|
|
Post by mudflap14 on May 8, 2019 16:17:56 GMT -5
We are looking at the Durango 1500 series 5th Wheels 250 and 259, comparing to the Grand Design Reflection 150 Series 260 and 273. We are looking to use it to winter in the south west. (5-6 months of the year) We have a Silvarodo 2500 High Country diesel.
Have any of you purchased a Durango 250 or 256? What were your reasons?
I am liking the layout and storage in the Durango’s. They seem to have more storage with larger drawers and shelving. Especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
Any insight would be very helpful. And much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on May 8, 2019 20:16:12 GMT -5
Can't compare to Grand Design but floor plan was why we bought our Durango. We are about 3/4 time and I have empty cabinets.
|
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on May 8, 2019 22:38:19 GMT -5
We did look at a Grand Design with a similar floor plan but opted for the Durango (RLT318) as we felt it offered more features and was a better value. In other words, the Durango offered more bang for the buck.
|
|
|
|
Post by mudflap14 on May 9, 2019 9:35:03 GMT -5
We are looking at the Durango 1500 series 5th Wheels 250 and 259, comparing to the Grand Design Reflection 150 Series 260 and 273. We are looking to use it to winter in the south west. (5-6 months of the year) We have a Silvarodo 2500 High Country diesel. Have any of you purchased a Durango 250 or 256? What were your reasons? I am liking the layout and storage in the Durango’s. They seem to have more storage with larger drawers and shelving. Especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Any insight would be very helpful. And much appreciated. Thanks in advance! Thank you for your responses. As you can see we are looking for info from owners of the 250 and 259. The 318 is way beyond what we can or want to pull. I’m interested in how they are for insulation in heat and cold. Thanks again! Truly appreciate it! |
|
|
|
Post by tightwadted on May 12, 2019 18:03:40 GMT -5
We have a 2015 Durango 1500 295 it is 31' 11'' long so a bit bigger than the 250 or 259 but shorter than the 256. people we travel and camp with have a 2017 GD reflection about the same size, they have had many more problems with their camper than we have, (mice, water leaks, etc) to date we have never had mice in the camper and no leaks, we never completely fill all the storage space either.
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on May 16, 2019 9:40:36 GMT -5
FWIW, I was looking at the now-discontinued 1500 D284RLT and a very similar Jayco Eagle HT; near-identical floorplan. I never did find a KZ to look at, but did look at the Jayco model and the first thing the wife said when we walked in was, "where's the pantry"? Ooops! While I felt that there was ample cabinet space that a dedicated pantry wasn't necessary, SHE wanted one, so scratched both off the list. We went to take a look at a 1500 D277RLT, which is what we ended up with. Frankly, it was stupid NOT to buy it because the dealer needed it gone from his lot. Bet I could have turned around and sold it and made $2-3k. :-) Anyway, we ended up about a foot longer than the Jayco but a few inches shorter than the 284, 550 lbs heavier but with much more tankage than the Jayco, which is what made all the KZs I researched #1.
So, that's my story... :-)
Lyle
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on May 17, 2019 13:01:08 GMT -5
We are looking at the Durango 1500 series 5th Wheels 250 and 259, comparing to the Grand Design Reflection 150 Series 260 and 273. We are looking to use it to winter in the south west. (5-6 months of the year) We have a Silvarodo 2500 High Country diesel. Have any of you purchased a Durango 250 or 256? What were your reasons? I am liking the layout and storage in the Durango’s. They seem to have more storage with larger drawers and shelving. Especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Any insight would be very helpful. And much appreciated. Thanks in advance! You might ask the same question over on the Kz facebook page an see if you get the answers to you questions 
Safe Travels
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by mudflap14 on May 17, 2019 20:27:38 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck.
All of the forums seem to have people with the larger units. I haven’t been able to find a group of just the Durango 1500 series which is why I asked here. Do you the name of the group you are referring to? Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on May 18, 2019 13:33:08 GMT -5
mudflap14 Here is the Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/1497881047105248/Also on this form is a Durango thread were the 1500 would fit in ... I will say Kz in my opinion builds a somewhat better mouse trap an what i believe you get more bang for your buck ...
Remember that the appliances such as stoves, TV's, frig's, trailer steps, hydraulics etc will more
that likely (99.9%) all be the same in either brand, the only thing that will be different is how the frame is built from Lippert (LCI) an how well the bones of the band of trailer your buying is built ...
The Grand Design Reflections we look at were nice an they had allot of bling but when looking deeper into how they were built I saw big differences between the two brands an the way they were built along with the cost an that's why we went with the Kz ...
