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06-26-2019, 07:15 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
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2015 Thor/Chateau 31' Question
I'm considering this make and model and really like the floor plan but would like to hear some of the IR pros comments pros and cons. This unit is pristine with 43K miles.
Thanks
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06-26-2019, 07:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Zebulon, NC
Posts: 5,211
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The biggest con you are gonna get is the complaints about Thor from those who have never owned one. The quality of ours has been great.
__________________
Kelly and Jerry Powell with Halo (Lethal White Aussie), Nash the Rat Terrorist, and now Reid, the "Brindle we have no idea puppy"
2020 Grand Design Solitude 390RK-R
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06-26-2019, 08:34 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
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Thanks to the Powel family! Is that a Ford, what size engine, and have you towed through the Rockies? I'd like to make one of our first trips to Wyoming and Montana?
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06-26-2019, 11:03 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Zebulon, NC
Posts: 5,211
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We have the same chassis with the V-10. I'll warn you if you haven't driven one, they are a screamer, and I do mean SCREAM. Rather than as the high CI V-8s that are pumping big pistons at lower RPM, the V-10 pumps 2 more smaller pistons at a higher RPM.
I haven't been too shy about loading ours and we have pulled a Prius back and forth across the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains with out any issues.
__________________
Kelly and Jerry Powell with Halo (Lethal White Aussie), Nash the Rat Terrorist, and now Reid, the "Brindle we have no idea puppy"
2020 Grand Design Solitude 390RK-R
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06-27-2019, 11:00 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 53
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2015 Thor 31'
I had a 2018, Thor Freedom Elite 28' on a Ford E450, V-10 Chassis. The engine has a lot of power but is noisy. The major problem I had was sway in crosswinds as well as when Semi's passed. The unit came with sway-bars both Front and Rear (OEM). Through trailer supply I purchased the largest diameter after market bars that I could.(easy to install) It made all the difference in the world. Took this units cross country (California to Michigan) three times as well as mountain driving in the Rocky's, Thor makes a good unit, solid. I put over 15K miles in one year. You probably cannot go wrong with this unit if the price is right!
In May I traded up to a Renegade Verona 36' Super C on a Freightliner Chassis and a 9L Cumins Diesel and absolutely love it!
Good Luck
Happy Trails!
Tom
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06-27-2019, 02:55 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 16
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I have a 2017/2018 31Y. I have upgraded the front suspension too. Makes a big difference in the sway. Yes, the V10 screams at 5M RPM but that's it's design. I love the tow haul and the full shower. I tow a 2012 FJ Cruiser with surge braking that works like a charm.
No Complaints.
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06-27-2019, 03:24 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 148
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePowells
The biggest con you are gonna get is the complaints about Thor from those who have never owned one. The quality of ours has been great.
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Could you expound on that? I haven’t been considering Thor, due to the poor reviews, but I’d like to hear your perspective.
Thanks.
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06-27-2019, 04:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LSU Fred
Thanks to the Powel family! Is that a Ford, what size engine, and have you towed through the Rockies? I'd like to make one of our first trips to Wyoming and Montana?
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Different coach, but same chassis; i.e., Ford V10 with 5 speed tranny. My coach has been over the Rockies many times pulling a light toad (abt 3000 lb.) It handles the mountains just fine but know that the diesels will pass you going up Vail pass anytime they want to (those 600 HP Cummins rigs may suck you up the tailpipe.....lol) and you will get to camp a half hour or so after they do, usually.)
Since naturally aspirated engines lose 3% of their HP for every 1000 ft above sea level (oxygen deprivation) my 305 HP V10 is churning out a whopping 207 HP max whilst going over Vail Pass in CO at 10,662 ft ....... with a combined wt of about 17,000 lb. Ouch! But it does it (happily screaming away ..... as Jerry says.) Your planned trip across Wyoming and Montana will be a bit easier.
My only caution: If you don't already know all about GVWRs, GAWRs, and your coach's GCWR, study up. You are looking at a very long Class C and most of us really have to watch our loading. There will be a sticker on your coach that tells you about the carrying capacity and it probably won't be a very big number ...... for me, it is the primary downside to owing a long Class C vs a shorter one. It's just a real good idea to load the rig you buy as you plan to travel (e.g., usually empty black and gray tanks and 1/3 tank of fresh water + all your other "stuff") and go to a truck stop that has a CAT scale. For about $10 you will get a printed copy of the total weight + front and rear axle weights ...... a good thing to keep on file. A floor plan you like usually makes up for all of the wt limitations IMHO.
My coach is headed for a 30-day jaunt through Wyo, So Dak, Montana, Idaho and Yellowstone (again) on Jul 2nd. Hope you go for it ...... you're gonna luv it.
Happy hunting and safe travels.
Happy Birthday, America !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Ed Sievers Denver, CO
Sold:2007 WBGO 31C Now:2020 Jayco 31UL
"Be the person you needed when you were younger"
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06-27-2019, 05:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron750
Could you expound on that? I haven’t been considering Thor, due to the poor reviews, but I’d like to hear your perspective.
Thanks.
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I bought a 1 year old Thor Axis last year.
We just got back to NY from a 8 month east coast trip, including a few 1 to 2 month stays in Florida.
Absolutely no issues or complaints. Nothing broke, fell off or didn't perform as expected.
Is it top of the line for and finish, no.
Did I pay for top of the line fit and finish, absolutely not.
A happy customer, so far.
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06-27-2019, 08:31 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Zebulon, NC
Posts: 5,211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron750
Could you expound on that? I haven’t been considering Thor, due to the poor reviews, but I’d like to hear your perspective.
Thanks.
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As Thor has the highest number of units produced, they rightfully would probably have the highest number of issues. The fly in the ointment is that owners of other coaches (who have never had a Thor) want to jump on the dog pile and try to drive Thor down at every possible opportunity. Another factor is that Thor builds for all price points for Class C and Class A, except for the "ultimate Luxury class". Thor did have issues for a while, and having been to the factory and having conversations with some from upstairs I have seen the changes, both in what I have looked at and seeing a change in perception. I spent over two hours looking over, through, under, and in our coach before we bought it. In less than 5 minutes I found major flaws in a $575K Luxury coach. The dealership owner was not very happy when I pointed out the broken floor tile, backsplash, and unsealed sink while he was sitting in the dinette with a customer. That's not including the problems I found in the bedroom and bathroom. We took ours back to Wakarusa for a warranty visit at about a year. We had one piece of flashing underneath that wasn't right and I felt over the long term (years) that it would be a water intrusion issue. While in Wakarusa, they replaced the water heater control board (warranty), and did a few other things, most that I didn't realize that were problems, and took care of one self inflicted problem. The entire visit was great from our end. The flashing is the only semi-serious issue that we have had. It went back to the Dealer to repair a fiberglass tab on a accent light, and when we
I have seen issues with everything from 60K low entry class Cs to 1.7 mil Prevost show pieces.
[Moderator edit]
__________________
Kelly and Jerry Powell with Halo (Lethal White Aussie), Nash the Rat Terrorist, and now Reid, the "Brindle we have no idea puppy"
2020 Grand Design Solitude 390RK-R
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