Goodbye Workhorse

[Tarheel 62]

Finally, a couple weeks ago the insurance officials declared my 2001 Damon Intruder "not repairable." A fact I knew since early July when the appraiser told me that the frame was bent. It appears that those massive rails aren't as strong as they appear. As to the cause of the accident, the "accessory drive belt"� broke. Why did it break? It appears that the AC compressor overheated and froze up. And since everything is dependent on this one belt I had no steering or brakes. Did you know that the power steering pump also powers the power brakes? So why would GM develop a heavy duty engine with a single point of failure drive belt? Even my little Nissan pickup has three belts.
Obviously, an accident such as this is dependent on several factors. Primarily location and time. If the belt hadn't broke on a twisting hilly, narrow county road, I could have safely stopped. If the KOA had been on a main throughfare rather than a county road or if I had departed the KOA at a different time when there was less traffic, I might have been able to avoid the accident. I have read several posts on this forum where the belt broke.
The other way this accident could have been avoided, was if Workhorse had paid more attention to their AC compressor and air flow problems. In 2003 I complained that the clutched fan one my MH ran excessively. The fan checked out but no one looked any farther. However, That wasn't the question. This happened the same year Workhorse sent its letter about AC compressor PSI and airflow problems (2006 Workhorse Gas Motor Home Chasis Guide). I didn't know any of this at the time, but the service center and the Workhorse rep I talked to should have. It was only from reading posts on this forum that I realized the true extent of the problem. Even if Workhorse doesn't believe the problem is theirs, everyone presumes they are responsibile and Workhorse pointing fingers at the body manufacturers isn't going to change that. It is their reputation at stake and its going downhill fast. They need to work with the body manufacturers and AC experts to overcome the problems.
The insurance appraiser's last comment to me was that if I was considering another MH, I should stay away from both Workhorse and Damon in that they were anything but helpful when he was trying to get information. I intend to follow his advice.
Since I don't have a MH anymore, I have a couple items I no longer need. I have an electric single step. I also have Brazel's CAI that has less than a thousand miles on it. Just call 850-862-6317 or e-mail me at fc.harrington@ cox.net.
I enjoyed reading the post and responses. I learned a lot. I just wish Workhorse had.

[Tarheel 62]

Finally, a couple weeks ago the insurance officials declared my 2001 Damon Intruder "not repairable." A fact I knew since early July when the appraiser told me that the frame was bent. It appears that those massive rails aren't as strong as they appear. As to the cause of the accident, the "accessory drive belt"� broke. Why did it break? It appears that the AC compressor overheated and froze up. And since everything is dependent on this one belt I had no steering or brakes. Did you know that the power steering pump also powers the power brakes? So why would GM develop a heavy duty engine with a single point of failure drive belt? Even my little Nissan pickup has three belts.
Obviously, an accident such as this is dependent on several factors. Primarily location and time. If the belt hadn't broke on a twisting hilly, narrow county road, I could have safely stopped. If the KOA had been on a main throughfare rather than a county road or if I had departed the KOA at a different time when there was less traffic, I might have been able to avoid the accident. I have read several posts on this forum where the belt broke.
The other way this accident could have been avoided, was if Workhorse had paid more attention to their AC compressor and air flow problems. In 2003 I complained that the clutched fan one my MH ran excessively. The fan checked out but no one looked any farther. However, That wasn't the question. This happened the same year Workhorse sent its letter about AC compressor PSI and airflow problems (2006 Workhorse Gas Motor Home Chasis Guide). I didn't know any of this at the time, but the service center and the Workhorse rep I talked to should have. It was only from reading posts on this forum that I realized the true extent of the problem. Even if Workhorse doesn't believe the problem is theirs, everyone presumes they are responsibile and Workhorse pointing fingers at the body manufacturers isn't going to change that. It is their reputation at stake and its going downhill fast. They need to work with the body manufacturers and AC experts to overcome the problems.
The insurance appraiser's last comment to me was that if I was considering another MH, I should stay away from both Workhorse and Damon in that they were anything but helpful when he was trying to get information. I intend to follow his advice.
Since I don't have a MH anymore, I have a couple items I no longer need. I have an electric single step. I also have Brazel's CAI that has less than a thousand miles on it. Just call 850-862-6317 or e-mail me at fc.harrington@ cox.net.
I enjoyed reading the post and responses. I learned a lot. I just wish Workhorse had.

