Spartan Roof cracks/

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

We investigated water leaking thru the roofs of both of our '99 Spartan chassis pumpers, and found cracks in the middle of the of the top roof panels, no where near any welds. After calling in our mechanics, they told us that this was not an uncommon occurence, and it appears that the manufacturer agrees.

Has anyone else had this problem? They're aluminum cabs, and from what others have said, aluminum would take the flex better than steel. I'm just wondering if anyone else has run into this so that they can fix whatever design flaw there might be (if they haven't already) and see what we can do to bolster up the current configuration to handle the use. This area isn't exactly known for smooth roads, but still, breaking in mid-panel doesn't quite sound right. Especially since each truck is going to have to be out of service for over 6 months to get fixed, since they have to basically replace the roof. Luckily the warranty is 10 years on the body.

And just so no ones yells "Spartan basher", other than being a little under powered at 370HP (by dept. choice), the trucks have performed decently. Few emergency light problems here and there, but otherwise on the job they take water in, and put water out, and in my book all of the other bells and whistles come secondary. Water in and out of the pump, that is.

Stay safe.

Brian

[RVCFDM]

Spartan Chassis Problems

Hi Brian...
I have had a problem with the Spartan chassis in regards to crossmember cracks...This maybe related to your roof cracks...Have your mechanics check the crossmembers between the frame rails just behind the transmission and before the pump transmission...Ours was a recall and was repaired, the problem was that the frame rails were flexing too much causing the cracks at the gussets...The problem was resolved by placing 2 crossmembers back to back and bolting them together...Hope this helps you out...

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

It helps for sure, thanks. Whether it fixes it or not I don't know, but I'm not sure if they ever made the connection between the two or not. I didn't think of it either, so maybe we've got the same issue. Thanks for the heads up.

Brian

[RVCFDM]

Glad to help you out with your problem...Let me know if your mechanics find any cracks and how you make out with the roof...

[Chops15]

Leaking Issue

We've had this happen with our newest Spartan Chassis, also. Our rep told us that it may be related to the painting process. Lucklily for us, it only happens when the truck is parked with the cab downhill during heavy rain.

Another bonus is that it will be a free repair, as soon as they determine the official cause.

[Chops15]

Leaking Issue

We've had this happen with our newest Spartan Chassis, also. Our rep told us that it may be related to the painting process. Lucklily for us, it only happens when the truck is parked with the cab downhill during heavy rain.

Another bonus is that it will be a free repair, as soon as they determine the official cause.

[FYRHWK1]

Our dept. runs a mid '90s spartan tandem with a 95' Aerialscope midmount tower and we've never had any problems with it save for an issue retracting the second fly piece which seems to be an electrical short. Being it only happens at a very small angle and height, I'd put the blame of that on the mechanic we use since we sent it in to be fixed and it came back with this problem though I can't say for sure it's him. Severa local departments I've run into at parades never mentioned any kind of roof cracks, some with older trucks then ours and being of all kinds, engine & ladder.

[SSHANK42]

WE HAVE 2 SPARTANS. ONE IS A 1987 AND THE OTHER IS A 1994. NEITHER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ROOF. HOWEVER, THE 1987 IS CRACKED BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACKS ARE ON THE PIECE OF METAL THAT SEPERATES THE TWO WINDSHIELDS. ONE CRACK AT THE BOTTOM AND ONE AT THE TOP. BOTH CRACKS RUN EAST AND WEST FROM WINDSHILD TO WINDSHIELD.

[tripperff]

Spartan Chassis

My FD has 2 Spartan Chassis, a '92 Saulsbury Heavy Rescue and a '95 Saulsbury Engine with a '02 Demo Chassis having a new engine built by 4 Guys on it right now. We've had no experiences with roof cracks or water leaks. We HAVE however had a few minor problems with the door latch mechanism on the '95 engine and an issue with the tow-eye bolts on the front bumper of the '92 Rescue. Several FD's in my area have Spartan Chassis. I can ask around but I would bet no one else has a problem seeing as how we are on our third Spartan, another FD has 3, still another FD has 2 and I believe has specified a third on a new truck and a couple more are on their first and are quite pleased.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

As I said, we're more than pleased with the performance of the 2 engines. They run fine, pump fine, but leaking roofs aren't acceptable.

And to give an update, neither truck is going to get fixed any time soon. Quality and Spartan are fighting between themselves on who is responsible for fulfilling the 10 year warranty on the chassis. It's Spartan's chassis, but apparently they think that Quality must have done something to it, other than put their parts on Spartan's chassis. In the meantime, we keep changing the duct tape on the roof since both have told us that if we attempt to seal it with silicone or anything that neither will honor the warranty. As usual, the customer gets screwed. This is just another great reason to stick with single source manufacturers: there's no guesswork as to who honors the warranty.

[WestTac1]

Spartan Owns Quality, Don't they? So they are really just aruging with themselves,lol.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

Yeah, that was what I found most amusing out of all of it. Probably the bean-counters arguing over who is going to take the charge on the balance sheet. And now that it's Crimson Fire it's even more of a dog and pony show.

[hazenfd]

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