|
|
Post by mechloom on Jan 16, 2024 20:57:12 GMT -5
I am waiting for my Durango gold that I already put a downpayment on but I am considering eating the loss just to get a Brinkley. The fit and finish are far and away nicer than the KZ. But, I have some sticking points; mainly the lack of a dishwasher since we will be living full time in it. I know you can install one of those on your own, or have someone else install… for some reason the dealer shied away from that. I saw that an rv tech reviewed the Brinkley and said they did their plumbing incorrectly. Now I wonder about the KZ….Unfortunately there really isn’t a lot of info online about them (maybe that’s a good thing?). I saw there was definitely some quality complaints about 2020-2022. But not so much on 2023. Does anyone know of a solid review where they went through and reviewed the plumbing, electrical etc?
|
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on Jan 16, 2024 22:34:12 GMT -5
Since all the plumbing has to follow RVIA & industry standards I wonder exactly what was done "incorrectly" in the Brinkley & what this tech's qualifications are.
While I haven't installed a dishwasher in an RV I can see lots of issues. First being the plumbing itself, the manufacturer has the ability to start from scratch, with something as simple as moving a holding tank inlet 6" one way or the other. Then there is the need to neatly trim the cabinets, so the dishwasher doesn't look like an afterthought. With all that being said, there could also be holding tank issues, they may have larger grey tanks for units with dishwashers.
Before you fall in love with a dishwasher, remember you give up lots of storage to have a dishwasher. I would do a search across the RV forum world to see just how many folks would get a dishwasher again- or who can't live without it.
|
|
|
|
Post by tightwadted on Jan 18, 2024 8:41:10 GMT -5
Personally, while we have and use a dishwasher in our S&B i wouldnt have one in our camper, we wash so few dishes, and when we do much of the time we dump the water down the stool, my thought is i conserve a lot more fresh water and grey tank space doing it that way, however if you are an exclusivy FHU camper, then i guess those things wouldnt matter. YMMV.
|
|
|
|
Post by cherokee on Jan 18, 2024 10:36:31 GMT -5
Definitely a dish washer is a must. We use ours once a day. I do agree with the above post about having it professionally installed. Example, space around unit for cooling, outlet plug gfi, and routing of drain hose.
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on Jan 18, 2024 10:54:22 GMT -5
Our dishwasher at home doesn't even work. It's where we keep the dirty dishes to wash, a small garbage bag so it's out of the cat's reach and the dish drain rack. :-) We're like tightwadted, we wash in a basin and dump it in the toilet.
Lyle
|
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Jan 30, 2024 14:46:10 GMT -5
DW at the house but paper for the most part in the RV. We have coffee/tea cups a few glasses, cooking or baking stuff washed every evening so one sink full.
|
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on Feb 1, 2024 1:16:20 GMT -5
DW at the house but paper for the most part in the RV. We have coffee/tea cups a few glasses, cooking or baking stuff washed every evening so one sink full. X2 Keeping it simple and easy. FWIW, when we are traveling, we are out for months, so it isn't a weekend thing for us. |
|
|
|
Post by jetzen on Feb 1, 2024 9:54:14 GMT -5
ahh yes Brinkley the darling of the industry, the new kid on the block. I have seen them, not overly impressed, just like Alliance when they first hit the street. Same thing. The RV press just fell all over themselves with praise. People buy into the propaganda and find out a short time latter that overall they really aren't any better and sometimes can be a lot worse than the rest. Remember this when the VanLeigh Vilano came out they were the hottest most bestest thing since sliced bread...now they are extinct.
As far as the dishwasher is concerned we have a Gold and they use an apartment sized residential dishwasher as opposed to a drawer style RV dishwasher. We are most-of-the-timers and use the dishwasher probably every other day. We have had no issues with it and using the dishwasher actually uses less water than doing dishes by hand, about 3 gallons for a full wash and rinse.
