kerrlakeRoo wrote:
For better quality also take a look at grand design, and maybe even the K-Z Spree, Two year warranties and no full timing exclusions.
Sorry, but I would NOT include a KZ TT on a short list. I could write a book on all the issues we've had. On 4th season, still finding them. :( After having one, I don't think a 2 year warranty is such a big deal. Most things requiring a trip to the dealer happen within the first year, and that's *IF* the dealer has the capability to make correct repairs, if at all or will honor the warranty. In the beginning of the 2nd year, our KZ dealer said they would no longer do any warranty work claiming some LED lights I added voided the factory warranty. Total BS but anything that came up from that point on I fixed myself (and properly too) and wasn't worth going to the dealer anyway.
FWIW, KZ and Jayco are now both owned by Thor.
I understand OP's concern. Besides the brand/model of TT, a couple of things I would suggest are getting a set of Glowsteps from Torklift. Besides being a lot more stable, the riser of each step is 7" high, close to what you'd have in a house. The standard Lippert steel steps are 9" high per riser which is harder on the knees (and wouldn't comply with building code if in a home). We have the Glowsteps and they are great, but take a bit more effort to deploy. Extending the "landing gear" feet would probably be a challenge (when on uneven ground) but you could slide a piece of wood or a "lego" leveling block under a foot instead.
The other is getting a Stromberg Carlson "soft touch" grab handle at the entry door. These are 18" tall and make entering the door much easier. We had our KZ TT special ordered without the typical tiny grab handle so there'd be no holes through the fiberglass siding and then the dealer installed the soft touch handle for us. Don't get the other brand that is similar because the handle material is hard. Torklift also has a handrail but I'm not convinced a handrail would work that well.
In general terms, I'd do all the research you can and find a good quality TT and also a good dealer that will provide proper warranty coverage and has the ability to actually execute repairs properly. Not easy to define what a quality TT is as most can have issues of some kind. Last thing you want with arthritic hands is to be fixing things on an ongoing basis.
I would avoid any brand/model that has the type of frame made from 3 pieces of sheet steel welded together to form an I-beam ('nuf said). Jayco has a BAL frame that has almost no welds in it and would be an excellent choice. A few other brands use this frame (Lance is one) and you could call BAL/Norco and find out who they are.
I would pay close attention to functionality of a floor plan and also things like accessibility & efficiency of cabinets/closets and even little things like light switches. Having to reach up to the ceiling to a switch can be annoying. I added wall switches in our TT (with concealed wiring). Get a ceiling fan that has a remote like a Fantastic fan for same reason. If you are used to a FW being taller inside, some TTs are made with an arched ceiling. Make sure the sewer outlets and pull handles aren't in a hard to reach location like under a slide (Like ours, grrr.).
You might want to get a TT with 2 exterior entry doors and a floorplan that allows access to the bathroom with slide retracted and it possible, being able to walk from bedroom to the rear with the slide in.
