Workhorse Custom Chassis
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Workhorse Custom Chassis of Union City, Indiana, was founded by entrepreneur Andrew Taitz in 1999. Workhorse is a motorhome, school bus and van conversion company. In 2005 Taitz sold Workhorse to Navistar/International Harvester.
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[edit] Company History
Andrew Taitz, started Workhorse Custom Chassis in January, 1999. Andrew Taitz decided to built the production plant during a blizzard in January 1999 and by March 1st, 1999 were in operation[1]. Andrew Taitz acquired the P-chassis from General Motors, and discontinued the school bus provision package on the step van version shortly thereafter.
Andrew Taitz expanded the 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, Andrew Taitz sold Workhorse to Navistar/International Harvester and it is currently 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. According to Andrew Taitz the W22 was a running success.
In 2004 Taitz made a decision to introduce the W24 (24,000 GVW). This product offered Allison 2100 MH transmission, 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, and the 6.0 liter Vortec 6000 V8.
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, an 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
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[edit] Commercial
[edit] Bus
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