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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 23, 2015 11:58:27 GMT -5
Looking at ordering a 2015 38FL . . . any good , bad , or indifferent issues out here that I need to look for ?
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 23, 2015 13:26:13 GMT -5
we own a 3 year old stone ridge 38fl and LOVE it. 3 years and well over 15k miles and very few problems. However, if if were to buy a new one, I would probably order a Kz durango gold front living model. They addressed almost all of the changes that we would like to see made to our unit when they came out with that one. We like the kitchen layout better, the bathroom with the side hall and the twin recliners in the living room. I'm waiting for them to come out with the Stone ridge, (or the new proposed platinum) model with the revised front living floor plan. the stone ridge does offer some upgrades that are not available on the Durango Go;d. DO NOT BUY EITHER UNIT without getting 7000# axles and Good year G rated tires. They are worth every penny. We also love our convection microwave oven and power cord reel. Also, the a/c's with heat pumps save a lot of lp gas in temps above 40 degrees. That having been said, if you can get the Stone ridge at a SUPER deal, don't hesitate! That unit pulls well with a silverado 2500hd diesel also. About the only front living that i would pull with a 3/4 ton truck. good luck.
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Post by shortlance on Feb 23, 2015 15:28:58 GMT -5
Happy to hear you are upgrading Joe. I was wondering how long it would be before you decided you needed a new RV to go with that new truck you got. Our Stoneridge pulls MUCH better then the Montego Bay did but it does not have the 5th airborne hitch and I really miss that a lot. I had all 4 bearing seals go on me but ours only has 6000 lb. axles on it because I got it from the dealer and that was what was on---I should have made them upgrade the axles before I made the deal. Other then that we are very happy with our Stoneridge and have no regrets about trading up to it.
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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 23, 2015 15:37:58 GMT -5
Thanks guys... I may have been a bit premature with my post.... The numbers are back , and all I can say is WOW they are expensive.... Mike .. do you feel the Gold is a huge step down from the Stoneridge ?
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 23, 2015 16:17:59 GMT -5
Probably not. I suspect that a dealer could call the factory and get most of the extras thar are available on the stone ridge put on the durango gold. However, I've been told by the management at my dealer that kz will rename the stone ridge line to something else in the next few months. Probably PLATINUM. Hopefully will includes changes to floor plans and some luxury upgrades. I'd like to see them make it into a true luxury 5th wheel with upgraded finishes and furnishings. BUT, it would be extremely important to me that they not increase the weight significantly.
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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 23, 2015 21:19:18 GMT -5
Mike , in yours , do both the sofas up stairs fold down to sofa beds?
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 23, 2015 21:58:33 GMT -5
No. Just the shorter one on the road side. The long one on the curb side has a recliner built in.
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Post by shortlance on Feb 24, 2015 10:49:04 GMT -5
Joe,
In my opinion you get more bang for the buck with the Goldrush. If my dealer didn't have the Stoneridge and given me a great deal to get rid of it, I really think I would have got a Goldrush. He had a buyer for our Montego Bay and really wanted to get rid of the Stoneridge so he basically gave me the same deal that I would have got if I ordered a Goldrush from the factory. I see very little difference in quality between the two. The full body paint job is what really a big factor that sold me on the Stoneridge he had in stock. With all the upgrades you did on your Montego Bay I would think you could get a really good trade in on it.
Good luck with what ever you decide to get! I don't think Family Camping has any Stoneridges in stock so there most likely not be any at the Phily RV show in March to look at. I am looking forward to seeing what KZ comes up with to replace the Stoneridge.
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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 24, 2015 12:01:13 GMT -5
Thane ,
Nobody has ANY 2015 Stone Ridges in stock.. NOWHERE.... I found 2 2014's up at C Neer (a 39BH and a sold 38FL) , and that's who I am dealing with now. He is telling me that there is no comparison from the 2015 to the 2015 but my wife wants to go and sit on the sofa anyway.... As it is now the trade value is nice.. and I am happy with that number.. I just have to wrap my head around everything...
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 24, 2015 12:59:26 GMT -5
If i could get the upgrades that i mentioned in my previous post on the Durango Gold unit, I would have no problem going with it instead of the stone ridge. I have been in a few gold units and the interior fit, finish and appointments appear to be equal to the Stone Ridge. Comparing the weights and tongue weights the units must be quite similar in construction, and as i said earlier, we like the floorpan of the gold fl better than our original fl. But i would order it with the axles, tires, convection oven, heat pumps, etc. which i'm not sure the factory will put on a Gold. If I were you and didn't have to have a new unit now, i'd wait for the new Platinums and see what the differences are. If they are too expensive, too heavy or too whatever, you can always get a gold unit. I think you would be satisfied with it. As I said in an earlier post, I'd like to see a clear difference between the Gold and the Platinum. If they do that, it will probably mean it's time for me to buy another one! BERRY LAND CAMPERS LOVES ME!
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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 24, 2015 13:36:13 GMT -5
If you research KZ Prestige/Stoneridge You will find a link to a dealer in LA... KZ manufactured 4 of the Prestige line to try it out.. She purchased all 4 and sold them... there are pictures on their site.
