Palazzo Owners

[Gingerela]

[QUOTE=Palazzoblues;1883277]This kind of major problem is not supposed to happen to a brand new RV.

I sympathize with your situation. I would be on here complaining like a madwoman if that were me. While I have slide issues too, they have not yet reached the degree to where yours are. I agree that you have major problems and Thor should have at least tested the slide properly before releasing it for delivery.

As we all know, there is little quality control in this industry. Thor is not alone. I have read that even million dollar coaches have problems. I agree that Thor has had many when it comes to their choice of slide out design, but I do take issue with the fact that they continue to manufacture them the same way. Our warranty months are ticking by while our units are being repaired. That leaves little time to really use your coach to check for other issues that need addressing.

While I hate the concept of class action lawsuits, this is what comes to mind when I see how common these issues are. Unfortunately, someone, somewhere, will eventually bring it to that. I hope not. That just makes lawyers richer, while us owners would get a $25.00 'bandaid' repair and still lose value on our coaches. However, it would definitely wisen them up and get them to correct the problem once and for all.

I feel your pain. I am headed to Elkhart so I don't waste any more time at my local service dealer who is ill prepared to address my repairs. They keep saying they can, but they aren't able to. In the meantime, my coach just sits there while the clock keeps ticking. My warranty will run out before I have the chance to really give my Palazzo a decent shake down.

While I don't take sides on the issue of complaining publically as I do my fair share of it, I do believe that as we address common problems and share their resolutions, all of us are learning. This makes us better equipped to handle those problems if and when they arise. The fixes that I've learned about here have helped me tremendously, whether self repaired or by Thor.

I liked seeing your photos. Now I know what I should be looking for if this occurs to me. My gut feeling tells me that my slide will eventually end up the way yours has if not fixed properly. It's half way there already. Thank you for sharing.

[Gingerela]

Originally Posted by mikebrls

funny thing is that a Prevost cost as much as 7 or 8 Palazzo's and then some
I guess if I had a million dollars to drop it would be a nice to be king of the road

I agree! I hope to be Queen of the road some day, sitting in a Prevost of my own. For now, I'll be happy in my Palazzo. But should those six winning numbers finally pan out...

[Batten54]

Originally Posted by Berlin Kid

Stopped at a rest area on I-75 SB just North of Macon, GA for lunch. This pulled in beside me and made my Palazzo look puny. Oh well, I'm guessing he had to pay 10 times more. He was pulling a tri-axle trailer with a car and motorcycle inside.

Thanks for the photos! I had to put a towel over the laptop I was drooling so much...lol. That's got to be a million + before the trailer. They are made up the road from me in Miami OK. Once in a while I pass by and look at several lined up along the fence...wonder who they are going to. Sure wish they would draw my Powerball number...lol!

[jimbooth25]

Originally Posted by Palazzoblues

We are not "anti palazzo". I OWN a Palazzo that I have not seen since the first week I "took delivery" of it. Maybe you can help us understand how you have had such good luck with your Schwintek slide out. Have you not had any "abnormal" situations with it? How many times have you used your slide out?

I use my slide out like others do I first make sure I am leaves befor putting it out etc, also once in a spot I open it and leave it open only close it when I need to (weather, leaving) the only issue I have had wax with a thermo disk relay that was the wrong one for what was to be there. So I don't think I am doing anything different than others, I was also told that when moving the slides in or out there should be no persons in the seats/ bunks when doing so as that will put a strain on the area they are in whial it's moving

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

O they put you in one!! I tried that route. I just decided not to take the loss at this point. I was willing to take a hit. Just not that big of hit.

If one of the owners that are so vocal about the ones of us that feel we have been penalized here wants their friend to have a Palazzo I've got one I'll sell you. Special January special 2013. 33.2. $120,000.00. Lol

Russell

LOL!!! Love it Russell!! See if they want to buy two????

[Batten54]

Originally Posted by Gingerela

I noticed how poorly my 35.1 reacts to even the slightest wind gust. On our drive home from Myrtle Beach over the holidays, I ended up in the middle of the lane to my left when a really strong gust of wind slammed into my right side. Thankfully, there was no one to my left, but I started driving 40 on a 65mph highway the rest of the way home.

Is there anything I can do to avoid that in future? I'm sure there's some kind of expensive gadget I can get for that.

Although I'm sorry you are also having handling problems in the wind, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. We've had the same exact issues with our 36.1, and it's always windy on I40 west of Okla. City.

I've played with tire pressures following the Goodyear sheet, and had local Freightliner shop align it. Both those helped a little...but far from the way it should handle. Hopefully others will post what they have tried and we can find the best solution. I think there are 3 or 4 different steering add-ons to help with this.

Mine almost feels like a loose steering linkage. It kind of darts back and forth...if that makes since. When the shop did the alignment they did adjust and/or shim it, so I know it's not something loose.