I'm not saying you will not have problems, seem like all brands have problems, it's just that
it seems that Kz brand has way fewer overall an the factory support seems better when an if needed from what I have read on different forms... I will say if you really want to dig deeper take the factory tours of both brands an see for yourself how they are built, ask the questions, kick the tires so to speak ...I'm sure when taking the tours of both brands you will get the dog an pony show an how great their product is... You just have to look for your self an check the blocks an listen closely, did they lye, did they hide things, were they straight talkers or just slick car salesman ... Kz has been very open on their factory tours, letting
you look over an under their products, take pictures of everything including frames, welds, inside
construction etc, they hid nothing ... On the 5th wheel lines we took tours of they explained the difference's between product an showed us what was different from the past years product of the same thing, they hid nothing an were very open ...
Also here are pictures from the 2017 rally an factory tour, you can see scanning thought the pictures the trailers being built on the 1500 line that year I believe ...
Here are pictures from the 2018 Kz rally an factory tour, you can see scanning thought the pictures
the trailers being built on the 2500 line last year ...
2018kznationalrally.shutterfly.com
Lastly as I have stated many times before an will state I'm sure many times again the dealer is the most important part of the buying a trailer, I do not care how well built or great a trailer is if the dealer is bad it will reflect on the product 100 percent, bad dealer bad product, good dealer good product ...
Sorry to be so long Ugh !!
Anyway good luck on what ever brand you decide on buying an use the PDI list on this form when buying either brand if you like ...
Safe travels
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by mudflap14 on May 21, 2019 11:07:04 GMT -5
mudflap14 Here is the Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/1497881047105248/Also on this form is a Durango thread were the 1500 would fit in ... I will say Kz in my opinion builds a somewhat better mouse trap an what i believe you get more bang for your buck ...
Remember that the appliances such as stoves, TV's, frig's, trailer steps, hydraulics etc will more
that likely (99.9%) all be the same in either brand, the only thing that will be different is how the frame is built from Lippert (LCI) an how well the bones of the band of trailer your buying is built ...
The Grand Design Reflections we look at were nice an they had allot of bling but when looking deeper into how they were built I saw big differences between the two brands an the way they were built along with the cost an that's why we went with the Kz ...
I'm not saying you will not have problems, seem like all brands have problems, it's just that
it seems that Kz brand has way fewer overall an the factory support seems better when an if needed from what I have read on different forms... I will say if you really want to dig deeper take the factory tours of both brands an see for yourself how they are built, ask the questions, kick the tires so to speak ...I'm sure when taking the tours of both brands you will get the dog an pony show an how great their product is... You just have to look for your self an check the blocks an listen closely, did they lye, did they hide things, were they straight talkers or just slick car salesman ... Kz has been very open on their factory tours, letting
you look over an under their products, take pictures of everything including frames, welds, inside
construction etc, they hid nothing ... On the 5th wheel lines we took tours of they explained the difference's between product an showed us what was different from the past years product of the same thing, they hid nothing an were very open ...
Also here are pictures from the 2017 rally an factory tour, you can see scanning thought the pictures the trailers being built on the 1500 line that year I believe ...
Here are pictures from the 2018 Kz rally an factory tour, you can see scanning thought the pictures
the trailers being built on the 2500 line last year ...
2018kznationalrally.shutterfly.com
Lastly as I have stated many times before an will state I'm sure many times again the dealer is the most important part of the buying a trailer, I do not care how well built or great a trailer is if the dealer is bad it will reflect on the product 100 percent, bad dealer bad product, good dealer good product ...
Sorry to be so long Ugh !!
Anyway good luck on what ever brand you decide on buying an use the PDI list on this form when buying either brand if you like ...
Safe travels
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by mudflap14 on May 21, 2019 11:11:30 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck for your very well described reasoning on why JZ! My husband is very interested. It would be great to get a tour thru both mags. Thanks for that. Am going to go through your pictures. Thanks for them!
We’ve only seen a few Durango’s and not recently.
You’re right ! The dealer makes it breaks it when you have issues!
Will for sure check out the links you posted. We’re actually driving cross country. So my phone is making posting and viewing a challenge!
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on May 22, 2019 12:25:05 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck for your very well described reasoning on why JZ! My husband is very interested. It would be great to get a tour thru both mags. Thanks for that. Am going to go through your pictures. Thanks for them! We’ve only seen a few Durango’s and not recently. You’re right ! The dealer makes it breaks it when you have issues! Will for sure check out the links you posted. We’re actually driving cross country. So my phone is making posting and viewing a challenge! Given that, when I first started looking, AZ only had 1 KZ dealer, now closed, and I called and asked about mobile repair, if necessary. I was told that there would be NO problems if I needed mobile warranty repair here at home, or on the road, because they were very aware that they were a smaller company with many fewer dealers. Just had to coordinate with KZ on what I was doing. As it is, there's 3 or 4 KZ dealers in AZ, now, but still only 1 that carries the 1500/Half-Ton rigs. Right now, there is exactly ONE Half-Ton in stock in the entire state, and 7 total Durangos of any flavor, that I can find. Amazing for such a snowbird mecca... Lyle |
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on May 23, 2019 10:44:34 GMT -5
Lyle You have to remember that the dealer is the one who orders the trailers not the factory ... Sue the Kz rep for that area can push for a dealer to stock more but also the dealer has to look at their bottom line ... Now I may be wrong but I do not believe Kz will stock a dealer on consignment, thus the dealer have to invest in the unit an if they are not selling those types of units then why stock/buy such ... Believe me if you every go to the factory you will see dozens of TT but not many 5th wheels parked on the factory lot ... Last time I was there they were running 2500 series of trailers, there might have been possibly 20 sitting on the lot, I saw maybe a handful of Durango Golds in one line so I have to believe that Kz like some other MFG don't go crazy building tons of trailers to sit on the lot waiting for dealers to either order or buy such ...
