18" Steering Wheel WH

[Ken Bradshaw]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so I hope this topic hasn't already been covered.
I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem that I do with the 14" "go-kart" steering wheel that come standard on the WH W20.
It seems to always be in the wrong place for reading the speedo. No matter where I position the wheel it covers the darn thing.
I think the 18" optional wheel would solve this problem, but, I'd really like to hear the pros and cons from the forum B4 I put out the $265.00 that WH wants for it. If anyone has a sourse for a after market 18" wheel I'd sure like to hear about that, too. Thanks in advance. Ken

[Ken Bradshaw]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so I hope this topic hasn't already been covered.
I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem that I do with the 14" "go-kart" steering wheel that come standard on the WH W20.
It seems to always be in the wrong place for reading the speedo. No matter where I position the wheel it covers the darn thing.
I think the 18" optional wheel would solve this problem, but, I'd really like to hear the pros and cons from the forum B4 I put out the $265.00 that WH wants for it. If anyone has a sourse for a after market 18" wheel I'd sure like to hear about that, too. Thanks in advance. Ken

[DriVer]

Over the weekend we took note that all the 2004 W-Series equipped motorhomes that we saw at the Springfield RV Show were sporting 18 inch 2 spoke stainless steering wheels.



<font color=blue>03 Winnebago 38G/Workhorse W22 "¢ 22.5" Tire "¢ Adventurer
02 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS
Aventa II "¢ Brake Buddy
Nor'Easters
"We Will "¢ 343 "¢ Never Forget"</font color>

<font color=red>88 "¢ Robert Yates Racing "¢ 38
</font color>

[This message was edited by DriVer on Wed February 18 2004 at 11:39 AM.]

[Ken Bradshaw]

Thanks, George and DriVer for your thoughts on my Q about the 18" wheel. I have a follow-up that some of the members might find interesting.
After talking to WH and finding out their wheel is $265.00 and I had to go through a WH dealer to make the purchase I contacted my dealer and found out that they would charge me $365.00 for the wheel. OUCH!!!!!
So, I started searching the NET for another source. (Man, I love the internet!!). After running into a lot of deadends I found VIP Steering Wheels by doing a search under Kenworth Steering wheels. It turns out that VIP makes about a billion different 18" and 20" wheels for the "big rigs" and of all things for Workhorse, too. But, the best news was yet to come. THEY SELL DIRECT TO THE CONSUMER!!
I ordered the exact same wheel and horn button (with the WH logo)from VIP for, GET THIS, $121.81 for the wheel and $5.84 for the horn button!! Quite a savings, I'd say.
For those of you that might be interested VIP's phone number is 847-395-7250 and I spoke with Charlene (super gal and very helpful).
For your reference the WH part # is: W0001967 for the wheel and W0002440 for the horn.
VIP's part # is: NTBL 1823064 for the wheel and HB9WH for the horn button.
Each wheel is made to order at their factory in IL and mine should ship this Friday according to Charlene. Once I receive it and get it installed I'll give the forum a heads-up on fit and finish and blow by blow on the installation.
BTW the prices did not include shipping charges.
I hope this helps. Ken

[CAD-Man]

Ken,
Where there's a will there's a way, but the internet is the best. I save thousands of dollars a year by searching and shopping through the internet. I have bought 3 cars through the internet, and a bunch of RV and Auto parts. Plus you get find out all of these neat ideas from these great people on IRV2.com and other such forms.

cad_man

2003 Newmar Kountry Star KSCA3301
Workhorse W22, Vortec 8.1L, Allison 5 Speed
Koni Shocks, Super Steer Track Bar, Davis TruTrack, Safe-T-Plus
FMCA 322927
KG6JIY

[rvten]

Ken looking forward to you review. Will order when we get home from this road trip.

Tom & Bonnie
Gardens RV Village
Crossville, TN
Winn. Adventurer 35U
W-20 8.1 Vortec

[Captain Bud]

While on my recent trip to Florida I picked up a gel filled steering wheel cover, that reduces grip fatigue of the wheel. It not only reduced fatigue but also increases the wheel diameter by 1" and provided a more robust feel to the wheel, all that for $5.

2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U W22 Workhorse Chassis with 22.5" wheels
Sugar and Spice our Shih Tzus

[rvten]

Capt. Bud trouble is being able to see through the steering wheel.

