Workhorse re-entering class A chassis market

[edgray]

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Curious, what is "UFO" stand for. I know the RED and REG, but UFO?
jt

When WCC introduced the R26 chassis, a rear gas pusher, their marketing people decided to call it the UFO because that stood for two features:
Unlimited Floorplan Options and Universal Fuel Options.

The coach builders were provided with a chassis on which a totally flat floor from front to rear was possible, providing them with unlimited design capability. The universal FUEL option never actually materialized as only gasoline powered chassis where commercially produced, but propane and Cummins and Navistar diesel engines were considered and tested.

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Curious, what is "UFO" stand for. I know the RED and REG, but UFO?

Hey jt,

UFO = Universal Floorplan Option (No engine hump - flat floor from front to rear)
UFO = Universal Fuel Option (There was going to be an option for a diesel however that never became available to the OEMs)

[harleyjt]

Thanks guys. Just something I wasn't familiar with. Didn't realize that was a rear engine gas unit out there.
jt

[DD788Snipe]

That makes perfectly good sense DriVer. Motorhoming is my hobbie and I'm a gearhead that likes to stay abreast of the latest and greatest. I've watched the evolution of the motorhome for 20 years. I've owned 3 rigs. A Ford and a Workhorse, both Winnebago products. The latter was a great coach, heads and tails above my first one and l bought them both new. When I decided to go diesel I purchased used because I didn't want the newer DEF emission system because of its complexity and added maintenance. A lot of owners look at it as if it's the same as putting catalytic systems on engines back in the 70s. In complexity it's not even close. So I agree, if I was a coach builder the W26 would be very attractive as an alternative to the XC-S for numerous reasons. I could sell it on maintenance cost alone. But I digress. All that aside, I do love my DP. Thanks for all the great info. You're a wealth of info.
Just a side note. The first time I looked at a bare W26 I thought, if you added a compressor you could have installed air suspension, with a gas engine and you'd have the best of both worlds. Wouldn't be cheap, but just a random thought. But then you might as well buy a DP.

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by DD788Snipe

A side note. The first time I looked at a bare W26 I thought, if you added a compressor you could have installed air suspension, with a gas engine and you'd have the best of both worlds. Wouldn't be cheap, but just a random thought. But then you might as well buy a DP.

If the R-26 had an air suspension coupled with its Hendrickson Torque Box suspension you would essentially have a mini-Spartan Chassis. If you look at the rear suspension of the R-26 and a Spartan K-2 you will see a similar looking rectangular plate over the top of the differential. This is what gives he R-26 rigidity going into corners. On exit ramps, it's like the machine is on rails and the box stays remarkably level.
One of the test drive points was to ask the driver to get in the throttle 1/2 way through the exit turn. The R-26 would just hook-up and take off unlike other suspensions that might want to desperately roll the machine over.

[CoastieSCPO]

I've been following this thread with great interest. Our previous coach was an 04 Allegro 32BA built on a WCC W-20 chassis. I owned it for nine years and put many happy miles on it. I had a few problems with it, but nothing that could not be taken care of. I did add Koni FSD's, rear anti-sway bar and front suspension improvements over the years and those aftermarket additions made all the difference in the world in the handling and drivability of the unit.

I now own a 35 foot Allegro built on a 22000lb Ford F53 chassis. It's a bigger and heavier coach than my W-20. The DW and I really like the livability of the motorhome and it, up to this point has been trouble free. The Ford engine is very dependable and I love the transmission with the tow haul feature. But the handling of my Ford does not compare to the handling of my previous rig. The W-20 was much easier to drive, including using the brakes. I've added a Safe T Plus to my coach and it has helped a little.

I'm trying not to take shots at the F-53 chassis because we really like our coach and the F-53 is a very dependable platform. With that said, I am anticipating what the new WCC does with its new venture and look forward to seeing some NEW motorhomes with the WCC horse logo in dealer lots and campgrounds.

Bob

[DD788Snipe]

I know own a Spartan Mountain Master chassis with IFS. This coach reminds me of driving a big 60s Caddy down the road but with much better handling. And yes I do remember that DriVer on the test drive.

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by DD788Snipe

I own a Spartan and yes I do remember that DriVer on the test drive.