Community Forums

TheArnolds · 07-08-2013, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cucamelsmd15

Ive been looking at the Palazzo as a MH/tow vehicle for my 6000lb trailer. While there are a few others in the running (Forest River FR3 mainly), is the 33.1 floorplan being discontinued? I cant seem to find a 2014 33.1, but lots of 33.2 and 33.3 floorplans. I have no use for the W/D combo, and the 33.1 is significantly lighter according to Thor, which would give me some more towing headroom.

The Thor WEB site still list the 33.1 (2014 model) @ 2014 Palazzo Motorhomes: Class A Diesel RV by Thor Motor Coach so my guess is it is still being manufactured and a quick search of the internet I found them for sale. Example; 2014 Thor PALAZZO 33.1 for sale | Concord, NC

Maybe they are being sold as quickly as they hit the dealerships

cucamelsmd15 · 07-08-2013, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

The Thor WEB site still list the 33.1 (2014 model) @ 2014 Palazzo Motorhomes: Class A Diesel RV by Thor Motor Coach so my guess is it is still being manufactured and a quick search of the internet I found them for sale. Example; 2014 Thor PALAZZO 33.1 for sale | Concord, NC

Maybe they are being sold as quickly as they hit the dealerships

Could be, I also saw the Thor website listed them as well. The one at Tom Johnson is a 2013 IIRC, because we looked at it about 3 weeks ago.

The search continues.

TheArnolds · 07-08-2013, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cucamelsmd15

Could be, I also saw the Thor website listed them as well. The one at Tom Johnson is a 2013 IIRC, because we looked at it about 3 weeks ago.

The search continues.

Good luck with your search!

The pictures on the Tom Johnson WEB site is of a 2014, it shows flush mounted windows which were not offered on the 2013 so maybe they have a 2014 now?

Luvrkds · 07-08-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy1951

Tom,
I would be interested to know if future 33.2's coming off the line will have the updated rods and motor for the large slide. If you don't mind would you ask that question for me. Mine is supposed to go online 7/9/2013.
Thanks,
John

7/8/13, 33.2
Just came back from a trip and my large slide started to make familiar noises when driving and retracting. This does NOT give a comfortable feeling when packing up from a camping site!. What to EXPECT???????
Well, just checked with Safford RV (Fredericksburg) to come by for a checkout since I have a another long trip coming up soon. Nice folks there, BUT they currently have several Palazzo's waiting for word from THOR and how to fix (AGAIN) !. The Thor rep was there a couple of weeks ago and now this.
Note: One of the Palazzo's waiting had to remove both motors this past weekend in order to return to Safford.
Sure do hope that THOR gets a handle on this lingering, demoralizing problem on our otherwise wonderful RV.

Bill

TheArnolds · 07-08-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luvrkds

7/8/13, 33.2
Just came back from a trip and my large slide started to make familiar noises when driving and retracting. This does NOT give a comfortable feeling when packing up from a camping site!. What to EXPECT???????
Well, just checked with Safford RV (Fredericksburg) to come by for a checkout since I have a another long trip coming up soon. Nice folks there, BUT they currently have several Palazzo's waiting for word from THOR and how to fix (AGAIN) !. The Thor rep was there a couple of weeks ago and now this.
Note: One of the Palazzo's waiting had to remove both motors this past weekend in order to return to Safford.
Sure do hope that THOR gets a handle on this lingering, demoralizing problem on our otherwise wonderful RV.

Bill

Bill,

Understanding that you have the larger slide, 33.2, has Thor done anything to your slide, larger motors, steel connecting shaft?

How all gets fixed before you travel again!

Thanks!
Jack

Luvrkds · 07-08-2013, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

Bill,

Understanding that you have the larger slide, 33.2, has Thor done anything to your slide, larger motors, steel connecting shaft?

How all gets fixed before you travel again!

Thanks!
Jack

If I understand your question correctly- all of the above items including a roller were installed on our return visit to Thor in May. Hope that answers your question.

Bill

TheArnolds · 07-08-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luvrkds

If I understand your question correctly- all of the above items including a roller were installed on our return visit to Thor in May. Hope that answers your question.

Bill

Yes, thanks!

User1011 · 07-08-2013, 04:46 PM

Spoke with a tech support person in CS at Thor today regarding slide malfunction issues. The tech person, Chris, detailed the slide mechanism on the Palazzo. He suggested to view U-Tube presentations on the "Schwintek." He stated that the slide must be opened and retracted with the coach LEVEL. Slides should be FULLY opened/retracted; no partial open/close.

Should you experience any abnormal sound or motion of the slide under operation you need to STOP operation of the slide immediately! The 'brain' or control box (black/white motor synchronizer box) should be reset before attempting further operation of the slide.

Viewing the U-Tube segments (there are several) you can see the Schwintek mechanism and how it is designed. The U-Tube also explains what to do if you are traveling and should incur a problem which would necessitate the need to manually close and secure the slide(s) for safe travel.

