Workhorse Chassis future?

GM is back to building their own chassis. i think your correct

Not to worry. Chevrolet truck service centers can locate parts and service a Workhorse. Remember the original design was Cherolet, sold to Workhorse in 1999.

moodier wrote:
Been out of MH for long time but just sold my Eagle Bus and going to something smaller.Looking at a 2008 26'Itasca Sunova really neat but sounds like Workhorse chassis is no longer with us?After 15+ years with a unit that had to really hunt for parts don't want to get into another unit that won't be able to get easily fixed.If they are no longer produced means parts and mechanics will get harder to find!Any thoughts on this??

It can and will be a problem down the line, and in some cases it already is. How much of a problem nobody really knows at this time. Make no mistake, those who claim that it will not be a problem are simply whistling Dixie.

If you have a reservation about Workhorse, follow your gut. There are plenty of Ford chassis out there. I was always a Chevy guy, but I sure did not want to be dealing with hard to find parts along with possibly being stuck in an unfamiliar area too. Build your plan with the least amount of bad possibilities as possible. JMHO.

Although Workhorse did buy the original Chevy P32 chassis design, Workhorse developed the "W" chassis that was NEVER Chevy. Many of the components on the "W" series chassis are not in Chevy's parts manuals. IE, dash, brakes, front axle, steering components, etc. Some Chevy truck shops will deal with Workhorse chassis and some will not. You may never have a problem getting service or parts on a "W" chassis. But some items will be an issue. There are a couple of web sites that will help you deal with Workhorse issues.
http://www.stepvanparts.com/workhorse_chassis_p1.htm

http://www.oemys-performance.com/

Richard

topflite51 wrote:

moodier wrote:
Been out of MH for long time but just sold my Eagle Bus and going to something smaller.Looking at a 2008 26'Itasca Sunova really neat but sounds like Workhorse chassis is no longer with us?After 15+ years with a unit that had to really hunt for parts don't want to get into another unit that won't be able to get easily fixed.If they are no longer produced means parts and mechanics will get harder to find!Any thoughts on this??

It can and will be a problem down the line, and in some cases it already is. How much of a problem nobody really knows at this time. Make no mistake, those who claim that it will not be a problem are simply whistling Dixie.

Thats quite a bold statement. What parts are there that are not available? Its a Chevrolet truck chassis, using the same components .
The only component not being produced is the 8.1L V8, but there are crate engines available.
I believe you have the chicken little syndrome.

Even buying a new MH one can never be sure about parts years down the road. You found parts for an old chassis once before and I bet could do it again. :)

http://www.workhorse.com/Default.aspx?tabid=554

There are 2 MH builders using the WD chassis today

Parts for the Workhorse chassis will still be available long after the coach built on that chassis has rotted away.

Thanks to this wonderful invention called a Personal Computer and the equally amazing Internet. Finding Parts for Out of production Vehicles has become rather simple.

Even when a part is designated "No longer available" the specs can usually lead You to a substitute that will fit and perform properly, or to a skilled machinist who can make You a part!

Using a 3 D Printer it is possible to reproduce just about everything imaginable in plastic.

It is also possible to have a metal duplicate machined or cast using a computer operated machine.

Most of the Suspension parts on any chassis are available from other sources than the original manufacturer anyway! There are very few proprietary parts used on Recreational Vehicles.