Workhorse Chassis issues - Any?

[kketterling]

A friend of mine is looking at 2005 Infinity 38E with a Workhorse chassis and gas engine. Looking for input good or bad regarding the Chassis that will help him with his decision.

Thanks

[az bound]

It would be much easier to answer if you would tell us which Workhorse chassis you are referring to. Workhorse builds several.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kketterling A friend of mine is looking at 2005 Infinity 38E with a Workhorse chassis and gas engine. Looking for input good or bad regarding the Chassis that will help him with his decision..

kketterling, Making a recommendation to buy the Workhorse is not difficult. I'm going with the possibility that we are talking about a W22 to W24.

The 8.1L Vortec engine and 5 Speed Allison transmission are not equaled in regard to pulling power and drive ability by any other gasoline powered product.

The 50,000 psi rail assures a good foundation under any coach body.

The 50° degree steering makes this machine quite agile. It is also likely that the motorhome has a Transmission Grade Brake which is invaluable when descending mountain or other grades.

At the end of the day and after your friend takes ownership, there will be a couple of recall items that need to be verified. 1 is the fuel rail clip recall which should have been done by now and the other are the Bosch brake calipers. In a short time all 4 calipers are going to be replaced for FREE so this will give him new brakes all the way around in the onset of his ownership.

[speed racer]

I would think that a 38E would be built on a W24 chassis.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed racer I would think that a 38E would be built on a W24 chassis.

I have a 38'11" coach built on a W22 - "No Sweat!"

[kketterling]

Thanks for the info. What kind of mileage might he expect with the 8.1 Vortec engine? Ballpark as I know it depends on how he drives.

Thanks

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kketterling Thanks for the info. What kind of mileage might he expect with the 8.1 Vortec engine? Ballpark as I know it depends on how he drives.

Mileage = 7 to 8 MPG

[faye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer kketterling, Making a recommendation to buy the Workhorse is not difficult. I'm going with the possibility that we are talking about a W22 to W24. The 8.1L Vortec engine and 5 Speed Allison transmission are not equaled in regard to pulling power and drive ability by any other gasoline powered product. The 50,000 psi rail assures a good foundation under any coach body. The 50° degree steering makes this machine quite agile. It is also likely that the motorhome has a Transmission Grade Brake which is invaluable when descending mountain or other grades. At the end of the day and after your friend takes ownership, there will be a couple of recall items that need to be verified. 1 is the fuel rail clip recall which should have been done by now and the other are the Bosch brake calipers. In a short time all 4 calipers are going to be replaced for FREE so this will give him new brakes all the way around in the onset of his ownership.

we have a wh 22...how can you tell if you have a transmission grade brake???????????

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faye we have a wh 22...how can you tell if you have a transmission grade brake???????????

faye, Workhorse chassis have Transmission Grade Brakes on vehicles that are dated 2005 and beyond.

If your 10th digit is a 5 there is a good chance that you have a TGB, There should be a switch on the dash which would allow you to turn it on of off and it should be labeled, "Grade Brake"

[dajudge]

I have a 06 Allegro Bay 35 ft on w22 chassis and I couldn't ask for better. The 8.1 chevy has plenty of power. I usually traven at 62-63 mph on interstate. My philosophy is, you are on vacation, why race down the road from stop to stop?

[wa8yxm]

Workhorse has basically 4 issues.. I will list them and the solution.

1: Fuel Clip on many 2005's was made of the wrong material.. There was a recall issued, if the unit you are looking at has not had the recall cleared it is free to the customer at any Workhorse authorized service center.. and truthfully it will take you longer to check in and out than it will the tech to do the job. Schedule an oil change while you are there.

Two, Handling: Many motor home owners. (Chassis not withstanding) feel that one or more of the following 3 improvments are needed

1: Trac bar, Most folks advise do the rear first, front second..
A motor home is a very large box on top of frame rails. what can happen is the box can "Twist" on the rails, either the front, rear or both, can move slightly side to side, you as driver adjust cause you see this as a change in direction, and it snaps back, you adjust again, Very tireing. a Trac bar "locks' the body squarely over the axle.
NOTE that the make of the chassis seems not to matter much here.

2: Steering Stabilizers.. The one that I have in for warranty replacement is a Blue Ox True center.. I happen to think it is the best.

What this does is attempt to keep you going straight ahead, it resists slight turns. Really helps. trust me on this it REALLY helps. (Like I said, Mine is visiting Pender, NE this month.. I"m in Michigan)

3: Sway Bars... Sway is side to side rocking. Kind lin like this \|/ Though usually not THAT bad.... Now on my coach.. I did not feel the need to improve on what workhorse bolted on.. some folks do.

Again, handling issues apply to ALL motor homes, without regard to the chassis. I suspect they are worse on some than on Workhorse but rather than speak ill of another company when I'm not sure.. I'll end this paragraph now.

THE BIG ONE!!!!

The Bosch Brakes... There is a recall on those, it has not yet been satisfied..

Now many people have driven thousands of miles without problems.. But others have had nothing but problem.. I think part of the issue is that a motor home needs to be driven... And I suspect the folks having the brake issues are parking it six or more months per year. But the key word here again is SUSPECT.. I do not know.

Personally.. I have not had any problems.. THAT I KNOW OF.. I have had a couple of hot brake days.. One was driving in the mountains and the other was when the rig was fairly new.... A Infra Read Pyrometer however did not show the brakes as alarmingly hot on either occasion (it sits next to me as I drive where I can grab it for a quick walk around)

If you buy a Workhorse you should get registered so you can be notified when the new brake parts are ready for installation. Last word I had is they have a FEW sets and are installing them ONLY if the problem manifests,,, but they plan on doing all of them likely next year at the rate they are going.

Oh, the problem: You apply the brakes, they engage normally and you stop.. You lift your foot off the brakes, They REMAIN engaged and you don't go.

Total dead or injured to date by this issue.. Far as I know ZERO.

Time to figure it out from first reports,, About 2 years.. (Took that long to get a rig in the shop with the problem manifesting)

Toyota's no-stop problem.. Alleges around 20 dead.. Time between Toyota finding out about it and the first "Fix" attempt: About 2 years.. Reason. They hired ex NHTSA employees to cover it up.

Some folks think Workhorse should learn from Toyota.. I disagree.