podge
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 10
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Post by podge on Dec 10, 2018 10:44:41 GMT -5
Just placed a deposit on a 2019 KZ Sportsman LE 250THLE. Probably the wrong place to ask about build quality and service as I would suspect most of you have already drank the cool-aid. However if you can be unbiased give me the straight goods; are these units well built? Does the company practice good customer service? What should I be aware of or need to know? Thanks
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Post by Chuck on Dec 10, 2018 12:32:33 GMT -5
podge Yep most of us have drank the cool-aid so to speak, but also a number of us have came from other well known name brands as well, we came from a Coachman Chaparrel, others have came from Montana's an others from other brands well known ...
knew about the Kz Brand of trailers, never seen one rolling down the road or at a camp ground, now along with others I have owned one for almost 2 years an still happy about it ...
Yep I have drank the cool-aid for sure, it isn't because my dealer is wonderful because I feel they are not, it because I have met the managers an employees behind the product that has made me do so ... The managers an employees have bent over backwards to help me with any problems I have had to make their product the best it can be .... Like others on this form a number of use have been to the factory, took the tours, seen how the trailers are built, looked the managers square in the eyes an ask the tuff questions about their products ... Others like us on this form have had Kz fix things that were outside what some people would call fluff an other manufacturer's may not have fixed because it was such ...
Like any other brand even the very high end 5th wheel an TT will or is there some problems, yes, but when problems pop up under warranty Kz has stepped up to the plate 150 percent. Even after warranty I have seen Kz help owners with parts an advice an fix problems when they didn't have to, they didn't turn their backs an say we can't help you, they said how can we help you !!! This is not to say that an owner with a 10 year old trailer will get service or parts at no cost, we all have to be real, but last year I saw them help an owner with a 10 year old 5th wheel at the Kz rally when they didn't have to no questions ask they just fix the problem an thanked them for buying their product, now that's service with a smile ... As one manager stated a few years back, Kz is not in the business of selling the farm, but the will help owners when possible an support their owner base when ever they can ...
So again Welcome to the Kz Form an family we do believe in them an their product, but also when we see a major or minor problem most all of us will make a point to tell Kz were the problems is so they can fix such in the future, they
do listen !!!!
Safe Travels 
Chuck
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podge
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 10
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Post by podge on Dec 10, 2018 13:03:54 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck for taking the time to reply. Appreciate it.
Mike
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Post by Edd505 on Dec 11, 2018 0:00:28 GMT -5
Guess I'm another cool aid guy. I had a Jayco Eagle before my KZ and I would buy another KZ if I ever wanted to replace it. I was at the rally and met the people chuck is talking about, they care about the product. The issue is not KZ but the dealers. Unlike cars you can't just go to a KZ dealer for warranty issues. It goes to the selling dealer, and they are not all good. Here's where KZ steps up, they can & will authorized a RV repair service to fix the issue. I have a refrigerator that has stopped on electric & the local RV repair is doing the repair. From memory all the issues I can recall are with things they installed not with what they build. Most of the manufactures use the same products from Norcold, Suburban, Dometic, Coleman etc.
Most of the issues I had where all minor and I fixed myself rather than wait on a dealer to get around to it. (leaky clamp, bad TV cable ends, loose fitting at the kitchen sink) Some people just can not be pleased so yes you'll find KZ haters, they are the minority.
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Post by mdcamper on Dec 13, 2018 18:57:19 GMT -5
Just placed a deposit on a 2019 KZ Sportsman LE 250THLE. Probably the wrong place to ask about build quality and service as I would suspect most of you have already drank the cool-aid. However if you can be unbiased give me the straight goods; are these units well built? Does the company practice good customer service? What should I be aware of or need to know? Thanks I guess you drank the cool-aid already too huh? LOL You must have seen something that you like in the KZ units or you wouldn't have put money down on one.