I've got about 9,750 miles on it now. The issues have always been there. I generally run 2,000 rpm which is about 63 mph. On rare occasions when there has been no wind I've run 65-70 but even then too squirrelly above that. We've had to park several times and wait out the wind. And like you said...40-45 best speed.

I would think there is something to take care of all this.
Who else besides Gingerela and us have had (or have now) these issues?
What did you try? Did it work completely...or help some?

Thanks for the help!

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by Palazzoblues

If only Thor could make this right... I'd stop complaining. We are going on over 60 days without our Palazzo. It was parked in our yard for 1 week after we took it home.

Ditto Palazzoblues!!! I am with you!!

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

On a previous post I suggested I had an antifreeze leak while my palazzo been in barn for 3 months. Was small leak maybe a pint or little more. Temp got to -17 so my thought was it probably cold water leak.

I check all hoses and found one large hose on the transmission cooler (I think) had been leaking. I think it is the cooler. It is an aluminum box about 4" square just inside rear bumper. It has a 2" hose on each end with hose clamps.

One clamp was showing a leak. All four clamp for sure needed tightened up. Takes a 5/16 small socket to tighten.

Russell

Thanks for giving us good information to check. I was able to see my Palazzo this weekend and as a result of your post I did a thorough check for leaks. This is the kind of information we need to see more to help each other out.

[Gingerela]

Originally Posted by Butte64

Thanks for giving us good information to check. I was able to see my Palazzo this weekend and as a result of your post I did a thorough check for leaks. This is the kind of information we need to see more to help each other out.

I wish I knew where to look! I don't even know where the transmission is, let alone what to check. LOL.

How would I even know if I had a leak?

[Batten54]

Mine's in the shop now...think I'll call them and have them check for leaks while it's there! Thanks for the heads up!

[Batten54]

When we were at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and also at NASCAR races last fall, I noticed some people using Genturi. Looks like a good idea to get fumes and noise up and out of the way. Anyone out there use it? How do you like it, does it really work? Does it hold up ok...or fall apart after a few uses?

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by wstrace3

X2 jack. I come to learn from you guys. I just read on the sticky thread on slide issues that rknola has thor picking up his unit, fixing it at the factory and bringing it back to him. Very sorry he has to do that but he is seeking a fix to the problem vs complaining. I dont have problems. Maybe they are coming but I can promise I'll get it taken care of if I do. I'm sure there will be many in defense of said chronic complainer and so be it. These threads have become less educational anyways.

I have tried to inform others of our experiences and the "Thor Solutions" we have been given. I am sorry if the stories of my unfortunate situations bothers people. It bothers me too!!
Maybe all of you could start a thread and call it "We bury our head in the sand and hope it dosen't happen to us".
That should fix it all!!
Now, if your slide ever does malfunction on your Palazzo, you are on your own............... Good Luck!!
Anyone that has slide issues and wants to VENT please feel free to PM me so we don't bother anyone with our "Complaining"

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by Batten54

Although I'm sorry you are also having handling problems in the wind, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. We've had the same exact issues with our 36.1, and it's always windy on I40 west of Okla. City.

I've played with tire pressures following the Goodyear sheet, and had local Freightliner shop align it. Both those helped a little...but far from the way it should handle. Hopefully others will post what they have tried and we can find the best solution. I think there are 3 or 4 different steering add-ons to help with this.

Mine almost feels like a loose steering linkage. It kind of darts back and forth...if that makes since. When the shop did the alignment they did adjust and/or shim it, so I know it's not something loose.

I've got about 9,750 miles on it now. The issues have always been there. I generally run 2,000 rpm which is about 63 mph. On rare occasions when there has been no wind I've run 65-70 but even then too squirrelly above that. We've had to park several times and wait out the wind. And like you said...40-45 best speed.

I would think there is something to take care of all this.
Who else besides Gingerela and us have had (or have now) these issues?
What did you try? Did it work completely...or help some?

Thanks for the help!

I have not done anything except adjust tire pressure. Since I don't have any experience with a tag axle or other large RVs maybe I don't know what I should expect but it seems to me that with the big area we have it is not surprising to feel the wind, especially when lightly loaded. Although I don't like the push from the wind what is worse is road ruts from the big rigs. They can be hard to see but I can really feel it. Major difference from smooth road.

The only thing I can say for sure is that my Palazzo handles far better than the gasser coach I test drove and as far as I can tell the same as the larger DP I test drove.

Nothing yet as scary as the time years ago when my father was driving a VW van across the Golden Gate bridge when suddenly we were in the next lane facing oncoming traffic.

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by Gingerela

I wish I knew where to look! I don't even know where the transmission is, let alone what to check. LOL.

How would I even know if I had a leak?

Puddles on the floor at the rear end. Of the coach, I mean.