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Post by dantexas on Mar 12, 2018 18:52:29 GMT -5
Hi KZ Family Forum members!
My wife and I are looking at reentering the 5th wheel lifestyle (at least on a part-time basis) as I am approaching retirement soon. We would probably travel a couple of months at a time a couple of times a year (dead of winter and heat of summer), plus shorter week/weekend trips. I own a diesel 2017 Ford F-350 SRW SB FX4, so am limited to payload, and therefore trailer size, but prefer a full-time-rated wide-body trailer with decent fit/finish. There are higher quality units than the KZ Durango Gold (at least on the surface) but they are too heavy! (Solitude, Vilano, DRV). I only have 3,280# payload per the door sticker, so I know I have limitations. The G366FBT seems to be within range, weight-wise. I would use a Reese Goosebox pin box to avoid the weight of a hitch in the truck (assuming the Goosebox fits the KZ DG frame - any input there?). Any turning-radius experience with a SB Ford F-350 with no sliding hitch or offset ball (can't have an offset ball with my factory prep from what I understand)?
Anyway, what input do any of you G366FBT owners have (pros/cons, experience)? Does anyone have actual loaded weights, including pin weights, of their G366FBT?
Maybe we'll be real KZ owners soon!
Thanks!
Danny
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Post by rvdude on Mar 12, 2018 20:51:00 GMT -5
Good luck with your decision and purchase. I think Durango Golds are good trailers. One thing to think about is if changing the fifth wheel to a gooseneck would void the warranty or not. I don't know, but just something to think about before you make a mistake that could cost you. Another thing is the location of the washer and dryer, if that would be important to you. The washer is inside the bedroom closet on one side, and the dryer is located on the other side of the bedroom closet. If you will be doing lots of laundry and that might be an issue to you, that is another thing to think about.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 12, 2018 23:27:22 GMT -5
JMHO dantexan,
If you think that the Grand Design and VanLeigh are of a higher quality you really need to take another look. REALLY spend some time in one. They are both a "house of cards".
You will not find a more solid built coach than a Durango. Forget about 2nd and 3rd party vendor products, they all use basically the same stuff. Look at how they are put together and how they utilize space and then what they charge.
An upstart company VanLeigh has the backing of Tiffin but their expertise in Class A does not carryover into 5th wheels. To give you a couple of examples their beds are so high you need a trapeze to swing yourself into it, and I don't know who applies the stain to their "high end wood" but Ray Charles could do a better job plus they have very little usable storage. Yes they do use multiplex wiring systems but their lack of attention to details their weight and their price for what you actually get take them out of the ball park.
Grand Design is another relatively new company and by the numbers of them that you see you could assume that they are doing well and making a fine product but a slick marketing campaign and lots of interior bling could not overcome the quality control issues they have and 3 years ago filed to restructure the company and it was finally sold to Winnebago in 2016. But from what I have seen at the RV shows they have not learned their lesson. I have seen countless Reflection and Solitude 5th wheels that can not make it through a 4 day RV show without starting to show signs of poor quality control IE falling apart. Trim coming off, cabinet door falling off and on and on. These are the same people that started Keystone and made Montana #1. They thought they could do it again and both marques have fallen on hard times for the same reasons.
