I've been reading about qaulity issues with several of the coaches I was interested in, specifically the slides. It seems as if all the bad slides were Lippert/Schwintek. More to the point, I was looking at the Palazzo 36.1; really nice coach for the price, but it seems to have continuing slide issues. Too bad, since the price and floorplan were nearly spot on. Our price will be in the $150k range if that helps. This issue is not exclusive to motor coaches, or even price points, as DRV is having similar issues in their lines. We also want the diesel pusher, as we will be towing a rather heavy SUV.First, are there brands that seem to have the least issues concerning slides and other quality issues? Second, which brands seem to take better care of their customers? (Thor and DRV get really bad reviews here). With all the info/misinfo available, it's very difficult to sift through it; visiting dealers doesn't help, as we are usually blinded by all the bling the dealers keep pointing out inside and out. At our budget, besides used, are there any viable options, or may we have to raise our budget? Used is always a viable option but, again, there are so many lemons out there that it's hard to sort and find the peach. Information gathered on here has greatly helped me in the past.

We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.

msturtz wrote:We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.Good to hear they are fixing the issue; my question is why should they have to in the first place? This is not a new issue; why can't they either install the upgraded tracks during production, or find a better slide supplier? Frustrating, especially since this seems to be the main complaint with the Palazzo. How are you, otherwise, liking it? They seem really well outfitted for the cost. We also looked at the bunk floor plan, but like the 36.1 floorplan better for FT after the brats leave the nest. As it is, there are plenty of sleeping options, and the 1/2 bath seals it.We're going to be pulling an Enclave; not the heaviest, but still pushing close to 5,000 curb. Along with our stuff, that's a little much for me to trust a gasser.

They are putting the 3 track system on all 2014.5 and 2015 units. Unfortunately, this is common in the "production" RV business. They have to cut costs to remain competitive. For me compared to say Jayco, Thor is doing much better at a lower cost. For instance, Thor uses corrugated wire protection and properly zip ties all wires. Everything is neatly laid out and organized. with Jayco they just run the wire as a disorganized mass, no wire protection, undersized wiring, and minimal zip ties. Thor used proper insulation for penetrations, Jayco used little or none. Thor uses cheaper cabinets than Jayco but for me I don't care it is an RV. Jayco adds some bells and whistles that Thor doesn't such as most of their units come with in dash navigation the problem is it is way out of date radio and very expensive and frustrating to update. The bottom line is for what you get Thor has a great value. I really do like their 24*7 customer service never got that with Jayco. Monday - Friday 9 - 5 EST only.

I am hoping this fixes the issue. Very happy to hear about your CS experience. With the towables, Jayco seems to have the upper hand there.Thank you for the honest review of your rig. I've seen a few of the older Winnies with the Freightliner chassis/300 Cat engines; those cabinets aren't that great, either, but the overall affect seems to be one of the "sum of the parts"; taken as a whole it's much nicer.Cabinet quality won't be such a huge deal, as we plan on adding a dish washer and making some other meaningful upgrades as time goes on, and most cabinets will have to be upgraded or rebuilt, anyway. So long as they hold up to continued use and do what they were designed to do.

Thor also replaced our 2014.5 35.1 large slide Schwintek system from a double to triple rail. I just don't know if it will be a long term solution as I plan on keeping this coach for a while. I guess time will only tell.

Slide issues | Good Sam Community

norfla71
Explorer
Dec 18, 2014
The salesman did touch on the hitch issue, saying anything below the 36.1 would not handle the 10,000 capacity of the hitch, due to the transmission.

I found a nice gasser Monaco in Jax for under $20,000 over Thanksgiving weekend, which is now sold. I don't recal the year or model, but it was shelter kept and well maintained.

Just for quick reference, can anyone give me a direction to start searching for the better units mentioned? Not just those, but any other better quality brands, as well?
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2014
I'm with Wayne on this. You might want to consider a different chassis in particular with consideration of your desire to tow a heavy vehicle. The Freightliner chassis the Palazzo is built on utilizes a Cummins ISB engine paired with an Allison 2500MH transmission. Although adequate for the size coach the Allison has a gross weight limit of 33,000 Lbs. I don't know how much an empty Palazzo weights but you really don't want to over stress the transmission. Over heat it a few times with a heavy load and you might be facing an expensive rebuild.

