Community Forums

griffinkelje · 08-09-2013, 06:45 PM

I am looking at importing to New Zealand a Palazzo 33.2 but require some additional information on the actual width of the coach body. The spec shows 101 inches but I understand that includes handles awning etc. I require the actual width of the coach body, (including any wheel flares) The maximum width vehicle that can be registered in NZ is 2.5 meters or about 97 inches excluding handles awning etc.

The Serrano can be made to comply by removing the small flares over the front wheels.

If anyone is able to run a tape over their unit and give me an indication it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

gmadams · 08-10-2013, 07:09 AM

I tried to get an accurate measurement but I was doing this alone. It looks to me that the width is greater than 97 inches not including the flares over the wheel openings. Maybe you should try calling Thor and see if they can give you an accurate measurement. I would hate for you to rely on such a critical measurement.

Gary

griffinkelje · 08-10-2013, 05:28 PM

Thanks Gary I appreciate your help, I will contact Thor, its early days yet and have a lot of research to do. Such as arranging to change the the steering from the left to the right, changing the electics from 110v to 240v. Its not a small job

Thanks

Kel

mikebrls · 08-12-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffinkelje

Thanks Gary I appreciate your help, I will contact Thor, its early days yet and have a lot of research to do. Such as arranging to change the the steering from the left to the right, changing the electics from 110v to 240v. Its not a small job

Thanks

Kel

when you call THor ask them if you ordered one if they can build it from the start like you need in your country and maybe they can sell more over there

mike

griffinkelje · 08-13-2013, 12:07 AM

Times may have changed but a couple of years ago I was well down the line investigating the Serrano. (There are several of these in New Zealand) When I asked the question of how flexible they could be they were not prepared to change anything. I have now finally retired and have started again. I love the concept of the Palazzo and it has most things I need, so even if they don't want to change anything we would most probably come to the States, take delivery and spend several months travelling around before shipping it home.
That we we have the opportunity to see some of your country as well.

Many thanks for your comments Mike,

Kel

TheArnolds · 08-13-2013, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffinkelje

Times may have changed but a couple of years ago I was well down the line investigating the Serrano. (There are several of these in New Zealand) When I asked the question of how flexible they could be they were not prepared to change anything. I have now finally retired and have started again. I love the concept of the Palazzo and it has most things I need, so even if they don't want to change anything we would most probably come to the States, take delivery and spend several months travelling around before shipping it home.
That we we have the opportunity to see some of your country as well.

Many thanks for your comments Mike,

Kel

Kel,

I have worked and lived all over the world (16 years in Asia) and I know that RV's are big business in the USA but less popular in other parts of the world. I would think that it would be difficult to get Thor to make the changes you are looking for such as width restrictions, R/H drive and electric 120V/60Hz v/s 240V/50Hz.

The Serrano ( I owned a 2010 31Z) was built on a Workhorse chassis (96 inches) and the Palazzo is built on a Freightliner chassis (101 inches) to get either of them to build a R/H drive chassis to conform to the road restrictions in NZ would be slim. I guess money talks and you could get it done for the right price but I still have my doubts.

I was reading that a German company was making a full size (Palazzo size or longer) for the European market. Last year I was in Japan on business (west of Tokyo) and I passed several RV's built on an Isuzu bus chassis therefore it would appear Europe and Asia has RV manufacturers that build on chassis more suited for NZ.

I am not trying to talk you out of buying American but I think you are taking the hard road to getting an RV.

Good luck with your quest!

mikebrls · 08-13-2013, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffinkelje

Times may have changed but a couple of years ago I was well down the line investigating the Serrano. (There are several of these in New Zealand) When I asked the question of how flexible they could be they were not prepared to change anything. I have now finally retired and have started again. I love the concept of the Palazzo and it has most things I need, so even if they don't want to change anything we would most probably come to the States, take delivery and spend several months travelling around before shipping it home.
That we we have the opportunity to see some of your country as well.

Many thanks for your comments Mike,

Kel

sound's good keep us posted on your progress
mike

Redridge · 08-15-2013, 09:08 PM

I talked to Thor to try to get pre-wired for solar panels... they were not flexible at all. I would have paid premium money for this, but they just want to crank these coaches out and not sell custom machines... to bad.

Butte64 · 08-16-2013, 09:15 PM

I agree with Tom that it may be too much to undertake. Keep in mind that Thor just takes a Freightliner chassis and puts the box on it. So any chassis changes would have to be done at Freightliner.

But I applaud your desire to tour the USA in a Palazzo. So instead of spending all that extra money on attempting a conversion get a Palazzo, leave it here, and spend a month every year touring the states. I have plenty of room so you could park it next to mine.

If you think this is far-fetched I know several people do this with airplanes and also read about others doing it with a motor home.

TheArnolds · 08-17-2013, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butte64

I agree with Tom that it may be too much to undertake. Keep in mind that Thor just takes a Freightliner chassis and puts the box on it. So any chassis changes would have to be done at Freightliner.

But I applaud your desire to tour the USA in a Palazzo. So instead of spending all that extra money on attempting a conversion get a Palazzo, leave it here, and spend a month every year touring the states. I have plenty of room so you could park it next to mine.

If you think this is far-fetched I know several people do this with airplanes and also read about others doing it with a motor home.

Jerry,

You are correct...there are several folks from Europe on this forum doing exactly that. This summer we were parked next to a couple in the Badlands that were from the UK that spend their summers in the US touring in a Class "C" that they purchased 7 years ago and store it in the US over the winter.

I have been to the North Island of New Zealand and I will say that it is beautiful but you can run out of new places to drive your RV after a season or two. It may be different on the South Island?

I am still interested to see if this can be pulled off? As you said the big restriction is the chassis both in width and the side that the steering wheel is located. Thor will have issues as well because they will have jigs and templates for everything that will not work if you change the chassis. If I wanted to import an RV into NZ I would be looking at countries that have the same chassis requirements as NZ. Just my opinion...