lil platform scares the snot out of me. So glad I own a Prevost....and I WILL NEVER EVERRRR EVERRR EVERR EVERRR OWN A PRODUCTION COACH
What you are looking at is the bare frame that is shipped. Newmar adds on the STAR FOUNDATION steel chassis superstructure framework themselves at the factory. Check out: th-cam.com/video/A4NwLvfepcg/w-d-xo.html
Spartan's bread and butter is fire truck chassis. I love my 1996 Sartan chassis with 8.3CTA 12 valve Cummings and Allison MD060 transmission. We have 5,000 lbs payload and 15,500 lbs towing capacity. Well designed STRONG chassis!
It really is impressive how thick & beefy the Motorhome frames are!
We love our Spartan Chassis! And always enjoy Mark's comments and observations!
Hey Nick! Nice hanging out with you & Peggy. We would have stayed longer but you wouldn't let us have one of your flushes. We found a porta-potty down the road way, and all is good again.
@@OurJourneyInMyles There are three trees by my rig....who needs a Porta-Potty?
I wrote a super long, bit by bit eval of how much I enjoyed the various places you went and it disappeared at the end of the art section. Damn that Noah! Well, now I just want to say that I really enjoyed this video, probably one of my all time favs. I laughed and I learned. I miss you guys!
We miss your daily presence as well!
Those machines are built so well. Heavy duty for sure.Nice to see it in that perspective thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching Kevin! Being a retired Mechanical Engineer, these rigs really do it for me!
Originally wanted a motorhome. After looking at the mechanics of it I bought a fifth wheel. Thanks for this video as I justified my choice.
You can say that again! It definitely is a decision folks need to weigh in on before pulling the wallet out!
Coach-Net sounds like a definite must-have. Thinking about Hailey. 😂
The Spartan chassis is always an impressive sight.👍🏾💙🤍❤️
At the present time, Coach-Net is still the best Roadside Plan to have for a big boy RV!
Excellent video showing the chassis! I have been doing a lot of research on the Freightliner vs Spartan chassis. In all the research and information I come across, I keep leaning towards the Spartan chassis. Thanks again for the video! Safe travels!
Glad it was helpful! Although I SEE many awesome ideas and features on the Spartan frame, when I read all the chassis comments and threads on irv2.com I am glad we have a Freightliner. I have been reading about the steering issues on the Spartan frames for a long, long, long time.
@@OurJourneyInMyles thank you for the update! I was unaware of a steering issue with the Spartan. I will have to dig deeper. I absolutely love the fact that Spartan has that rear service bay with the two filters. That’s what really has pushed me that way. But, if there is a known steering issue…I don’t want to deal with that. Thanks again! Off to more research. Keep those videos coming! Thank you for all that you and Sue do! Stay safe!
A very nice visual skipper, good job.
Thanks for checking in Chief,.....
Nice video. Those machines are massive
I have to agree. Our rig is 44,000 lbs loaded, and it's good to keep that in mind when an RV Park employee wants you to drive on grass!
Loved the impromptu interview with Coach-net, I’m bringing my soon to be renewed contract to the tampa show and have them explain more about this coverage..thanks again..
Best of luck Vince! I am really hoping I got this all correct. For my money, the Progressive add on for the "accident towing insurance" is so cheap, I'll put it on no matter what anyone tells me!
Mark and Sue thank you so much for this video on the Spartan chassis. Great job! Thank you! Great information!
I just had to take the opportunity!
Great video Mark & Sue. Really impressive display. My father owned two American Eagles with Spartan Chassis. Really well engineered. Great content as always. Thanks again from a retired industrial engineer soon to be retired educator.
Thanks for sharing! We are at the 2022 Florida RV Show now, and we looked at a $920,000 American Eagle motorhome. I forgot the model because my brain swelled when I saw that price tag!
Thanks for the review of the Spartan chassis!
Any time!
Great presentation. Very professional. Now that all the maintenance is done, time for some fun!
Thanks T Scott. We will be done for a while, but are already scheduling more things to fix! That is how it is when you buy a used rig like we did!
Now that was so nicely done video. I have learned a lot about so many topics ! The only thing is that we didn't
see Sue. Thanks for the video and sharing it with me,
Glad you enjoyed it! I told Sue next time she will be doing the talking, and I will hold the camera!
Great video!!
Thanks for the visit S!
Enjoyed watching the video as always Enjoy the sunshine safe travels!!!
Thanks Ronald,.......
Great info! Thanks Mark and Sue! Through these videos, there's usually a nugget, a piece of info that gives you a , "now I understand" moment. I get it...
We've had those many times with you both. It's January and we hope that you're someplace warm and sunny!
Happy and Safe Travels.
Brendan & Lena
Frozen Sneakers, Pa.