Firstimers · 07-08-2013, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luvrkds

7/8/13, 33.2
Just came back from a trip and my large slide started to make familiar noises when driving and retracting. This does NOT give a comfortable feeling when packing up from a camping site!. What to EXPECT???????
Well, just checked with Safford RV (Fredericksburg) to come by for a checkout since I have a another long trip coming up soon. Nice folks there, BUT they currently have several Palazzo's waiting for word from THOR and how to fix (AGAIN) !. The Thor rep was there a couple of weeks ago and now this.
Note: One of the Palazzo's waiting had to remove both motors this past weekend in order to return to Safford.
Sure do hope that THOR gets a handle on this lingering, demoralizing problem on our otherwise wonderful RV.

Bill

Yup that one would be ours, although I didn't have to pull the motors. After two motor replacements and a Thor tech flying down to Safford to work on it we went down to Natural Bridge VA for the week of the 4th, had a bad feeling when upon arrival we had some issues with the slide going out, well long story short when we tried to retract it to leave, only the bottom would start to go in and we heard gears popping, immediately stopped and tried to extend it to level it back out. No luck and a couple more pops and the bottom was in about 8-10 inches and the top all the way out with the trim on the top holding it in, I was worried that the slide would fall out. Walked through some troubleshooting with the techs at Safford and then with the techs at Thor, no luck with the simple tricks. While waiting for Thor to call back the tech at Safford walked me through some more steps and then recommended disengaging the motors and getting some help from the campground to manually push the slide back in like they had to do at the dealership while working on a couple of them. I was able to get one motor disengaged but the other was not moving due to the pressure on it from the slide. The tech from Thor called back and said that it would be impossible to manually retract the slide because of the angle of the slide and the pressure on the gears. He said he flew out to California to get a slide in that had done the same thing. We ended up calling a mobile repair guy that had a good Heavy duty jack and with some wood applied a large amount of pressure on the bottom of the slide pushing it up to try to level it back out. Then used the retract button and started to retract it with the jack pushing up at the same time, as it started to come in it started jumping gears on the top started to level back out and the slide came back in. Cost of the mobile repair guy to come out was $200, hoping that Thor will repay me as everything is still under warranty. Thor called me back this morning trying to figure out how to get this fixed (it is going to need 4 new gear rails on the slide as the ones there are stripped out pretty badly) I suggested to them that I could stop in Elkhart on the 29th as we were planning a 3.5 week trip starting then. They are trying to get me squeezed in as it would be mutually beneficial for them to see the issue and get it fixed there for less than the cost they would have to pay the dealer.

Will update after I find out what the verdict is.

Side note all the techs that helped were great from both Safford and Thor.

Love the coach but beyond mad about the ongoing issue with the slide.
James

Ridinbear · 07-09-2013, 08:35 AM

I viewed the Schwintek You Tube video's and found them very helpful in understanding the system. There were 5 to 6 that really detailed the slide mechanism.

Luvrkds · 07-09-2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridinbear

I viewed the Schwintek You Tube video's and found them very helpful in understanding the system. There were 5 to 6 that really detailed the slide mechanism.

We had a Tiffin Breeze before and experienced similar Schwintek slide problems with six trips to Red Bay and no slide touring the national parks.
I like the videos and the design of the "simple" electric system but now with the extra weight (33.2) the slide has a tough time staying synced.
One good thing is having Thor and Lippert close by in Elkhart. Now they to come up with a fail proof system.

Bill

Ridinbear · 07-09-2013, 08:11 PM

Do you recall them using silicone lube spray on the tracks, I have and quiets the slide some, silicone lube not grease or oil spray due to attracting dust etc. I also use it on my Roadmaster All Terrain tow bars.

Luvrkds · 07-09-2013, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridinbear

Do you recall them using silicone lube spray on the tracks, I have and quiets the slide some, silicone lube not grease or oil spray due to attracting dust etc. I also use it on my Roadmaster All Terrain tow bars.

After spending several weeks at Lazy Days in Tampa with them working on the slide and a steering issue, Thor sent us to their preferred shop in Winter Haven where they also were at a loss for a complete fix. Note: both locations recommended that we head to the factory. Also, regarding a spray, I use a silicon lube spray and interestingly enough Winter Haven applied baby powder and the slide noise diminished until it rained.??
As previously posted, two trips to Thor resulted in two new configurations and till last week it was working as advertised. However I detected a cracking noise when closing and driving on last trip so I'm currently a little leery on what to expect on my next outing.
The large slide presents a big problem (and no fun) when it will not retract and even with the motors disconnected its a heavy object to push in.
Eagerly awaiting posts from owners currently at Thor getting their slides repaired.

HeavyH2O · 07-10-2013, 06:49 PM

It has been a bit of a goat rodeo getting the Onan generator serviced due to a failure of the fuel pump (code 17). Seems everyone is busy and getting it serviced is a matter of weeks. Been a little bit uncomfortable driving on trips without air-conditioning in the 90 degree heat. The dash air certainly does not do much for cooling. But, that does not compare to the impact of a non-functioning slide. I feel for those with that issue. Nothing here (yet) and keeping my fingers crossed.