Palazzo Owners

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

What is the fuel economy counter ? I have a 2013 33.2. I'm not sure I have that or don't know how to find it?

In the center of the dash there is a "LCD Information Center" display that you can cycle through that provides a number of selections such as pre-trip check list, current date, ODO, etc. and one of the selections is labeled "Todays Fuel Ecn" which can be zeroed out at any time to check you current fuel mileage. Once you zero it may take awhile to get a stable mileage because it is averaged over time and distance. You use the toggle switch (right, left, up, and down arrows on top) to the left to scroll through the selections.

I attached a copy from a page in my Fireside Chat booklet, sorry for the poor quality!

[Luvrkds]

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

What I am about to say is passing on information I received from Camp Freightliner and two different "Fireside Chats" with Freightliner representatives at the Thor Diesel Club (Eureka Springs, AR) rally and Freightliner Chassis Owners Club rally (Sturgis, SD).

At these rallies there were a lot of people that felt like some on this forum that the mode button was worthless, it did noting, why have it, etc. To that the Freightliner folks said you do not have to use it. Go ahead and drive as fast as you want and down shift manually to give you more RPM, and let your engine idle for too long after starting, or when you stop at rest or fueling stops because you see those truckers do it. BTW, excessive idling is a big waste of fuel but you see there are people that have tons of money to waste on fuel so they idle, will not consider the economy mode button, drive 70-80 MPH because they can.

Now to the subject of the mode button. The mode button changes the transmission from performance (default mode button off) to an economy (mode button selected and small red light appears in upper R/H corner of button). This change has to do with the shift points both when shifting up and down (shifts to the higher gear at a lower RPM). Once you are in 6th gear (66 on the selector) there is no impact on the drive gear ratio. The point of the switch is to get you to 6th gear sooner and govern when you shift out of 6th gear. Bottom line, you will burn more fuel at 2000+ RPM then at 1500 RPM. More time at 2000+ RPM = more fuel burnt.

When I posted my results of using the mode button, using cruise control as much as possible, and trying to maintain my speed at 60 MPH (1500 RPM) was to report the results. There were times when I turned off the mode button to get better performance entering the interstate or had to manually downshift to maintain RPM climbing a steep hill but for the majority of the 2700 mile trip I used the mode button and on average I got 1.5 MPG better then not taking these economy measures...I was not in a hurry and drove 400-500 miles per day when we were moving from place to place.

Thanks for restating what the Freightliner instructors said at the camp . Makes more sense now.

Bill, 2013. 33.2

[ChallengerRN]

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

In the center of the dash there is a "LCD Information Center" display that you can cycle through that provides a number of selections such as pre-trip check list, current date, ODO, etc. and one of the selections is labeled "Todays Fuel Ecn" which can be zeroed out at any time to check you current fuel mileage. Once you zero it may take awhile to get a stable mileage because it is averaged over time and distance. You use the toggle switch (right, left, up, and down arrows on top) to the left to scroll through the selections.

I attached a copy from a page in my Fireside Chat booklet, sorry for the poor quality!

Thanks for the info--I went down to barn and ran thru all the selections-mine didn't come up anything about Fuel Econ. But it is behind something else. When I found it and brought it up it stays on the selection list now. I have 17,000 mile on my RV and was hoping that it would of had milage data on it. It just shows three slashes- so I guess u have to set it once to get it started. Thanks again

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

Thanks for the info--I went down to barn and ran thru all the selections-mine didn't come up anything about Fuel Econ. But it is behind something else. When I found it and brought it up it stays on the selection list now. I have 17,000 mile on my RV and was hoping that it would of had milage data on it. It just shows three slashes- so I guess u have to set it once to get it started. Thanks again

You are welcome, happy to have helped! 17000 miles, super! We just rolled over 10K on this last trip.

[Butte64]

The LBCU selection information starts on p. 2.5 in the Freightliner manual.
I made a quick reference guide to the options as follows:


LBCU DISPLAY
Generator Hours
Date & Time
Odometer
Today: Distance - Time - Fuel - Fuel Economy - Avg Speed - Idle Time

Leg: Distance - Time - Fuel - Fuel Economy - Avg Speed - Idle Time

Trip: Distance - Time - Fuel - Fuel Economy - Avg Speed - Idle Time

Road: Speed - Engine RPM - Oil Pressure - Inst Fuel Economy - Fuel Used - Engine Hours - Engine Temp - Turbo Pressure - Voltage - Cruise Speed

Transmission Temp -Gear Attained

[JohnRR]

Originally Posted by Texas61

What a great site!! You can replace Palazzo owner Girtex - 33.1 with Texas61 because we just purchased his RV last weekend. We took our first trip in it this weekend and are working through a few kinks but we love it!! Once we figure out how to quiet down the big slide -all will be great!

Thanks
Bud & Mary

[Berlin Kid]

Originally Posted by Butte64

Do a search on "must haves" and it will show the thread in the Motorhomes Class A thread. Many messages with a lot of useful information as well some attempts at humor.

Thanks...found the thread. Just gotta know how to ask the question.

[MikeAndPeggy]

The first of a pair of "twist out" windows on the driver's side lost its adhesion at the top and came loose. The two thin metal arms that control the window movement were the only thing keeping the window from falling to the ground. I removed the window And taped something to the screen to keep the space closed. I'll take it in for repair when we return home.

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by RKNOLA

You can add us to your list! We pick up our 2013 Palazzo 33.2 this Friday! We are so excited!!

