Palazzo 3.3 or Outlaw 37MD? Which to purchase?
Hello all. Thank you for reading and hopefully posting a comment or suggestion to our big questions.
We've decided to upgrade from a small camper trailer to a Class A. I have been doing a great deal of research, especially owner posts on forums such as this one.
Our family runs its own business, homeschools or four kids, and is looking to initially travel about three months out of each year, probably one and two week road trips. We've narrowed our choices down to the Palazzo 33.3 or the Outlaw 37MD. I believe each has it's pros and cons but we are literally down the middle on which would be better for us.
I'd like to list some of our observations and where we see strengths and weaknesses, then ask you all to offer other points we should consider and possibly offer a purchase suggestion. I know it's a personal decision and I've found many posters respect that and are reluctant to offer a purchase opinion, so perhaps a spit opinion such as 60/40 Palazzo, or 30/70 Outlaw, etc.
Both vehicles have similar cockpit arrangements, the overhead drop down bed in the driver's compartment is also a winner for us. Exterior storage is similar as is fuel and water capacity. They have similar interior decor and finishes. I'm going to focus on the overall layout and of course power.
Palazzo 33.3
1 - We really like to floorplan. The Bunk beds are great since we travel with our kids. We like the idea of dedicated sleeping space that unlike convertible dinettes and couches, don't have to be converted each day/night.
2 - The entry step Mudroom is nice. Great place for dirty shoes especially since my kids are part neanderthal and I can barley keep something on their feet in the first place. I don't know why it's not incorporated into the Outlaw or all the other similar Thor models. Perhaps some variants have a structural member that prevents the mudroom.
3 - Diesel is the biggest difference. The fuel is about 20% more expensive than gasoline, but it looks like we would have greater fuel efficiency, so fuel costs is a wash. Maintenance is more expensive, but also further apart, so also a wash. Only real draw back seems to be initial expense. Aout $45k or so over the similar gasoline Hurricane Bunk House. Since price is not our primary concern, its not really an issue.
4 - Power. From all I've read, the diesel power is more than enough for this size motorcoach. No problems with hills and greater tow capacity. If we do decide to tow a car, it'll be a Toyota Sienna minivan, so the extra power would be nice.
Outlaw 37MD
1 - Loft sleeping compartment. No bunk beds, but the dedicated sleeping area is nice for the same reasons as the bunk beds on the Palazzo. However, I like the loft arrangement on the 37LS since it removes the forward storage areas in favor of a small handrail overlooking the lower compartment. I think that increases the bed area and give a more open feel.
2 - Center room with sliding glass doors. The principal difference between the 37MD and 37LS, the central room has a sliding glass door into the rear garage. This help open that room up making it feel bigger. We also prefer the couch back in this central room as it gives a separate space for our kids to get away from each other. What can I say, our kids love each other but sometimes distance does make the heart grow founder and for all you other parents out there, I think you can sympathise.
3 - Rear garage. This is the main win for the outlaw. We don't plan on using it for vehicles but instead as a multi use room. We can toss our bikes, surf boards, messy gear, and whatever else, easily in the back . There is also a dedicated pedestrian door on the side so we don't have to tramp through the forward compartments when dripping wet or muddy.
4 - Rear patio. Another big win. Our youngest in not yet two so this would be his dedicated "don't run of and get eaten by a bear" play area. My wife also visualizes herself having her morning coffee sitting on this porch overlooking the pristine lake / river / forest.
5 - Power. All I can say is "lacking". I know it's a big V10 but I've test driven both and while it does manage to get the motorcoach where it needs to go, I can definitely feel the difference in acceleration. That isn't too big of a concern for me as I play on driving it like my grandma drove her old buick, but I do worry about how it will handle hills and mountain passes.
6 - Fuel efficiency. Less than the diesel, though fuel is cheaper. It might be a wash dollar for dollar but my range would be decreased since they have about the same fuel capacity. I also worry about towing out minivan. Though it should be able to handle the weight, I don't imagine it will be easy. I can just see us now, heading up the Grapevine out of California and all the kids chanting "I think I can, I think I can", like the little train that could.
7 - The 37LS has a washer dryer hook up but the 37MD does not. WE could probably retrofit something and put them in the same garage space as the LS. I think Thor left this out because of restrictions with the sliding glass door. We also like the bigger Dinette. We can fit more family members and anyone sitting gets a great view out the front windscreen, though the table is too small and would only work at dinner time if we used leprechaun sized plates.
8 - Bathroom. The 37MD has a separate shower and sink / commode area. So someone taking a shower won't tie p the rest room. Not that we will likely take long showers, but it's nice to have. Also, since the roof height increase to accommodate the loft, there is a lot of head room in the shower, important since we are a tall family.
Summary
In the end, we like the size of the Outlaw. It really feels like a small house on wheels. Separate areas, a big open bay in the back for whatever we want. But we feel power and fuel efficiency will be lacking. It may also drive a little harder with the extra height, weight, softer suspension, etc.
We like the Palazzo because of the Diesel. It'll be quieter up front, should ride better, greater tow capacity and therefore we could probably stuff it to the gills and still not worry about power. The kids love the bunk beds, but the there is less space and no separate areas as in the Outlaw.
