NEW THOR OWNER THREAD -- Things every new Thor owner must know

[MEWright]

I have seen this floated a few times here so I decide to start it. I am a new Thor Palazzo 33.3 owner (2015 33.3 with 16K). I pick it up this Friday 7/27. This is our first RV. I hope this thread helps all THOR newcomers.

So here is the threads mission;

1. What have you done to identify or locate then to solve a factory issue?
mechanical, cabin, exterior etc...
2. What signs tipped you off to the potential issues that you subsequently
found and resolved.
3. What would you recommend that every new Thor owner do before heading
out on the first trip?
4. What spare parts do you carry? Belts, tensioners, wiper blades, roof repair
kits, etc...
5. Currently owns or having owned one in the past what are the primary
issues that a new Thor owner WILL run into (no pun intended)?

PICS WOULD HELP ALLOT IF YOU TOOK ANY...Links to other threads will also help. TIA, I have learned allot from this forum already.

[MEWright]

Does anyone carry a spare tire or spare tire mounted on a rim?

[appsol]

Originally Posted by MEWright

Does anyone carry a spare tire or spare tire mounted on a rim?

Considering the amount of space a spare would take, the weight of the mounted tire and rim, and the equipment required to jack up the RV and change a mounted tire, or the even more difficult job of field mounting a new tire on the rim as well, most people probably choose to use their emergency road service provider. While having one extra tire with you would save some time, what if you need two replacments, as we did last year, or what about the natural aging of that extra tire if you carry it around for several years before needing it?



We had a failure of the inner rear dual last summer, which in turn took out the outer rear dual. One phone call to Coachnet and the problem was taken care of. Coachnet contacted several local tire dealers to check availability or replacement tires then called us back to inform us of the options. They followed up to be sure we were safe, that the tire dealer had arrived, and that the work was completed.


Since we have a separate extended warranty/tire service contract that paid for the replacement tires and Coachnet paid for the service call. Total down time was about 3 hours.

[MEWright]

Originally Posted by appsol

Considering the amount of space a spare would take, the weight of the mounted tire and rim, and the equipment required to jack up the RV and change a mounted tire, or the even more difficult job of field mounting a new tire on the rim as well, most people probably choose to use their emergency road service provider. While having one extra tire with you would save some time, what if you need two replacments, as we did last year, or what about the natural aging of that extra tire if you carry it around for several years before needing it?



We had a failure of the inner rear dual last summer, which in turn took out the outer rear dual. One phone call to Coachnet and the problem was taken care of. Coachnet contacted several local tire dealers to check availability or replacement tires then called us back to inform us of the options. They followed up to be sure we were safe, that the tire dealer had arrived, and that the work was completed.


Since we have a separate extended warranty/tire service contract that paid for the replacement tires and Coachnet paid for the service call. Total down time was about 3 hours.

Thats what I figured. I am planning on having a roadside plan and tire plan. Have the opportunity to PU 2 tires on rims for Free that should fit the coach, tires are good. May get them and put them on CL and use the cash for more important necessities. Thanks for the reply APPSOL.

[appsol]

Originally Posted by MEWright

Thats what I figured. I am planning on having a roadside plan and tire plan. Have the opportunity to PU 2 tires on rims for Free that should fit the coach, tires are good. May get them and put them on CL and use the cash for more important necessities. Thanks for the reply APPSOL.

Remember to check the date codes on any tires that "are good." It is much more common for RV tires to age out than to wear out.

[StanleyB]

Originally Posted by MEWright

I have seen this floated a few times here so I decide to start it. I am a new Thor Palazzo 33.3 owner (2015 33.3 with 16K). I pick it up this Friday 7/27. This is our first RV. I hope this thread helps all THOR newcomers.

