Would you like that with a gas or diesel engine?
That’s a question you might hear the next time you speak to a Lazydays professional sales consultant.
When searching for a new RV, many experienced RVers will make a determination on the chassis based on whether they want a rear engine diesel or a front engine gas configuration. They will then look at the various floor plans available on their chassis of choice.
A new entrant to the chassis line-up has arrived on the scene and is getting a lot of attention; and not just because it comes from one of the most talked about chassis companies in our industry. This new Workhorse custom chassis, the UFO™, is a rear gas configuration with a unique design that puts everything mechanical and operational below the platform that the motorhome will be built upon.
Until now there was no gas rear engine option for motorhomes. Workhorse has once again changed all the rules with an exceptional engineering design and a customer-driven sales philosophy that continues to provide the products that knowledgeable RVers desire.
The UFO in the chassis name can stand for Universal Floorplan Option or perhaps Universal Footprint Option to complement the Universal Fuel Option moniker. The versatility built into this product allows for an engine in the back (gas or diesel) which provides a totally flat chassis surface to the manufacturers. With this, they have the ability to design a large number of coach and floor plan options. What we have here is a chassis that has changed the RV universe forever!
The flat surface delivered with this chassis will allow interior designers to come up with new and dynamic floor plans that RVers are going to find pleasing to the eye and quite befitting of their lifestyle. This footprint also allows additional freedom in design choices and the placement of slide-outs because there are four wheelbase selections to choose from; 208, 228, 242 and 262 inches.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this new product is what you push it with, and that can be gas OR diesel. This has always been a point of frustration with seasoned RVers because they really like the concept of the diesel pusher (engine in the rear) but did not drive it enough to justify the price increase over gas (engine in the front). Most RVers perceive the pusher to be a more dramatic choice than the front engine models.
RV couples love to tease each other about the husband selecting all things on the exterior and the wife selecting all things on the interior. They will both be celebrating when they see the excitement that new models built on this platform creates. (See the accompanying sidebar article on page 11 that showcases the new models from Monaco and Winnebago that can be ordered from Lazydays now!)
The rear gas model features the impressive 8.1 Liter GM Vortec, a proven workhorse in the Workhorse family of front engine gas models. With a GVWR of 26,000 lbs., this becomes the industry-leading gas offering for motorhome construction. A feature that will not go unnoticed by an experienced RVer looking for their next motorhome! The UFO also provides amazing maneuverability with a 55” wheel cut that will make it real easy for driving down narrow campground trails, maneuvering in small parking lots, or navigating challenging fuel stations along your journey.
For the technology aficionados, the transmission and cooling systems will get a lot of attention when reviewing all things powerful in these new motorhome offerings. Regardless of engine selection, it will be driven by the Allison 2000 Series, automatic 6-speed transmission, with advanced 5th and 6th gear overdrives that will have you zooming down the highway at reduced RPM’s, creating a quieter ride and enhanced fuel economy.
The Transmission Grade Braking System slows the coach when descending steep grades for increased safety and prolonged brake life. You are going to really appreciate the five year or 20,000 mile warranty that the premium synthetic transmission fluid provides … also known as piece of mind!
Recognizing the exceptional climate and driving scenarios encountered by RVers, the designers put a lot of effort into developing this system. Testing was conducted under the difficult conditions found in Death Valley where the temperatures rose to 116 degrees! The Workhorse cool pack design has a transmission fluid cooler and oil cooler incorporated into the radiator’s side tanks, which also contain high-efficiency turbulators. This unique design eliminated the auxiliary oil and transmission fluid coolers located in front of the radiator that obstruct air flow.
In “the best is yet to come” category we have several exciting floorplans that will soon be introduced by the manufacturers who are already working on this new chassis. With a completely flat floor from front to rear that totally eliminates the front engine dog house and rear engine covers, there are absolutely no restrictions on a designer’s imagination. This is going to be the most fun these folks have had in the office for years and we are all waiting with anticipation to see the ingenious designs that will be forthcoming and available on the dealer lots by the time you read this review!
Also, the Workhorse UFO is equipped with adjustable brake pedals and an 18-inch steering wheel that can be vinyl or leather wrapped, and a standard touch pad shifter that provides effortless gear selection while showing which gear is engaged. The advanced quadraulic braking system has four-wheel disc brakes for shorter stopping distances and a four-wheel anti-lock function for dependable braking in harsh conditions such as wet or icy roads.