Well the dealer and I couldn't come to terms about price, so I walked from the deal. We were looking at a 2005 Dolphin, and the dealer kept saying the Workhorse chassis it had was the best in the industry. I know that another deal will come along, but can y'all educate me about the pros and cons of the Workhorse? Thanksbtw my wife thinks we'll never find another class A with the beloved "workhorse" so than ain't helping a whole lot.

It's the old Chevy vs. Ford argument and in that time frame both are fine. There are plenty of rigs out there so you'll find whatever you want, just keep looking. Now bring on the your other 999,999 questions. Good luck.Lou05 Travel Supreme Envoy

The salesman will tell you whatever he is selling is the best on the market.The Workhorse chassis was good (please notice the use of past tense) but the Ford chassis is good also and still producing chassis where Workhorse is not.I know Workhorse had a large brake recall so you should verify it was done.I would also be concerned of parts availability from a company that quit manufacturing some years ago.Keep shopping. You'll find the right one.Good luck and remember the shopping is half the fun!

A lot of people love the Workhorse chassis with the Allison transmission. Because of gearing(4.77:1), my WH chassis can easily climb any Western mountain while towing and with the double overdrive on the Allison transmission, I can still get decent mileage on the flat land. The GM engine has parts available at any auto parts house and most mechanics can work on it. The Allison transmission has proven to be bulletproof. The WH chassis coaches did have a brake recall that covered the W-20 series of chassis. This recall did not affect the P series or the heavier W-22-24 series chassis. In any case, since that was several years ago, I am sure that any rigs that are now on the market have had all of the recall issues taken care of. It is no longer an issue.My WH chassis now has over 80,000 trouble free miles and I still do not burn any oil. My Allison transmission has the Transyn fluid and still shifts like it is new. Other than the usual oil changes and lubrication, the chassis requires very little maintenance. Plugs get changed at 100,000, coolant at 100,000 or five years. Mine has the wet lubricated front wheel bearings which require an occasional check to insure that the oil level is correct. This chassis has required the least amount of maintenance than any of our previous coaches. That said, I still think that the floor plan is the most important. If you find a floor plan that is ideal, either the GM or the Ford engine will get the job done. They will both get you to the top of the mountain and down the other side, with a minimal amount of care.

Just remember, Ford is an active chassis, while Workhorse is a has been chassis. Parts are readily available for the Ford, can they say the same for the Workhorse. Yes, I agree, the Workhorse was a very good chassis, but to say it was the "best in the industry" is IMO, a personal statement of that dealer without any basis in fact. Also, there was a very serious brake recall on the Workhorse chassis, so make darn sure it has been done, because as a dead chassis there is no recourse if it has not been accomplished.

I have owned both chassis, on nearly the same coach different floor plan. I preferred the Work Horse and the Allison, hands down. More power less noise.

the deal fell through, now I have a million questions

24 Replies

timmac
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
wa8yxm wrote:
The Workhorse chassis is indeed very good, I will not say "The best" but the fact is that there are many which I'd rate as Very Good (I am not a fan of Ford products but when it comes to big rigs, even they are very good, just to give you an idea)

Workhorse did have a problem or two with brakes, long solved, so if it's an older rig you need to check on the recall.. and the Chevy engine had a problem with a fuel clip.. Likewise, but that's the only major issues with the Workhorse chassis.

One thing though. The Workhorse Chassis usually coes with a Chevy V-8, and bolted to the back of that is a bell housing holding a torque converter and bolted to the back of that a nice little ALLISON transmission.

And even FORD says the Allison is the best... So who am I to argue (Oh, by the way I do agree, Allison is the best).

But you can get the Allison on a Ford Chassis too,,, if you put a Cummins Diesel in it.

Where and when did Ford say Allison was the best ??, before 2006 yes Ford only had the standard trans in motorhomes but after that the new 5 speed tow haul is about as equal as a Allison from my prospective, Ford even has a 6 speed tow haul but not yet available in the F-53 chassis as of yet..

