Thor Palazzo - anyone drive/ride in one yet?

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by OC Bill

We took our new Palazzo 33.2 out this weekend. We picked it up at the dealer Thursday afternoon and headed 250 miles East to the Colorado river. Arrived after dark and set up just the shore power for the first night. Sleeping was very comfortable and just running the forward A/C kept the coach cool. hooked up the shore water in the morning with no problems. Over the weekend, after hooking up the sewer line, we were able to test out the washer/dryer and all seemed to work great. Temperatures were in the 90s during the day so we needed both A/Cs running to keep things cool, no problems with comfort. The only problem we encountered was a leak in the drain trap under the kitchen sink, dismantled and re-tightened but no luck. Will have that fixed when we take it back in for some other cosmetic problems we noticed during delivery.

Driving was a pleasure compared to our 2012 Hurricane, what a difference between gas and diesel power. Very quite while cruising at 65mph, even when going up hills, which was a real deafening experience in the gas powered coach. Resistance to cross winds was much improved over the Hurricane as well as buffeting from passing 18 wheelers. 500 miles in the Hurricane would leave both my wife and I frazzled and tired, 500 miles this weekend was not tiring at all.

We filled up with fuel just before we crossed back into California, 30 cents cheaper in Arizona, and made a 210 mile run at 65mph plus a few mountains to check the fuel mileage, filled it up again and it took just over 19 gallons for about 10.5 mpg average, twice what I was getting on the Hurricane. We also decided to fill up the DEF tank as the dealer only provided about a half full tank. Here we ran into a problem I had read about on the forum, it seems like the truck stops have the pumps only on the driver's side and the DEF filler is on the passenger side of this coach. We were able to pull in to an adjacent stall and pull the hose from the next stall over to our tank, $2.79 a gallon was a lot better than what I paid for a 2.5 gallon bottle at the auto parts store.

Overall we are pleased with our purchase and happy we chose the Palazzo over some of the other coaches we looked at.

Bill

Congrats on your new Palazzo!

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by gmadams

Jerry,

I don't know about the inverter question but your name and Palazzo 33.1 shows up in the signature space.

Gary

Thanks Gary, maybe there was a delay in when it went into effect as I saw posts without it.

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

Jerry,

You can run the frig for 10-12 hours without any problems. If you are going to be gone longer then this I would set the auto-start generator to kick on when the house batteries get low, I think it is in the 11 point something range. It is my understanding that the inverter will shut down automatically before it discharges the batteries too low.

Hope this helps?
Jack

Thanks Jack, excellent info. I am going to Robins AFB and their campground with hookups is very small. I do not want to have the generator running when I am not around but someday will learn how to do the auto start.

Jerry

[OC Bill]

One thing I forgot to add was that after I filled all the tanks I had the coach weighed, it came in at just over 23,000 lbs fully loaded.

This works great for me as the the GCWR is 30,000 lbs and the enclosed car trailer I want to pull is about 5,500 fully loaded.

Leaves me just a little capacity to spare.

Bill

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by gmadams

Jerry,

Just noticed your picture of your Palazzo! Good looking color!

Why don't you join in with us at Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks. We have met only one of the couples going (SkiPat).

Gary

Thanks Gary. We waited two months to get the color combo my wife wanted. Cinnamon Shore, Summer Song, Cherry cabinets.

Would enjoy going to Myrtle Beach but my work schedule does not permit much. My trip to Robins AFB is for work.

The picture was taken on our first overnight camping, a one nighter at the Ft Gordon recreation area on Lake Thurmond.

[gmadams]

Originally Posted by Butte64

Thanks Gary. We waited two months to get the color combo my wife wanted. Cinnamon Shore, Summer Song, Cherry cabinets.

Would enjoy going to Myrtle Beach but my work schedule does not permit much. My trip to Robins AFB is for work.

The picture was taken on our first overnight camping, a one nighter at the Ft Gordon recreation area on Lake Thurmond.