Our limited experience has been they seem to be pretty well built units. On delivery we had about 14 things that need to be addressed with the dealer. Of those 14 things, I think only 2 are related to ZK workmanship - 1 drawer in the bedroom does not open easily and staples near the front bed on the wall were not impacted in to the wall properly and they are sticking out. We dropped it off after our first and only camping session over a month ago and are still waiting to get it back from the dealer. As of last week it had not even been looked at yet. None of the 14 things was major IMO just things that needed to be addressed to make the camper "perfect" or as close to it as can be before we really start using it.
So far, towing it and generally using it for about 4 nights, we love it.
As many have said here and other places, travel trailers are hit or miss with every manufacture.
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Post by Edd505 on Dec 13, 2018 21:34:34 GMT -5
I guess you drank the cool-aid already too huh? LOL You must have seen something that you like in the KZ units or you wouldn't have put money down on one.
Our limited experience has been they seem to be pretty well built units. On delivery we had about 14 things that need to be addressed with the dealer. Of those 14 things, I think only 2 are related to ZK workmanship - 1 drawer in the bedroom does not open easily and staples near the front bed on the wall were not impacted in to the wall properly and they are sticking out. We dropped it off after our first and only camping session over a month ago and are still waiting to get it back from the dealer. As of last week it had not even been looked at yet. None of the 14 things was major IMO just things that needed to be addressed to make the camper "perfect" or as close to it as can be before we really start using it.
So far, towing it and generally using it for about 4 nights, we love it.
As many have said here and other places, travel trailers are hit or miss with every manufacture.
That would be something I would fix so it didn't set at the dealer weeks waiting to get fixed. Not sure what the other issues you have, just saying something like those I would fix or see if I could. Kind of the minor build issues I have seen from KZ. |
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Post by mdcamper on Dec 13, 2018 21:55:55 GMT -5
I guess you drank the cool-aid already too huh? LOL You must have seen something that you like in the KZ units or you wouldn't have put money down on one.
Our limited experience has been they seem to be pretty well built units. On delivery we had about 14 things that need to be addressed with the dealer. Of those 14 things, I think only 2 are related to ZK workmanship - 1 drawer in the bedroom does not open easily and staples near the front bed on the wall were not impacted in to the wall properly and they are sticking out. We dropped it off after our first and only camping session over a month ago and are still waiting to get it back from the dealer. As of last week it had not even been looked at yet. None of the 14 things was major IMO just things that needed to be addressed to make the camper "perfect" or as close to it as can be before we really start using it.
So far, towing it and generally using it for about 4 nights, we love it.
As many have said here and other places, travel trailers are hit or miss with every manufacture.
That would be something I would fix so it didn't set at the dealer weeks waiting to get fixed. Not sure what the other issues you have, just saying something like those I would fix or see if I could. Kind of the minor build issues I have seen from KZ. I would agree with you. However, given the time of year we figured we would let them take care of the issues. Some of the problems will require new third party items to be installed. i.e. sofa has a small rip near velcro, dining chair rubbed against the wall on way from factory and should probably be replaced.
