Comments on chassis options

[yeloduster]

Good morning,

I am constantly trying to learn more about my MH. This morning I ran across this Workhorse Custom Chassis specifications sheet: 2002 Workhorse W20/W22 RV chassis

I thought it had some interesting information but I wonder how accurate it is. My MH is a 2003 Georgetown. It has a 228" wheel base, 245 75R10.5 tirs and according to the load chart inside a kitchen cabinet it has a GVWR of 20700 lbs so I presume it is a W20. All of these are consistent with the W20 as defined by the specification sheet.

According to the specification sheet referenced above it should have a 2" square stabilizer bar on the rear spring and no stabilizer bar on the front. My chassis has a 2" square stabilizer on the front and a 2.5" stabilizer on the rear.

Since I bought this motorhome I have read a lot of posts of people upgrading their suspension because of poor handling. I have been wondering about all the fuss! I think my motorhome handles very well and has little need for additional help beyond the new Bilstiens to replace the VERY worn out original shocks.

Is the specification sheet correct and my chassis a deviation or is the specification sheet wrong or incomplete.

Comments welcome.

[AKIQPilot]

I have the same confusion with my Itasca. My 2002 Itasca Suncruiser is a W22 chassis with a GVWR rating of 20700. I have the build sheet for the chassis and it clearly states that the chassis is a W22. My Itasca only has 19.5" tires. I've searched and searched and haven't landed on a definitive answer but it seems like the W22 chassis will come standard with the 22.5" tires and the 5.38:1 rear axle. There seems to be a slight difference in leaf spring capacity between the two chassis with the W20 being slightly lighter rated.

Both a W22 and a W20 will have a 6 as the sixth character in the VIN so that doesn't help much.

The steering wheel isn't a good sign either as both chassis offered the optional 18" steering wheel.

One thing that could determine for positive if you have a W20 chassis is the rear axle ratio. If your rear axle ratio is 4.88 then that is definitely a W20 because the W22 did not offer that as an option. On my coach I have the 4.78 rear axle which was optional on both the W20 and W22 chassis.

The good news for those of us who have W20 chassis is our towing capacity is typically higher that of a W22 chassis when both coaches are loaded to max GVWR. GCWR on both the W20 and W22 is 26,000lbs. So basically a W20 will be able to legally tow 1000lbs more than a W22. A W22 loaded to max GVWR can tow 4000lbs. A W20 loaded to max GVWR can tow 5000lbs (not 5300lbs because the hitch is only rated for 5000).

Anyway, here is a little more info I found on the Workhorse W20/W22 chassis. Doesn't really help solve the puzzle though.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ialcb3m2qx...%20Chassis.doc



PS. If you decide on new shocks I would highly recommend the Koni FSD's. I installed them on my Itasca in place of the original Bilsteins. The Konis are much better. Way better ride and not nearly as harsh on rough roads, bridge expansions, etc. They cost just a little more but they war way nice riding than the Bilsteins.

[yeloduster]

Thanks for the comment Tom.

I looked at your spec sheet vs mine. My specific question was concerning the square stabilizer bars. My spec sheet show no stabilizer bar on the front and a 2" square stabilizer on the back. Your spec sheet shows 2" square on both ends.

I suspect that if you had all the specs you would find suspension differences based on wheelbase. My coach has the 228" wheel base. Maybe the 208" wheelbase had a different stabilizer spec and it is not differentiated in the spec sheets.!?

I note that you have added many suspension upgrades and are planning more. I live in very windy country and have a lot of 18 wheelers sharing my highway. My coach doesn't react very much to any of that! I have added the Bilstiens and like them a lot. They solved the only complaint I had and that was porpoising on bumps.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

Thanks for the comment Tom.

I looked at your spec sheet vs mine. My specific question was concerning the square stabilizer bars. My spec sheet show no stabilizer bar on the front and a 2" square stabilizer on the back. Your spec sheet shows 2" square on both ends.

I suspect that if you had all the specs you would find suspension differences based on wheelbase. My coach has the 228" wheel base. Maybe the 208" wheelbase had a different stabilizer spec and it is not differentiated in the spec sheets.!?

I note that you have added many suspension upgrades and are planning more. I live in very windy country and have a lot of 18 wheelers sharing my highway. My coach doesn't react very much to any of that! I have added the Bilstiens and like them a lot. They solved the only complaint I had and that was porpoising on bumps.

On our Itasca I added all the suspension mods to the coach when it was virtually brand new. I did them all at the same time. I wanted it to have the best possible handling available. It handles like a dream. Wind and semi's have no affect on the chassis. Bumps, bad roads, broken pavement and bridge expansions are sucked up with ease. For a gas coach it handles excellent.

On our Adventurer it had horrible tail wag when being overtaken by semis. I added the rear track bar and that virtually eliminated any hint of tail wag. I still plan to do all the rest of the suspension mods to the Adventurer eventually. The track bar made a huge difference. It doesn't ride or handle like the Itasca but it's far better than stock.

[Ultra RV Products]

When it comes to W20 vs. W22 the only thing you need to know is the GVWR. If it’s 20,700 it’s a W20 and if it’s 22,000 it’s a W22. If you want to send me a message with your VIN I can check the actual build on your chassis. AFAIK they all came with the box style stabilizer bars front and rear but in 2003 they went from a 2” to 2.5” diameter for the front and also offered it as an upgrade kit for older model years.

[yeloduster]

Originally Posted by Ultra RV Products

When it comes to W20 vs. W22 the only thing you need to know is the GVWR. If it’s 20,700 it’s a W20 and if it’s 22,000 it’s a W22. If you want to send me a message with your VIN I can check the actual build on your chassis. AFAIK they all came with the box style stabilizer bars front and rear but in 2003 they went from a 2” to 2.5” diameter for the front and also offered it as an upgrade kit for older model years.

Good Morning Jon,

Thanks for the offer to provide build info on my chassis. The vin # is:

5B4MP67G533357668

In Aug 2017 I order the custom tuning of the ECM and TCM for the above chassis. Your Order ID: 15103

At the time I was not aware that you offered a "Grade Brake" option. I may have wanted that as well. I think you should mention that as an option in your website when customers are looking at the TCM tuning product.

Thanks again.

[Ultra RV Products]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

Good Morning Jon,



Thanks for the offer to provide build info on my chassis. The vin # is:



5B4MP67G533357668



In Aug 2017 I order the custom tuning of the ECM and TCM for the above chassis. Your Order ID: 15103



At the time I was not aware that you offered a "Grade Brake" option. I may have wanted that as well. I think you should mention that as an option in your website when customers are looking at the TCM tuning product.



Thanks again.

[Daveinet]

It seems like every discussion I have read about Workhorse handling, the coaches with 19" wheels seem to have less handling complaints than coaches with 22.5" wheels. My guess is that coaches with 19" wheels sit lower to the ground, and often do not have raised rail chassis. This will make a big difference in handling. SO, while the W22 is a better handling chassis, the added weight and height results in overall worse handling.