Community Forums

sandra · 04-09-2008, 10:25 AM

We have looking for a Bounder 35H or 35E and have notice most of the units that are advertised have the ford chassie. Are there reasons other that the ford is a little cheaper. We were thinking that the workhorse might be a little better on that size of coach.
Any comments would be appreicated. THANKS

sandra · 04-09-2008, 10:25 AM

We have looking for a Bounder 35H or 35E and have notice most of the units that are advertised have the ford chassie. Are there reasons other that the ford is a little cheaper. We were thinking that the workhorse might be a little better on that size of coach.
Any comments would be appreicated. THANKS

Paulin · 04-09-2008, 12:27 PM

sandra,

Both are fine chassis. We had a 2003 Southwind on the Workhorse and it also was fine. However, more recently WH has been getting a lot of complaints about their brakes and parts distribution. Very recently there has been some speculation on their viability in this economy. Their R series chassis didn't make the big time and their UFO chassis may not take off either. I'd suggest you read the Workhorse Custom Chassis Motorhome Forum here on irv2 for more information. Also, you probably would find more Ford service centers around this beautiful country or ours.

Rocky 2 · 04-09-2008, 04:19 PM

I would suggest you test drive both on the same road conditions and see which feels right to you. Pay attention to such things as interior noise, handling, and turning ratio. Both will work just fine.

DriVer · 04-09-2008, 05:15 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by sandra:
We were thinking that the workhorse might be a little better on that size of coach. Any comments would be appreciated. THANKS </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Sandra, Every type chassis will have its detractors and issues including Ford, Spartan, Freightliner and or Workhorse. They have all had challenges and are not immune to problems. As of recently we see where Ford took on the same features that Workhorse has been providing since its introduction in 2001. Unique to Workhorse however is the much lower dog house profile, the large block medium duty truck engine and the 6 Speed Allison transmission. These features have not been duplicated on the F53.

Regarding warranty on the Workhorse you can count on the 3 year 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty on the engine and the 5 year 200,000 mile warranty on the Allison transmission.

There are 6 times the number of posts in the Workhorse Forum than the Ford. What makes this number remarkable is that aside from the concerns that are a welcome source of feedback for Workhorse the forum hosts many thousands of positive owner responses.

Regarding the shortage of Workhorse Service Centers, as of the last count there 511 Authorized Workhorse Service Centers.

You be the judge. If you are able to do so, take out a Ford and then take out a Workhorse under the same box. I'm sure the conclusions that you will draw will be similar to the majority of owners who have chosen the Workhorse.

While you're at it consider test driving a UFO just for the fun of it and see how you like that. Although Fleetwood builds on the front engined Workhorse chassis they have not chosen to build on the UFO yet however in time I'm sure they will come around. The ride and drive testimonials given by the hundreds of people who have driven the UFO are overwhelmingly positive.

We have a number of previous Ford owners in these forums who routinely post about their ownership of a Ford prior to the purchase of their Workhorse. In almost each case the testimonials conclude that their ownership of the Workhorse is more satisfying.

Gary RVRoamer · 04-09-2008, 05:37 PM

Personally I like the Workhorse a bit better, but if you are looking at 2007 or later the capabilities are pretty close. If you are looking at 2002-2005 I'd pick the Workhorse over the Ford every time. Workhorse W-series chassis had a significant edge over the F53 Ford in those years.

tmar10 · 04-10-2008, 02:18 AM

Sandra,
We test drove both the Ford and Workhorse prior to our purchase of our 07 35e and did not find enough difference between the two to justify the additional costs. Road performance and ride were equal and the cosmetic differences were of little or no concern. It appears Bailey enjoys using the doghouse for a headrest. Enjoy whichever platform you may choose.

dickfrompasadena · 04-10-2008, 04:16 AM

I picked the Workhorse because of the transmission. (200,000 mi warrenty) I've owned 3 Ford products and replaced the tranny in all 3.

dieselclacker · 04-10-2008, 04:47 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DriVer:

Regarding the shortage of Workhorse Service Centers, as of the last count there 511 Authorized Workhorse Service Centers

Sandra, before making a final decision on which chassis, you may want to check out just what constitutes an "authorized Workhorse Service Center,. Also check availability and cost of parts for Workhorse versus Ford.

Dieselclacker

fishboat1 · 04-10-2008, 07:17 AM

As mentioned, drive both and then decide.
I made many test drives prior to buying my present coach and while both chassis were excellent, IMO the Ford handled better, although Workhorse owners will disagree. My prior coach was a trouble free 2000 Ford.

Ford outsells Workhorse in gas class A motorhomes and now has the 24000 and 26000 GVWR chassis. Tiffin is using the 26000 GVWR instead of the 25.5 GVWR Workhorse chassis on the larger 2009 gas Allegro Bay motorhomes. Ford has come a long way in the past couple of years.

Although I bought a Freightliner FRED I would have no problem with either Ford or Workhorse gas chassis.