Originally Posted by Radidio (Post 2420559)

The new 2015 Palazzo 36.1 has increased HP to 330, I think. I am impressed with my Freightliner Chassis with it's 300 HP 2014 Palazzo. It's loaded to the gills and has a 4000lb toad and lists a 10K towing capacity. As small as the diesel is it pulls very well. Have to keep the revs up towing in the mountains though. Torque is the answer.

Originally Posted by Butte64 (Post 2421530)

The 10K rating is misleading as that is the capacity of the hitch, not the max towing capacity. The GVWR is 26,000 lb. and I think, since I don't have the info packet any more, the GCWR is 31,000 lb so max tow at max weight is 5,000 lb. So if your actual weight plus TOAD weight is less than GCWR and less than 10K you are good to go.

Originally Posted by Scarab0088 (Post 2426631)

Fact check:
Class III hitch and ball mounts can easily be rated for 10,000lb. Like:
Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop, 13-1/4" Long Brophy Ball Mounts BM20

Class IV can go up to 12,000lb
Class V can go up to 16,000lb

Tongue weight and towing capacity are very different measures...and tongue weight can be easily adjusted by the way a trailer is loaded.

The safe towing capacity is determined by taking the tow vehicle's GCWR and subtracting the vehicles loaded weight. So, if the RV has a 33,000lb GCWR and is loaded at or below 23,000lb, it could safely tow 10,000lb.

An advertised 10,000lb towing capability just means the RV has the receiver hitch and capability to tow that weight...easily done.

Safe travels

Originally Posted by patch-y (Post 2212817)

Well....... your comments are interesting....... for each $50k of price increase you can expect $2000 dollar increase in interest payments and 15% annual reduction in vehicle value for depreciation($6500 per year) and at added cost for insurance(lets say $100 per year/$50 k) for a total annual increase over what you are now paying of $8600/year /$50k,

To get a rig with disc brakes you will(if buying new) likely be at $280k or more.....probably at least $100k more than you paid for the palazzo.....(but more likely $120k more than you paid for the Palazzo).......plus your fuel mileage will be down to 8mpg. So for a $280k unit you will be paying around $20k more per year than you are now.......plus more for fuel......

So do it.......what's holding you back???

I can live with the screw for the frig and the quality things I have repaired because I don't want to pay more than I am now......not because I can't afford it....but rather because these RV's are a poor investment......and i want into the RV at minimum financial loss.

WRT disc brakes...... they are a costly item.......the drum brakes are very competent and yes sometimes they squeal after lack of use........

As far as the placement of electrical outlets and noise from the AC location of light switches etc...... I saw that before I bought my unit.....didn't you???

BTW....my neighbor at the campground I am now in has a brand new American Eagle......probably list price $575k or more......and his leveling jacks would not retract and his slide got stuck.....so I guess you will need to buy a coach of even greater value if you are looking for no problems.

I am now in California with my 33.1, from Florida, almost 5000 miles since I started several months ago....and my unit has been good....... average 11mpg, several problems I have repaired......but nothing to whine about. I have another 6 weeks before I get home and.....at the end of the day...... I don't want to spend another dollar on a motor home....

I like my Palazzo.....it is not perfect.......Thor is not perfect......but I like what it is for what I spent......

When I was in Rocky Mountain NP several weeks ago I spoke with a fella who had a brand new Dutch Star......he said he sold his Prevost because he didn't like having so much money into an rv for the amount of use he gave it...he said the Dutch Star was ok......nothing great.......

Buy a new unit with disc brakes and all you want ..... what's holding you back??

regards
rich

Originally Posted by Radidio (Post 2428006)

CW has heavily reduced the 2014 NEW Palazzos to around $149K. Don't know if I'm allowed to say that but for that price it's a winner all the way around. Yes I've had problems with converter/inverter (needs to be replaced), Electric front shade, minor plumbing, no slide problems ----yet, slide doors come off easily, insulation not adequate, but we just broke 9k mileage and well appreciate the MPG with the RV overweight and pulling a tow vehicle. 300HP with adequate torque at higher speeds sent us over all of the mountain passses so far. Sure there are problems but compared to other RV's I've owned they are acceptable. I had better RV's but I just don't expect the same quality I had 10-20 years ago. Unfortunately. I'll just have to wait and see after extended service.

My X-Mirada had a V-10 8.1 with more HP and more torque and didn't "pull" as good as my Palazzo. Plus it would always go crazy on RPM climbing hills. I've maxed it at 4500RPM many a time with a noise like it was going to explode. I know the diesel in my Palazzo is in the rear but I don't hear it even when it is cranking up the hills. Actually hear the cooling fans before I hear the motor.

Originally Posted by msturtz (Post 2429263)

x2 on this. We were stretching to be able to afford a DP period so the Palazzo allowed us to get what we wanted at a price point we could afford.

Originally Posted by alpha99 (Post 2443991)

Buy a high quality used DP for the same price. You'll be much better off, IMO.

Cheers and good luck!

Originally Posted by Scarab0088 (Post 2444652)

Buying new has SO MANY benefits (warranty, finance terms, etc.)...buying used is a whole different animal.

The Palazzo is allowing many, many folks to get into DP's (with a very good Freightliner chassis) that could never have one before, and that is really great. Not everyone can afford or wants a $400,000 DSDP :nonono:

If I wasn't sold on my Thor Toy Hauler, a Palazzo would be one of the first RV's on my shopping list.

Safe travels