Getting Close! KZ Sportsmen vs Spree?

Ralph Cramden wrote:

Nothing wrong with a machine welded beam thats engineered and sized correctly.

We had a previous TT with one of the frames with the 3-piece welded I-beams. It was so weak and poorly manufactured that the RV manufacturer took it back. We took it into a gov't certified frame & axle shop and they said it was the worst frame they'd ever seen (including substandard welds) and that no amount of remedial work could bring it up to the level it should be. It really flexed like crazy. Still, the RV manufacturer continued to use the exact same frame on their model lines despite knowing how poor they are. All 4 spring hangers were bent to one side by 1/2"+. When I looked at the other TTs on the dealer's lot, they all had the same bent spring hangers. Poor QC at the manufacturer (ie., Lippert)...

I once saw a photo of a KZ TT where the frame folded like a pretzel at the axle location and the rear end was dragging on the ground. That was like 7-8 years ago and have not been able to find the photos since. It would have had a 3-piece welded beam.

I would never ever buy a TT with one of the welded up I-beams again. Our more common one-piece rolled beam has performed well. I've also seen the identical 3-piece beam on a few other makes & models and would not go near one again. A problem with TTs IMO is the lack of any codes/standards & inspections and a frame manufacturer can build them however they want, and they do. I'm aware of all the issues Lynnmor has had with his frame and agree 100% with what he says about the 3-welded beams.

On Spree vs Sportsman, I would add that even though the Spree is their upscale line of TTs, don't expect the build quality to be any better. After 5 seasons, I have still been finding things that need fixing due to poor workmanship. Kz is pretty much the same as any other TT manufacturer in Indiana and nothing in my mind stands out to choose KZ over another.

Oh, and then there was all the trouble we had with the dealer including their inability to fix things. I would suggest you look into how good the dealer is as well.

Oddly, I don't see the Spree line on KZ's website either. The "Connect" line was pretty much the same TT as the Spree but with less features. I always wondered why they sold two TT lines that were so similar. Maybe for 2019 they've dropped the Spree line?

If we were to ever buy another TT, the first choice would be an OutdoorsRV unit. A BAL frame is used on a few brands/models such as Jayco and it might be worth looking at Jayco for that reason.