Palazzo Owners

[audigger]

Originally Posted by tcopeland

I did wash the compartment down. Try to do each time I add def. it does leave a nasty stain.
I installed a set of mud flaps on the duallies that cuts down on the grim.

Tom, is there a chance that you could post pictures of the mud flaps and how you mounted them?

Thanks

[J Walker]

Originally Posted by Berlin Kid

Dead Bolt

My 2014 Palazzo 33.1 has a single key/lock for the entry door. The brochure lists this as also having a keyed dead bolt. Do you have a deadbolt lock on your unit?

My 2014 33.2 has a door lock and a dead bolt.

[J Walker]

Originally Posted by joecathysw

Just looked and mine is a f40. Its definitely above 40 degrees here in TX if that is the meaning of the number. Confused as to why I hadn't noticed it staying on prior to today. Thanks for that info. Joe

The thermostat is a bimetalic disc device (not a thermistor). The 40F actually closes at about 100 degrees F. The problem is that is does not open until the temperature falls about 20 degrees. So in the summer it may stay closed for a very long time. I have searched on eBay and other places to find a bimetalic thermostat that has a much small temperature difference between closing and opening. I have one on order with a 7 degree temperature difference. They are not expensive and I did not want to wait for Thor.

[John Jupiter]

Originally Posted by mikebrls

I spoke with Freightliner and they said the first 6 month or 6000 mile is Needed but NO oil change or trans, change ,Just inspect and lubricate .

They also said that there used to be a every 6 month service after that and they deleted it and now it's once a year or 15000 mile's

mike

After multiple calls to Freightliner and several Freightliner dealers, I got what I felt was the answer to the first 6 month/6,000 miles service.

The full service is way more than $2,000, and should be done from chasis manufacture date (mine Dec, 2012) not from delivery date (mine Mar, 2013) so I am due June, 2013 or 6,000 miles whichever is first...kind of rediculous especially since many RV's are still on the Dealers lot after the 6 mos date if they are even out of the factory yet! Also, the 1 year/15,000 mile service covers almost everything again!

It turns out that there are 2 things that probably must be done at the 6mo/6000mi service:
1st: the Mercedes Benz rear axle fluid change which is not routine after that but is necessary to keep it's warrentee in effect; Cost to replace fluid $250.00 +
2nd: the "full alignment check" due to the fact that the rear axle is fix-welded and is only adjustable by breaking weld and re-welding after its alignment. If necessary at 6 month/6000mile check, Freightliner will warrentee this realignment, if discovered later, it is your maintenance $ and while no one would say how much it costs, I assume it is BIG $$$ since just checking aligment and any front axle alignment necessary was over $250.00.

I always try to maintain everything to the manufacturer specs but I dug in on this one since the full 6month/6000mile service was SO expensive and most of it seemed ridculous, every Freightliner dealer I spoke to thought so as well!

[J Walker]

I took my first camping trip in my 2014 33.2 and found a few things for my punch list. One thing the surprised and disturbed me is that after driving the heat of the engine was present on the board that supports the mattress. My 2000 Damon Ultrasport never had this problem. I expect that Thor did not insulate at all. Either Thor is going to fix this or I will. Do any other owners have this problem?

[tcopeland]

Originally Posted by J Walker

I took my first camping trip in my 2014 33.2 and found a few things for my punch list. One thing the surprised and disturbed me is that after driving the heat of the engine was present on the board that supports the mattress. My 2000 Damon Ultrasport never had this problem. I expect that Thor did not insulate at all. Either Thor is going to fix this or I will. Do any other owners have this problem?

Yep
Always hot.

[tcopeland]

Originally Posted by John Jupiter

After multiple calls to Freightliner and several Freightliner dealers, I got what I felt was the answer to the first 6 month/6,000 miles service.

