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Old 03-26-2013, 06:50 PM   #1
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Workhorse chassis

I was at a RV lot the other day and he told me the my Fleetwood Southwind had a cheap Suspension! He said the Dolphin 2002 we were looking at had a workhorse chassis and would handle better than the Fleetwood. Any one got input on this subject? Mark
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Old 03-26-2013, 06:51 PM   #2
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Old 03-26-2013, 06:55 PM   #3
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I'd suggest a different RV dealer.
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Old 03-26-2013, 07:40 PM   #4
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What chassis is your Fleetwood on? The Workhorse with the Allison transmission is a big improvement over some of the older gas chassis.

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Old 03-26-2013, 07:51 PM   #5
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Old 03-26-2013, 08:13 PM   #6
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Ask him just how much of a discount he will give you on the cheap suspension? Ask for a lot.

Drive them both see what you think?
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Old 03-26-2013, 08:27 PM   #7
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Let's see....
A salesman.
Lips were moving.
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Old 03-26-2013, 08:36 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HuddJams View Post
I was at a RV lot the other day and he told me the my Fleetwood Southwind had a cheap Suspension! He said the Dolphin 2002 we were looking at had a workhorse chassis and would handle better than the Fleetwood. Any one got input on this subject? Mark
I don't know where they come up with this stuff! A couple of years ago we were at a CW and a salesman mentioned that Newmar was not doing well and was going bankrupt! Needless to say they are doing fine...
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Old 03-26-2013, 08:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HuddJams View Post
I was at a RV lot the other day and he told me the my Fleetwood Southwind had a cheap Suspension! He said the Dolphin 2002 we were looking at had a workhorse chassis and would handle better than the Fleetwood. Any one got input on this subject? Mark
I don't know about the Fleetwood chassis, but MY 2002 Dolphin on the Workhorse chassis is a damn fine RV. I agree with the previous poster that suggested you drive them both. If you have any specific questions about the Dolphin, I'll do my best to answer them.
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Old 03-26-2013, 08:44 PM   #10
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Your F53 and a '02 Workhorse, both have leaf spring suspensions - front and rear.
Both have a C beam chassis and all the rest is pretty equal.

The Ford uses swaybars for roll control...can be upgraded and many here have talked about it.

The Workhorse uses sway tubes that tie the shackle end of the spring toether for the same purpose, but in a very different way.

I have a WH W24, and know the Ford is a good and reliable but different Chassis.

The Ford is still being made. WH is out of prodction.

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Old 03-26-2013, 08:54 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by CampDaven View Post
Let's see....
A salesman.
Lips were moving.
...
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Old 03-27-2013, 06:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarab0088 View Post
Your F53 and a '02 Workhorse, both have leaf spring suspensions - front and rear.
Both have a C beam chassis and all the rest is pretty equal.

The Ford uses swaybars for roll control...can be upgraded and many here have talked about it.

The Workhorse uses sway tubes that tie the shackle end of the spring toether for the same purpose, but in a very different way.

I have a WH W24, and know the Ford is a good and reliable but different Chassis.

The Ford is still being made. WH is out of prodction.

Bestof lukcy

My 01 workhorse has front coil springs with air bags. I can change the handling properties with the air bags. The whole coach could be a little higher, but handles pretty good. Did the front suspension change for 2002 ?
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Old 03-27-2013, 08:18 AM   #13
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My 01 workhorse has front coil springs with air bags. I can change the handling properties with the air bags. The whole coach could be a little higher, but handles pretty good. Did the front suspension change for 2002 ?
No, and yes. The P32 chassis did not change from its IFS front suspension, however the W series chassis was introduced with a "double-drop" I-beam front axle without airbags and coil springs.
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Old 03-27-2013, 09:26 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by HuddJams View Post
I was at a RV lot the other day and he told me the my Fleetwood Southwind had a cheap Suspension! He said the Dolphin 2002 we were looking at had a workhorse chassis and would handle better than the Fleetwood. Any one got input on this subject? Mark
Firstly a salesman's jaw flapping, either vertically or horizontally means next to nothing, so ignore what he says completely and do your own research.
I'm assuming you have a P32 chevy chassis, which WH continued to make for awhile as well and doubt seriously if a WH W chassis will handle any better and most likely ride harsher. It is however stronger and with less moving parts since you'd be going from an independent coil suspension to a solid beam axle and most likely without the sway bar that you have now. With all the criticism out there, there's a lot of P32,s around and a lot to be said about the old P chassis and mine handles and rides extremely well for what it is.
The W chassis will have an Allison transmission which is a lot nicer than the GM, but may still have the brake problem if the recall hasn't been done, so make sure of that. It may also have an autopark system of which there's a lot of controversy over. If so, find out it it has the later and most trouble free J72 type.
All in all, I'd go for the newer W, if the price was right.
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