In fact in our 7 years of ownership and 50,000+ miles, living in the trailer 7-8 months of the year the only things that have failed is the Rotoflex king pin, a carbon monoxide detector, one A/C unit a microwave and the outside LED light strips under the awnings. Things that I have replaced because of wear are the tires, the brakes, slide topper material, wet bolts and equalizers. Things that are showing signs of wear that will need to be replaced soon the awning material and the graphics are showing signs of age. I have had nothing fall off while in travel, but I do check the plumbing connections regularly because they have come loose.
My Gold is starting to show some signs of age but nothing that can't be fixed, repaired or replaced easily. I had a Montana (read money pit) before this and am glad I didn't purchase another or a Grand Design or a Forest River product. JMHO at this price point a Durango Gold is going to have the best build quality you will find, but perfect or trouble free they are not.
KZ is one of the oldest RV manufacturers over 50 years, with many industry awards for both innovation and customer service and while things can always be manufactured better, and have better customer service, you don't last that long in the RV industry by building junk or treating you client base poorly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Feb 1, 2024 10:54:14 GMT -5
well said jetzen, I love my KZ Gold and nothing KZ did has come undone.
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on Feb 1, 2024 12:40:39 GMT -5
ahh yes Brinkley the darling of the industry, the new kid on the block. I have seen them, not overly impressed, just like Alliance when they first hit the street. Same thing. The RV press just fell all over themselves with praise. People buy into the propaganda and find out a short time latter that overall they really aren't any better and sometimes can be a lot worse than the rest. Remember this when the VanLeigh Vilano came out they were the hottest most bestest thing since sliced bread...now they are extinct. As far as the dishwasher is concerned we have a Gold and they use an apartment sized residential dishwasher as opposed to a drawer style RV dishwasher. We are most-of-the-timers and use the dishwasher probably every other day. We have had no issues with it and using the dishwasher actually uses less water than doing dishes by hand, about 3 gallons for a full wash and rinse. In fact in our 7 years of ownership and 50,000+ miles, living in the trailer 7-8 months of the year the only things that have failed is the Rotoflex king pin, a carbon monoxide detector, one A/C unit a microwave and the outside LED light strips under the awnings. Things that I have replaced because of wear are the tires, the brakes, slide topper material, wet bolts and equalizers. Things that are showing signs of wear that will need to be replaced soon the awning material and the graphics are showing signs of age. I have had nothing fall off while in travel, but I do check the plumbing connections regularly because they have come loose. My Gold is starting to show some signs of age but nothing that can't be fixed, repaired or replaced easily. I had a Montana (read money pit) before this and am glad I didn't purchase another or a Grand Design or a Forest River product. JMHO at this price point a Durango Gold is going to have the best build quality you will find, but perfect or trouble free they are not. KZ is one of the oldest RV manufacturers over 50 years, with many industry awards for both innovation and customer service and while things can always be manufactured better, and have better customer service, you don't last that long in the RV industry by building junk or treating you client base poorly. Yes, KZ has lasted a long time, but let's see where they are in another few years. 8 years since the Thor buy-out and I really haven't seen anything truly "innovative", just Thor copying the same stuff they do in all their other brands. As for quality? Who knows, since all RV mfrs keep their warranty numbers next to the original Coke recipe in some underground bunker...somewhere. Betcha a dollar that KZ's warranty claims are up significantly since 2015. Still, I like KZ as a brand and do think their quality is a bit above average. I don't hesitate to recommend the Durangos, as that's what I have experience with. Lyle |
|
17600
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 72
|
Post by 17600 on Feb 1, 2024 14:14:40 GMT -5
I have been a KZ Durango owner now for just a little over a year. We have pulled it over 7500 miles stayed in at least 4 months maybe more. The only complaint I had is with the coaxial that is run for the TV's. I finally got tired of fighting it and installed my on-connection points so now that problem is solved. Before the Durango we had a Forest River Rockwood it was a good trailer but not near the quality of the Durango. I'm very satisfied with what I have.
|
|
