Community Forums

faulkner1953 · 09-04-2006, 07:47 AM

I'm looking for a used 2002-2004 class A, about 32 ft. Is there an easy way to identify which chassis a coach is built on? Which transmission? Will all of these year models have the 8.1L engine? Will all have Allison trans? Sorry, I've searched without coming up with the answers to these questions. Thanks for any response you may have.

faulkner1953 · 09-04-2006, 07:47 AM

I'm looking for a used 2002-2004 class A, about 32 ft. Is there an easy way to identify which chassis a coach is built on? Which transmission? Will all of these year models have the 8.1L engine? Will all have Allison trans? Sorry, I've searched without coming up with the answers to these questions. Thanks for any response you may have.

Spoonman · 09-04-2006, 10:01 AM

If you can identify the chassis as being a workhorse w-20 or w-22 in that year range they will have the 8.1 W/allison transmission I believe.

ghamblen · 09-04-2006, 10:50 AM

Look inside the cabinets in the motorhome. Most of the time there will be a sticker on the inside of a cabinet door or on the back of the cabinet compartment that will identify the chassis and the weight requirements. I doubt that the engine and transmission types will be listed.

faulkner1953 · 09-04-2006, 10:56 AM

Thanks for your replies.
If it has the Workhorse logo on the steering wheel, does that make it a w20 or w22? Is there another Workhorse chassis(p53?)? I have come up dry in my searches here and Google about available Chassis models, and what years any changes were made, and /or completed. Any clues would be welcomed. Wheelbase length? Differences in trans shifter on steering column? Under hood? Under chassis? VIN? It might make a big difference in my decision making.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-04-2006, 11:03 AM

Both the W and the P series Workhorse chassis will have the 8.1L engine in those years, but only the W will have the Allison tranny.

The best way I know of to quickly identify a P chassis is to look underneath the front end. If you see coil springs with airbags in side, it is a P. If you see leaf springs and no air bags, it is a W.

faulkner1953 · 09-04-2006, 11:06 AM

OOOH.... That's a good clue. Thanks.

wilanddij · 09-04-2006, 11:51 AM

If you have a way to pull the chassis VIN, you can call Workhorse and they will give you all the details on the unit, right down to the day it rolled off the line.

DriVer · 09-04-2006, 03:24 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by faulkner1953:
Is there an easy way to identify which chassis a coach is built on? Which transmission? Will all of these year models have the 8.1L engine? Will all have Allison trans? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Just send me the VIN# of the chassis/motorhome that you are looking at and I'll give give you all the information you will need to know.

One excellent indicator as to whether of not a chassis is a P or a W is that all W series will have a square stabilizer bar directly in front of the leaf springs under the front of the motorhome. If you see leaf springs as well you are looking at a W. P series will have A frames, coil springs and air bags. You can also see an anti-sway bar in front of the suspension components as well.

Note that all Workhorse chassis with 22.5 inch tires are W22s. Some W22s will come with 19.5 inch tires but those will be Goodyears and they will also be load range "G".

W20s will always have 19.5 inch Michelin tires with a Load Range of "F".

These are the quick indicators although the previous owner might have bought different tires but it's doubtful.

faulkner1953 · 09-05-2006, 01:21 PM

You guys have given me some great information.

Now, I can look under the front end and tell if it's a P or a W. I am assuming that all W chassis have both the 8.1 Vortec and Allison 1000 tranny. Thanks for all your help. You guys are very patient, unlike some forums where everyone seems to look for any reason to belittle or insult a newbie.
I need to get out this weekend and look at a couple. Got my eye on one in particular I found on an Internet listing at a close-by dealer. I'm trading in (giving away?) my 92 Rockwood class C.

edgray · 09-05-2006, 02:01 PM

faulkner1953: First let me welcome you to iRV2.com

As you have found, this is a great place to come for friendly, helpful advice.

In my opinion, the SUREST (and probably the cleanest) way to determine what chassis the house is on is to look for the label (usually on the side wall next to the driver's seat). It will show the GVWR and GCVWR info. IF it says GVWR = 20,700 lbs,then it is a W-20. It will say GVWR=22,000 for the W-22. BOTH W-20 and W-22 have a GCVWR of 26,000 lbs.

All W-series chassis came with the Allison 5 speed tranny's until the 2006 model year, when the 6 speed was introduced.

Lastly, if you see a large yellow button for the parking brake release, then it is a W-24 and the label will show a GCVWR of 30,000 lbs.

Good luck with your search, and again, WELCOME. ED