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Post by skismuggs on Mar 19, 2018 6:59:57 GMT -5
We will be starting our 7th season in our 2012 Cougar fifth wheel and it is starting to get a little long in the tooth, as are we. So I am starting to explore what we may want next in a couple of years. We owned a KZ Frontier several years ago and traded up to a fiver as the floor plan didn't suit us. We really don't hear much about K-Z and this forum seems to be quiet, but I have seen on iRV2 an occasional recommendation for the Durango line. I looked at the specs for the Durango Gold 355rlt and really love the floor plan, but wish it were a foot shorter with a queen bed. RV Trader seems to indicate the Durango line is a good value, much like the Keystone Avalanche 320. It is really hard to figure out quality from the internet and not a lot is said about KZ. There are owners who are happy and then the occasional horror story about almost all makes, even the much praised Arctic Fox.
As I said, it will be a couple of years, but the next will probably be the last. I will take a closer at the Durango 2500 line as well.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 19, 2018 7:51:39 GMT -5
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Post by jetzen on Mar 19, 2018 8:11:16 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!!
KZ is the best kept secret in the RV industry. JMHO but the Durango Gold falls inline with the Keystone Montana & Alpine, Grand Design Solitude, Forest River Cedar Creek, Heartland Big Horn and VanLeigh Vilano but has better build quality than all of them.
The Durango 2500 falls inline with the Keystone Montana HC & Avalanche, Heartland Big Horn Traveler, Prime Time Sanibel, here again better build quality.
The Durango 1500 line similar to the Grand Design Refection and a BIG step up from a Keystone Sprinter or Laredo.
Most often but not always in the RV industry the most common problems occur with 2nd party equipment ie,. stoves, A/C units, furnace and refrigerators.
KZ seems to equip their units with the most popular/needed equipment and leaves the B.S.bling stuff to the others here again JMHO.
Hope you find what you are looking for and we are always here to help. |
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Post by skismuggs on Mar 19, 2018 14:01:34 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the breakdown. I took a look at the 2500 line and the 318RLT is a lot like what we are looking for and comes in just under 35'. The write up on the web site is great as it also talks about the 2500 being extended stay which is how GD labels the Solitude, but the Gold line as full time which I would love to do, but DW is more an extended stay kind of gal. Durango has migrated to the top in my search.
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dub
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Post by dub on Mar 19, 2018 15:51:05 GMT -5
I Just bought the Durango 2500 318RLT. Perfect length and a great floorpan. We opted for the king bed but it is available with a queen and that will give a little more room in the bedroom if you do not need a king. Best of luck in your choices.
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dub
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Post by dub on Mar 19, 2018 15:52:54 GMT -5
KZ Durango Gold just got a GREAT write up in FMCA (Family Motor Coach association) Magazine. The quality is the highlight of the article.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 19, 2018 17:34:30 GMT -5
KZ Durango Gold just got a GREAT write up in FMCA (Family Motor Coach association) Magazine. The quality is the highlight of the article. Can you post the article or at least give us a link to it so we can read it. |
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dub
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Retired rambler
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Post by dub on Mar 19, 2018 18:17:48 GMT -5
Let me see what I can do
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Post by nvguy on Mar 19, 2018 23:50:20 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Jetzen's post pretty much summed it up. The Durango line is a well kept secret. Not any "B.S. bling stuff" , but the important stuff is nicely done. The DW and I research every purchase to the molecular level, the Durango offered the most bang for the buck.
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Post by skismuggs on Mar 20, 2018 9:54:55 GMT -5
KZ Durango Gold just got a GREAT write up in FMCA (Family Motor Coach association) Magazine. The quality is the highlight of the article. It looks like FMCA requires a membership to see the article. Is it like Trailer Life where they talk about the features and glow about everything? It sound like it may be a little more in-depth than that. Edit: I couldn't stand it and joined FMCA. I am reading the article now and it is far more in-depth than Trailer Life. |
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dub
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Retired rambler
Posts: 49
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Post by dub on Mar 20, 2018 13:08:55 GMT -5
KZ Durango Gold just got a GREAT write up in FMCA (Family Motor Coach association) Magazine. The quality is the highlight of the article. It looks like FMCA requires a membership to see the article. Is it like Trailer Life where they talk about the features and glow about everything? It sound like it may be a little more in-depth than that. Edit: I couldn't stand it and joined FMCA. I am reading the article now and it is far more in-depth than Trailer Life. Glad you joined but sorry it took me so long! My magazine is at my dads house. |
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Post by Chuck on Mar 20, 2018 13:19:32 GMT -5
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Post by skismuggs on Mar 20, 2018 15:25:18 GMT -5
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Post by Chuck on Mar 20, 2018 17:26:44 GMT -5
I agree We have stainless hardware in our bathroom G374RLT an not plastic, so Kz must have got the message on such  One other thing that need to be fixed jetzen pointed out to me is more an bigger screws in the bed hinge, even thought they do work after a period of time he reported that the hinge/bed squeaks when lifting such to store things under the bed .... This is a minor problem an can be fixed in a few minutes .... As you will read some people report water leaks in fittings on the water panel, so far (knock on wood) we have not had any so far after over 9k miles last year ... Also some loose connectors in the TV wiring, but again we have not had a problem with such but did have a bad TV antenna which was replaced by Kz during last years rally .... Safe Travels an don't forget the Kz Rally near the factory Chuck |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2018 6:00:23 GMT -5
A link to the Durango Gold 384RLT Family Motor Coach/article can be found here (https://www.kz-rv.com/news/).
Thanks, Michael
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Post by Chuck on Mar 21, 2018 9:07:49 GMT -5
Thank you kzadmod (Michael) Good to see you posting, keep up the good work, hope to see you in August at the rally Chuck |
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Post by skismuggs on Mar 21, 2018 9:54:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the link even if it is a day late and a dollar short. LOL!
I also read other news stories while I was there.
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