azfam
Newbie RV’er
KZ Vision 23bhs
Posts: 3 
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Post by azfam on Aug 17, 2016 8:55:40 GMT -5
Posting in attempt to save other families the loss & heartache we've experienced...We know all brands have issues but feel we must warn you to not buy a KZ. Nothing but numerous issues and leaks from the first trip with our KZ Vision TT we ordered. We've spent the past year taking it in for service after every trip, attempted repairs have failed. Dealer said 3rd KZ like ours with same issue is manufacturer defect. Now a full inspection reveals even more issues than we knew of. Beyond disappointed to pay new and have every family trip ruined. Learning the hard way KZ's 2 year warranty means nothing but that they will attempt repairs (not fix) repeatedly until the warranty runs out. This experience has us questioning if we even want to get another trailer and continue camping, something we loved before all of this. Buyer beware.
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Post by tmmull on Aug 17, 2016 9:45:33 GMT -5
Posting in attempt to save other families the loss & heartache we've experienced...We know all brands have issues but feel we must warn you to not buy a KZ. Nothing but numerous issues and leaks from the first trip with our KZ Vision TT we ordered. We've spent the past year taking it in for service after every trip, attempted repairs have failed. Dealer said 3rd KZ like ours with same issue is manufacturer defect. Now a full inspection reveals even more issues than we knew of. Beyond disappointed to pay new and have every family trip ruined. Learning the hard way KZ's 2 year warranty means nothing but that they will attempt repairs (not fix) repeatedly until the warranty runs out. This experience has us questioning if we even want to get another trailer and continue camping, something we loved before all of this. Buyer beware. I know you'll get flamed from the die hard group here but I sympathize with you. We purchased our MXT20 a year and a half ago. Issues started the first time we camped in it. The Murphy bed pulled from the wall and a ceiling panel fell down. I repaired these and other minor problems myself due to my selling dealer being 6 hours away. During the first year I found the roof sheathing wasn't properly fastened, stretching the vinyl roof, a water leak that damaged a wall panel' a noisy, soft floor and other various issues. The response from KZ customer service was "that's normal and live with it"! The selling dealer did attempt repairs, fixing some but others are the same or worse. The trailer will be back at the dealer this winter to see what else they can fix. Most of our issues were due to poor build quality with some from cutting corners or a cheaper build. If I had known what I know now I would have stayed away from KZ. |
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abs
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 65 
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Post by abs on Aug 17, 2016 10:21:56 GMT -5
I seem to read more about this since Thor bought the company.
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Post by johnr on Aug 18, 2016 6:37:19 GMT -5
Maybe you should look into lemon laws for RVs?
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Post by lynnmor on Aug 18, 2016 8:44:37 GMT -5
Maybe you should look into lemon laws for RVs? I think you will find that the lemon laws only pertain to motorized vehicles. If you are not treated fairly, contact the attorney general's office in the state of purchase. |
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Post by jding1221 on Oct 24, 2016 17:24:56 GMT -5
My experience with a 2015 Vision has been horrible! For starters the "authorized" dealer in our area has major problems. I've had bad experiences with KZ customer service. They will not deal with the end customer the majority of the time. I've had to have an axle and tire replaced after approximately 500 miles. It took over 8 months to get resolved. The door was replaced an the new door is warped as well. The dual gas requlator has failed me twice. The dealer can't seem to repair a small fiber glass after several attempts. So I'm using a decal as a bandaid. The extremely cheap tires were just replaced with less that 10K miles (1yr,4mon old). One blowout, One bubbled, an the other extreme inner wear on the tread. During my last road trip the slideout roof leaked. The electric brake cable on the replaced axle dislogged and the tire rubbing on it cut them apart (aleast it was a tandem). Parts of the ceiling material gets more wrinkles when I look at it. Windows are sloppy in the tracks. Had to replace the battery after 6 months. The list of issues keeps going. I will never buy or recommend KZ to anyone. I wish there was a lemon law for this industry.
