So new motorhome owner here. I've done a lot of searching, and haven't had much luck. I am a fairly new owner of a Class A with 8.1L workhorse and I think? Allison transmission?I have front air bags in coil springs so I think that it makes it the P chassis by workhorse.My question is, I'm a big user of downshifting the transmission when braking and traveling down hills. Have always been when towing 5th wheel and other campers/trailers. However, on the Class A, I can only shift from overdrive, to drive, and the shifter won't go any further. Can't shift to 2nd or 1st. It will not physically move any further down. For me, this makes me uneasy not having my safety net there that allows me to use everything I have to slow down or stop heavy vehicles. It also makes it where I have to travel much slower because I don't have that safety feature.Anyone else have this issue, or advice as to what to look for?

CoachFiver wrote:So new motorhome owner here. I've done a lot of searching, and haven't had much luck. I am a fairly new owner of a Class A with 8.1L workhorse and I think? Allison transmission?I have front air bags in coil springs so I think that it makes it the P chassis by workhorse.My question is, I'm a big user of downshifting the transmission when braking and traveling down hills. Have always been when towing 5th wheel and other campers/trailers. However, on the Class A, I can only shift from overdrive, to drive, and the shifter won't go any further. Can't shift to 2nd or 1st. It will not physically move any further down. For me, this makes me uneasy not having my safety net there that allows me to use everything I have to slow down or stop heavy vehicles. It also makes it where I have to travel much slower because I don't have that safety feature.Anyone else have this issue, or advice as to what to look for?I'm doubtful that you have an Allison tranny with the P30 chassis and most likely a GM 4L80E or 4L85E, three speed with overdrive or in essense a four speed.As for the shifting lever problem, something's wrong and would begin with crawling down under while someone attempts the shifting. If nothing is amiss externally, then there may be an internal problem.Not sure about the column electrical sw. or the brake, but these safety measures, usually prevents one from coming out of park.

Thanks for the reply. Yes its possible that it's not the Allison tranny. I've seen so much mixed info on this year workhorse, its hard to find out what it has or doesn't have.I'll have to climb under and see what is up with it.

I didn't think they used any other transmission than the Allison 1000 with the 8.1 engine. Hmmm, learn something new every day.

ArchHoagland wrote:I didn't think they used any other transmission than the Allison 1000 with the 8.1 engine. Hmmm, learn something new every day.if its an 8.1 its an allison tranny

hanko wrote:ArchHoagland wrote:I didn't think they used any other transmission than the Allison 1000 with the 8.1 engine. Hmmm, learn something new every day.if its an 8.1 its an allison trannyNot So, I had a 2002 Flair with a workhorse chassis and 8.1 with just a 4 speed GM transmission, if it has air bags with front coils than its the lighter duty chassis with the GM 4L80E transmission, in the early years of workhorse it was this way not sure about the later years.

2003 Itasca Sunrise 32V workhorse | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

CoachFiver
Explorer
Nov 30, 2015
Problem solved. After removing the cable, so I could work to find a replacement, I found a little burr. Not sure what it came from, almost looks like weld splatter, but took a file to it and made it nice and smooth. Works like a charm now.
Gjac
Explorer III
Nov 27, 2015
CoachFiver wrote:
Have had some trouble finding rv parts online. Anyone have websites you would recommend.
I bought my cable directly from a Chevy dealer,they ordered it from workhorse if I remember correctly. Can you find a longer clevis. I think it is a female thread that the male cable end threads into. How many inches is the male threaded end?
CoachFiver
Explorer
Nov 27, 2015
Have had some trouble finding rv parts online. Anyone have websites you would recommend.
tropical36
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
CoachFiver wrote:
So, yes when linkage is disconnected, the lever on the transmission will go thru all gears, park, r, n, od, d, 2, 1. When the column mechanism is disconnected from the linkage it will also go thru all gears.

It seems like it might be aftermarket linkage. By my measurements, the linkage cable should have 4" of travel from park to first.

My linkage cable seems to have 3.25" of travel.

Need to start investigating if there is different cables with different travel.

I think you got to the root of the problem and some people always do things half as......
You should be able to find an OEM replacement online, without paying dealer prices.
CoachFiver
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
So, yes when linkage is disconnected, the lever on the transmission will go thru all gears, park, r, n, od, d, 2, 1. When the column mechanism is disconnected from the linkage it will also go thru all gears.

It seems like it might be aftermarket linkage. By my measurements, the linkage cable should have 4" of travel from park to first.

My linkage cable seems to have 3.25" of travel.

Need to start investigating if there is different cables with different travel.
Gjac
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2015
CoachFiver wrote:
So it turns out that the linkage cable doesn't allow for enough cable travel movement for the lever to move from park to first. Not sure if it is an aftermarket cable that was the wrong one or if it just was never adjusted properly.

Going to try to adjust the ends to make it still work to reach park and then be able to reach 1st.
Just to be clear when you removed the cable you were able to shift the lever on the transmission into all of the gears, but the cable does not extend far enough to move the lever into the two lower gears(1st and 2nd) is that correct? Were you able to adjust the cable end to reach 1st gear?
CoachFiver
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
So it turns out that the linkage cable doesn't allow for enough cable travel movement for the lever to move from park to first. Not sure if it is an aftermarket cable that was the wrong one or if it just was never adjusted properly.

Going to try to adjust the ends to make it still work to reach park and then be able to reach 1st.
CoachFiver
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
So I crawled under and had my son wiggle the shifter lever from drive trying to shift down into 2nd or 1st.

When the shifter is in park, the lever on the transmission is almost horizontal.
.

When the shifter is in drive the lever on the transmission is almost vertical.

I'm not sure with the angle of the linkage, that it can actually pull the lever forward anymore.

Next step is disconnect the linkage and see if I can manually move the lever on the transmission forward more
wilanddij
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015
Lots of info and knowledge about WH or Chevy chassis at this website IRV2 WH Forum. Also, I have a copy of the WH VIN breakdown document. Send me a PM, include your email address and I'll send you a copy.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Nov 24, 2015
timmac wrote:
Thanks for that more accurate info tropical36, that's why I think Fords F-53 chassis 2006 and newer was even better by just going with a 5 speed on all F-53 chassis with more HP and torque than the Workhorse without the brake issues..

Now the F-53 has 6 speeds.

In 2006 Workhorse also went with the 6 speed Allison transmission with a double overdrive so you got the reliability of the Allison and better fuel mileage. The Allison also has the grade brake feature that automatically downshifts when descending a hill.