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OktsCamp's avatar
OktsCamp
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015

VERY VERY Confused - 2008 Bounder 38P

Ok everyone, if you saw my last post around the purchase of this used machine, here is what I have come across. We drove it today, drove wonderfully, but something is wrong....let me know if this makes sense.

2008 Brochure says that the model 38P only comes in the Workhorse chassis with 8.1L engine. IN 2009, the 6.8L V10 was available. This machine is an 08, with the V10. But that's not the only thing....

Inside behind the seat is the Ford chassis cert sticker with chassis VIN (24,000lb chassis). Directly below that label, is a Federal Certification Tag which says VEH MFD BY - Workhorse Chassis W24 8.1L Engine. There are TWO VINS...one for each chassis. I carproofed the Ford VIN and it shows up with no history. I carproofed the workhorse VIN, and shows nothing at all..can't be found. However, if I simply "google" the workhorse VIN, it "exists", with just general information.

The Fleetwood sticker on the side definetly / clear states its an 08 model year, but WHY are there 2 Chassis VINs.

Very confused.....
Class A

25 Replies

  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    dougrainer wrote:
    kaydeejay wrote:
    2bzy2c wrote:
    Actually, my old RV was a 99 but built on July 10th, 1998. They told me the end of June is the cut off for the next year.
    Not so!
    In fact a VIN year can be two years less one day.
    - The VIN year MUST include the calendar year that applies
    - It CANNOT cross two January 1sts

    A 1999 vehicle could therefore be built at any time between January 2nd 1998 and Dec 31st 1999. So yours built in July '98 slots right into that window.
    If true, how did they have 1982 motorhomes on 1979 dodge Class A chassis? Dodge dropped Class A chassis at the 1979 model year but had so many chassis that some Motorhome makers made motorhomes up until the 1982 model year. Where did you get your cut off info? Doug
    Because the chassis and coach parts of the MH can be different years.
    It's still a 1979 chassis! But it could be titled as an '82 because that's what the Coachbuilder assigned to it on the paperwork.
    VIN assignment is dictated by the FEDS. It is what it is.

    BTW, part of my job with GM was VIN assignment. Used to be in charge of the systems that generated the numbers. Nothing got calculated until I said so!
    So I've BTDT.
    Used to have an annual battle with the Sales guys who wanted to pull the next model year build ahead even sooner so they could actually have (say) 2016 vehicles on the dealers lots on January 1st 2015.
    I used to tell 'em to get me a letter from Corp Legal Staff or the Feds to say it was OK.
    Never happened!
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2015
    kaydeejay wrote:
    2bzy2c wrote:
    Actually, my old RV was a 99 but built on July 10th, 1998. They told me the end of June is the cut off for the next year.
    Not so!
    In fact a VIN year can be two years less one day.
    - The VIN year MUST include the calendar year that applies
    - It CANNOT cross two January 1sts

    A 1999 vehicle could therefore be built at any time between January 2nd 1998 and Dec 31st 1999. So yours built in July '98 slots right into that window.


    If true, how did they have 1982 motorhomes on 1979 dodge Class A chassis? Dodge dropped Class A chassis at the 1979 model year but had so many chassis that some Motorhome makers made motorhomes up until the 1982 model year. Where did you get your cut off info? Doug
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    2bzy2c wrote:
    Actually, my old RV was a 99 but built on July 10th, 1998. They told me the end of June is the cut off for the next year.
    Not so!
    In fact a VIN year can be two years less one day.
    - The VIN year MUST include the calendar year that applies
    - It CANNOT cross two January 1sts

    A 1999 vehicle could therefore be built at any time between January 2nd 1998 and Dec 31st 1999. So yours built in July '98 slots right into that window.
  • OktsCamp's avatar
    OktsCamp
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2015
    they sent to me electronically the correct one again, I will remove the incorrect one. I also got the original build sheet now. TY Fleetwood!
  • CG_Dawson's avatar
    CG_Dawson
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2015
    enblethen, If I understand correctly, he has the correct one. The previous owner apparently informed Fleetwood of the problem and they sent him the correct sticker with instructions to apply it "over" the incorrect one. Apparently "over" was interpreted to mean "above", hence the two conflicting stickers. Think I would obliterate the incorrect one somehow.
  • OktsCamp's avatar
    OktsCamp
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2015
    Problem solved. Talked to Fleetwood this morning. The workhorse Vin actually belonged to the MN one step ahead of mine on the assembly line. Appears that it was incorrectly applied in mine, then they have record of sending the replacement out to the owner who should have applied the Ford tag over, not above, the old incorrect tag. I feel better now...
  • OktsCamp's avatar
    OktsCamp
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2015
    supercub wrote:
    Sure you're not looking at the FIN number?? Fleetwood Identification Number??


    OH I am sure....that's the 3rd number. Build date of March 2008. Again, which I find odd given the "2008" did not come with a 6.8L V10 option for this floorplan.

    VIN for the ford chassis is tied to the local registration here in Alberta. One owner from new. The VIN for the Workhorse that is listed is tied to some machine in New Mexico.

    I will call Fleetwood tomorrow....given them the two VINs, the FIN and see what they tell me.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2015
    J-Rooster wrote:
    Please correct me if I'm wrong isn't the 8.1 in a 2008 Workhorse a Chevy engine and not a Ford?

    The 8.1 and an upgrade of the 7.4 vortec which was an offshoot of the 454 cu in, along with the addition of port fuel injection, is most definitely a Chevy engine.

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