KZ has been in business for 46 years and is no stranger to super high end 5th wheels. they manufactured a unit called an Escalade from about 2004-12. The average selling price was about $150,000. The things where top of the line everything and built to match, but KZ figured out that is was better to build a solid unit and keep it durable, somewhat modest and give you what you actually need in a fulltime unit plus try to keep the price down. One of the ways they accomplish this is to somewhat limit production, they only produce about 700 a year. Are they perfect, no, you will still have problems and if you are looking for the perfect 5th wheel good luck.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 13, 2018 2:17:27 GMT -5
Hi KZ Family Forum members! My wife and I are looking at reentering the 5th wheel lifestyle (at least on a part-time basis) as I am approaching retirement soon. We would probably travel a couple of months at a time a couple of times a year (dead of winter and heat of summer), plus shorter week/weekend trips. I own a diesel 2017 Ford F-350 SRW SB FX4, so am limited to payload, and therefore trailer size, but prefer a full-time-rated wide-body trailer with decent fit/finish. There are higher quality units than the KZ Durango Gold (at least on the surface) but they are too heavy! (Solitude, Vilano, DRV). I only have 3,280# payload per the door sticker, so I know I have limitations. The G366FBT seems to be within range, weight-wise. I would use a Reese Goosebox pin box to avoid the weight of a hitch in the truck (assuming the Goosebox fits the KZ DG frame - any input there?). Any turning-radius experience with a SB Ford F-350 with no sliding hitch or offset ball (can't have an offset ball with my factory prep from what I understand)? Anyway, what input do any of you G366FBT owners have (pros/cons, experience)? Does anyone have actual loaded weights, including pin weights, of their G366FBT? Maybe we'll be real KZ owners soon! Thanks! Danny Dan I'm looking at GVWR for Ford F350's at www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguid/17RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_r2_Sep29.pdfAn I see 12K or better even on SRW F350's, long or short bed trucks I believe that you would not have a problem with regular 5th wheel hook up with a G366FBT or even a G384RLT do to the fact your only looking a about 450pds difference in the GVWR between trailers ... Dry hitch weight for the G366FBT is 2,240 an the G384 dry pin weight is 2,530, so of course it's what you want an like, the G366FBT is a nice trailer an will serve you well .... Al I am pointing out is that a trailer with more space is just about the same weight as the the other, of course things change when you get the DW, dog or dogs along with all you camping gear I still believe you would be within your limit Here is a link to the Kz www.kz-rv.com/products/durango-gold-fifth-wheels/specifications.html specs Safe travels an hear's hoping you join the Kz family, as jetzen stated they are well built an I believe you get the best bang for your buck ... The only thing is to make sure you get a good dealer who will support you an your trailer, a bad dealer with lack of support always leaves a bitter taste in one's mouth in regards to a good made product because it reflects not only on the dealer but the MFG ... Safe Travels Chuck
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Post by dantexas on Mar 17, 2018 16:37:44 GMT -5
Thanks all! Going to pick up a G366FBT next Thursday. Got a good price and the unit has just about all the options we wanted. Having a Reese Goosebox put on instead of the standard pin box (and warranty is still good with the Goosebox), adding back in a receiver hitch because the folding optional “bike rack” is useless for carrying bikes, and a washer/dryer. It’s under 40’, and hopefully light enough for my truck! Assuming everything checks out ok we’ll be members of the KZ Durango Gold family soon!
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Post by rvdude on Mar 17, 2018 18:29:56 GMT -5
That's great! I hope the delivery goes smooth and you have many miles and years of great service out of the trailer.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 18, 2018 8:28:24 GMT -5
dantexas, congrates on the purchase of the Durango.
Don't want to start a big controversy but you may want to rethink the goosebox hitch, it WILL void the Lippert frame warranty. If someone is telling you something different get it in writing. Here is the Lippert warranty, I posted this about 6 months ago in another thread
Oct 8, 2017 at 12:13am
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. Post by jetzen on Oct 8, 2017 at 12:13am
Excerpt from Lippert 1year limited warranty;
This Limited Warranty does not cover abuse, misuse or neglect which includes (without limitation) damages caused by: improper usage, overloading, accidents, unreasonable use, improper loading, incorrect weight bias loading, improper wheel nut torque, improper operation, improper repair, improper maintenance, improper connection to towing unit, normal wear and tear, driving at excessively high speeds while towing or attempted repair by anyone other than an authorized representative of LIPPERT COMPONENTS. This Limited Warranty does not cover chemical damage caused by acids, fuel, oil or other chemicals. Rust formation is not covered. This warranty does not cover any Product which is found to have been modified or altered in any way, including, but not limited to, installation of any and all aftermarket hauling attachments such as gooseneck adapters, pinbox extensions, tow hitches, load bearing devices, or other attachments to the Product. LIPPERT COMPONENTS will not be liable for commitments or agreements made by any of its employees, agents, or dealers not in accordance with this warranty. The use of this unit as part of a rental fleet, or use for a commercial purpose, voids the warranty
Just an FYI about the warranty.