We've decided to upgrade from a small camper trailer to a Class A. I have been doing a great deal of research, especially owner posts on forums such as this one.
Our family runs its own business, homeschools or four kids, and is looking to initially travel about three months out of each year, probably one and two week road trips. We've narrowed our choices down to the Palazzo 33.3 or the Outlaw 37MD. I believe each has it's pros and cons but we are literally down the middle on which would be better for us.
I'd like to list some of our observations and where we see strengths and weaknesses, then ask you all to offer other points we should consider and possibly offer a purchase suggestion. I know it's a personal decision and I've found many posters respect that and are reluctant to offer a purchase opinion, so perhaps a spit opinion such as 60/40 Palazzo, or 30/70 Outlaw, etc.
Both vehicles have similar cockpit arrangements, the overhead drop down bed in the driver's compartment is also a winner for us. Exterior storage is similar as is fuel and water capacity. They have similar interior decor and finishes. I'm going to focus on the overall layout and of course power.
Palazzo 33.3
1 - We really like to floorplan. The Bunk beds are great since we travel with our kids. We like the idea of dedicated sleeping space that unlike convertible dinettes and couches, don't have to be converted each day/night.
2 - The entry step Mudroom is nice. Great place for dirty shoes especially since my kids are part neanderthal and I can barley keep something on their feet in the first place. I don't know why it's not incorporated into the Outlaw or all the other similar Thor models. Perhaps some variants have a structural member that prevents the mudroom.
3 - Diesel is the biggest difference. The fuel is about 20% more expensive than gasoline, but it looks like we would have greater fuel efficiency, so fuel costs is a wash. Maintenance is more expensive, but also further apart, so also a wash. Only real draw back seems to be initial expense. Aout $45k or so over the similar gasoline Hurricane Bunk House. Since price is not our primary concern, its not really an issue.
4 - Power. From all I've read, the diesel power is more than enough for this size motorcoach. No problems with hills and greater tow capacity. If we do decide to tow a car, it'll be a Toyota Sienna minivan, so the extra power would be nice.
Outlaw 37MD
1 - Loft sleeping compartment. No bunk beds, but the dedicated sleeping area is nice for the same reasons as the bunk beds on the Palazzo. However, I like the loft arrangement on the 37LS since it removes the forward storage areas in favor of a small handrail overlooking the lower compartment. I think that increases the bed area and give a more open feel.
2 - Center room with sliding glass doors. The principal difference between the 37MD and 37LS, the central room has a sliding glass door into the rear garage. This help open that room up making it feel bigger. We also prefer the couch back in this central room as it gives a separate space for our kids to get away from each other. What can I say, our kids love each other but sometimes distance does make the heart grow founder and for all you other parents out there, I think you can sympathise.
3 - Rear garage. This is the main win for the outlaw. We don't plan on using it for vehicles but instead as a multi use room. We can toss our bikes, surf boards, messy gear, and whatever else, easily in the back . There is also a dedicated pedestrian door on the side so we don't have to tramp through the forward compartments when dripping wet or muddy.
4 - Rear patio. Another big win. Our youngest in not yet two so this would be his dedicated "don't run of and get eaten by a bear" play area. My wife also visualizes herself having her morning coffee sitting on this porch overlooking the pristine lake / river / forest.
5 - Power. All I can say is "lacking". I know it's a big V10 but I've test driven both and while it does manage to get the motorcoach where it needs to go, I can definitely feel the difference in acceleration. That isn't too big of a concern for me as I play on driving it like my grandma drove her old buick, but I do worry about how it will handle hills and mountain passes.
6 - Fuel efficiency. Less than the diesel, though fuel is cheaper. It might be a wash dollar for dollar but my range would be decreased since they have about the same fuel capacity. I also worry about towing out minivan. Though it should be able to handle the weight, I don't imagine it will be easy. I can just see us now, heading up the Grapevine out of California and all the kids chanting "I think I can, I think I can", like the little train that could.
7 - The 37LS has a washer dryer hook up but the 37MD does not. WE could probably retrofit something and put them in the same garage space as the LS. I think Thor left this out because of restrictions with the sliding glass door. We also like the bigger Dinette. We can fit more family members and anyone sitting gets a great view out the front windscreen, though the table is too small and would only work at dinner time if we used leprechaun sized plates.
8 - Bathroom. The 37MD has a separate shower and sink / commode area. So someone taking a shower won't tie p the rest room. Not that we will likely take long showers, but it's nice to have. Also, since the roof height increase to accommodate the loft, there is a lot of head room in the shower, important since we are a tall family.
Summary
In the end, we like the size of the Outlaw. It really feels like a small house on wheels. Separate areas, a big open bay in the back for whatever we want. But we feel power and fuel efficiency will be lacking. It may also drive a little harder with the extra height, weight, softer suspension, etc.
We like the Palazzo because of the Diesel. It'll be quieter up front, should ride better, greater tow capacity and therefore we could probably stuff it to the gills and still not worry about power. The kids love the bunk beds, but the there is less space and no separate areas as in the Outlaw.