So here is the threads mission;

1. What have you done to identify or locate then to solve a factory issue?
mechanical, cabin, exterior etc...
2. What signs tipped you off to the potential issues that you subsequently
found and resolved.
3. What would you recommend that every new Thor owner do before heading
out on the first trip?
4. What spare parts do you carry? Belts, tensioners, wiper blades, roof repair
kits, etc...
5. Currently owns or having owned one in the past what are the primary
issues that a new Thor owner WILL run into (no pun intended)?

PICS WOULD HELP ALLOT IF YOU TOOK ANY...Links to other threads will also help. TIA, I have learned allot from this forum already.

As the owner of a 2017 Palazzo 36.3 purchased new and only owner - After telling everyone ANYTHING BUT THOR - I will tell you for any factory issues DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! - even if the dealer says they are taking care of it or contacting THOR - make them give you copies of all paperwork - check in documents - copies of work orders and make sure you get everyone's name.

Everything from what you thing is minor will become major and will drive you crazy. You will have to send copy after copy to THOR - and still not get things fixed. My RV has been in more repair times and weeks in "Warranty" work then I have seen or been able to use it. Most of my mileage has been round trips to dealers and EVEN THOR without resolution to many problems. IF you have a tilt-a-view bed BEWARE of the ability for the bed platform to move even when the slide is closed or partially open.

I have dozens of picture and dozens of e-mails - still working on getting things fixed after 16 months.

[c.jones]

I am thinking strongly of buying a Palazzo 33.3 but I can't find the cargo carry capacity anywhere. Since you own one, could you please list that info for us who are thinking of buying it? I am unsure it will have enough capacity for us as we are wanting to full time in it. It would be our home. We also plan on modifying it quite a bit to fit better with our lifestyle. Could you let me know what the GVWR, UVW, SCWR, CCC, and the GCWR are for the Palazzo 33.3.

Thanks for your help!

C Jones

[Robf]

2016 33.3 here, purchased new, now have 27000 miles on it. Great advise so far on previous posts.
1 as exciting as it is to set out on the open road, do not drive it off the lot until it is the way you want it, no matter how small the issue is.
2 Assemble a set of tools dedicated for the coach.
3 inspect top to bottom before and after each trip looking for drips, things coming loose etc
4 don't be afraid to ask questions, I have performed several successful repairs with the help of this forum.

As for the spare, there is no right answer. I carry a "used old tire" only, no rim. fits flat in the double door bay.
I frequently travel in very remote parts of the us. Lets say it is sunday evening and I am in the middle of no where, I am certain I can find a tire service truck to to put my tire on my rim and I will be on my way. It affords me the time to find the "TIRE I WANT" and not be forced to purchase a tire that may not match what I have. Not to mention the price of Road side tire$$$$.

Spare parts on board....
fuel filter
Water separator filter
Oil Filter
plus anything I replace such as the fresh water pump, water selection valve etc. all of these old parts are packaged and stowed away on board in case I need those parts on the road to get me home.

[iluvuk]

Originally Posted by c.jones

I am thinking strongly of buying a Palazzo 33.3 but I can't find the cargo carry capacity anywhere. Since you own one, could you please list that info for us who are thinking of buying it? I am unsure it will have enough capacity for us as we are wanting to full time in it. It would be our home. We also plan on modifying it quite a bit to fit better with our lifestyle. Could you let me know what the GVWR, UVW, SCWR, CCC, and the GCWR are for the Palazzo 33.3.

Thanks for your help!

C Jones

Mine says 3526 pounds CCC

[MEWright]

Originally Posted by c.jones

I am thinking strongly of buying a Palazzo 33.3 but I can't find the cargo carry capacity anywhere. Since you own one, could you please list that info for us who are thinking of buying it? I am unsure it will have enough capacity for us as we are wanting to full time in it. It would be our home. We also plan on modifying it quite a bit to fit better with our lifestyle. Could you let me know what the GVWR, UVW, SCWR, CCC, and the GCWR are for the Palazzo 33.3.

Thanks for your help!

C Jones

This may help you.
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2015-...an-333-tr21806

It does not show the storage bay capacity but We have plenty of room so far.