Well, we were SUPPOSED to pick up our new 33.2 today (July 5, 2013) but now we are pushed back to next week because the dealership has to change out the slide motor. The slide motor that is in the coach is the Lippert model but it is the smaller motor. Thor/Lippert wanted the smaller motor switched out to the larger slide motor. The dealership tried to get the new motor but found out that Thor is closed for the first 2 weeks in July so that hindered the delivery of the new motor. Hopefully they will get the new motor sometime today or Monday of next week and we can pick up the new coach next Saturday.
I still can't believe that the Thor factory CLOSES during the first 2 weeks of July!! That is like a Sky Resort closing in January!!! Considering RV'ing is a heavily "summer" based industry I can't understand why closing during the height of the summer season would be deemed a good idea by Thor officials!! Oh well, I will get off of my soap box now......... Just really disappointed!! I hope this isn't an omen of things to come with this company.

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by RKNOLA

Well, we were SUPPOSED to pick up our new 33.2 today (July 5, 2013) but now we are pushed back to next week because the dealership has to change out the slide motor. The slide motor that is in the coach is the Lippert model but it is the smaller motor. Thor/Lippert wanted the smaller motor switched out to the larger slide motor. The dealership tried to get the new motor but found out that Thor is closed for the first 2 weeks in July so that hindered the delivery of the new motor. Hopefully they will get the new motor sometime today or Monday of next week and we can pick up the new coach next Saturday.
I still can't believe that the Thor factory CLOSES during the first 2 weeks of July!! That is like a Sky Resort closing in January!!! Considering RV'ing is a heavily "summer" based industry I can't understand why closing during the height of the summer season would be deemed a good idea by Thor officials!! Oh well, I will get off of my soap box now......... Just really disappointed!! I hope this isn't an omen of things to come with this company.

I would like to bring up one other item you should mention to your dealership besides the larger motor for the 33.2 is a different connecting shaft (connects upper and lower gearing). Thor discovered that the original connecting shaft made from aluminum will twist and flex under load and is being replaced by a steel shaft on 33.2 model due to the extra weight of the larger slide.

It is not unusual for large manufacturing operations to do a scheduled closing, sometimes in conjunction with an established holiday (4th of July). It is better to have one big disruption then a bunch of small disruptions when workers take vacations at different times during the summer.

I am sorry that your delivery was delayed but I would not look too deeply into this untimely event.

Welcome to the Palazzo family and Happy RVing!

[Luvrkds]

Originally Posted by RKNOLA

Well, we were SUPPOSED to pick up our new 33.2 today (July 5, 2013) but now we are pushed back to next week because the dealership has to change out the slide motor. The slide motor that is in the coach is the Lippert model but it is the smaller motor. Thor/Lippert wanted the smaller motor switched out to the larger slide motor. The dealership tried to get the new motor but found out that Thor is closed for the first 2 weeks in July so that hindered the delivery of the new motor. Hopefully they will get the new motor sometime today or Monday of next week and we can pick up the new coach next Saturday.
I still can't believe that the Thor factory CLOSES during the first 2 weeks of July!! That is like a Sky Resort closing in January!!! Considering RV'ing is a heavily "summer" based industry I can't understand why closing during the height of the summer season would be deemed a good idea by Thor officials!! Oh well, I will get off of my soap box now......... Just really disappointed!! I hope this isn't an omen of things to come with this company.

Two trips to Elkhart, resulted in Lippert/Thor installing new systems (2x) where steel shafts and stronger motors were installed. Pls review my several posts on our very troublesome slide. Knock on wood, so far all's well.

Bill, 2013. 33,2

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

I would like to bring up one other item you should mention to your dealership besides the larger motor for the 33.2 is a different connecting shaft (connects upper and lower gearing). Thor discovered that the original connecting shaft made from aluminum will twist and flex under load and is being replaced by a steel shaft on 33.2 model due to the extra weight of the larger slide.

It is not unusual for large manufacturing operations to do a scheduled closing, sometimes in conjunction with an established holiday (4th of July). It is better to have one big disruption then a bunch of small disruptions when workers take vacations at different times during the summer.

I am sorry that your delivery was delayed but I would not look too deeply into this untimely event.

Welcome to the Palazzo family and Happy RVing!

Thank you very much for the heads up! I will call the dealership right now!!

[RKNOLA]

Originally Posted by Luvrkds

Two trips to Elkhart, resulted in Lippert/Thor installing new systems (2x) where steel shafts and stronger motors were installed. Pls review my several posts on our very troublesome slide. Knock on wood, so far all's well.

Bill, 2013. 33,2

Thank you for your help. I am hoping we can avoid slide issues by knowing what to look for early!!
Like I told Mrs. Arnold, I am going to call the dealership right now!!
Thanks!

[Indy1951]

Originally Posted by RKNOLA

Well, we were SUPPOSED to pick up our new 33.2 today (July 5, 2013) but now we are pushed back to next week because the dealership has to change out the slide motor. The slide motor that is in the coach is the Lippert model but it is the smaller motor. Thor/Lippert wanted the smaller motor switched out to the larger slide motor. The dealership tried to get the new motor but found out that Thor is closed for the first 2 weeks in July so that hindered the delivery of the new motor. Hopefully they will get the new motor sometime today or Monday of next week and we can pick up the new coach next Saturday.
I still can't believe that the Thor factory CLOSES during the first 2 weeks of July!! That is like a Sky Resort closing in January!!! Considering RV'ing is a heavily "summer" based industry I can't understand why closing during the height of the summer season would be deemed a good idea by Thor officials!! Oh well, I will get off of my soap box now......... Just really disappointed!! I hope this isn't an omen of things to come with this company.

Interesting on the factory being on a two week shutdown. Was told my 33.2 was scheduled to go online July 9th. I retired from Allison Transmission and they always scheduled a two week shutdown in the summer. If a certain model transmissions was back logged that particular area of the factory would continue to work during the shut down while the rest of the factory was on a two week vacation. Same could be true with Thor.