The full service is way more than $2,000, and should be done from chasis manufacture date (mine Dec, 2012) not from delivery date (mine Mar, 2013) so I am due June, 2013 or 6,000 miles whichever is first...kind of rediculous especially since many RV's are still on the Dealers lot after the 6 mos date if they are even out of the factory yet! Also, the 1 year/15,000 mile service covers almost everything again!

It turns out that there are 2 things that probably must be done at the 6mo/6000mi service:
1st: the Mercedes Benz rear axle fluid change which is not routine after that but is necessary to keep it's warrentee in effect; Cost to replace fluid $250.00 +
2nd: the "full alignment check" due to the fact that the rear axle is fix-welded and is only adjustable by breaking weld and re-welding after its alignment. If necessary at 6 month/6000mile check, Freightliner will warrentee this realignment, if discovered later, it is your maintenance $ and while no one would say how much it costs, I assume it is BIG $$$ since just checking aligment and any front axle alignment necessary was over $250.00.

I always try to maintain everything to the manufacturer specs but I dug in on this one since the full 6month/6000mile service was SO expensive and most of it seemed ridculous, every Freightliner dealer I spoke to thought so as well!

I had the 6000 mile service done at Gaffney SC in March. Plus weight and balance, toe check. Total was $530.00.

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by tcopeland

I had the 6000 mile service done at Gaffney SC in March. Plus weight and balance, toe check. Total was $530.00.

X2 plus I had the generator oil and filter changed...total $635.00

[mikebrls]

where do you find the chassis date ?

Thank's
mike

[gmadams]

Originally Posted by mikebrls

where do you find the chassis date ?

Thank's
mike

I got mine when I attended Camp Freightliner. I guess you could call Freightliner and give them your VIN. They can give you your date.

[John Jupiter]

Originally Posted by mikebrls

where do you find the chassis date ?

Thank's
mike

There should be several white information stickers near the drivers seat, my 33.3 are on the wall right behind the seat.

The "Incomplete Vehicle Component Information" has the chassis vin#, and engine, Trans, frame, axle specs as well as the "date of manufacture".

[Woodburn]

I have an appt in late Sept for our 6000 mile initial service on our 2013 33.2. We have been quoted a price of $700 plus $150 for an alignment.
What did you all have done that makes it so much less expensive?

Just curious as to the difference in cost. What might they be doing that might not be required.

[joecathysw]

Originally Posted by J Walker

The thermostat is a bimetalic disc device (not a thermistor). The 40F actually closes at about 100 degrees F. The problem is that is does not open until the temperature falls about 20 degrees. So in the summer it may stay closed for a very long time. I have searched on eBay and other places to find a bimetalic thermostat that has a much small temperature difference between closing and opening. I have one on order with a 7 degree temperature difference. They are not expensive and I did not want to wait for Thor.

That makes it much clearer to me as it was over 100 when I shutdown and probably never got less than about 85-88 overnight. Plausible that the thermostat never opened back up. Easy to verify in the future. Thanks for the insight.

[John Jupiter]

Originally Posted by J Walker

I took my first camping trip in my 2014 33.2 and found a few things for my punch list. One thing the surprised and disturbed me is that after driving the heat of the engine was present on the board that supports the mattress. My 2000 Damon Ultrasport never had this problem. I expect that Thor did not insulate at all. Either Thor is going to fix this or I will. Do any other owners have this problem?

Our 33.3 is very hot under the bed, we store plastic tubs of shoes there so we kept taking them out when traveling ...not fun, another chore. I decided to remove the floor under the storage to see why it was so hot (I also wanted to be sure it came out since this is the only access to the top of the engine). It was hard to remove since the floor board was recessed an inch under the back wall and the screws were hard to get to.

The floor DOES come out and fortunately goes back in! Anyway, there was foil covered insulation on the engine side but not much room for a thicker piece.

We found a foil covered heat shield blanket in an Rv supply store in Reno. This shield is the type to cover water heaters etc. We molded it on top of the floor and up the four sides. While it is not "cool" under the bed, our shoes don't melt and the bed is a comfortable temperature with engine running and less engine noise if someone rests on the bed.