( Halls RV) I had a nice conversation with the lady who owns the facility.. very friendly . ..From What I am hearing , KZ is NOT allowed to use that name anymore.. and the Units are expensive from what I hear... I also hear that if and when they roll out that line , it will be the very High end unit , my dealer is telling me that they are NOT sure of the demand is there..
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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 24, 2015 13:37:45 GMT -5
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Post by johnr on Feb 24, 2015 14:02:28 GMT -5
Gosh those are sharp looking! I like the back window of the 36RL.
Not sure that I'm a fan of the sink placement right next to the shower door like that. I think I'd need to see that in person to make sure I wouldn't need to be "jumping the sink" to get into or out of the shower.
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Post by fordtruckguy on Feb 24, 2015 15:45:41 GMT -5
The 1 MAJOR sticking point with the GOLD was the bathroom... It was NOT accessible with the slides in , you had to use the 2nd door which is on the street side of the trailer.. When traveling ( with kids ) we always have to stop for pee breaks , that door on the other side would be a pain.. in her eyes
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83 
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Post by azandy on Feb 24, 2015 18:22:33 GMT -5
Looking at ordering a 2015 38FL . . . any good , bad , or indifferent issues out here that I need to look for ? Real happy with our 36ul. After reading all these posts make me want to upgrade. Have about 20 k miles on it. New g tires last year. E tires didn't last. Just brought it to the dealer right now for the first time after two years. Maintenance stuff and just radio quit working. Plan to keep it couple more years for sure. We'll see I guess . I live in it part time for work. Probably 4 to 5 months worth each year. Maybe see what this durango gold and platinum are all about later this year. |
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 24, 2015 19:15:55 GMT -5
Azande; when you come down here to work, take one of your off days and run over to berryland campers in ponchatoula. They have a good stock of durango gold units to look at .
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83
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Post by azandy on Feb 24, 2015 20:12:23 GMT -5
Azande; when you come down here to work, take one of your off days and run over to berryland campers in ponchatoula. They have a good stock of durango gold units to look at . I may just do that. I'll arrive Tuesday it looks like. Maybe tow a new camper home. Well I'll maybe take a ride and look anyway. Only a couple things I would change . |
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tedg
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 3
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Post by tedg on Mar 11, 2015 7:21:47 GMT -5
I have a 2013 38FL. The 5th wheel is great. I've had several problems and the biggest one has been dealing with Customer Service. Also, my dealers interest ended when he delivered the 5th wheel. That combination of a poor dealer and Customer Service rep was frustrating. Even when I tried to communicate with a manager....he didn't even acknowledge my email. I have had 5 different Rvs and this was by far the worse Customer Support I ever dealt with.
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Mar 11, 2015 8:28:32 GMT -5
that is a perfect example of how important dealing with a reputable local dealer when purchasing a 5th wheel. The dealer can make all the difference. The dealer that i use is Berryland campers in ponchatoula, louisiana, which is about an hour from my home. We've bought 4 units from them in the last 10 years, 3 Cardinals and a KZ Stone Ridge 38fl. Probably took those units in about 10 times (total for all 4) for service. I was always well treated, the problems were addressed and corrected and done a timely manner. A cynical person would say "yeah, we would all get good service from a dealer when we bought 4 units from them", but I have friends who purchased a unit from them that are very satisfied also. Also, I recommend that you introduce yourself to the service manager and try to establish a personal relationship with him or her. I deal with Lloyd at berryland, and when I call it's always "Hey, mr. mike! What's going on today?" We've never had an adversarial relationship and it sure makes it nicer when we need service.
This is just my opinion, for what it is worth; don't base a purchase decision only on price. Look closely at the unit you're considering of course, but don't forget to consider the dealer also. Look at their facility, talk to people who have dealt with them. Ask to meet the service manager and ask questions like "how long does it normally take to get a service appointment? Can I usually get same day service on small repairs? How many service techs and service bays do you have? Do you have the ability to do body repair work or do I have to take it somewhere else?" the time to get these type of questions answered is before you buy, not after. In 10 years of camping, i've never met an owner who has not had to have their unit serviced. YOU WILL NEED SERVICE! strongly consider it in you purchase decision.
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Post by johnr on Mar 11, 2015 12:13:58 GMT -5
The two dealerships I've dealt with have both been good for service. I had purchased all of my RVs from a Jayco dealer about 1/2 hour away. We went in to look at a new RV and they said they were going to Jayco the next week and would take pictures and get information for me. I waited and never got anything from them. I called (I really try to stay away from e-mail for RV matters unless I'm sending pictures or getting something from them) and was told they'd get me information. They never did. I guess they didn't want to sell me a new RV. Ended up going to an RV show a few weeks later and met another dealer who was about an hour away. Bought my first KZ from them and don't have plans on going anywhere else for another RV or for service. brmike is right, ask questions at the time of sale about their service department, ask to meet the manager. I know some people who wait literally months to get their units in for service because of the sheer volume the dealer has.
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