[MEWright]

Originally Posted by MEWright

I have seen this floated a few times here so I decide to start it. I am a new Thor Palazzo 33.3 owner (2015 33.3 with 16K). I pick it up this Friday 7/27. This is our first RV. I hope this thread helps all THOR newcomers.

So here is the threads mission;

1. What have you done to identify or locate then to solve a factory issue?
mechanical, cabin, exterior etc...
2. What signs tipped you off to the potential issues that you subsequently
found and resolved.
3. What would you recommend that every new Thor owner do before heading
out on the first trip?
4. What spare parts do you carry? Belts, tensioners, wiper blades, roof repair
kits, etc...
5. Currently owns or having owned one in the past what are the primary
issues that a new Thor owner WILL run into (no pun intended)?

PICS WOULD HELP ALLOT IF YOU TOOK ANY...Links to other threads will also help. TIA, I have learned allot from this forum already.

Exactly 2 months to the date and I have learned allot about my coach. My Palazzo is being returned ot the dealership for replacement. Long story I will post in new thread but the take away is this;

If you are buying a used coach, buy from a reputable dealer and
1. Call motor manufacturer (in our case it was Cummings)
2. Call frame manufacturer (in our case it was Freightliner)

Find out if there is any previous history with that coach based on serial number.

Cummings had a laundry list of issues in several service locations that did not show up on carfax but did not show up when it was towed to Freightliner. We had to call Cummings and find out.

This information may not show up in on a carfax report as nothing showed on ours. Do not think a clean caarfax is OK. It may not be.

Dealership is taking the coach back, 100% refund and we are getting a new coach from them. No private seller would have done this.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by MEWright

Exactly 2 months to the date and I have learned allot about my coach. My Palazzo is being returned ot the dealership for replacement. Long story I will post in new thread but the take away is this;

If you are buying a used coach, buy from a reputable dealer and
1. Call motor manufacturer (in our case it was Cummings)
2. Call frame manufacturer (in our case it was Freightliner)

Find out if there is any previous history with that coach based on serial number.

Cummings had a laundry list of issues in several service locations that did not show up on carfax but did not show up when it was towed to Freightliner. We had to call Cummings and find out.

This information may not show up in on a carfax report as nothing showed on ours. Do not think a clean caarfax is OK. It may not be.

Dealership is taking the coach back, 100% refund and we are getting a new coach from them. No private seller would have done this.

I am anxiously awaiting your next topic! It's a rare day you can get a dealer to accept a return. Was there some kind of deliberate concealment of prior damage or faults?

[MEWright]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

I am anxiously awaiting your next topic! It's a rare day you can get a dealer to accept a return. Was there some kind of deliberate concealment of prior damage or faults?

No deliberate concealment, just a dealership that prides itself in not selling problem coaches. Check out my blog for the whole story.

iRV2 Forums - MEWright

[MEWright]

Originally Posted by StanleyB

As the owner of a 2017 Palazzo 36.3 purchased new and only owner - After telling everyone ANYTHING BUT THOR - I will tell you for any factory issues DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! - even if the dealer says they are taking care of it or contacting THOR - make them give you copies of all paperwork - check in documents - copies of work orders and make sure you get everyone's name.

Everything from what you thing is minor will become major and will drive you crazy. You will have to send copy after copy to THOR - and still not get things fixed. My RV has been in more repair times and weeks in "Warranty" work then I have seen or been able to use it. Most of my mileage has been round trips to dealers and EVEN THOR without resolution to many problems. IF you have a tilt-a-view bed BEWARE of the ability for the bed platform to move even when the slide is closed or partially open.

I have dozens of picture and dozens of e-mails - still working on getting things fixed after 16 months.

I feel your pain. We got out of the Thor and into a Fleetwood Discovery 40G.
You should read my blog about the entire ordeal.

Sorry your experience sucks, I hope it gets better.