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Post by Dwight Peper on Jul 24, 2013 8:05:10 GMT -5
I have a 2008 Escalade and I'm wondering if KZ will ever go back to this quality of fifth wheel. I have looked at several Stone Ridge models and the 2008 is still the best coach for options and quality.
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Post by Diablo on Jul 27, 2018 12:33:16 GMT -5
I have an 06 Escalade 40 SKS Just done a remodel looks like brand new. ( solid unit )
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Post by Chuck on Jul 27, 2018 21:57:48 GMT -5
I believe that Kz still is trying build a good 5th wheel, problem is that to stay in business they need to sell trailers at a better cost an try to keep a top notch standard ... I agree that the Escalade's are great 5th wheels an are well built, but how many 80, 90 or 100K trailers do you think it takes to keep in business with all the amenities the Escalade's had an that is what it would cost to manufacturer one similar today ... I am of the believe that Durango Golds come close to what the Escalade's were an are well built along
with the 2500 series which a few lesser options an amenities but are top notch I also think
the 1500 series even at a lower price point has many of what the other two series have but with lesser options like 6 point leveling systems, dish washers etc ... This makes for a great entry point 5th wheel at low cost but with a quality built an great standard ...
Just my three cents 
Chuck
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Post by jetzen on Jul 27, 2018 22:56:06 GMT -5
Chuck while our Gold's exhibit some pretty descent build quality, they are "extremely cheap" in comparison to an Escalade. When the Escalades were in manufacture they used the best of the best in EVERYTHING. They even had simulated grandfather clocks.
When the DW and I were considering one in 2005 they were $150.000 - 180.000 msrp. When a loaded up Big Sky Montana had a price in the $40.000 - 45,000 msrp. They were heavy and built to almost never wear out. When they went out of production in 2011 they were $200.000+, that is why KZ stopped manufacturing them. The market dropped out and no one could afford them. That is when all the other high end manufacturers also went out of business.
You can put all the dishwashers in the world in a Gold and they will still only be a shadow of what the Escalade was.
The Escalade had no price point to build to, they were all out maximum build quality and opulence.
The Durango Gold has a price point to build to and it shows. If KZ was interested in surging ahead past the others, to build a higher quality unit they would need to slow production down, use higher quality materials/products and charge a whole lot more.
Don't think you will see that happening. JMHO |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 28, 2018 11:00:26 GMT -5
Jetzen I do not believe mine nor your 384 is extremely cheap, maybe cheaper built but not extremly otherwise I would not have bought such an looked elsewhere ... As I stated an you stated the cost of manufacturing an Escalade or close to what they were is out of the question if Kz wants to stay in business ... As far as the clock LOL, I like my digital clock that tells UTC an Standard time just fine As far as build quality I believe you nor I would have even taken a second look if the build quality wasn't there, it's a travel trailer an I bought it as such, not thinking in no way would it be built like my home I live in which is built out of stone an timber An like you we looked at many other trailers before we bought the one we have, yes it's not perfect but it sure beats out the competition by a long shot As you know we do not like you live in our 5th wheel many months out of the year, we spend most three months total on the road an another month glamping around Washington State an Oregon .... See you Soon Happy travels, we will be in South Bend Tomorrow an then on to Toledo
Chuck
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Post by jetzen on Jul 28, 2018 15:21:45 GMT -5
Chuck, other than they are both 5th wheels there is absolutely no comparison.
I said extremely cheap compared to an Escalade, not a Montana or a Cedar Creek or a Grand Design or a Bighorn or a Jayco.
A current DRV isn't even a match to an Escalade.
Escalades were built with a stack 18" frame front to back not 8" in front and 10+2 stack in the rear like ours.
They had 8000lb axles with disc brakes, and plywood roof decking not OSB like ours.
They had real wood cabinetry not lumber core like ours
They had all Sony electronics.
Our Durango's are made with the same stuff that all the other mass produced trailers are made from, a lot of it is junk
KZ just puts a little more attention to build quality than most and I can only see that slowly slipping away with increased production numbers from the same amount of work force.
That is what we need to be stressing to them at the rally increasing build quality.
It all goes hand-in-hand better materials slow down the pace.....build a better product than everyone else. |
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