One "Larger" item was the scratch on the top of the front cap. About a ft long and pretty deep. This is something that I could also fix but I will give them a shot to fix it as well. |
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Post by mdcamper on Dec 13, 2018 21:59:12 GMT -5
Here is our list we left for repairs. Most are trivial but since they have it... 1) Rather large deep scratch on the front left top of the front cap. 2) Bottom drawer in bedroom would not open at all (filler or just stuck?) Both we and the tech tried, and it did not budge. 3) An entire row of brads were not installed properly with some sticking out and others were not filled after they were nailed, right side bed closet. 4) Rear couch velcro was ripped away from the fabric (back will need to be replaced not repaired) 5) Dining chair closest to window (please see blue tape) has a bad scratch on the the top back and the leg has a split at the bottom. 6) Fridge door does not latch properly (freezer section is fine) 7) Door underneath fridge will not stay closed and is crooked when closed. 8) Inverter: The inverter is still not working correctly. According to the manual page 31 (the ignition control switch) has been turned on since we got it. I am not sure if this is the problem but it is supposed to be off unless connected to a swtich (RV with an engine that has a key) According to pages 32 and 33 of the manual, the unit should pass through AC power from shore power even if the inverter is powered off. And if it's on and shore power is connected it should transfer over to AC only and not display BATT on the LCD screen which is what I witnessed. I don't think I ever saw AC mode displayed even when we were hooked to shore power which was every day during our 4 night trip this past week.When I tried to use the outside plug (A GFCI circuit) it actually tripped the inverter off and I had to manually power cycle it off and back on again. 9) The couch wood is also separating from the frame of the couch. 10) The oven igniter is kinda flaky. It seems that when it heats up for a while it wont reignite (its changing shape and moving away from the area in which is can ground to?) 11) We tried to use the input on the water system to sanitize and also winterize and could never get it to suck up bleach or antifreeze even following the instructions. I did put antifreeze in all the drains before I left the camper at your place last night. 12) A squeak on the floor near the drawers on the wall. 13) Glass cover on the stove will not sit flush, it pokes up in the middle. 14) TV antenna will not turn all the way around without clicking. 15) Curtain near dining table may be coming apart a bit (threads are falling out) I was finally able to get the bedroom bottom drawer opened up. So it's a real drawer but it is still extremely hard to open and close. We left blue tape where items still needed to be cleaned up (ceiling exhaust fan frame etc) |
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Post by Edd505 on Dec 13, 2018 22:31:26 GMT -5
Here is our list we left for repairs. Most are trivial but since they have it... 1) Rather large deep scratch on the front left top of the front cap. 2) Bottom drawer in bedroom would not open at all (filler or just stuck?) Both we and the tech tried, and it did not budge. 3) An entire row of brads were not installed properly with some sticking out and others were not filled after they were nailed, right side bed closet. 4) Rear couch velcro was ripped away from the fabric (back will need to be replaced not repaired) 5) Dining chair closest to window (please see blue tape) has a bad scratch on the the top back and the leg has a split at the bottom. 6) Fridge door does not latch properly (freezer section is fine) 7) Door underneath fridge will not stay closed and is crooked when closed. 8) Inverter: The inverter is still not working correctly. According to the manual page 31 (the ignition control switch) has been turned on since we got it. I am not sure if this is the problem but it is supposed to be off unless connected to a swtich (RV with an engine that has a key) According to pages 32 and 33 of the manual, the unit should pass through AC power from shore power even if the inverter is powered off. And if it's on and shore power is connected it should transfer over to AC only and not display BATT on the LCD screen which is what I witnessed. I don't think I ever saw AC mode displayed even when we were hooked to shore power which was every day during our 4 night trip this past week.When I tried to use the outside plug (A GFCI circuit) it actually tripped the inverter off and I had to manually power cycle it off and back on again. 9) The couch wood is also separating from the frame of the couch. 10) The oven igniter is kinda flaky. It seems that when it heats up for a while it wont reignite (its changing shape and moving away from the area in which is can ground to?) 11) We tried to use the input on the water system to sanitize and also winterize and could never get it to suck up bleach or antifreeze even following the instructions. I did put antifreeze in all the drains before I left the camper at your place last night. 12) A squeak on the floor near the drawers on the wall. 13) Glass cover on the stove will not sit flush, it pokes up in the middle. 