We will be at the 2022 Tampa Florida RV SuperShow from Jan 19th thru Jan 23rd 2022. Folks can stop by and say hi at the RV Trip Wizard Booth Friday 11am-1pm and Saturday 9am to 11 am. You can also visit us at the TSD Logistics Diesel Fuel Card Booth on Saturday 1pm to 3pm. Then,........it's off to Ft Myers to relax.
Nice job Mark, explaining the intricacies of the Spartan chassis. I have seen this or a similar chassis at prior Tampa RV Supershows and didn’t really know what was what. I always enjoy Sue’s and your videos as they are so informative. We too will be at this year’s Supershow. We love that show and have gone every year since 2016, except we passed on last year’s show for obvious reasons. We will certainly say hello and introduce ourselves if we see you.
Hey John. I highly recommend stopping at the Spartan Chassis booth to listen to one of the many presentations Greg Rinehart does throughout the day. He is simply fantastic to watch and listen to. The Freightliner group has a bare frame as well, with a half a dozen engineer type folks there to answer any questions.
Thanks for the info! Looking forward to meeting you both in Tampa!
Hope the weather warms up! Got the heat on this morning. See you there.
Great show Mark
Thanks again Hector.
Thank you! Truly informative video.
Glad it was helpful Mary!
Out of my league. I have a 2003 Itasca 36 foot. Live it! But the towing is a big deal! Thanks for the info.
Right on! I have Coach-Net towing Insurance and hope I will never need to use it. That's why I spend so much on preventive maintenance.
Sorry that we missed you at the Tampa Super Show. We did see You, Me and the RV at the TSD Logistics booth, but the crush of people ensured that we only talked to the TSD rep. We were at the show Wednesday and Thursday, so we missed seeing you at their booth. We reached an agreement today with the North Trail RV salesman we met at the Super Show to trade our 2016 American Revolution (and a little cash) for a 2022 New Aire 3545 on a Spartan chassis. The New Aire is forecast to come off the assembly line in mid-May. Hope to meet you guys one of these days, maybe at a Newmar rally or getting service in Nappanee.
Wow. That is the perfect size rig, with a killer trim level. The 450hp will be like a race car. When we appeared at the TSD booth, we had enough room left over we could have parked the New Aire inside it!
@@OurJourneyInMyles Sorry that the crowd was so thin on Saturday, would have been great to introduce ourselves. We learned all we could on Wednesday and Thursday, plus the Holiday Express across the street was $300/night, so we headed home. The only alternate to the New Aire absent from the show was the shortest Allegro Bus (35 CP), but other aspects ultimately disqualifued it from our deliberations. Love your videos! You two are a great team! Thank you and safe travels!
Excellent video, especially details on Coachnet. Had opportunity to check out the Freightliner Custom chassis at Hershey show. Very cool to see a chassis without the “box” on top.
Definitely is a tad scary to see all the "things" your going to have to take care of!
Very useful, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Mark and Sue, hello from Mount Dora, FL. Another great and informative video, and thanks for the insight on Coach-Net. Like you, we have Progressive coverage too. Since our 2021 Holiday came with towing coverage as well, we didn’t sign on with Coach-Net yet. We will at the end of the month since REV only provides one year of coverage. Hope to see you this week at the Tampa show.
We will be at the 2022 Tampa Florida RV SuperShow from Jan 19th thru Jan 23rd 2022. We will be at the RV Trip Wizard Booth Friday 11am-1pm and Saturday 9am to 11 am. You can also visit us at the TSD Logistics Diesel Fuel Card Booth on Saturday 1pm to 3pm. Stop by the Coach-Net booth to see if they have any current incentives to continue the coverage. Tell them we sent you. They will then say, "who are they?"
We will do. 😎
Heavy duty stuff!!
It is amazing how beefy the Class A motorhome frames are!
Great Video.👍🏼 Fred wants you to find a Roadmaster chassis and record it. 😉Thank you for sharing. Mary💕Fred
That would be cool! I will keep my eyes peeled for one.
Thank you 🙏 alot
You're welcome 😊 Bruce.
Hey I know that guy great explanation of a RV frame
Thanks Kirk,....your too kind!
Like you and Dutch Star Don, I weigh and ponder all OJiM advice for a few milliseconds before acting. I got Coachnet based upon your advice from 2020. Loved the drone footage of the Spartan chassis since my Foretravel is on a Spartan frame.
When we meet, we can do an episode on your Realm!
Love it when you 'splain things so I can understand them. Could easily rename your channel the Pragmatic RV'er and his Bride. Is the Spartan chassis in your future????
I don't think so Larry. Freightliner has a new frame series and design coming out soon that will include a lot of new maintenance improvements that will most likely include and exceed a lot of what I talked about in this video.
Thats a lot of machinery!
Who builds the Freightliner frames ?
