FIRST TIME BUYER LOOKING FOR OPINION ON CERTAIN MODELS

Thanks for the list

I had to replace the rub rail trim under the overhang this year. The Texas heat is just as brutal.

I'll have to give my bulb seals another look.

I get on the roof twice a year with a tube of dicor and scraper to stay up with the roof seals. I'll need to recoat the membrane soon.

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:

*snip
I'd rank the Grand Designs a bit ahead of the KZ, with Keystone #3. I have a '17 Durango 1500 D277RLT, and we like it. Some minor problems, but you'll see that with anything, no matter the price. The older KZs will likely have much better quality than current offerings. *snip

Lyle

Hi Lyle

I noticed your D277RLT is the exact same floor plan as my 2013 Durango 2857 except we do not have the bedroom wardrobe. What minor issues have you experienced? I'm curious what I might need to plan for.

Earliest issue was water siphoning out of the fresh water tank via the vents. We boondock and I figured we lost about 15-20 gallons of our 60 gal load. I ended up adding 14 gals via the "blue cube" jugs on the Saturday we were there. Dealer ended up running new vent lines up, and over, the main frame. Since then, no issues.

The bulb seals that seal the slides when closed, have all literally melted, looks like someone poured gas on them. I've got 100' of new seal to put in, now that it's cooler.

The "rub rail" trim is coming loose all over the rig and is going to need to be replaced. The heat here in AZ just causes it to shrink. Of course, the "quality Amish craftsmanship" that left out some of the anchor screws doesn't help.

Over the summer, we had it parked at my sister-in-law's place up near Prescott, so my wife could work out of the PHX heat. We got hammered with rain and wind a couple times and had a window leak. Some water was also coming in from the roof...somewhere, and was dripping down through the reading light at the head of the bed. Eternabond and Dicor seem to have fixed that. Haven't figured out the window leak, yet, though. In both cases, I think it was the wind driving the rain (like 50-60 mph) that caused the leaks.

Besides the seals, I have a Glowstep Revolution step that's also a winter project, but that's not KZ related. :-)

Lyle

From YOUR list:

I would chose a Reflection ~ OR ~ a KZ Durango.. in NO particular order....

I based that on my KZ experience, and the folks I know that have Grand Design..

My 2 cents worth. We've had 2 bumper pulls and now have a Grand Design Reflection 337.
Remember these are all very heavy homes mounted on axels and going down the road at 60 to 80 MPH. They will all experience issues. A lot of the issues will be normal things that just need to be addressed.
Just have to decide what you want and how much you want to spend.

Grand Design's customer service has been greeat for us.

laknox wrote:

*snip
I'd rank the Grand Designs a bit ahead of the KZ, with Keystone #3. I have a '17 Durango 1500 D277RLT, and we like it. Some minor problems, but you'll see that with anything, no matter the price. The older KZs will likely have much better quality than current offerings. *snip

Lyle

Hi Lyle

I noticed your D277RLT is the exact same floor plan as my 2013 Durango 2857 except we do not have the bedroom wardrobe. What minor issues have you experienced? I'm curious what I might need to plan for.

i spent the last 6 summers with a 2015 Durango 1500 295BH and it was a very solid unit and we got plenty of use out of it (around 50-60 nights per year and it was towed around 55k km's). I feel that being a 1500 model it was not quite as solid as a 2500 would of been but never really had any issues because of it.

We recently replaced it with a GD Reflections 311BHS and i have to say that I'm pleased with the construction and fit+finish as it feels like its just slightly better on all fronts.

I would not hesitate to buy another KZ Durango however i do think that the Grand Designs product is slightly nicer.

Alex

Loper051 wrote:
Hello,

Starting to research and if you have had or know of any Major issues with the Brands or models below, Id love to get your input. Internet is all over the place.

We're a soon to be retiring couple looking for a 28-35 ft 5th wheel or Travel Trailer to be moved every 6 months from state to state.
Thanks in advance. Ideally Looking to buy 2-3 year old models.

Grand Design Reflection 310RLS
Grand Design Reflection 303RLS
Keystone Passport 2450RLWE
KZ Connect C292RDK
KZ Connect C272FK
KZ Connect C261RB
KZ Connect SE C281RLSE
KZ Durango Half-Ton D283RLT
KZ Durango Half-Ton D256RKT
KZ Durango Gold G356RLQ
KZ Sportsman 303RL
KZ Durango D321RKT
KZ Durango D301RLT

I'd rank the Grand Designs a bit ahead of the KZ, with Keystone #3. I have a '17 Durango 1500 D277RLT, and we like it. Some minor problems, but you'll see that with anything, no matter the price. The older KZs will likely have much better quality than current offerings. Can't speak to the others. Frankly, if you find a '15/16 KZ, it will likely be even better, as Thor bought them in '15 and it took a while for Thor's cost cutting to work its way down, so those units were better built, IMO.

Lyle

SUMRX4 wrote:
Good luck on your search. We just finished the same thing you are doing. We had been looking for a few months and went to the Hershey show last month. Take lots of notes as they will all start to run together. We ended up buying a KZ Durango Gold (not one of the models on your list) but we love it. We looked at the Grand design but they just didn't have a FL plan that we really liked. Plus we heard from multiple sources that since their buy out the quality had really took a nose dive. I can't say that's true but I have heard it from several different places. Have you looked at the Alliance Paradigm line? I was told at the Hershey show (again from a couple different places) that Alliance was one of the top quality units out there today. Good luck in your search and if you do buy a truck, pay no attention to the tow weights and capacities listed in any ads. Look at the actual door placards on the actual truck you are considering.

Alliance is making up for their defects with very good customer/mfr support. BUT they too are not immune to defects/poor quality control/craftsmanship. I've seen many posts where customers have had some minor to major issues and on other end of the spectrum......none.

You're the 2nd to point me to KZDG.
Will definitely take a notepad to the show.thanks for the advice. I appreciate future tips also

We had a 2000 Sportsman for 11 years without a problem. Bought a 2011 Keystone and had problems. We've owned our 2013 Durango 1/2 ton for 8 years without a problem and happy with it.

The only comments I can make on your specific floor plans is on the shower and bed.
We love the large residential shower with built-in seat. That will be hard to give up.
Our bed is in the nose cap, not on a slide. It's very difficult to walk around to make. Replacing the fitted sheet is a chore for us. I suggest going through the motions of making the bed before you buy.