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Post by jetzen on Mar 19, 2017 8:55:53 GMT -5
Finally the new 5ver has arrived. We purchased at the Tampa show in January 18th and it arrived at the dealer March 16. It is a 2018 model year (good for me I guess). There have been some changes made in the manufacturing, most I like one I don't. You can now get full body paint it is a silver gray with beige/cream accents very nice on the eyes. The rear couch/sofa is now a sleeper sofa with a memory foam mattress instead of a tri-fold, for me that part of it is not important this sofa however is so much more comfortable to sit on than the trifold. Slide toppers are now available if you order the second main awning, mine where installed at the factory all color matched.
What they changed that I don't like. they moved the light switch for the dining room overhead light/awning light from the side wall of the slide to the ceiling of the slide STUPID!!!!!!
What they didn't change still no ceiling fan available and now there is no useable 110v in the ceiling like there was before. Now to get 110v you have to tap off the A/C which is not recommended.
Went through the PDI in about 4 1/2 hours no major problems a few cosmetic things mainly glue/tape residue and housekeeping issues. One slide fascia molding was crooked, one cabinet door not inline. Everything seemed to be functioning properly. Roof vent covers, washer and dryer to be installed and the PDI issues to be fixed this week, should be able to pick up the trailer by next Saturday.
Dealership scheduled 2days in a nearby campground about 1/2 mile from dealership for a shake down at N/C.
Will keep you all posted.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 16, 2017 10:44:33 GMT -5
Edd505, I just got off the phone with KZ customer service about warranty repairs and this is what I was told
1) If you are within a 2 hour drive (125-150 miles) it must go back to the selling dealer. 2) If you are not call KZ customer service and they will direct you to a KZ dealer that will service your unit. They can not guarantee a timeline on when service will be performed. 3) If it is a component failure (like an A/C unit) call the manufacturer of that component and they will direct you as to were to go for warranty repair. May not be a KZ dealer. 4) if you need an emergency repair call KZ first take trailer to the nearest RV repair facility and get a written estimate call KZ with the amount of said repairs for authorization. Pay for repairs out of pocket and KZ will reimburse you. THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE YOU WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION!!! So they say
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Post by jetzen on Mar 16, 2017 8:22:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the warranty and antenna booster info going Saturday to do a PDI.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 15, 2017 7:38:15 GMT -5
ajax, I have seen their adds on RV trader
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Post by jetzen on Mar 14, 2017 18:44:28 GMT -5
One other thing while I have not, did you get a copy of the KZ warranty and read it. I'm just asking and the reason why is that is one of the reasons I do not own a Heartland product. It actually states in the warranty that only the selling dealer can repair their product under warranty, which when you think of it is kind of stupid. If I were to purchase a trailer from a "local" dealer chances are the trailer is not going to break down in my driveway in NE Ohio. It will break down 500+ mile away Murphies Law ya know. I can almost guarantee your trailer will NEVER malfunction within 200 mile of the selling dealer. Here again JMO
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Post by jetzen on Mar 14, 2017 18:31:40 GMT -5
This is one good reason to attend the National Rally. We are hoping to be able to schedule factory service plus this will be the forum to address your frustration directly with a factory rep. Hope that you can resolve your issues with your local dealer. One thing to remember and this is not a lecture but try not to vent or convey your anger/frustration with your local dealer, most often that only makes matters worse. JMHO
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Post by jetzen on Mar 12, 2017 9:47:12 GMT -5
ajax, what dealer would that be, would like to watch his video's. Can't really see any disadvantage to owning a KZ product. Overall they make a very good product. Watched them/their products for a while before the DW and I pulled the trigger and purchased one. While I still waiting for the delivery day I am confident it will be a good experience.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 11, 2017 10:53:10 GMT -5
ajax, Thor purchased KZ in 2014. I am not aware of the reason why (it was not because KZ was failing), most likely it was because of market dominance, Thor wanting to be the big dog on the block. Of all the manufacturers that Thor owns, only Airstream and Jayco predate KZ. The Sportsman line of travel trailers put KZ on the map with their upgraded floorplans, light weight, durability and price. Where I come from KZ Sportsman trailers dominate the market (or at least appear to by the numbers of them I see in the local campgrounds). KZ seems to be able to produce a quality well built product that cost less than the other major brands, is lighter and has better durability over their entire line. As with any RV they are not perfect and a lot of your experience will have to do with the selling dealer. Are there better RV manufacturers out there, I would assume that there is, of the ones that I can afford (today) I would say no. I have only found 1 manufacturer that is worthy of the title best of the best (Spacecraft) but they are so far out of my league it's not even funny. That being said I could buy 3 KZ's for the price of 1 and be farther ahead. Research the dealer and go for it, I'm sure overall you will enjoy your purchase. Happy camping.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 9, 2017 10:12:20 GMT -5
This is were the national rally comes into play. It is an opportunity to meet with the people from the factory to resolve issues with your unit and to suggest upgrades so they can build a better product.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 9, 2017 9:15:49 GMT -5
