Chassis Supplier: Service Capabilities Should Be Top of Mind
Jeff Wertz, national sales manager for Spartan RV Chassis, on what’s new with the nearly 40-year-old company and the difference in being American-made.
When you look up Spartan RV Chassis online, the tagline right on the homepage of the website says “the foundation of exceptional adventures.”
This tagline makes sense, since the chassis is what brings motorcoaches like Spartan’s customers Newmar, Entegra and more to life.
The idea behind each Spartan chassis is to be dependable, safe and deliver on performance — all while being American-made in the company’s headquarters in Michigan.
RV PRO asked Jeff Wertz, national sales manager for Spartan RV Chassis, to tell us more about what to expect this year, and why service is of utmost importance.
Q: Can you give us an update on what Spartan has been working on in the last year? What new products or innovations have been in development?
A: Over the past year, Spartan RV Chassis has focused on advancing our proprietary technologies to enhance the luxury travel experience. Key developments include refining our Premier Drive suspension system for superior ride and handling, updating our Connected Coach suite with an enhanced digital dash and advanced safety features, and expanding our Red Diamond aftermarket parts and solutions for top-tier maintenance and customization.
We’ve also introduced an industry-leading warranty: a five-year, 100,000-mile fully transferable warranty, combined with our exclusive 20-year unlimited-mile warranty on frame rails and cross members. This is now available for Newmar, Entegra and Foretravel models.
Q: Tell me how things are going with the K3 525 — what has the reception been like with Newmar and their end users? Has anything developed with the model since it was introduced last year?
A: The K3 525 has been well-received by Newmar and their end users. We’ve received positive feedback on its performance and ride quality. The additional horsepower further enhances the driving experience for owners looking at 38-foot to 45-foot coaches.
Q: How has this year been so far, facing economic headwinds and the RV market’s slowdown since the high of the pandemic years?
A: This year has had its challenges with economic headwinds and a market slowdown. However, the increased RV ownership during the pandemic is expected to boost demand for service and repairs, driving growth opportunities. Our launch of the Red Diamond brand is aimed at enhancing service capabilities to meet these evolving needs.
Q: Have there been any lingering challenges with the supply chain into this year, or has that mostly been corrected?
A: While supply chain disruptions have largely stabilized, occasional challenges still arise. We continue to address these issues to ensure consistent quality and delivery of our products. The pandemic-related spike in demand for RVs will soon lead to increased demand for service and repairs, prompting service centers to carefully assess their volume, staffing and inventory needs.
Q: Tell me about the service centers that are certified in Spartan chassis — how does Spartan work with those locations?
A: Spartan RV Chassis has hundreds of authorized service centers across North America. These centers are trained to handle maintenance and repairs. Dealerships must undergo a rigorous training program through our Spartan RV Chassis Technician Training to become certified, ensuring consistency in service quality.
Q: As a supplier, what are qualities you believe Spartan possesses that make it a good partner?
A: Spartan RV Chassis is committed to delivering a luxury travel experience through innovation, quality and customer support. We value feedback from our customers and partners, which drives our continuous improvement. Our focus is on providing a luxury ride with superior handling, enhanced safety, exceptional quality and durability, and first-class service and protection.