Tom & Bonnie
Gardens RV Village
Crossville, TN
Winn. Adventurer 35U
W-20 8.1 Vortec

[Captain Bud]

Perhaps, I'm missing something here. I can see all my instruments B4 I put the cover on and have no problems with it now. I guess I'm fortunate to set my seat right and feel comfortable driving.

2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U W22 Workhorse Chassis with 22.5" wheels
Sugar and Spice our Shih Tzus

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Captain Bud:
Perhaps, I'm missing something here. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Cap. I changed the picture so it will give you a better idea of what everyone is talking about. The vision through the 18" unit is excellent and there is absolutely noting in the way. The look and feel of the larger steering wheel is also something that you have to experience while driving.

<font color=blue>03 Winnebago 38G/Workhorse W22 "¢ 22.5" Tire "¢ Adventurer
02 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS
Aventa II "¢ Brake Buddy
Nor'Easters
"We Will "¢ 343 "¢ Never Forget"</font color>

<font color=red>88 "¢ Robert Yates Racing "¢ 38
</font color>

[747Driver]

Has anyone looked into if the change is an at home type project? I imagine that under the horn cover is a big Ole nut needed a special torque?

Chris & Sharon Dellinger
'03 33V Adventurer, W20
'00 Ford Ranger Toad

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 747Driver:
Has anyone looked into if the change is an at home type project? I imagine that under the horn cover is a big Ole nut needed a special torque?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I was present when my steering was swapped out. I previously owned the "Go-Kart Wheel" and then I obtained the wheel that you see in the picture. When I first saw it, I knew it was exactly what I wanted.

Regarding the black stock rubber wheel; The horn button pops off, you disconnect the horn wire, back off the steering wheel nut, apply a steering wheel puller, and pull the wheel off. Note the new wheel will only go on one way however it still has indexing marks so use the marks as a quick reference when you put the wheel back on.

The mechanic tightened the nut using a 3/8 inch ratchet and a deep socket. It doesn't have to be tightened like a head bolt but just nice and tight will do the trick. Once you press the splines in, the wheel is basically not going anywhere. According to my CDROM Workhorse Service Manual the recommended torque is 30 ft lbs.

The mechanic had to cut the horn wire off of the old wheel and solder it on the new 18" wheel.

The new Workhorse horn button just pops right on.

<font color=blue>03 Winnebago 38G/Workhorse W22 "¢ 22.5" Tire "¢ Adventurer
02 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS
Aventa II "¢ Brake Buddy
Nor'Easters
"We Will "¢ 343 "¢ Never Forget"</font color>

<font color=red>88 "¢ Robert Yates Racing "¢ 38
</font color>

[This message was edited by DriVer on Wed February 18 2004 at 09:27 PM.]

[Ken Bradshaw]

Hi, I'm afraid I owe the forum an apology. I guess you could say I over reacted to the good news about VIP steering wheels. I got just received a call from them today to inform me that they WILL NOT sell me the wheel. They didn't really offer any kind of explanation, but, my guess is that Workhorse has some kind of no compete agreement with them. I can see why WH might if they can buy the wheel from VIP for $120.00 and sell it for $265.00 and then the dealer packs on another $100.00 for a total of $365.00!!!
It would be interesting if someone were to call VIP with their part number (not making any reference to Workhorse) and order one and see if they'd sell you the wheel, hmmmm.
I'm really sorry for my ignorance in alerting you all before I had all my ducks in a row.
Humbly, Ken B.

[CAD-Man]

Try one of the listed below WEB sites. They may give you some help in getting your Steering wheel. The model of steering wheel you need is th VIP13

http://www.qualitytruck.com
Scroll down to steering wheels, close to the bottom of the WEB site.
1-800-875-8931

http://www.iowa80.com/iowa80/shop?me...tid=STEERNG-15
1-866-446-9280

One more Place.
Everything for the Bus Conversion Enthusiast
http://www.tcsn.net/coachservices/

cad_man

2003 Newmar Kountry Star KSCA3301
Workhorse W22, Vortec 8.1L, Allison 5 Speed
Koni Shocks, Super Steer Track Bar, Davis TruTrack, Safe-T-Plus
FMCA 322927
KG6JIY

[This message was edited by cad_man on Thu February 19 2004 at 05:08 PM.]