Palazzo Problems

[ChallengerRN]

Originally Posted by psw757

As an owner of a Legacy and did look at the Palazzo and Berkshire I will offer a comparison from my perspective, all fine coaches IMHO but all the Palazzo issues did influence my decision. Our Legacy hasn't had any of these issues and a couple other Legacy owners I have met are happy as well, Berkshire owners happy as well.



I think a lot of these issues arise from how the items are assembled by the mfgs and the tolerances for the slide aren't being met when built by Thor, again just my opinion.



Some of the differences are the following,



the Legacy is a tad bigger and 36'6" vs palazzo 34.5

Legacy gvw is 28k and 33k gcwr vs palazzo 26k gvw and 30k GDR

Legacy Allison my-2500 tranny vs palazzo my-2100

Legacy fiberglass roof vs palazzo rubber - big plus imho

Legacy drop down bunk has real mattress vs palazzo inflates

Legacy jack knife sofa doesn't require inflatable like palazzo

Legacy more exterior storage from and cuft perspective

Same inverter std 2000 watt

Refer from what I can tell is the same

Individually laid tile in Legacy vs linoleum in Palazzo

Nice hid headlights on legacy

Air horns std on Legacy

Legacy comes std with in dash nav on the 2015



These are the major items that I can think of of the top of my head, for whoever is getting the Berkshire congrats on a great coach!



E Check out forest river forums they have a dedicated Berkshire forum with lots of great people and info.



Good luck!

Thanks 757

I got the Berkshire & traded in the 33.2 Palazzo.

I considered having the slide on the palazzo completely redone. The company that would have rebuilt it said the same as you. This large slide had to be built with exact tolerances. Thus could be why some Palazzo's have issues and some don't.

Russell

[HVAC Bill]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

There is no Schwintek system on the Berkshire!!! Motor & transmission different too. Both bigger Motor & tyranny in legancy could be same as Palazzo. IDK Russell

The Legacy was the one I made the comparison, and it is on the exact same freightliner chassis and drive train. Honestly if you took all the badging off, you couldn't tell the difference.

2013 Palazzo 33.3

[psw757]

Originally Posted by HVAC Bill

The Legacy was the one I made the comparison, and it is on the exact same freightliner chassis and drive train. Honestly if you took all the badging off, you couldn't tell the difference.

2013 Palazzo 33.3

One would have to have very poor eyes and no attention to detail to not notice a difference and there are several coaches that use same exact chassis and engine, just saying.

[SS573]

After driving all day yesterday in the rain DW noticed water running from under the big slide. I looked high and low but didn't find the source. The gear rails were very wet though.

Another item for the factory visit.

[streamcamper]

I think you will find that with enough rain, water will penetrate the seals around the slide, no matter how tight the seals are, and then will find the horizontal rail into the rv. I have a comparable problem with my current rig that I've been able to control, and a similar problem with a previous trailer that had a cable drive slide. Water really only entered when a significant amount of rain fell.

[Butte64]

The tapping sound I heard on the driver side while driving in windy area ended up much worse today. When I was at Tahoe I looked at the slide topper and it appeared tight. I should have done more. Driving across the Nevada desert (redundant?) on Hwy 50, The Loneliest Road in the World, in the truly middle of nowhere, there was a banging and worse. Not only was the slide topper pulled down, it was broken off the rear end.

I had to drive several miles before I found a ranch turnout big enough to park. Of course it was in an area with no cell service. I ended up having to unscrew the front attachment then cut off the topper. I put the mechanism through the passenger window so I can take it home. Don't know if it needs to be totally replaced or if they can put in another topper and replace the broken end piece.

Lessons learned:
- tighten the topper and if driving in really windy areas figure out a way to secure it so it cannot unravel.
- Carry Torx bits. I have a good selection of tools and thought I had all I needed but must have left the Torx bits at home.
- Carry a ladder tall enough to be able to reach the roof. My ladder is convenient but I could barely reach the slide topper mechanism.
- Somewhat unrelated to this incident is that I do not recommend Hwy 50 East of Fallon. Several passes over 7000 ft, lots of switchbacks, lots of opportunity to use the exhaust brake.

The only possibly good thing to come out of this is that the delay may have kept me from being involved in a very serious accident in the mountains that closed the highway for about an hour. They had to bring in a Medevac helicopter.

By the way, the KOA in Ely, NV is much nicer than expected. Totally different than the KOA in South Lake Tahoe which is much too cramped and expensive. Of course Tahoe is a prime location so they can charge what the traffic will bear.

[ChallengerRN]

They also have caps & covers for the toppers

Russell

[HVAC Bill]

I had to tighten the spring return to help prevent that from happening to me (helps but no cure). Unfortunately unlike the power awning, there are no mechanical means to keep it retracted in windy conditions. Need some sort of locking device while in motion. Anyone come up with one yet?

2013 Palazzo 33.3

[ChallengerRN]

I'll try and attach a picture of a awning cap that I was talking about. Seem to me if you keep the air off the end of topper it can't blow open. I sure they make caps for the Palazzo toppers.

Russell

[SS573]

There's an arm on the roller that is supposed to keep the topper from unrolling if it's adjusted properly. When the slide is fully retracted, the arm should be a few inches from the sidewall.

At least that's what I was told sometime back


2015 Thor Palazzo

'97 Ford Ranger Toad until I can get something new.

[SS573]

Just saw your picture. Is that the awning??


2015 Thor Palazzo

'97 Ford Ranger Toad until I can get something new.

[ChallengerRN]

That's the front of my awning with the slide out. That is not on a palazzo tho.

Russell

[HVAC Bill]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

I'll try and attach a picture of a awning cap that I was talking about. Seem to me if you keep the air off the end of topper it can't blow open. I sure they make caps for the Palazzo toppers. Russell

Mine seems to have the same end caps(hard to see from photo). But even with the ends covered, the wind can still pull it away from the coach. My assumption is like all the other problems, a lower grade unit was most likely used. Perhaps I could use one off of a Legacy coach? Or see how they keep this from happening and retrofit it.

2013 Palazzo 33.3

[streamcamper]

Originally Posted by SS573

There's an arm on the roller that is supposed to keep the topper from unrolling if it's adjusted properly. When the slide is fully retracted, the arm should be a few inches from the sidewall.

At least that's what I was told sometime back


2015 Thor Palazzo

'97 Ford Ranger Toad until I can get something new.

This is correct if it is a Dometic. Mine has an arm on the forward end of the awning tube that will prevent the awning from unfurling while in the closed position.