dragonflight, some very good ideas and things they should be doing/offering and eventually some manufacturers will. The problem however is at least 2 fold, there have been RV manufacturers that have done exactly what you have mentioned built a quality coach stood behind their product only to have the company fail because they were extremely expensive and priced themselves out of the market. Secondly as long as the consumer accepts the crap they give us the manufacturers will not change. There are still companies out there that build a quality RV, unfortunately I can't afford one so I picked the least of the evils. I swore by Keystone products having owned several, my last one a 2005 Montana I had for 12 years, they are junk today compared to then focusing more on "bling" than quality construction. The KZ however for right now still build a pretty good product (the lesser of the evils). If you look at ALL the high end 5th wheels the only thing you are getting for your money is bling in fact they are assembled pretty bad DRV, Augusta, Landmark, VanLeigh, Montana, Redwood. The Forest River products and the rest of the Heartlands products are the worst, they can't even survive a 4 day RV show without coming apart. There is only one manufacturer that is truly a quality manufacturer and that would be Spacecraft, however to get what I have in my KZ it would have been 3x as much, $180,000. Would it have been 3x's as good.........I doubt it.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 8, 2017 19:34:20 GMT -5
danbydeerslayer, Looks like a nice unit, packs a lot into a small space. Lots of pass thru storage that you can access from under the bed. Sportsman series is what put KZ on the map very popular were I come from. I think that the rear kitchen myth is like an urban legend, someone somewhere had a problem most likely his own fault by not packing correctly and from there it has been blown way out of proportion. Over the years I have had 2 rear kitchens, 1 33ft travel trailer and my current 36ft 5th wheel which I have had for 12 years. Never had a problem with either launching my dishes, glasses etc. all over the trailer. The length of the trailers may have something to do with it though.JMO.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 7, 2017 19:52:31 GMT -5
Short answer NO
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Post by jetzen on Mar 7, 2017 19:25:25 GMT -5
in2infinity, this is only my opinion so don't kill the messenger if you don't like what I have to say. First if you are looking for information from the manufacturer you need to stop calling KZ. Venture RV is their own company, a "subsidiary" not really supported by KZ hence the different website AND a different phone number for customer service. Venture RV customer service is 888-988-8440. While KZ customer service reps may be able to help you with general information, I doubt that they will be able to help you with specifics. Second while your vin number may indicate you have a 2017 model, you most likely have a late run 2016 a common place happening in the RV industry. If you look at the 2016 specs you will find a GVWR of 8800lbs. with a UVW of 7750lbs. leaving a cargo capacity of 1050lbs.. Starting somewhere in the early-mid 2000's (2003-4) the feds required that every trailer be weighed so the UVW could be different but the GVWR would stay the same, hence the difference in "your" cargo capacity over what the factory spec sheet says. Third water weighs 8.6lbs./gallon so that would be 344lbs on a full tank with another 100lbs tied into a battery and full LP tanks = 444 leaving 606 lbs. I can somewhat understand traveling with a full fresh water tank but why would you be traveling with full waste (black & gray) tanks???
On your backup camera question I think that the sticker of the backup camera is kind of like following the pirates code of ethics, it's merely a suggestion. As far as it being wired who knows. You might want to ask your selling dealer,
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Post by jetzen on Mar 7, 2017 8:52:33 GMT -5
Hi dssmith and welcome to the forum. Camping season is always too short. Hope to see you at the National rally in Indiana this August.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 7, 2017 8:48:29 GMT -5
Hi riverrat and welcome to the forum, I also live in NE Ohio (Andover) where in Ohio are you from. The DW and I have a 384rlt, but the 380 was running a real close second, it was a tough decision. Check out the info on the National rally would love to see you there.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 3, 2017 10:33:35 GMT -5
2017 KZ National Rally
You are cordially invited to attend the 2017 KZ National Rally to share information, meet old friends, make new ones and have fun. DATES: July 30, 2017 through August 6, 2017
LOCATION: Shipshewana South Campground 1105 South Van Buren Street Shipshewana, IN 46565 260 768-4669
WAGONMASTERS: Walter & Laurie Conrad
This event is limited to KZ and Venture branded products only that are supported by the KZ and Venture Manufacturer Website or KZ Family Forum. Full hook-up pull thru sites are being held under the name "KZ Rally" on a limited first come first serve basis. Campsite fees are $44.00/day with a buy 6 days get the 7th day free. Reservations & Registration are being accepted now with a cut off date of Jun 16, 2017. It is the responsibility of any attendee to make their own reservation with the campground and to complete registration with the wagonmasters. Your KZRV or Venture RV trailer must be in attendance at the rally along with the owners/people who registered with the wagonmaster in order to participate in rally activities. Once reservation is made with the campground, you must register at 2017kzrally@embarqmail.com
Please use; Subject: Rally Registration INCLUDE: Full name, address and phone number of each attendee; Make, model, year and license plate number of trailer you'll be camping in must be a KZRV or Venture RV branded; Emergency Contact: Full name and phone number. Complete information is required before registration is accepted and information will NOT be shared.
AGENDA AND ACTIVITIES WILL BE POSTED AS THEY ARE FINALIZED
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Post by jetzen on Mar 3, 2017 9:02:48 GMT -5
fpopjfj, wait for the updates they will be posted soon.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 2, 2017 9:57:31 GMT -5
nevadatude, first I think the led lights will most likely last a very long time, longer than the standard light bulbs of older trailers. If you feel you still need to have a couple around confirm that in fact the whole fixture will need to be replaced rather than just a replacement lamp. I would most likely return to my selling dealer and purchase replacements just to make sure you are getting the correct one or if that is not possible and you want to do it online Dyers RV is a great place for replacement parts on the internet. I would stay away from places like amazon just for the frustration factor of getting the wrong/poor quality parts. follow this link www.dyersonline.com/
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Post by jetzen on Mar 1, 2017 13:40:19 GMT -5
johnr, Huffenagle, Majors is actually closer for me but I've have issues with them in the past when they were a Montana dealer with my current 5ver. That's one of the drawbacks when you purchase from a manufacturer show. You get a great price on the unit and you pick what dealer you want to pick it up at and do the PDI and hope other dealers will service it under warranty. I know where Hartville RV is I will have to check them out. Thanks
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Post by jetzen on Feb 28, 2017 19:00:13 GMT -5
johnr, Do they have a good service department
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