14) TV antenna will not turn all the way around without clicking. 15) Curtain near dining table may be coming apart a bit (threads are falling out) I was finally able to get the bedroom bottom drawer opened up. So it's a real drawer but it is still extremely hard to open and close. We left blue tape where items still needed to be cleaned up (ceiling exhaust fan frame etc) Like I was trying to say, some things just have to be done by the dealer. No parts and something I can do, I do it rather than wait weeks or months. I have a Norcold fridge not working on electric for a couple months now. Can't blame KZ they authorized any RV service. It has a bad heating element and Norcold was out of stock, just got word 1 is supposed to be here next Monday. I'm fortunate to live in year round camping area and just ran it on propane. |
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Post by Chuck on Dec 14, 2018 14:49:41 GMT -5
mdcamper On the TV antenna not turning without clicking, you need to press harder on the locking button, as well at least our TV antenna will not turn 360 degree, 180 one way an 180 the other .... Our TV Antenna had to be replaced, RV Tech my namesake (Charlie) stated that it was the 1st one he had saw in a number of years
not working ... But Then last summer at the Kz rally the I believe replaced the head on Edd505's unit
Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by mdcamper on Dec 15, 2018 13:27:22 GMT -5
mdcamper On the TV antenna not turning without clicking, you need to press harder on the locking button, as well at least our TV antenna will not turn 360 degree, 180 one way an 180 the other .... Our TV Antenna had to be replaced, RV Tech my namesake (Charlie) stated that it was the 1st one he had saw in a number of years ... Safe Travels Chuck
Thanks Chuck, I will try that if they don't find anything wrong with it. I just got word today that the trailer is finally in the repair bay and they have begun working on it. Hopefully we'll have it back soon.
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Post by Chuck on Dec 15, 2018 14:03:55 GMT -5
mdcamper Our trailer has been at the dealer now going on three weeks, had to laugh one the young gal who was one of the service writers said it be done in a week, I told her that the repair on the top of the outside slide wall would take that .... She smiles an said, "Oh no sir it will only take a few days because we are slow right now", I have tell you there lot was full, repair bays were full an the repair parking area was full, slow Hummmmm !!!!
As long as the winterized it I not to worried, they have all the parts to fix the rest of the trailer which is not much, theater seating, slide topper, rear slide seal passagers side an do life time insurance inspection which means checking all the appliances, trailer body an roof ...
We don't have anything planned for camping so after they get done with repairs it will only sit in our driveway till March or April when we start to go camping again in the rain LOL ... Of course I can always work on the DW to go south for a month to AZ. or NM. an see Edd505
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by mdcamper on Dec 16, 2018 17:02:45 GMT -5
mdcamper Our trailer has been at the dealer now going on three weeks, had to laugh one the young gal who was one of the service writers said it be done in a week, I told her that the repair on the top of the outside slide wall would take that .... She smiles an said, "Oh no sir it will only take a few days because we are slow right now", I have tell you there lot was full, repair bays were full an the repair parking area was full, slow Hummmmm !!!!
As long as the winterized it I not to worried, they have all the parts to fix the rest of the trailer which is not much, theater seating, slide topper, rear slide seal passagers side an do life time insurance inspection which means checking all the appliances, trailer body an roof ...
We don't have anything planned for camping so after they get done with repairs it will only sit in our driveway till March or April when we start to go camping again in the rain LOL ... Of course I can always work on the DW to go south for a month to AZ. or NM. an see Edd505
Safe Travels
Chuck
Chuck,
It has been raining here on the east coast SOO much this year. It's been insane. I am not sure how you pacific northwesters handle it! We usually can go weeks or sometimes months with little to no rain. Since last winter it's been a storm or 2 (long duration events lasting 2 to 3 days!) every week.
I sure hope by the time spring rolls around and we are ready to camp again that the pattern changes back to a dry one for the spring, summer and fall!
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Post by Edd505 on Dec 16, 2018 20:54:24 GMT -5
mdcamper Our trailer has been at the dealer now going on three weeks, had to laugh one the young gal who was one of the service writers said it be done in a week, I told her that the repair on the top of the outside slide wall would take that .... She smiles an said, "Oh no sir it will only take a few days because we are slow right now", I have tell you there lot was full, repair bays were full an the repair parking area was full, slow Hummmmm !!!!