As mudflap14 stated he hasn't seen many Kz brand trailers in their travels, when we bought our Kz the only
one's I saw till our trip back east two years ago now was at our dealer an at a RV show locally ... The first Kz Durango Gold other than at our was at a dealer in Nebraska an the first one on the road traveling we saw
two years ago going back east was being deliver someplace because it was being towed headed west in Illinois on I-80 ... Even to this day we may see a Durango Gold or plan Durango series 5th wheel every so often
but not like Montana's or Grand Designs were you see all over the place ... I do see a number of Kz TT of different names so it seems that the TT market out here in the Northwester U.S. seems to be TT an not 5th wheels an that's why you see dealers stocking such ...
As well I believe the younger generations are buying TT an not 5th wheels, if you look around at a camp ground you see that the older generation for the most part have 5th wheels an their kids have been long gone an they if any kids are the grand kids with them ... The younger generation has kids an tend to have a TT, tents, eat out on the picnic tables more often, have camp fires just about every night (not that older folks don't like camp fires) an have SUV or smaller crew cab type pickups ...
As I look at the younger couples with the kids I can remember back to that time years ago when I had that much energy an didn't mind eating on the pinic table with the DW cooking on a Coleman stove at one end of the table an yelling at the kids to stay put because dinner was just about ready ... I can also remember
about the same with my Aunts an Uncles which I got to camp with sleeping in a tent an the smell of bacon an
eggs in the morning, I still to this day can smell such ... Now it's laying in our King size bed, smelling the coffee
brewing from the decaf K-cup the DW is using LOL, the smell of the bacon an eggs being cooked on the stove
without the bacon fat or lard my Mother an Aunt use to cook with, oh for the good old day's no wonder I have
heart problems it's my mother an her sisters fault LOL
Safe Travels
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on May 23, 2019 11:15:04 GMT -5
I understand that, Chuck, but your sales force should also be pounding pavement to try and get more dealers established. Around here, THs are big sellers, so that's what we see most of; and Sportsman TT. I'm just surprised that, given our large snowbird influx every year, that there aren't more KZs around for the people who are looking to update/upgrade. Hell, I can't figure out why there isn't a Pomona-sized show in the Oct/Nov time frame, when the weather's likely to be really nice. I get tired of the LaMesa-only "shows", where they have the same tired old junk on sale. (I looked at a MH at one of these out at Cardinals Stadium and it had 40k+ miles on the odo, yet was "new".) In my recollection, there's been one large multi-dealer show in the Phoenix area in the past 10 years. That was about 5 years ago, held at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Nice show, with a lot of variety; just what I was looking for, though I was targeting one particular rig at the time.
Lyle
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on May 23, 2019 11:26:25 GMT -5
Ok Lyle
What about the show in Quartzite RV Show, I was under the impression that was a pretty big show with lots
of venders
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on May 24, 2019 10:06:21 GMT -5
Ok Lyle What about the show in Quartzite RV Show, I was under the impression that was a pretty big show with lots of venders Chuck Lots and lots of vendors for "stuff", but only ONE dealer showing RVs. Been Paul Everts for several years, IIRC. Not that there aren't several dealers that set up temporary lots for the winter and, I guess, you could say they're "related" to the show because it's not a big place, but they aren't "officially" part of the show. Lyle |
|
|
|
Post by wingnut on Aug 27, 2019 17:42:40 GMT -5
We sold a sportster 305 to buy a GD Momentum.....mistake!!!!!!!! lemon!!! piece of crap!!!!! Sold it, back to kz sportsmen 343, waiting for it to come off line mid sept. You made the right choice!
|
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Aug 27, 2019 21:11:12 GMT -5
Ok Lyle What about the show in Quartzite RV Show, I was under the impression that was a pretty big show with lots of venders Chuck laknox is correct, the "big tent" is full of everything RV and more, they have things you had no idea were made or needed. The lots in town I assume are rented for the time of the tent show and the larger dealers bring in stock, La Mesa Rv is a big one. Glad to hear we have a few more dealers over that way, one or 2 day drive. |
|