[TandW]

This is bad, sad news. Hope there were no casualties. Our coach seized the ac comp. and then clutch pieces nicked the belt. With the coach builders doing final assembly on these ac systems I wonder if quality control in this area is non-existant. Good luck to you!!

[Photog]

Sorry to here about the troble you have had.

For the sake of the rest of us, is it at all possible to see the wear that caused the belt to fail?

Thanks,

Bill

[NeilV]

Do you mean that you did not have full power assist to your brakes and only manual steering without any power assist or a total failure? The belt breaking should not cause a total failure only the loss of power assist. Around that year they also started putting an electric assist pump on the brakes to provide some assistance if the belt breaks.

[Full-Timers]

Well if you are going to stick with gas, Ford is your only other choice. And guess what? They have one serpentine belt too. Also a lot of the diesels do too.
Looking at the other gas choice and the number of failures such as yours, the choice is clear for me. Workhorse is superior to Ford.

[Trek-Cyclist]

It might be time for a good Pusher! They say timing is everything!
Good Luck and please have many safe miles!

[DriVer]

I regret the operational difficulties that you encountered that caused the loss of your motorhome.

I wanted to add to the conversation by offering that the pressure circuit that is provided by the power steering pump does indeed power both brakes and steering. In the event of a loss of this pressure, if the belt breaks, steering will be impacted however braking will not.

Although difficult, the vehicle can still be steered if only to safely get off the road. The braking system on the other hand will perform well and bring the vehicle to a stop by means of the emergency electric pump motor in practically the same distance as the normal system. The emergency electric motor will however not provide boost to the power steering system.

I wish you only the best going forward with whichever vehicle you choose.

[Tarheel 62]

Thanks for the good words and thoughts. Ford is not a player because of the belt and leaf springs. so I'm looking at pushers.
I was able to keep the MH on the road, sometimes using all of it. There were no places to safely get off the road. I keep looking and hoping. I was afraid I would get hit if I could stop because the road was so curvey and sight distances so short. I could slow down using low gear and the emergency brake, but not completely stop. The intersection was suddenly there as it was hidden from view. I'm luchy noone was seriously injured. I have never heard of an emergency electric motor on this MH.I'll go through my books again. I lost brakes once before with this MH and was able to stop with much difficulty. It took a lot of effort and was on a straight flat road. This was before the brake recall.

[rvten]

WE broke a belt on our 2001 with only 9000 miles on it. I did not have any problem pulling over to the side of the road or stopping the MH.

[jdsr]

workhorse has more problems than a belt that it wont admit. they have brake problems , and you are right about the lack of help from them. good luck

[DSouthw524]

Just wanted to point out that Ford is not any better with acknouledging problems.

Our previous MH burned up and as we suspected it had to do with a cruise control problem that has since come out on recall. The problem was known and being fixed on pickups and they did not think it was a problem for MHs at the time. We said it was the same equipment!

[RV 4 2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DriVer:
I regret the operational difficulties that you encountered that caused the loss of your motorhome.

I wanted to add to the conversation by offering that the pressure circuit that is provided by the power steering pump does indeed power both brakes and steering. In the event of a loss of this pressure, if the belt breaks, steering will be impacted however braking will not.

Although difficult, the vehicle can still be steered if only to safely get off the road. The braking system on the other hand will perform well and bring the vehicle to a stop by means of the emergency electric pump motor in practically the same distance as the normal system. The emergency electric motor will however not provide boost to the power steering system.

I wish you only the best going forward with whichever vehicle you choose. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

DriVer, is this something that is now on the newer WH products? If so, how long has it been this way? Just curious.

[parts_expert]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV 4 2:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DriVer:
I regret the operational difficulties that you encountered that caused the loss of your motorhome.

I wanted to add to the conversation by offering that the pressure circuit that is provided by the power steering pump does indeed power both brakes and steering. In the event of a loss of this pressure, if the belt breaks, steering will be impacted however braking will not.

Although difficult, the vehicle can still be steered if only to safely get off the road. The braking system on the other hand will perform well and bring the vehicle to a stop by means of the emergency electric pump motor in practically the same distance as the normal system. The emergency electric motor will however not provide boost to the power steering system.

I wish you only the best going forward with whichever vehicle you choose. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

DriVer, is this something that is now on the newer WH products? If so, how long has it been this way? Just curious. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

the pump has been on the W22 since it was introduced.