Jayco or KZ

bigcitypopo wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
I have a KZ. If you go thru my library on Photobucket it might help you decide.

My KZ

There are upgrades and repairs shown to make this 2011 261rks useable.

I see you did a suspension upgrade... can you comment on reasons/expectations/ and observations?

Ease of install, and quality of parts in your kit... sorry don't mean to hijack thread... maybe reply in a PM as to not take from OP.

A few comments to answer your questions:

Axles were replaced because stock items were bent and testing showed that they would not carry near the 3500lb rating.

Springs were replaced because they were of different lengths causing wheel alignment to be off.

Shocks were added for better rebound control. A rear kitchen takes a beating without shocks.

Trusses were added to reduce lateral twist of the "I-beams." This twist caused the frame to crack where the cross members are attached.

Spring shackles were replaced with my improved parts because the stock parts were made of cheap steel that was too thin.

Wet bolts/bronze bushings were used because the stock plastic parts don't last very long.

The Equa-Flex unit was improved by installing special bolts, which I made, so that the brass bushings would actually receive grease.

Adding select fit spacers at all bolt locations reduced the slop in the springs and Equa-Flex.

The cheap junk locknuts on all the suspension joints were replaced with high quality nuts for safety reasons.

Brake wires were connected so that all four brakes now actually work.

The cheap steel 5" wide wheels were replaced with 6" wide aluminum wheels with a higher rating.

The Freestar Chinese tires were replaced with Goodyear USA LT tires.

This was a rather big, expensive job, but the only choice was to take a loss and trade the trailer for another one with a new set of quality problems. I now have a trailer that is much safer, more reliable, rides better, handles better and should last much longer. It still has a pathetic frame, but it is somewhat protected by the trusses.

As mentioned above, KZ has finally fixed the water loss issue on the new models. They produced thousands of units that are spilling the contents of the water tank onto the highway. Who do you think is the one person that pushed the issue and forced a change?