Many, many RVers have made the switch to the MORryde IS Suspension and pin box without incident, but if it is done within the warranty period it will void the chassis warranty. Why make it hard on yourself to receive warranty service if needed, it is already difficult enough.
2018 KZ Durango Gold 384RLT / 2013 Ram 2500 Crew 4x4 LB
Read more: kzfamilyforum.com/thread/1430/hitch#ixzz5A6hVpHtU
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Post by dantexas on Mar 18, 2018 10:09:05 GMT -5
Hi Jetzen. Actually, Lippert does warranty their frame with the Reese Goosebox, but no other goose neck hitches or systems. They even sell the Goosebox on their website. Here is a link where they sell it, and state that it is endorsed by LCI on their frame systems: www.lci1.com/goose-box. What I wasn't sure of is which frame the G366FBT uses, whether it's Lippert, etc. The dealer told me the Goosebox would be a match, and they are putting the 20K version on it.
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Post by jetzen on Mar 18, 2018 11:16:34 GMT -5
Hi Jetzen. Actually, Lippert does warranty their frame with the Reese Goosebox, but no other goose neck hitches or systems. They even sell the Goosebox on their website. Here is a link where they sell it, and state that it is endorsed by LCI on their frame systems: www.lci1.com/goose-box. What I wasn't sure of is which frame the G366FBT uses, whether it's Lippert, etc. The dealer told me the Goosebox would be a match, and they are putting the 20K version on it. tried your link several times and it keeps coming up 404 page not found.
Like I stated earlier don't want to cause a controversy, but even at the rally last summer the Lippert reps stressed that warranty would be voided. Do as you wish and good luck.
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Post by dantexas on Mar 18, 2018 13:54:19 GMT -5
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Post by jetzen on Mar 18, 2018 15:42:46 GMT -5
Ok that link worked. You learn something everyday. The actual warranty reads different but maybe they haven't updated it yet. I know Lippert just approved the Reese sidewinder/revolution pin box for use so I guess they approved there also.
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Post by ronc on May 18, 2018 12:49:10 GMT -5
Generally not a fan of the OLD goose ball adapters for 5th wheels ... but the product you will be using has a lot going for it. Lippert will warranty it, so that speaks to the design stresses ... and it has an air bag system to soften the blows to the frame due our poor roads. It looks good to me and it will help with your weight in the bed (no heavy hitch). All in all I'd say you've come up with a solution that looks like it will work.
Still ... make sure you weigh your rig, loaded and ready to go so that you know what everything weighs. The manufacturer UVW and pin weight is of very little use in actual application. Once you put your stuff in, those are the weights that matter.
Be safe.
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Post by Chuck on May 19, 2018 10:55:10 GMT -5
dantexas Congratulations on your new G366FBT Welcome to the Kz Family, we hope you have many safe travels an camping Memories Now get out there an Start Glamping !!!
Chuck
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motigerfan
Newbie RV’er
Retired and loving it
Posts: 3
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Post by motigerfan on May 29, 2018 14:26:40 GMT -5
We have a 366FBT and could not be happier with it. Had it 2 years and been out as long as 6 weeks in it. The quality has been good with very few returns to the dealer for anything. the DW loves the layout and 1 1/2 baths.
We are pulling with a GMC 3500 DRW. Not worried about the weight and I think you will be fine.
Enjoy and safe travels!
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