Remember Ford never took a bail out from us tax payers to stay open..
frankdamp
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
We ruled out the WH chassis four years ago when we bought our (recently sold) '02 Georgetown/F53 & V-10. Those that we saw in our price range had the narrow front track and Auto-park.

Was Auto-park fitted to the Allison transmission rigs? I know it was needed on those with the GM transmission.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Jan 26, 2015
midnightsadie wrote:
YOU my friend made a good deal.. why buy a out of date unit. dealer lost you won.

Great point. Workhorse - Gone.
Dolphin - Gone.

Much better choices available overall IMO.

bsinmich wrote:
The only reason they quit making the Workhorse is that GM quit making the 8.1L V8 that was used in their chassis. I have one I my Mountain Aire and love it but I will be selling it when the warm weather gets here because I can no longer climb the 6 steps up into the MH. I bought a Roadtrek. 19' that is easy to get into.

Thats not really the whole story. The 8.1 gasser was just one of many chassis Workhorse built. Yes the loss of the 8.1 was part of it - a bigger part was Workhorse made some bad decisions and the economy crashed. They also handled the brake recall very poorly at first, adding to the poor decisions.
falconbrother
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2015
Seriously, for the average person there ain't a dimes worth of difference between Chevy or Ford. They get in and drive, get it serviced (or service it themselves, etc..). I have a buddy who's class A is on a Ford chassis and his motorhome is pretty great. The only warning would be some early years of the V-10 have issues involving coolant leaks and EGR valves, etc.. If you found of of those that had already been repaired it would give good service. I would pay more attention to service history and condition than to Ford or Chevy label on the chassis.
s_N_s
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
I've had both chassis and believe me I'll keep my Workhorse. Being mad or not parts are available. It's a GM engine, Allison Trans combo that can't be beat. Parts are available and will be. I don't see why people harp about a parts problem. What might be on that chassis that you purchase???? Really!
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
WyoTraveler wrote:
When the dealer calls you back ask him if they were so great why did they stop making them? I would lower my original offer. They were good but the V10 became the standard for gasers.

X2, This! When they call back (and they will) lower your offer on the outdated and discontinued chassis!
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jan 26, 2015
The Workhorse chassis is indeed very good, I will not say "The best" but the fact is that there are many which I'd rate as Very Good (I am not a fan of Ford products but when it comes to big rigs, even they are very good, just to give you an idea)

Workhorse did have a problem or two with brakes, long solved, so if it's an older rig you need to check on the recall.. and the Chevy engine had a problem with a fuel clip.. Likewise, but that's the only major issues with the Workhorse chassis.

One thing though. The Workhorse Chassis usually coes with a Chevy V-8, and bolted to the back of that is a bell housing holding a torque converter and bolted to the back of that a nice little ALLISON transmission.

And even FORD says the Allison is the best... So who am I to argue (Oh, by the way I do agree, Allison is the best).

But you can get the Allison on a Ford Chassis too,,, if you put a Cummins Diesel in it.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 26, 2015
Do any of these do anything for you? You can at least get some pricing information to see if you were in the ballpark for the one you turned down.

PPL Motorhomes
timmac
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
Stick with a 2006 or newer motorhome with the ford chassis and you will be very happy, ford did major improvements 2006 and newer, you will be happy..
catkins
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2015
Had a 2007 Winnebago on the W24 chassis Workhorse/ Allison transmission combo. Would pull hills great but mileage was poor and we DID have Auto Park issues as well as brake caliper cracking issues they refused to cover under the recall, stated it was only the 22 chassis. Same issue on my 24! What the heck!!!! Have had a Ford and Chevy - now diesel. Really is a personal choice but I would NEVER own another Workhorse Auto Park coach. Very expensive if they fail and the parts are not readily available I have been told.
Good luck in your hunt!!