I understand. We are just going down Friday and Saturday nights. I think that most of the others are there starting on Thursday and leaving on Monday.

[DP Guy]

Originally Posted by OC Bill

We took our new Palazzo 33.2 out this weekend. We picked it up at the dealer Thursday afternoon and headed 250 miles East to the Colorado river. Arrived after dark and set up just the shore power for the first night. Sleeping was very comfortable and just running the forward A/C kept the coach cool. hooked up the shore water in the morning with no problems. Over the weekend, after hooking up the sewer line, we were able to test out the washer/dryer and all seemed to work great. Temperatures were in the 90s during the day so we needed both A/Cs running to keep things cool, no problems with comfort. The only problem we encountered was a leak in the drain trap under the kitchen sink, dismantled and re-tightened but no luck. Will have that fixed when we take it back in for some other cosmetic problems we noticed during delivery.

Driving was a pleasure compared to our 2012 Hurricane, what a difference between gas and diesel power. Very quite while cruising at 65mph, even when going up hills, which was a real deafening experience in the gas powered coach. Resistance to cross winds was much improved over the Hurricane as well as buffeting from passing 18 wheelers. 500 miles in the Hurricane would leave both my wife and I frazzled and tired, 500 miles this weekend was not tiring at all.

We filled up with fuel just before we crossed back into California, 30 cents cheaper in Arizona, and made a 210 mile run at 65mph plus a few mountains to check the fuel mileage, filled it up again and it took just over 19 gallons for about 10.5 mpg average, twice what I was getting on the Hurricane. We also decided to fill up the DEF tank as the dealer only provided about a half full tank. Here we ran into a problem I had read about on the forum, it seems like the truck stops have the pumps only on the driver's side and the DEF filler is on the passenger side of this coach. We were able to pull in to an adjacent stall and pull the hose from the next stall over to our tank, $2.79 a gallon was a lot better than what I paid for a 2.5 gallon bottle at the auto parts store.

Overall we are pleased with our purchase and happy we chose the Palazzo over some of the other coaches we looked at.

Bill

Bill,

I haven't filled my DEF tank yet (brand new coach like you - just picked it up) but what about saving an empty DEF store bought bottle to fill up at the pump and carry it around to the passenger side? Do you think that would work? Anyone here have an opinion on that? I read the idea someone posted about carrying a big Kerosene container around for the same purpose, but then you have to store the container.

Like you, I was very pleased at the power of the Palazzo over my Southwind and in how it handled. We were in 20 mph crosswinds and it seemed to me that the front end was a little light, of course we were towing a mid sized SUV. We got 12.4 mph on our first half-tank - double what we got in the gasser.

We've had our share of problems - like we all have with something new. The gas stove sends flames everywhere except the burner, the power outlets in the dash had a blown fuse, and the washer will only wash. Won't rinse. But we'll get it all settled out soon.

Bill

[George Lewis]

DP Guy writes: We've had our share of problems - like we all have with something new. The gas stove sends flames everywhere except the burner,

Bill, thanks for your Palazzo report. You might wish to put the model in your signature so we know what you have.

Gas flames everywhere??...Please do not fool around with propane...as you know it is a liquid bomb....if your stove is leaking gas and not coming through the burners as designed...please do not use it...go to the dealer my friend. This could be a dangerous situation for your and your family.

[OC Bill]

Originally Posted by George Lewis

Bill, thanks for your Palazzo report. You might wish to put the model in your signature so we know what you have.

Done

[George Lewis]

Originally Posted by OC Bill

Done

Now for the other Bill (DP Guy) to do this too. It helps. You also have a newer Palazzo, can you help with these questions? Thanks.

I "think" I read somewhere that Thor has "lowered" the engine batteries so they are easier to get to....anyone know this or have a newer coach?

Also, have they changed the frige door "lock" to something easier then that screw thingie?

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by George Lewis

Now for the other Bill (DP Guy) to do this too. It helps. You also have a newer Palazzo, can you help with these questions? Thanks.