As long as the winterized it I not to worried, they have all the parts to fix the rest of the trailer which is not much, theater seating, slide topper, rear slide seal passagers side an do life time insurance inspection which means checking all the appliances, trailer body an roof ...
We don't have anything planned for camping so after they get done with repairs it will only sit in our driveway till March or April when we start to go camping again in the rain LOL ... Of course I can always work on the DW to go south for a month to AZ. or NM. an see Edd505
Safe Travels
Chuck
Come on down, I can hook ya up with 30amp & water, free dump about 6 miles.
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Post by Chuck on Dec 17, 2018 11:12:58 GMT -5
mdcamper Our trailer has been at the dealer now going on three weeks, had to laugh one the young gal who was one of the service writers said it be done in a week, I told her that the repair on the top of the outside slide wall would take that .... She smiles an said, "Oh no sir it will only take a few days because we are slow right now", I have tell you there lot was full, repair bays were full an the repair parking area was full, slow Hummmmm !!!!
As long as the winterized it I not to worried, they have all the parts to fix the rest of the trailer which is not much, theater seating, slide topper, rear slide seal passagers side an do life time insurance inspection which means checking all the appliances, trailer body an roof ...
We don't have anything planned for camping so after they get done with repairs it will only sit in our driveway till March or April when we start to go camping again in the rain LOL ... Of course I can always work on the DW to go south for a month to AZ. or NM. an see Edd505
Safe Travels
Chuck
Chuck,
It has been raining here on the east coast SOO much this year. It's been insane. I am not sure how you pacific northwesters handle it! We usually can go weeks or sometimes months with little to no rain. Since last winter it's been a storm or 2 (long duration events lasting 2 to 3 days!) every week.
I sure hope by the time spring rolls around and we are ready to camp again that the pattern changes back to a dry one for the spring, summer and fall!
Well mdcamper we have had a dry year so far, they were complaining that there was no snow in the mountains for the ski resorts to open ... Just about every year we get flooding around thanksgiving here in the local area but not this year, guess it wait till Christmas to do so ...
I can say that just about every year in Western Washington it starts to rain in October an stops around July, the sun comes out
an people wine because it to hot when it get over 78 degrees ... Coming from southern Texas to up here now 30 years ago I still can get use to it, DW loves it an can't stand the heat Ugh !!!
Different story in eastern Washington, it gets cold, it snows every so often but at least the sun comes out during the winter an things dry out in April an May an it warms up to the 70's, not on are side of the mountains that for sure ...
Trailer still at dealers, will have to call today an see what they tell me, I can't wait to hear what line of BS they tell me LOL ... Like I said, if it was spring I'd start to worry, I had cleaned out the trailer, so nothing is in the bottom storage area's, pantry , Only dish's, silverware, towels in bathroom an my wide brim hat LOL ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by Chuck on Dec 17, 2018 11:21:36 GMT -5
mdcamper Our trailer has been at the dealer now going on three weeks, had to laugh one the young gal who was one of the service writers said it be done in a week, I told her that the repair on the top of the outside slide wall would take that .... She smiles an said, "Oh no sir it will only take a few days because we are slow right now", I have tell you there lot was full, repair bays were full an the repair parking area was full, slow Hummmmm !!!!
As long as the winterized it I not to worried, they have all the parts to fix the rest of the trailer which is not much, theater seating, slide topper, rear slide seal passagers side an do life time insurance inspection which means checking all the appliances, trailer body an roof ...
We don't have anything planned for camping so after they get done with repairs it will only sit in our driveway till March or April when we start to go camping again in the rain LOL ... Of course I can always work on the DW to go south for a month to AZ. or NM. an see Edd505
Safe Travels
Chuck
Come on down, I can hook ya up with 30amp & water, free dump about 6 miles.
