Allegro Bay 37db...Workhorse Chassis... Owners Experience?

[TomR]

Hello All...looking at a couple of real nice full paint 2005-2008 Allegro Bay Workhorse chassis.

I am curious how many 37db owners (or others) here on the site and what your thoughts are on the 37db.

One key question is...I seem to remember that having the 24K Workhorse was an option and I think "some" said that the coach was a bit low on NCC with the 22K chassis?

In any case...is this a good model to target for a slightly used "first" Class A (or RV for that matter)...does it make sense to look for W-24 on say 35'+ gas MH Tiffin or others?

What should one look for for wear issues or lack of care/maintenance issues...what would likely need to be done on a 4-6 year old coach?

Thanks...Tom R

P.S. I probably should also post on Workhorse site...TMR

[paz]

We have an '05 37DB on a W24 chassis. We have been full-timing in this rig for over 5 years, and we love it.

Unless you're planning only to use the coach only on weekends and don't need a lot of cargo carrying capacity, I would not recommend a 37DB on a W22. We have a little over 3,000 CCC. With a W22, it is only around 1,000 - not enough for extended travel IMO.

On the newer Allegro Bays with 3 or 4 slides, I would definitely be looking for a W24 or a FRED chassis.

The W22 is also subject to the infamous Workhorse brake recall. See the "sticky" at the top of the Workhourse Forum under Chassis Club Forum heading farther down the main forum page for more details. The W24 had different, much better brakes with 4 pistons per caliper, and is not included in the recall.

[TomR]

Thanks paz...Driver has updated the info re; differences between W-22 and W-24...on the 37DB I do think I would hod out for a W-24 chassis...for all the reasons you mention.

How have you liked the floor plan and livability of the 37DB? What would you anticipate for "needs" of a 2005/2006 with say 25K-35K miles...say to give it a fresh/new "life"?

Has the 8.1 Vortek performed well?

Thanks Again...all input appreciated...Tom R in Two Harbors, MN

Originally Posted by paz

We have an '05 37DB on a W24 chassis. We have been full-timing in this rig for over 5 years, and we love it.

Unless you're planning only to use the coach only on weekends and don't need a lot of cargo carrying capacity, I would not recommend a 37DB on a W22. We have a little over 3,000 CCC. With a W22, it is only around 1,000 - not enough for extended travel IMO.

On the newer Allegro Bays with 3 or 4 slides, I would definitely be looking for a W24 or a FRED chassis.

The W22 is also subject to the infamous Workhorse brake recall. See the "sticky" at the top of the Workhourse Forum under Chassis Club Forum heading farther down the main forum page for more details. The W24 had different, much better brakes with 4 pistons per caliper, and is not included in the recall.

[woodyk]

Bought my 37DB Brand new in 2004 and love it--only problem I've had was the brakes and the recall fixed that!!

Woodyk

Originally Posted by TomR

Hello All...looking at a couple of real nice full paint 2005-2008 Allegro Bay Workhorse chassis.

I am curious how many 37db owners (or others) here on the site and what your thoughts are on the 37db.

One key question is...I seem to remember that having the 24K Workhorse was an option and I think "some" said that the coach was a bit low on NCC with the 22K chassis?

In any case...is this a good model to target for a slightly used "first" Class A (or RV for that matter)...does it make sense to look for W-24 on say 35'+ gas MH Tiffin or others?

What should one look for for wear issues or lack of care/maintenance issues...what would likely need to be done on a 4-6 year old coach?

Thanks...Tom R

P.S. I probably should also post on Workhorse site...TMR

[paz]

Originally Posted by TomR

Thanks paz...Driver has updated the info re; differences between W-22 and W-24...on the 37DB I do think I would hod out for a W-24 chassis...for all the reasons you mention.

How have you liked the floor plan and livability of the 37DB?

The floorplan works very well for us. I like the newer models with 3 or 4 slides, but those extra slides add weight. The 37DB is a good trade-off between CCC and space. Our favorite feature is the fold-out table by the swivel chair. It makes an excellent desk for the laptop. BTW, we replaced our swivel chair with a Euro-recliner - much lighter and much more comfortable.

Originally Posted by TomR

What would you anticipate for "needs" of a 2005/2006 with say 25K-35K miles...say to give it a fresh/new "life"?

For a 2005 or 2006, you would probably be looking at replacing tires, if they are original, because of age. Make sure the 4-door Norcold recall has been done.

Replaced the swivel chair helped give the rig a fresher appearance, as did replacing the original TVs with HDTVs.

Fogged dual-pane windows is a common problem with all RVs, and Tiffin (who makes its own windows) had a particular problem in 2005-2007, so check the windows. Repairing them costs $200-$250 each.

Originally Posted by TomR

Has the 8.1 Vortek performed well?

A bad oil-level sensor has been the only problem with the engine. It's not a racer, but the HP and torque are more than adequate.

[Coffee Guy]

We really like ours. We got it in 05 as it was one that somebody traded after four months for a larger coach. We have the WH 22 and it is good for us and has all of the storage that we need. We took it to Red Bay this winter and had the two TVs replaced and one put in the outside TV compartment. We did have the WH brake recall as well as the recent refrigerator recall. We do plan to put new tires on it this winter befor going west in the spring. We did have one window fog up that Tiffin replaced for us. The floor plan is ideal for us. If we were buying another coach we would try to match the floor plan.