I "think" I read somewhere that Thor has "lowered" the engine batteries so they are easier to get to....anyone know this or have a newer coach?

Also, have they changed the frige door "lock" to something easier then that screw thingie?

As I reported previously my September built 33.1 has all the batteries on the same level. Does not make it any easier to check the far distant 6V batteries.

[George Lewis]

Originally Posted by Butte64

As I reported previously my September built 33.1 has all the batteries on the same level. Does not make it any easier to check the far distant 6V batteries.

Thanks, Jerry, that is where I read it. Any change in the frige door lock?

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by OC Bill

We took our new Palazzo 33.2 out this weekend. We picked it up at the dealer Thursday afternoon and headed 250 miles East to the Colorado river. Arrived after dark and set up just the shore power for the first night. Sleeping was very comfortable and just running the forward A/C kept the coach cool. hooked up the shore water in the morning with no problems. Over the weekend, after hooking up the sewer line, we were able to test out the washer/dryer and all seemed to work great. Temperatures were in the 90s during the day so we needed both A/Cs running to keep things cool, no problems with comfort. The only problem we encountered was a leak in the drain trap under the kitchen sink, dismantled and re-tightened but no luck. Will have that fixed when we take it back in for some other cosmetic problems we noticed during delivery.

Driving was a pleasure compared to our 2012 Hurricane, what a difference between gas and diesel power. Very quite while cruising at 65mph, even when going up hills, which was a real deafening experience in the gas powered coach. Resistance to cross winds was much improved over the Hurricane as well as buffeting from passing 18 wheelers. 500 miles in the Hurricane would leave both my wife and I frazzled and tired, 500 miles this weekend was not tiring at all.

We filled up with fuel just before we crossed back into California, 30 cents cheaper in Arizona, and made a 210 mile run at 65mph plus a few mountains to check the fuel mileage, filled it up again and it took just over 19 gallons for about 10.5 mpg average, twice what I was getting on the Hurricane. We also decided to fill up the DEF tank as the dealer only provided about a half full tank. Here we ran into a problem I had read about on the forum, it seems like the truck stops have the pumps only on the driver's side and the DEF filler is on the passenger side of this coach. We were able to pull in to an adjacent stall and pull the hose from the next stall over to our tank, $2.79 a gallon was a lot better than what I paid for a 2.5 gallon bottle at the auto parts store.

Overall we are pleased with our purchase and happy we chose the Palazzo over some of the other coaches we looked at.

Bill

Bill,
Did you not have a problem with the pump nozzle going into the DEF tank?
I could not fill from the pump as the tank sits so high the pump nozzle will not go all the way inthe filler.
I was at a new Hess station.

[DP Guy]

Originally Posted by George Lewis

Now for the other Bill (DP Guy) to do this too. It helps. You also have a newer Palazzo, can you help with these questions? Thanks.

I "think" I read somewhere that Thor has "lowered" the engine batteries so they are easier to get to....anyone know this or have a newer coach?

Also, have they changed the frige door "lock" to something easier then that screw thingie?

As far as the lower batteries - lower than what? My problem isn't the height of the batteries, it is how to pull that battery from the back? It is way in there. Why not put them all on a slide out tray?

Now that screw they put into the fridge door . . . there has GOT to be a better way. Every time I see my wife struggling with that, my mind starts working on an after market invention that will make me a millionaire.

And who designed the sharp metal door handle on the bathroom which potentially will dent the fridge door unless you are anorexic as you enter the bathroom with the slide in?

Hey, enough complaining. I love my Palazzo. I just need to get everything working and I'll be fine.

PS The problem with the washer. I called Splendide and the techie said the washer is fine. Someone has turned the cold water off to the unit, or they have crimped the water line, but it was definitely an installation problem. Great. Who's going to make that right when I'm 850 miles away from the selling dealer now? Do I go to another Camping World?

PSS I really do love the Palazzo