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Post by samanthawachter on Jan 12, 2018 5:39:17 GMT -5
Hiring a lawyer is the easiest and most cost effective options to deal with the tough situations. Whenever we plan to buy something big, it is important to pay attention to follow all the legal process and whether the documentation is correct. Read more about it on the different sites and blogs. |
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Post by capemayal on Jan 13, 2018 11:29:50 GMT -5
It's unfortunate that you have had so many issues.
My first few RV's, Fleetwood motorhomes were problems. Our '97 Bounder was on a Ford chassis. Don't know how many times it went to Ford for warped head bolts. Had flooded basement because Fleetwood used rigid piping for the water pumps - Kept breaking the filters. Defective circuit boards on hot water heater.
Had HR Presidential Suite 5th wheel where landing gears kept breaking (Lippert!), slide out failures. With the 3rd time around for the gears, and that's after we stopped at Lippert's, in Indiana, for the "repairs", Monaco approved the repair, went bankrupt, and stuck me with a $2k repair bill.
Tiffin Phaeton with problems. At least Bob Tiffin got right on them. Told me of a local dealer NOT to go to. Problems fixed PDQ.
HR Endeavor Diesel - minor. Fixed myself - was easier.
I now have a Durango Gold 380FLF. It has some minor problems. Biggest was a slide with wiring that got pinched. KZ stepped right up and got me to a dealer. All so far have been handled by KZ without question. I prefer eMail (don't really like a phone), but a phone call with KZ seems to be the best route.
I'm not trying to be a KZ rah-rah supporter - this is my first KZ. We liked the layout, and KZ, out of all the brands we looked at, seemed to have the best reputation, and least problems. I research things to death (bipolar), and that was my conclusion after a few months.
KZ, like all the others, have their problems. But, its us that winds up with them.
I don't know if Thor is the problem. Like Lippert, they're buying everyone out, and everyone knows Lippert's reputation.. My understanding is Thor keeps the same plants and personnel.
The days when manufacturers made all their own components is gone. I think the only want left is New Horizons, and I'm not sure they still are.
A lawyer may be a good choice, but, if you haven't already, a sit-down with KZ might get you a new, and maybe model higher, trailer. But, as hard as it might be, use a calm, well thought out approach. There's too many good dealers, with bad service departments, not to talk to them.
I had a problem with a product/service at CW. Needed 3 trips - at 80 miles each - to get it straightened out. I persisted and finally got CW to at least pay for 40 gallons of fuel and some meals. But, I've had some excellent results. CW has gone the "buying out" route, and Ive found, the original service departments and sales teams are still in place.
These are my opinions only. I hope you get better results down the road.
Safe travels. Maybe we'll meet up somewhere.
Al
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Post by Chuck on Jan 13, 2018 14:24:17 GMT -5
azfam Welcome to the Kz Form  Sorry to hear you have had so many problems, trailer manufacturers of all brands do have hick-ups an turn out a lemon every so often just like car manufacturers do... It's amazing that your dealer has not stepped up to the plate an sent your trailer back to Kz which in your case would have been the right thing to do .... You posted
" Learning the hard way KZ's 2 year warranty means nothing but that they will attempt repairs (not fix) repeatedly
until the warranty runs out."Reading the above statement I have to ask was it the dealer or Kz that attempted the repairs, big difference, yes Kz may authorize the repairs at your dealer but they are not the one's fixing the TT unless it was shipped back to the Kz factory for such ... Like a few others on this form we have had minor problems with our 5th wheel but Kz it's self has stepped up to the plate an fixed everything no questions ask ... In fact Kz it's self not our dealer has fixed a couple of things I broke that was my fault no charge ,,, If you read here on the form you will see that in a number of case's were Kz Customer service not their dealer has helped owners with less problems than what you have had an steered them onto dealers who were willing to do repairs outside of the dealer the owners bought from or again sent the trailer back to Kz for repairs ... I feel your pain my friend an if you read over on many other forms you will see posting just like yours with different brands so you are not alone ... I have to ask if you have had your trailer now two years an had all these problems why are you just coming to the Kz form an flaming on Kz. I would have thought that you would have been here long ago asking questions an complaining out your trailer, so it makes me wonder about your 1st time post. Many others have had problems an posted from the get go about their major problems an how they dealt with their dealer or Kz an even changed brands but still remained on this form so it makes me again wonder after two years why now  I hope you have better luck in the future with what you buy or if you are going to keep your KZ Vision an have it repaired properly to your liking, in any case hope things turn out better for you an again welcome to the Kz form Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by rvdude on Jan 13, 2018 19:52:43 GMT -5
The original post in this thread is an old post (from August 2016). I will say to azfam and anybody else, I am on my second KZ trailer. My first one I bought new in 2007. I kept it until 2017, and I used it for 10 years TROUBLE FREE. I bought my second KZ in 2017 and still like KZ trailers. I am having no problems with the second trailer either. Like Chuck said, you will have issues with ANYTHING you buy, no matter what it is or what brand it is.