If you can find a coach within your budget with an ISC version engine and 3000MH transmission I think you might be a bit happier. Just because the builder installed a 10K hitch doesn't mean you are good to that weight. Run the numbers to ensure you will be within all the various limits. I am a bit surprised Thor installed a hitch of that size. Most rigs built on this chassis have a 5K hitch such as a Tiffin Red or a Coachman Cross Country.
WTD44
Explorer
Dec 18, 2014
If it were me I would take your $125-150 K and go find a little used pre 2007 38-40 foot coach, maybe a tiffin or a monaco. They are out there, you need to do the leg work, but you will get a substantial coach, better built than many of todays "lightweight" units that are built for a certain price point,lots of glitz but garbage.
Wayne07Scepter(4sale)
norfla71
Explorer
Dec 17, 2014
Local CW has a Jan 14 (early) build 36.1; it was just as nice in person as on the web. The floorplan looks about perfect. Saying that, and since the cabinet issue was brought up, I will say the cabinets are garbage IMO. Inside nearly every cabinet in the galley/lounge area had a decent film of sawdust where the latch screws worked loose and started stripping out the holes. One door was hanging noticeable crooked; looked inside and only 1 of the screws was holding the latch in place, and that one was barely in by a couple of threads. A $12,000 Starcraft has a better level of quality.

On the flip side, the asking price is equivalent to what a Columbus would be for the towable market; not the highest or lowest, nor the best or worst quality. Being an early production, it still had the double track slide system, and won't be upgraded until the company sees a warranty issue.

Other than the stated issues, everything else about the coach seemed to be pretty nice, especially at that price point. You do get a lot for your money.

The main issue I have is that mortgage sized payment for 20 years, not knowing if we'll be working long enough to pay it off.
93mastercraft
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
93mastercraft wrote:
ScottG wrote:
msturtz wrote:
ScottG wrote:
msturtz wrote:
We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.

Does that mean three tracks on each side of the slide instead of two?

yes it does

Thanks.
Overall it looks like a nicely engineered system, especially the tracks.

I wouldn't go that far. If you saw a Schwintek system off a slide out, you would quickly realize its inadequacies. The rollers under a slide are really the critical part. The rails are aluminum. The gear is steel. The rails will get eat up if any one little thing goes wrong with the alignment or level of the slide out.
93mastercraft
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
ScottG wrote:
msturtz wrote:
ScottG wrote:
msturtz wrote:
We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.

Does that mean three tracks on each side of the slide instead of two?

yes it does

Thanks.
Overall it looks like a nicely engineered system, especially the tracks.

I wouldn't go that far. If you saw a Schwintek system off a slide out, you would quickly realize its inadequacies. The rollers under a slide are really the critical part. The rails are aluminum. The gear is steal. The rails will get eat up if any one little thing goes wrong with the alignment or level of the slide out.
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 16, 2014
msturtz wrote:
ScottG wrote:
msturtz wrote:
We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.

Does that mean three tracks on each side of the slide instead of two?

yes it does

Thanks.
Overall it looks like a nicely engineered system, especially the tracks.
msturtz
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
ScottG wrote:
msturtz wrote:
We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.

Does that mean three tracks on each side of the slide instead of two?

yes it does
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 16, 2014
msturtz wrote:
We purchased a Palazzo 33.3. Yes our unit has slide issues. However Thor is taking care of the problems. In fact it is in for service now. We took delivery on 11/1/14. They are installing the upgraded 3 track system. I carefully looked at competing coaches in the price range. There just isn't much that can tow a full size SUV. We have 3 kids and need a larger toad.

Does that mean three tracks on each side of the slide instead of two?
93mastercraft
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
Thor also replaced our 2014.5 35.1 large slide Schwintek system from a double to triple rail. I just don't know if it will be a long term solution as I plan on keeping this coach for a while. I guess time will only tell.

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