2003-2008 Gas Motorhome: Chevy service problems?

FWIW, we have a gas 96 Southwind. I have it serviced and inspected at a local garage that works on heavy trucks in addition to cars and light trucks.

There is no problem getting parts, it's a common GMC chassis/engine and there are many of them in use.

I would not be concerned about finding parts or service for a 2003 or newer unit.

If it's a 2003-2008 then Chevy didn't build the chassis, Workhorse did. Workhorse bought the chassis business from Chevy, did continue using the GM 8.1L engine. We have a 2003 Winnebago Adventurer, Workhorse W22 chassis, GM 8.1L engine and Allison transmission. As mentioned parts are available and service is too.

We have a 2001 with the Workhorse chassis and 7.4 Chevy engine. I have had no trouble finding parts or service. I can't compare the brakes with Ford because I haven't had a Ford MH, but the brakes on the Chevy/Workhorse chassis take quite a bit more pedal pressure than my other vehicles. Also, I don't like the "auto park" feature although I have had no trouble with it, I have read some horror stories about people who did. It is kind of scary and I have heard the parts for that are hard to get and very expensive. I don't think I would buy another MH that had auto park.

There was a brake recall on all Workhorse chassis except for the W24...get serial # of vehicle and call workhorse to ensure recall was done.

I personally would stick to the W series Workhorse chassis rather than the lighter P series Workhorse chassis. This will avoid the autopark brake which has had issues and will get you much stronger brakes with the W20-22-24 chassis. It will also get you the Allison transmission, instead of the GM transmission on the lighter P series chassis.
The Ford chassis have had some handling issues that can be corrected and the best you can do is get a Ford transmission, which Ford claims is almost as good as an Allison transmission.
In reality, you were given the best advice which is to find a floor plan that works and any of the chassis will get you to the top of the mountain and down the other side.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I personally would stick to the W series Workhorse chassis rather than the lighter P series Workhorse chassis. This will avoid the autopark brake which has had issues and will get you much stronger brakes with the W20-22-24 chassis. It will also get you the Allison transmission, instead of the GM transmission on the lighter P series chassis.
The Ford chassis have had some handling issues that can be corrected and the best you can do is get a Ford transmission, which Ford claims is almost as good as an Allison transmission.
In reality, you were given the best advice which is to find a floor plan that works and any of the chassis will get you to the top of the mountain and down the other side.

Thanks for this information re looking for the W series Workhorse. Are you saying that all of the P series had the GM transmission, so if it has an Allison transmission it will be on the W20-22-24 chassis?
Again, thanks for the reply!

And many thanks for the opinions and info shared by the other posters. I'm slowly learning a lot which should help me avoid making any major mistakes.

....if you can find a Workhorse with the 8.1 Chevy motor & 6 speed Allison with the grade brake it is a good combination... We have a 2007 Safari Trek with that combination towing a Honda Element and are satisfied.....Regardless of what you get do your maintenance!

scbwr wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I personally would stick to the W series Workhorse chassis rather than the lighter P series Workhorse chassis. This will avoid the autopark brake which has had issues and will get you much stronger brakes with the W20-22-24 chassis. It will also get you the Allison transmission, instead of the GM transmission on the lighter P series chassis.
The Ford chassis have had some handling issues that can be corrected and the best you can do is get a Ford transmission, which Ford claims is almost as good as an Allison transmission.
In reality, you were given the best advice which is to find a floor plan that works and any of the chassis will get you to the top of the mountain and down the other side.

Thanks for this information re looking for the W series Workhorse. Are you saying that all of the P series had the GM transmission, so if it has an Allison transmission it will be on the W20-22-24 chassis?
Again, thanks for the reply!

You definitely want a W series chassis over the P series, I've had both. The Workhorse will have an Allison trans, arguably the best auto trans made. Take a quick look under the front end, if it's a solid front axle with leaf springs as opposed to independent front suspension with coil springs it's a W series chassis. The VIN will tell you as well but a quick look is easy.

scbwr wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I personally would stick to the W series Workhorse chassis rather than the lighter P series Workhorse chassis. This will avoid the autopark brake which has had issues and will get you much stronger brakes with the W20-22-24 chassis. It will also get you the Allison transmission, instead of the GM transmission on the lighter P series chassis.
The Ford chassis have had some handling issues that can be corrected and the best you can do is get a Ford transmission, which Ford claims is almost as good as an Allison transmission.
In reality, you were given the best advice which is to find a floor plan that works and any of the chassis will get you to the top of the mountain and down the other side.

Thanks for this information re looking for the W series Workhorse. Are you saying that all of the P series had the GM transmission, so if it has an Allison transmission it will be on the W20-22-24 chassis?
Again, thanks for the reply!

That is correct. You can get the same GM engine in both but the W series chassis had the Allison transmission.