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Post by capemayal on Jan 13, 2018 20:22:57 GMT -5
While its true this is an old post, it's possible that others, like me, might stumble on it. For me it was an email from the group that the post had been updated.
I would imagine a google search might yield similar results.
But, IAE, at least there's good information here.
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rver
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 6
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Post by rver on Jan 30, 2018 17:31:27 GMT -5
This is our first KZ 5th wheel and I have to say KZ has stepped up to the plate for approving our warranty repairs. It has been our dealer in fact the service manager that has been the problem! We have had motor homes in the past and yes they had their issues too. KZ customer has been a pleasure to deal with and I would recommend this product to future rvers
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patbev
Newbie RV’er
retired law enforcement
Posts: 6
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Post by patbev on Feb 18, 2018 18:43:17 GMT -5
I bought my first K Z product a sportsmen 5th wheel in 1994 kept it until 2000. Bought a 2000 New Vision 5th wheel had no problems with either. In 2011 I
bought a 2011 Durango 5th wheel,the only problem with it is after the warranty expired the graphics started pealing. The dealer I made my purchases from
has a great service dept. and they inspect every trailer from top to bottom before delivery. Next year planning on buying a new trailer and will probably
go with KZ. I know I'll take a hit on the graphics. I have owned other brands in the past- Comet, and road ranger,both out of business now.
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Post by tmillio on Feb 23, 2018 13:25:29 GMT -5
I have to agree with the folks who are saying KZ has been good to deal with. My 2017 Venom 3911 is the second toyhauler I've had and so far only minor issues with it. I bought it from Ketelsen in Denver, which is now part of Camping World, and they've done a great job responding to and working with me to fix the small issues I've had. Unfortunately, unless you can spend a fortune on a custom RV, most of the manufacturers put out both good and bad products and it seems to me that it's kind of 'luck of the draw' which one you're going to end up with. I will say that if you buy from a reputable dealer who goes through the unit before they sell it to you, like Ketelsen did when I bought mine, you'll probably have better luck in avoiding the real big problems right out of the gate. Sorry to hear about your experience and hope it didn't really ruin camping for you.
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Post by Chuck on Feb 23, 2018 15:47:02 GMT -5
We will more than likely never know since her last post was On Aug 17, 2016 at 6:47am ... She only posted three times twice complaining makes you wonder if she was a lurker or not... Safe travels Chuck |
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Post by spadoctor2 on Mar 7, 2018 9:11:49 GMT -5
I have bought 2 KZ products. A serious issue with the first 2 years out of warranty and the factory made the repairs and a new roof at no cost to me other then a week in IN. That being said you are no longer buying a true KZ as they are just another brand of the big guys buying everybody up. Its no longer the company it once was....even the dealers will tell you that
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Post by Chuck on Mar 7, 2018 13:55:34 GMT -5
spadoctor2
I have to disagree somewhat, if you come to the Kz rally in August you would see that they may be owned by
Thor but they do things their way an state such ... We owned a top of the line coachmen 5th wheel before
this Durango Gold, we have been to a few coachmen rallies an belong to the coachmen owners club. We have
never seen nor experienced the dedication an drive we saw at the Kz plant an the one an one time we had with
the line managers an reps ... I can not count the times I heard "WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AS A KZ OWNER" I rarely
hear that at coachmen except for the news letters we got, it was very impersonal even when touring the
coachmen plant ...
