Getting Close! KZ Sportsmen vs Spree?

Lynnmor wrote:
1) Generally speaking, the Spree has fiberglass sandwich type sidewall construction with just a couple of aluminum studs, and the Sportsman is stick & tin sidewalls with aluminum siding. The Spree is regarded as an upgrade from the Sportsman.

2) Some models have welded three piece I-beam main frame rails that are extremely weak, look closely to see if they are of this construction and do not buy if it is. The model years you are considering lose much of the water from the fresh water tank while driving.

3) I think just recently that Thor is having a negative effect on the design and the Spree line is currently not on the website.

Just so you know, my purchase of one of these products was by far the worst purchase decision of my life. PM me if you want details.

Thanks @Lynnmor! I'll PM you for more information. Though, it seems there is also wide variation even within a "reputable brand." :( I am currently trying to stick with used models prior to 2014 for both cost and pre-Thor aquisition..

Lwiddis wrote:
One thousand pounds of CCC isn’t much. Fifty gallons of water will eat 410 pounds of your 6500 pounds of imposed max weight. My TT cargo/water totals 1400 pounds when the DW doesn’t go.

@Lwiddis, Agreed, the imposed 6500lb limit is...limiting. But necessary. I imagine our first year's trips will only be to places with hookups and dump stations anyway. I don't have any plans to travel "full" for a while. Eventually, yes. But we may decide to change TT's or even TV's by then. Baby steps don't scare me..

myredracer wrote:

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.

Thanks @myredracer, though I don't think your comments are entirely useful, but that's not necessarily your fault. I don't know the first thing about frames and ibeams and types of welds and gussets.. Is there some list that details which brands/models use which kinds of frames? (I kinda doubt it...) I feel like I'm somewhat limited, as @Lwiddis mentioned, by my 6500lb loaded weight.

I can't afford an OutdoorsRV at this time, but it is on my list of future upgrades. :) And the two other brands that top my list aren't readily available this side of the Rockies, much less the Mississippi.

So, once again, baby steps. We're looking to stay older to save costs and "get into" the TT lifestyle. In a few years, we'll have learned more than I can learn from staying up to 2am nightly on forums, have made many memories with the kids before they move out, and hopefully by then been able to move up to a used OutdoorsRV model.

My current home theater rig has taken me over 25yrs of tweaking and upgrading. I have no doubts the TT life will be a similar journey.

cheers,
..dane