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Post by olddog67 on Jul 4, 2018 6:05:50 GMT -5
Howdy all!! This is my first post on your forum (of many so it would seem) My DW & I are about to purchase a 2019 332BHLE next week and I stumbled across your site googling questions as it relates to KZ, which I did not even know was a manufacture until a week ago lol. We have been avid campers for the lat 8-10 years and with family growing it was time to upgrade our '08 Outback 23RS for something with more room for our 2 boys and Fred our 11 YO labrador. This Sportsmen model we are purchasing is more camper than I want but DW loves it and who am I to mess with her happiness  This will be my first time purchasing a brand spanking new TT and have watched lots of videos, read about other units, printed off a couple PDI checklists so I feel kinda ready for pick up day but I have found KZ to be somewhat hard to find specific info on construction materials & methods. I did read that KZ had some frame issues in years past, what those were and if they are still issues I am not sure of. Another thing that I read was although the roof on the model we have chosen is walkable and covered in a 1 piece membrane, I read that the roof sheathing is only attached along the edge of the camper and not to the truss themself, wondering if someone can shed some light on this for me. I was also led to believe that KZ uses no screws in any of the decking, framing etc of the TT but rather staples everything. I am not sure if all of these thing mentioned are true but would definitely like to know more about the unit we plan on purchasing as it may change my mind on purchasing. If anyone has any links to KZ construction methods or materials I would be interested in that as well. Thanks everyone!! |
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Post by jetzen on Jul 4, 2018 7:42:38 GMT -5
Hi olddog67,
Welcome to the forum. Let me try to answer some of your questions. KZ is one of the oldest continuously operating RV manufacturers in the U.S.. Generally speaking and IMO KZ products are the best constructed RV's in their price point, they use some construction techniques and some materials that are common with all RV manufacturers. RV manufacturers are basically assemblers they manufacturer very little and rely on 2nd & 3rd party vendors to supply then with components. It is these components that are most likely to give you a problems, not always, but most likely.
The Sportsman line of RV is a "bread & butter" model and has been the backbone of KZ almost from their beginning. They are a family budget friendly line and use mainly wood as framing on a steel chassis and aluminum siding. Yes KZ will use staple in the construction of your trailer ( your old Outback was loaded with them also) but you will find that they also use job appropriate fasteners meaning if it "needs" a screw it will most likely have a screw. Your roof will be made up of wooden trusses with a OSB sheeting stapled , screwed and glued together with a one piece vinyl roof that is glued onto the OSB and wrapped over the side and attached with a metal gutter strip which is screwed on the sides and transition moldings screwed on front and rear. This then is all sealed with either self leveling caulking or silicone caulking at the attachment points.
KZ compared to most other RV manufacturers is relatively low volume, this in turn "usually" leads to a coach with better build quality, usually.
To be frank, most people have problems because they do not do a proper PDI before taking possession of their new RV. A lot of problems can be headed off before they become major ones by doing as proper PDI. Most people either don't know how to do one or are afraid to ask for help. That is what we are here for on this forum. |
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Post by olddog67 on Jul 4, 2018 10:30:04 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply jetzen! Much appreciated sir.
Do you know what the issue was they had with the frames?
Thanks!
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 4, 2018 11:16:41 GMT -5
My frame was the three piece fabricated design for the I-beams. These things are made by Lippert, as the vast majority are, and are extremely weak and flexible. With cross members, that hold the water tanks, being welded to the sides of the upright portion of the I-beams they crack next to the welds from the flexing. I believe that the three piece junk is no longer used, but check carefully. I find that KZ will use the absolute minimum for frames, axles, tires and springs.
The PDI will only show current visible issues, you can't dissect the trailer to find hidden problems.
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Post by jetzen on Jul 4, 2018 12:30:17 GMT -5
While it is true you can not dissect a trailer on the dealers lot, a thorough PDI will find many "hidden" issues. And if you look deep enough there is almost always a back story that will be reluctant to be told as to why there are problems.
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 4, 2018 14:52:57 GMT -5
And if you look deep enough there is almost always a back story that will be reluctant to be told as to why there are problems. Would you expand on that? I'm sure that you are not blaming the victim if there are problems. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 5, 2018 12:38:10 GMT -5
lynnmor I think what jetzen is say is that some owners do not do a good PDI, miss things an then months later when the minor problems become major they scream junk, when the problem could have been fixed an the issue been avoided altogether ... I also believe that some owners using trailers in ways that some of us wouldn't think of, such as dragging one thought the woods up a hill at 34 or 50 mph over rocks an holes deep enough to loose a trailer let alone pull one thought ... Then when the fame brakes or the cabinet fall off the wall they say that the trailer is junk an not well built ... Do things happen, as you well know they do, Kz is not the only one in the past that had problems with frames built by LCI, have they stived to improve I believe so ... Looking at the 2500 series frames last year they looked pretty solid, the welds looked to solid were I could see them on the frames sitting there with nothing attached to them an I have done welding off an on for a number of years ... Am I am sure that once a frames comes into the build shop they don't go over every inch to see that every weld is in place an not cracked or missing more than likely not, I'm sure they give it the once over an start putting things together ...
One has to remember on this form we are only seeing a snap shot of what is really out there on the road, we also only see mostly the owners who have problems an not the ones who camp an travel day to dat thought out the country ... Do I believe that Kz has problems with LCI frames, not really, but I do believe that every so often a frame may have a problem, yes, I just hope it isn't my frame ...
Remember there is always human error built into most products thus the PDI to detect such
Safe Travels an you input is always valued lynnmor
Chuck
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Post by jetzen on Jul 6, 2018 11:16:47 GMT -5
There are 3 sides to every story, yours, theirs and the truth.
The truth is seldom told. |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 6, 2018 11:23:08 GMT -5
There are 3 sides to every story, yours, theirs and the truth.
The truth is seldom told. Tell me it isn't so  |
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