I also saw this as I have stated in other posts the Kz managers an Techs bent over backwards to help owners
at the Kz rally with repairs if needed even some out of warranty with minor stuff ...
Do I believe some of it was fluff, maybe, but when you see I would say 80 percent of the management staff
included the VP at a luncheon an be able to talk to them one on one any time you wanted to it makes me
sort of a believer in many ways ... They gave out their business cards an told us any problems you have
give us a call an we will support you if possible ...
Aa well I have stated when our frig happen to go out on a Friday morning at the rally they called the MFG
of the frig an ask to get it fixed ASAP, they were even willing to store our food either a the Kz main
office or at their homes if our frig could not be fixed that day ... We had the Kz Tech, Overall Kz 5th
wheel manager an overall Kz repair supervisor all in our trailer at one time see if they could figure out
what was wrong get our frig going, now if that isn't support I don't know what is LOL ...
Again as I posted, a week later when at the same camp grounds as was the rally I bent my hand rail going
into the trailer, my fault. This was at 4:00pm on a Friday, I when to the main Kz office which was closed
but a lady was just leaving an said the parts warehouse was down the street. I went down the street now
it's pushing 4:45pm on a Friday, front door locked but side garage door open, walked in an a gal ask could
she help me, another gentleman walked up while we were talking an I explained what happened an what I
needed. He siad I believe we have some hand rails over here an we walked over to were the were, ugh all
white no black. He stated I think there is some out back an away he went. About five minutes later he came
back an handed me a black hand rail. I ask him how do I pay for such, he stated have a great day an thank
you for owning a Kz product an walked away stating no charge ... Now that support I have never ever seen
an people ask me why I believe in Kz, how may RV company would at closing time dune such, I'm guessing
very few ...
Safe Travels an come to this year rally an see what I am talking about, there are a few spots left !!!
Chuck
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Post by cheapypants on Oct 5, 2018 18:53:38 GMT -5
I echo the warning. Bought a KZ Spree 196S new and regretted it on my first trip out. Prior to buying I emailed KZ inquiring about the build quality and if they used any computerized equipment. The answer was no and that they are in the Amish country. Still bought but I so regret. Stay away. Within a year of getting the leak fixed, it is back again and the trailer underbelly filled with water. Now I get to start an expected LONG drama as I methodically escalate the issue through dealer to manufacturer. Here is a link to a video I put up in YouTube called 2016 KZ SPREE 196S Problems youtu.be/XexgZQJhLnI |
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Post by Edd505 on Oct 5, 2018 21:44:02 GMT -5
I echo the warning. Bought a KZ Spree 196S new and regretted it on my first trip out. Prior to buying I emailed KZ inquiring about the build quality and if they used any computerized equipment. The answer was no and that they are in the Amish country. Still bought but I so regret. Stay away. Within a year of getting the leak fixed, it is back again and the trailer underbelly filled with water. Now I get to start an expected LONG drama as I methodically escalate the issue through dealer to manufacturer. Here is a link to a video I put up in YouTube called 2016 KZ SPREE 196S Problems youtu.be/XexgZQJhLnIAnother 2016 .... Trolling – (verb), as it relates to internet, is the deliberate act, (by a Troll – noun or adjective), of making random unsolicited and/or controversial comments on ... |
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 5, 2018 22:16:01 GMT -5
Maybe not a troll. Perhaps someone who is frustrated with their purchase and lashing out about it online. The unfortunate thing is, you can go to any forum for any product and see the same thing. It's not isolated to KZ or Jayco or Ford or Chevy etc.
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