Forum Discussion

Groover's avatar
Groover
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2013

Palazzo Brakes

There is one issue in which I have been disappointed by Thor. The web site clearly stated that the Palazzo came equipped with front disc brakes. After getting home I wanted to see what front disc brakes look like so I crawled under the coach to take a peek. I was shocked to find that they look exactly like drum brakes. I called Freightliner and asked why my coach had drums when it was advertised to have disc brakes. The service tech seemed surprised also and told me that disc brakes were standard. When I gave him my VIN he looked it up and told me that Thor had ordered the chassis with drums in place of the discs. I asked a professional trucker I know how big of deal he thought that it is and he told me that disc brakes last twice as long and cost half as much to service. More importantly, they stop the vehicle faster and are lighter for a better ride and more carrying capacity. He thinks that discs so much better that he is considering having his tractor retrofitted with disc brakes.

I called Thor and explained that I negotiated the price for the coach based on their advertised features and feel that I had been shorted and would like to know what they would do to make things right. This is their formal, written response:

"Your letter is to memorialize our conversation in regards to your coach having front disc brakes. We do thank you very much for bringing this error to our attention and it has since been removed from the website. We don't and never have put disc brakes on the coaches. Please rest assured that Thor stands ready, willing and able to honor our published limited warranty to the fullest extent. This is not a warrantable item. We reserve the right to make changes to our website at anytime. This was sincerely an accidental description posted online. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly at (877) 855-2867.

Sincerely,
Bill Sauer
Thor Motor Coach"

What do you guys think of this response? Would you be satisfied?
Class A
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    Maybe not satisfied, but....I don't think you would have any recourse..although I'm not an attorney.....Dennis
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Sounds like a pretty serious "error" to me and regretfully you caught it after you got it home. I know I'd be fuming, expecially when you add the towing capacity to the deal. It appears that the guys over at the Palazzo Owners Forum don't have a clue yet! Can't recommend a lawyer around here, cause the minute you do, they like to shut it down. But I know what I'd be doing!
  • fpresto's avatar
    fpresto
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    If Thor is like most web sites they have a disclaimer, usually at the bottom in fine print, saying something like "specifications may change without notice" or "not responsible for errors". That is how they can slip things like non existent disc brakes. If so; you have no legal recourse unless you can prove that it was deliberate.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Don't know where you got the information that disk brakes last twice as long.

    Particularly on an RV application where they tend to sit parked for periods of time, disk brakes sliding calipers have a tendency to seize up.

    From my experience over the years, I would suggest that drum brakes (again on RV applications) are less problematic than disks.

    BTW, the drum brakes on our last coach still had over 50% of brake lining at 170,000 miles.
  • hone_eagle's avatar
    hone_eagle
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    I agree with wolfe10 and would add disks in these sizes are NOT cheaper in anyway shape or form.
  • J_Walker's avatar
    J_Walker
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    I have been pleased with the trouble free operation of my drum brakes on my 2000 Ultrasport. The shoes had plenty of wear left after 64,000 miles and no servicing or repairs needed. One advantage of disc brakes is that they have less time lag when beginning to brake. After that the performance is very close to the same as drum brakes. When I test drove the Palazzo I noticed that the time lag was much less than on the Ultrasport. Perhaps improvements have been made. I am happy that drum brakes are on the Palazzo. The disc brakes would have been an interesting thing to try. Freightliner Custom Chassis is just that. The allow customers to specify options. I will look over the Thor literature to see where they advertised their brakes. It is very bad to advertise one thing and deliver another. I am afraid that there is no recourse if they did.
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    wolfe10 wrote:
    BTW, the drum brakes on our last coach still had over 50% of brake lining at 170,000 miles.
    But your drum brakes on that coach were not s-cam operated. I my book, the wedge type drum brake that your old coach had is a step up from the s-cam system, and is a higher quality, longer lasting, trouble free, brake system.
  • WMMitchell81554's avatar
    WMMitchell81554
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    I tend to side with drum brakes. In the past I have operated tractors with drum brakes lasting over 350,000 miles. My current coach, built on a class 8 (tractor trailer) cab, has industry standard air operated, s-cam drum brakes that stop the coach well. I do need to mention that my last rear engine coach had air operated disc brakes. The coach did stop well; maybe a bit better than my current coach however, at 60,000 miles the front pads appeared to be wearing thin. When I discussed the cost of replacing the rotors and pads I had problems finding parts and when I did they were very expensive. I sold the coach before replacing the brakes.
    As to the previous post regarding wedge actuated air brakes, I found wedge brakes to be smooth operating, but a pain in the neck to adjust. Have they become easier to adjust in the past years, or better yet are they now automatically adjusting? I hope so.
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    I am quite sure that on their brochures, website, and all other printed documentation there is a clause that states they can make changes to the product at anytime and without notice. You have no recourse. Actually, as already posted, there are advantages with drum over disc in the RV application.
  • pablo77's avatar
    pablo77
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2013
    From their website:

    Disclaimer

    REPRESENTATIONS PUBLISHED WITHIN THE WEB SITE DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO ANY PRODUCT YOU MAY PURCHASE. YOU SHOULD VERIFY THAT A REPRESENTATION APPLIES TO THE PRODUCT THAT YOU MAY WISH TO PURCHASE BEFORE MAKING YOUR PURCHASE DECISION.



    We reserve the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in prices, styling, design, colors, construction, equipment, materials, and specifications. We are not responsible for inaccurate or outdated representations published within the web site. Please check with your local Thor Motor Coach dealer to ensure that you have the latest accurate information available on any product you wish to purchase.

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