Workhorse Custom Chassis
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[edit] Company History
Workhorse Custom Chassis was founded by Andrew Taitz, chairman of Grumman (now Morgan Olson) in January, 1998. The production plant was built during a blizzard in January of 1999. Workhorse initially acquired the P-chassis from General Motors, and discontinued the school bus provision package on the step van version shortly after that.
The company expanded its Class A motorhome chassis repertoire, growing rapidly and adding several new models to the market, following a "first to market" strategy. It also maintained a steady presence in the step van industry.
In 2005, Workhorse was acquired by Navistar/International Harvester from Grumman, and it is now under the ownership of Navistar.
[edit] Products Overview
In 2001, the W motorhome chassis the W20 (20,000 GVW), and W22 (22,000 GVW, and with 22" tires) was introduced. The W-series soon gained market share in the Class A chassis, surpassing the Ford chassis in sales. The company differentiated itself by purporting to offer ride and handling more similar to a passenger car compared to a motorhome coach, in addition to the new GM 496 cu. in big block Vortec 8100 V8, and the Allison 1000 series transmission.
In 2004, the W24 was introduced (24,000 GVW). This product offered Allison 2100 MH transmission [[1]], Arvin-Meritor "Quadralic" brakes, and the highest GVW ever available on a gas chassis, in addition to allowing the coachbuilder to add diesel pusher-like features in the coach. The Allison push button electronic shifter was also added as an option for all W-series chassis.
In 2005, Workhorse formed a joint venture with General Motors to create a GMT 610 G-series Chevrolet Express cutaway, with the differences between the regular G-series cutaway being more cab room, higher GVW, and not the availability of the Duramax 6.6 liter diesel V8 currently offered on the RV prep package on the regular G-series cutaway.
2005 marked the end of production of the P-chassis from General Motors. Step van versions of the W-series were introduced as step van replacements. Meanwhile, lower GVW versions of the W series were introduced for the P, with the exception of the Hydra-Matic 4L80-E[2], and the 6.0 liter Vortec 6000 V8 [3]
In 2006, the W25 was introduced, which is an enhancement of the W24, offering a 25,500 GVW, allowing more diesel pusher-like performance, and making it possible for the coachbuilder to put in more diesel pusher like features. In the same year Workhorse introduced the UFO chassis, which stands for Universal Fuel Option, and is a rear engine chassis offering the choice of gas or diesel engine: the GM Big Block Vortec 8100, a Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, or a Low Sulfur diesel. To date it is the only chassis that offers a uniform chassis with a gas/diesel engine option.
[edit] Product List
[edit] Motorhome
- Workhorse UFO
- W24, W25.5
- Diesel (RDP)
- W20/22
- P32
- W16/18
- C-Class
[edit] Commercial
- W42
- Fas-Track Truck option
[edit] Bus
- LF72
