Workhorse Allison Jumped from 5 to 6 Speed (on its own)

What does the tac say? Any drop in RPMs?

berfle wrote:
I have a 2010 Bounder 33u on a Workhorse Chas is with Vortec 8.1 and Allison 5-speed (approx 26,000 miles). I've read that the 5-speed can be changed to a 6-speed but this is pretty strange. We've been on the road for several days and 2 days ago I noticed that the dash display is now showing 6 speeds. Also maybe my imagination but when it goes into the 6th speed, it's smoother and quieter (as if it's shifting into OD).

I believe that in 2005 the Allison 1000MH transmissions ALL went to 6 speeds. By 2010, you already had a 6 speed transmission from the factory. If it was NOT shifting in to 6th gear, which is a double overdrive(5th and 6th are both overdrives), it is because of some problem with the transmission control module(TCM).

wallynm wrote:
What does the tac say? Any drop in RPMs?

berfle wrote:
I have a 2010 Bounder 33u on a Workhorse Chas is with Vortec 8.1 and Allison 5-speed (approx 26,000 miles). I've read that the 5-speed can be changed to a 6-speed but this is pretty strange. We've been on the road for several days and 2 days ago I noticed that the dash display is now showing 6 speeds. Also maybe my imagination but when it goes into the 6th speed, it's smoother and quieter (as if it's shifting into OD).

What actual Workhorse chassis do you have? If it's the "W" series I do believe all Allison transmissions that were installed from 2005 and up have the 6 speed transmission. Now if it's a "P" series chassis it may have something different.

If you search the medium duty GM trucks like Kodiak you will find info about the Allison having 6th locked out and a way to enable 6th. Many people with the truck based motorhomes have done it.

wallynm wrote:
What does the tac say? Any drop in RPMs?

berfle wrote:
I have a 2010 Bounder 33u on a Workhorse Chas is with Vortec 8.1 and Allison 5-speed (approx 26,000 miles). I've read that the 5-speed can be changed to a 6-speed but this is pretty strange. We've been on the road for several days and 2 days ago I noticed that the dash display is now showing 6 speeds. Also maybe my imagination but when it goes into the 6th speed, it's smoother and quieter (as if it's shifting into OD).

Yes the tach does drop a few 100 rpm' when going to 6th

We purchased the 2010 coach in 2011 and have used it several times a year ever since. It is indeed a "W" chassis and not a "P". It was sold as having a 5-speed and has performed as such fo 6+ years. The dash display has always shown a "5" as the highest gear when in the "D" drive position. I never really thought much about the 5-speed/6-speed issue or differences over the years but was aware of the discussions on the forums about making the change from 5 to 6 speeds. I will say that I've always noted that the transmission seems to subtly shift twice in 2nd gear but never sought to see if this was true or my imagination.

berfle wrote:
I will say that I've always noted that the transmission seems to subtly shift twice in 2nd gear but never sought to see if this was true or my imagination.

The transmission torque converter is locking up in higher speeds in 2nd gear. It is always locked in higher gears. Feels like a "mini-shift" when it locks up in 2nd gear.

Then I would say you have a 6 speed.

berfle wrote:

wallynm wrote:
What does the tac say? Any drop in RPMs?

berfle wrote:
I have a 2010 Bounder 33u on a Workhorse Chas is with Vortec 8.1 and Allison 5-speed (approx 26,000 miles). I've read that the 5-speed can be changed to a 6-speed but this is pretty strange. We've been on the road for several days and 2 days ago I noticed that the dash display is now showing 6 speeds. Also maybe my imagination but when it goes into the 6th speed, it's smoother and quieter (as if it's shifting into OD).

Yes the tach does drop a few 100 rpm' when going to 6th

Workhorse went to the six speed in 2006 (Six in Six makes it easy to remember) I drive a 2005 5 speed (5 in 5 likewise) your tranny did not "Suddenly" go to six,it always was.. I do not know why you did not notice.

Actually, the Allison 1000 built in 2005 after July, 2005 installed in the 2006 model year Fleetwoods are six speeds. I missed it by 3 weeks and have the 5 speed.