Don't Overlook the Workhorse Chassis When Shopping for a Used Class A Coach!

If you're exploring the market for a used gas-powered Class A motorhome, chances are the Ford F53 chassis dominates your search results—and for good reason. It's by far the most common platform available. But if you're after a smoother ride and robust drivetrain, there's another contender worth your attention: the Workhorse W series.

In this blog, we break down what makes it different, how it compares to the F53. We will also talk about how strategic upgrades can transform it into a comfortable, confident-driving coach.

Meet the Workhorse.

Introduced in the early 2000s after Workhorse acquired the P32 platform, the W series included several models: W16, W18, W20, W22, and W24. These numbers correspond directly to Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR)—for example, the W22 has a 22,000 lb GVWR. We recently did a video on a 2011 Workhorse W22. It was bone stock when we got our hands on it, offering a great opportunity to evaluate its factory setup before diving into upgrades. Let's uncover what we found!

Under the Coach: Factory Setup

Front Suspension & Ride Quality

At first glance, the front end resembles the F53: solid axle and leaf springs. However, Workhorse took a different approach to spring design. Even at higher GVWRs, they stuck with a two-leaf spring pack, which—combined with tighter bushing tolerances—gives this W22 a noticeably smoother ride than the F53.

Sway Control: A Unique Challenge

Instead of a traditional front sway bar, the W22 uses a piece of box tubing between the leaf springs. This functions as a sway bar of sorts, but it doesn't perform as well as aftermarket solutions. There's also no factory front track bar, which can allow side-to-side axle shift under steering stress or crosswinds.

Factory Components vs Aftermarket Upgrades

Upgrades Up Front

To tighten up the handling and steering feel, we installed:

• Roadmaster Front Anti-Sway Bar: Supplements the factory tubing, drastically improving control.
• Davis TrueTrack Front Track Bar: Limits lateral axle movement.
• Safety Plus Steering Stabilizer: Adds 230 lbs of centering force for better tracking, especially in crosswinds.
• Koni FSD Front Shocks: Superior damping for a more refined ride.
• SumoSprings Front Bump Stops: Replaces hollow OEM bump stops, offering better support and impact absorption.
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Rear Suspension Enhancements

Similar to the front, the rear also lacks a traditional sway bar and suffers from side-to-side "tail wag":

• Roadmaster Rear Sway Bar: Dramatically reduces body roll and sway.
• SuperSteer SS302 Rear Track Bar: Anchors the axle for better directional stability.
• Koni FSD Rear Shocks: Replaces tired factory Bilsteins for improved ride control.
• SumoSprings Rear: Adds load support and complements the new sway bar system.

Powertrain Advantage

One of the W22's standout features is its drivetrain:

• 8.1L GM Vortec V8 paired with an Allison Transmission.
• Delivers exceptional low-end torque, a key advantage over the earlier 6.8L Ford V10s.
• Later Ford F53 models did catch up with a new 7.3L engine, but many still prefer the Workhorse’s classic big-block grunt.

Steering Gear Watch-Out

Some W22s came with a non-adjustable ZF steering gear, which can’t be externally adjusted for play like the TRW gear on the F53. If there’s slop, you’re looking at a rebuild or replacement—something to keep in mind during inspection.

Final Thoughts: A Coach Worth Upgrading

With only 28,000 miles, this 2011 W22 still had plenty of life left—but like many stock units, it needed some help to shine on the road. After our steering and suspension overhaul, it drove like a different machine: more stable, more comfortable, and much safer.

If you’re lucky enough to find a coach built on the Workhorse chassis, don’t overlook it. With the right upgrades, it can deliver an outstanding driving experience that rivals (or exceeds) its Ford counterpart.

Ready to Transform Your Ride?

Whether you drive a Workhorse W series or an F53, we're here to help. Contact us today to discuss steering and suspension upgrades tailored to your motorhome.

If you would like to see our full video on the Workhorse you can watch the video below.