Workhorse Opinions

I have the 8.1, Allison transmission/workhorse chassis. In my 07 Coachman Epic. No issues at all - we flat tow a 05 Honda Element and I have to turn the rear camera on to make sure it's even there!

Mine is a Workhorse W24 chassis and I couldn't be more pleased with it so far. Plenty of power and a smooth, strong transmission. The grade brake feature of the transmission works wonderfully in the hill and mountain country.

If you are considering a workhorse W22 or W24 be sure the brake recall has been completed. Dealer can check it for you, or you can contact Workhorse directly.

I've got a Workhorse also. Yes, it certainly has power - no problems in the Rocky Mountains - passing 40' diesel pushers on the hills while towing. However, my wife gets upset when, at a stop light, I open my window and challenge the guy in the Corvette next to me to drag to the next lights. (just kidding) I've not needed any major service...just oil changes and those are easy. I did change out a fuel filter but was able to mail order the exact filter needed. However, I am now on a discontinued chassis - so I worry about facing parts shortages. So far, though, this has not been an issue.

The Chevy 8.1 is a great engine with plenty of power. The Allison transmission is an awesome transmission. I cant compare the Allision to the new Ford trans, but comparing the Allison to the Ford trans they were using back in the era your looking at, is no comparison and the Allison kills it! You don't hear about people having issues with the Allison Trans.

Now IMO the Workhorse suspension sucks! They have a joke of a sway bar system. In order to make my my 04 Workhorse chassis ride as nice as my family members 02 Ford chassis I had to add aftermarket Bilsteins, rear track bar & real rear sway bar. I have been told adding a front track bar & or Sway bar is a big improvement. So IMO to make the Workhorse ride as nice as the Ford I had to add $1,000 worth of suspension upgrades, and that is not doing the front suspension.

My Workhorse W-22, 8.1 Vortec, 496 CI actually has more power than I need. I traded in my Ford V-10 in 2004 on the Chevy 8.1 Vortec. I'm now towing a Honda CRV.

dezertcamper wrote:


Now IMO the Workhorse suspension sucks! They have a joke of a sway bar system. In order to make my my 04 Workhorse chassis ride as nice as my family members 02 Ford chassis I had to add aftermarket Bilsteins, rear track bar & real rear sway bar. I have been told adding a front track bar & or Sway bar is a big improvement. So IMO to make the Workhorse ride as nice as the Ford I had to add $1,000 worth of suspension upgrades, and that is not doing the front suspension.

:h WOW, ours is bone stock. It handles and drives like a dream.

dezertcamper wrote:
The Chevy 8.1 is a great engine with plenty of power. The Allison transmission is an awesome transmission. I cant compare the Allision to the new Ford trans, but comparing the Allison to the Ford trans they were using back in the era your looking at, is no comparison and the Allison kills it! You don't hear about people having issues with the Allison Trans.

Now IMO the Workhorse suspension sucks! They have a joke of a sway bar system. In order to make my my 04 Workhorse chassis ride as nice as my family members 02 Ford chassis I had to add aftermarket Bilsteins, rear track bar & real rear sway bar. I have been told adding a front track bar & or Sway bar is a big improvement. So IMO to make the Workhorse ride as nice as the Ford I had to add $1,000 worth of suspension upgrades, and that is not doing the front suspension.

Actually the Workhorse chassis has very beefy front and rear anti-sway bars that, unlike the Ford chassis, do not use rubber bushings. They are directly bolted to the suspension and remains consistent because there are no bushings to wear out. I have 80,000 miles on mine with no trac bar and plenty of mountain roads and travel in the Great Plains with the high winds. I have Koni FSD shocks on my WH coach.

Just traded 2008 8.1 w22 with Allison in on new Ford based Thor Challenger. Short story - I miss the 8.1 Allison and ability to drive with two fingers for hours if needed. BTW I think your floor plan is same as current 37KT which we now have and love. Good luck on your search.

I had a 31 ft class C on Ford super duty 450 with the V10 I now have a 38 ft class A with 8.1 and allison. It is much better than the V10.

I have an '03 W22 and love it. I have had no problems with it at all. The brake recall was done years ago and have had no problem since then. Workhorse is still in business and the recalls and other info is still on their website.