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TechWriter · 09-17-2021, 12:10 AM

Owned a 2004 SeaBreeze 8341 for several years and then sold it in 2010 for a Newmar DP. Just sold that and am looking at National RVs gassers again -- probably a SeaBreeze, Sea View, or Surf Side.

While I liked the GM engine & Allison transmission in our 2004 SeaBreeze, I'm leaning towards a Ford V10 model instead now mainly because of servicing. We travel around the country, and I figure it would be much easier to service a Ford product.

What's your experience?

MrMark52 · 09-17-2021, 03:41 AM

‘02 GeorgieBoy Landau with 8.1L Chevy and Allison 1000 transmission on W24 Workhorse chassis here.

No issues getting serviced so far - although I do most of the work myself. Did have a 12 year old brake recall implemented by a formal Workhorse now Navistar dealer just this past March.

In the business model of today’s world of automotive - its whether or not the service center is able to handle the physical size of the coach more than anything.

Tov61 · 09-17-2021, 05:11 PM

Have a 2003 Dolphin W22 with 8.1 Chev and Allison tranny. No servicing issues . There is a Workhorse Repair facility here in Albuquerque. Very hard to beat the performance and the gas mileage of the 8.1 Workhorse engine.

CamJam1 · 09-17-2021, 11:10 PM

OP makes a good point. I love my 8.1 Workhorse, but who will work on them ten years from now? I believe Brazel's has already stopped. After all, the last 8.1 was built in 2009.

1ciderdog · 09-21-2021, 10:23 AM

I have a 2007 ford E-450 29 foot Winnebago with the V-10, and I bought a 2004 Dolphin 34 foot with the 8.1 V-8 a couple months ago. The Ford seems to shift down on every little grade but the 8.1 does not. Much easier on my mind. The Ford engine shifting down is very VERY loud in my opinion.

twinboat · 09-21-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

I have a 2007 ford E-450 chassis with the V-10, and I bought a 2004 Dolphin with the 8.1 V-8 a couple months ago. The Ford seems to shift down on every little grade but the 8.1 does not. Much easier on my mind. The Ford engine shifting down is very VERY loud in my opinion.

Back in the V8 days, the engine could stay in a higher gear and lug down much more, spewing pollution as it did.

As the regulations tightened up, the V8 went away, not being able to meet the standards, and the V10 was built to rev higher so it poluted less.

FredV · 09-21-2021, 04:42 PM

I have owned a 2000 Tropical on a Ford F53 chassis with the V10 for 8 years. The pros for the V10 are a big service network and good parts availability. I do all my own repairs and maintenance. The cons as I see them as a retired GM dealership tech is the more complex valve train and fact that these engines have to rev higher to make enough power and torque. The spark plug issues are also a concern. The pros for the 8.1 is the basic design is decades old and very conventional no overhead cams or complex timing chain systems. Coupled with an almost bullet proof Alison 6 speed trans, the engine turns at lower rpms and functions not as close to it's design limits. Remember the old saying " there is no replacement for displacement" The Ford chassis is very solid and I can't find much I don't like. Workhorse has had it's issues. If I had it to do over I would go with the Ford chassis.

CamJam1 · 09-21-2021, 07:28 PM

The only common Workhorse issue I can think of is the fuel pump on pre-2003 chassis. That and the Bosch brake caliper problem that the recall should take care of. Did I miss anything?

hydro45640 · 09-22-2021, 04:39 AM

The doghouse is much lower on the GM 8.1. That is a big difference when climbing in and out.

CamJam1 · 09-22-2021, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamJam1

The only common Workhorse issue I can think of is the fuel pump on pre-2003 chassis. That and the Bosch brake caliper problem that the recall should take care of. Did I miss anything?

I remembered one more Workhorse issue… the steering gear on the later (post 2006?) units which had more free play on-center. I've always thought 2004-05 were the best Workhorse years because they had better steering AND the improved fuel pump.