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CoachFiver's avatar
CoachFiver
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015

2003 Itasca Sunrise 32V workhorse

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?
Class A

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  • CoachFiver's avatar
    CoachFiver
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2015
    So as you can see, the info is definitely not clear. Thanks for the info everyone. Another part that I learned, seems inaccurate, I thought all 8.1 had the Allison tranny and that if it had air bags it was the heavier chassis...

    Learned a lot from this thread. I'll check the cable. We do have a small exhaust leak near the exhaust manifold, so it could be that it shrank the plastic that the cable runs thru.

    Planning on taking a closer look at it this afternoon.


    Thanks again everyone.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Nov 24, 2015
    You should be able to shift through all the gears smoothly. After you check your linkage disconnect the cable and see if it shifts into the lower gears. When I had this problem the plastic sheath that surrounds the cable actually shrunk from the heat(leaking exhaust manifold) preventing the cable from moving inside the sheath. The replacement cable was wrapped with insulation.
  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2015
    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.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2015
    OK, just had to go an run it down, so...and this from Workhorse!
    2001 - 2002 P30 with the 8.1 used the GM 4L80E.
    2003 - 2005 P30 with the 8.1 used the GM 4L85E. P30 then discontinued.
    2006 W16 - W18 with the 8.1 also used the GM 4L85E.
    2001 and up with the 8.1 and a heavier W chassis, all used the Allison.
  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2015
    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 tranny


    Not 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.
  • hanko's avatar
    hanko
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2015
    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
  • ArchHoagland's avatar
    ArchHoagland
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2015
    I didn't think they used any other transmission than the Allison 1000 with the 8.1 engine.

    Hmmm, learn something new every day.
  • CoachFiver's avatar
    CoachFiver
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2015
    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.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2015
    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.

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