Edd
I working on the old girl, but she not swaying my way yet ... About the time there is 30ft of snow in the passes an it's 20 or 30 degree's she will say why don't we try going south far a month ... I will say if we go south it isn't going to be a month, it going to
Safe travels my friend, look forward to seeing you an the DW again !!!!! Have a great Christmas, stay warm an dry an don't eat to much of the Christmas turkey or ham LOL
Chuck
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Post by greydog on Dec 19, 2018 23:34:06 GMT -5
The more we use our Spree, the more I feel like I bought an RV kit. Nonetheless, we like the trailer and are enjoying the use of it. The dealer service is dismal but response from the manufacturers has been fine. Issues we have had include leaky plumbing connections, corrosion of electrical connections, and shoddy cabinetry. I am pretty convinced these issues exist with most, if not all, brands. GD
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Post by spadoctor2 on Dec 22, 2018 18:47:38 GMT -5
Have bought 2 KZ and never another. They are built like any other....I know as a former rv rep...but they will no longer stand behind a blatent manufacturing defect....never again
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Post by mdcamper on Dec 23, 2018 11:53:27 GMT -5
Have bought 2 KZ and never another. They are built like any other....I know as a former rv rep...but they will no longer stand behind a blatent manufacturing defect....never again Can you elaborate? |
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Post by Chuck on Dec 23, 2018 14:16:49 GMT -5
Hummmmm, I like you mdcamper would like to hear why spadoctor2 makes such a statement, as stated before our dealer is somewhat lacking but Kz has always step up to the plate 150 percent when needed ... In fact I have to add, I do not know what happened to our dealer but they were sure welcoming when I went to pick up our trailer last week Thursday ... I almost thought they were going to hug an kiss me when I was dealing with them Ugh, was really scary ... Then reality set in when my battery compartment door wouldn't open an the one service writer came out with a large screwdriver an towel an made the statement " if I damage the door we will fix it" I said man you got a very large screw diver in your hand an your going to pry on my battery door, what in the hell do you think is going to happen!!! Long story short, they got the door open, replaced the door handle an didn't damage the door I have to say that the door had been a pain in the backside since we owned the trailer with it at times being hard to open so it was sort of a a God sent it screwed up at the dealer
While they were working on the battery door I ask the service writer when they winterized the 5th wheel did they
follow the instructions on winterizing the dish-washer, the service writer said the tech stated he blew the lines out, I ask did the run antifreeze thought the dishwasher an put some in the trap ... She said no they just blew the lines out an added antifreeze into the system, again reality set in, Ugh !!! I said they had to run the dishwasher to get antifreeze into the unit an then put some in the trap per the dish washer manual ... I told them I would do it but note in our work order it had not been done correctly so i have a record of such ...
So here we go again, it wasn't the fault of Kz, that the door handle stop working, was it a bad product, possibly an it just happened to fail at that point in time ... But not winterizing the dishwasher could have been a problem next
spring when we went to use it an water was all over the place from a burst line from freezing, Kz fault, no, but some
owners would complained that it was ...
So making a long post even longer I guess it sort of chaps my backside when owners complain about something an then won't say what the problem is or did their dealer blow them off, was their fault, an what about their PDI, was it found during such an not fixed before they took the trailer an now complaining that Kz has a bad product ...
Are these trailer perfect, heck no!!! are any of the RV Mfg perfect Heck no!!! This again is why I made the PDI list, to check the trailer before excepting it as well driving down the road at 6omph shake the dickens out a trailer,
I don't care how good it is... Thus checking to see if drains are tight, no water leaks, slide seals are ok, tires are aired up an suspensions are ok are just part of overall maintenance an I don't care if the trailer is one month old or ten years old these are things that have to be looked at
As well I will defend Kz in some but not all case's. will I call them out on a problem, you bet, the service writers an service managers along with other a Kz know my name well an I make now bones about speaking my mind about there product to them or here on the form ... But I also do the same to my dealer an they as well know who I am even thought I do not deal with them very much ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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