Thor palazzo33.3 vs Forest River Legacy 340BH ???

Kevin O. wrote:
I am a NEWBIE when it comes to motorhomes. I had my heart set on a new Thor Palazzo until I came across the Forest River Legacy 340BH which has the same exact floor plan. I'm just looking for some opinions on why you would choose one over the other.


Thanks, Kevin

We have a Thor now (different model), it's fine, and I'd certainly consider another one. We looked at the Palazzo at the recent FMCA rally and it was very nice. In addition, Thor has modified the slide mechanism in new Palazzo units and (supposedly) the difficulty in slide alignment has been addressed. However, we previously owned a Forest River trailer and liked it a lot too. I would certainly consider any Forest River product.

Apart from major design screw-ups, which affect all units but tend to get fixed in the next model year,* the more important consideration is the build quality of the particular unit you're looking at. For example, the absolute worst horror story I've ever heard of occurred in a Winnebago luxury model (!), which otherwise has an excellent reputation. So, whatever you decide, do a really thorough PDI and as noted above, don't accept delivery of the unit until the major components are working correctly.

Skip

* Recall the adage from computer science: never buy version 1.0 of anything. :)

From looking at the Freightliner information it appears that they use the 2500 transmission in all of the chassis now.

http://freightlinerchassis.com/documents/XC%20Brochure%203-22-11-20110322121859000000.pdf

Just looked at a listing for the Forest River and it does list the Allison 2500 as the transmission along with a 10K hitch set up. Quite a nice rig for the list of 159K. I would take FR quality over Thor any day.

As the owner of 33.3 my biggest concern is the Shwintek slide system. Mine has failed after less than a year. Thor is working very well with me to get it replaced but my biggest question is whether the problem can be made to go away or if it will be with me as long as I own the coach. I will post again when I have more info. While some cases have been highly publicized I don't get the impression that every Palazzo has this problem, or at least I hope they don't and mine will be cured when properly repaired.

A related issue is that mine seems to be drafty at interstate speeds and it is very difficult to control internal temperature. I am hoping that fixing the slide will tighten up the seals.

I looked at some pictures of the Forest River and the similarities are amazing but the are some details I like better about each one. I encourage you to look under the skin at build quality if you can before making any decisions. One dealer stated that the Forest River has the Allison 2500 hundred transmission. I doubt that becuase I don't think it is offered on that chassis but if they do that is big because it greatly increases your trailer tow capacity. The last I heard the 208" wheelbase under the Palazzo gets the 2100 transmission but the 220" and up get the 2500. I have not seen what the wheelbase is on the Forest River. The biggest thing I don't like on the Forest River is the cabinet handles. They look like accidents waiting to happen. I would replace them with rounded handles that won't catch clothing but that at least is a very simple and inexpensive change. I really do like the computer shelf in front of the passenger on the Palazzo. It is very handy for all sorts of things.

Kevin your best bet. Call your dealer or call Forest River. Since they all say "subject to change" I personally would make sure you won't accept one with it.

WOW! Does anyone know if Forest river uses the same Schwintek mechanism for there slides???

This might help make up your mind.