Freightliner builds all their own RV Motorhome Frames in Gaffney South Carolina. They have the vast majority of the RV Motorhome Frame business and therefore have way more chassis frame shops throughout the USA to get it serviced.
Excellent content. Newmar uses a 2” tubular steel to build a raised triangulated structural support rail foundation on late model high end DP’s. It would be interesting to get your perspective as an engineer on Newmar’s STAR platform. Appreciate the tip on Coach Net and towing insurance rider.👍
Our DS Freightliner frame is a 2014 model year, and does not have the STAR platform. I can see why they went to it. On certain campsites, the leveling process twists the frame enough that our bay doors open goofy, and don't close and latch easily. That improvement was needed and welcomed.
Love Dutch star don
Thankful for ALL the awesome "RV guys" on irv2.com I never comment on there because I cannot post links to our videos because it is viewed as "self serving" by the admin folks. They have deleted ALL my video links in the past, which leaves an empty shell of a discussion in any replies I have to offer. We understand. If OTHER people post a link to a video that we did, then I believe that is allowed. We appreciate it when individuals do that so we can all learn together!
That upper hose is not the radiator hose, it the ductwork for the CAC!
Yes,..... you are correct. It does have coolant in it though, right? If so, I am hoping the TECHS at Freightliner changed mine! I wanted to start with fresh hoses!
@@OurJourneyInMyles if your talking about the hose you were pointing at and your wife asked you what it was for, I believe your wrong. Jmo!
@@jeffw7644 I will be at the Tampa Show in two days and I will get the facts! I am thinking you may be right, and it is a Charge Air Cooler Hose or something like that. I am going to check if these hoses have not been changed when I am in the mood to crawl under the rig. I just assumed all the hoses with antifreeze in them would be changed. Are you thinking compressed "air" is flowing through this pipe?
@@OurJourneyInMyles One of the lines you reference should be your intercooler loop from your turbo. It too needs maintenance. If it develops a leak it will severely affect performance. No coolant just air.
@@mikeussery4583 Thanks for setting me straight Mike. That really explains the spring material on the outside of the hose I guess. Our 8.9L 450 HP Turbo Boost max. is in the 32 psi range.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022
Thanks Jason,.........Happy New 2022 to you as well.
Nice job Mark and Sue, Please correct me if I'm wrong, I don't know what year that demo chassis was, but I thought the K3 chassis had electric-driven cooling fans, not a belt and shift-driven fan, or is the electric-driven cooling fans on only the late-model K4 chassis?
I do not claim to be an expert, but I thought the K4 chassis was only for SUPER PREMIUM RV'S like Foretravel. That fan could be nuclear powered for all I know! Since I drive a 2014 DS, I just looked at the shaft driven fan as normal. I will try to remember to peak at the "newer" bare frames at the 2022 Tampa Show this year. You may be correct,..........the companies are always trying to sneak out a few more usable horsepower!
Actually you are Don’s disciple and he is your mentor. 😀
You are so correct! I google "disciple" while I was editing the video, and read the wikipedia definition but then switched around who is who! I hope DS Don forgives me,.......
265 is not the big tire, sorry. The 315 is the big daddy coach and bus tire of them all!
Don;t know where in the video I said 265, but I must have mis-spoke. The big daddy tires are 365, and only produced by Michelin at this time. They only produce them a few times a year, so availability some times get dicey!
@@OurJourneyInMyles Sorry if I misunderstood you but it sure sounded like you said 265 in the beginning of your video. And I didn't even know that the 45's had upped their tire size. Now that is a big daddy!
Mark, OUR coach.... thought Sue might whack you in the head.... besides, you will get more brownie points with her...I would expect her name is on the tittle too...Great video, love your frame flybys, can stop at anywhere for great detail....hope all is well...Also watching Bus Grease Monkey gives you a great info on wheel bearings and suspension problems, you might not do the work yourself but will understand what needs to be done...
You guessed it John,......Sue's name is on the title of the Rig because without her I don't see the point of it all,.... Thanks for the tip about the big & successful Bus Grease Monkey TH-cam Channel!
@@OurJourneyInMyles I thought the Dutch Star was also offered a Spartan chassis with a 450.... but I think the bad boy 605 would be more fun.... Pointing out the differences between Spartan and Freightliner is quite helpful and sooo obvious as to the advantages...it is only money....that we can not take with us
the fact that its a skinny lil platform scares the snot out of me. So glad I own a Prevost....and I WILL NEVER EVERRRR EVERRR EVERR EVERRR OWN A PRODUCTION COACH
What you are looking at is the bare frame that is shipped. Newmar adds on the STAR FOUNDATION steel chassis superstructure framework themselves at the factory. Check out: th-cam.com/video/A4NwLvfepcg/w-d-xo.html
@@OurJourneyInMyles Thanks for the link, I shall check it out right now