Last fall my wife and I began looking for our next camper. We are down to just the two of us, so not really a need for the extra capacity in our 34' bunk house 5th wheel.We started looking for a reasonably priced bumper tow (1/2 ton tow-able) with at least one slide, dual axle, and ample space in the bathroom. Beyond those requirements... we are flexible.These are the three we've kinda narrowed it down to...KZ Connect 241 RLKJayco Jay Feather 23RLSWGrand Design Imagine 2500RLThe Jayco is a nice unit... but the shower door hits the toilet when you open it.The Grand Design is really nice, but instead of a shower door you have this hybrid door, curtain.... Not really a door, not really a curtain... Wife says not so much...This brings us to the Connect. We both really like it, and it even has an outdoor kitchen...However, I went online looking at some of the reviews about the manufacturer... and wow! There are lots of people who pretty much have no use for KZ.... Evidently have a poor history of not standing behind their products.... I was just wondering what the general consensus is on here? Does anyone feel strongly for or against any of these manufacturers? If so, why?Much appreciated!!!

GoHorns wrote:This brings us to the Connect. We both really like it, and it even has an outdoor kitchen...However, I went online looking at some of the reviews about the manufacturer... and wow! There are lots of people who pretty much have no use for KZ.... Evidently have a poor history of not standing behind their products....Having owned a KZ myself for six years that would be news to me as both the dealer and KZ were always responsive to any concerns I ever had with that trailer. That said, KZ is no longer a privately owned company and is now owned by Thor Industries so perhaps the reports you're reading reflect that change.KZ Sale to Thor Industries.

FWIW I have a KZ Sportsman Classic 17RBS and have not had an issue with it in the 2 years I've owned it.With that said IMO the Grand Design Imagine is a set-up from the KZ.

I'm not that familiar with KZ products. I like both Grand Design and Jayco, but the Imagine line is a serious step up from the Jay Feather line, and I would choose it every time.

I would go Grand Design. I was super impressed when I saw the Imagine line at the RV show this year. Very well constructed and well engineered!

I had a KZ product for 9 years ( pre Thor ) and their response was second to none..

Be Afraid... Be Very Afraid... | Good Sam Community

GoHorns
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
One last thing... The KZ reviews were found at http://mythreecents.com/reviews/kz-rv
GoHorns
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
First of all, I appreciate all the responses...

This forum has proven to be an invaluable source of info over the years. (one time I posted regarding a phantom electrical issue on my fiver at 11:00 PM at night and within thirty minutes I had instructions on which pin voltage and fuse to check on my pickup.... and it was correct!)

The somewhat misleading title of this post was alluding to the fear I have of #1 falling victim to a sales pitch or #2 falling victim to a disgruntled review, posted by someone who has possible never bought anything in their life.

We all know that the truth lies somewhere between what the sales guy said, and what the worst review alleges. I'm just trying to make an informed decisions.

As far as the shower-door factor... Obviously no decision would be based solely on that... but when you compare these units... you end up with a list of what you like and what you don't like... and that was just one of the items....
chesterb
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
GoHorns wrote:

The Jayco is a nice unit... but the shower door hits the toilet when you open it.

The Grand Design is really nice, but instead of a shower door you have this hybrid door, curtain.... Not really a door, not really a curtain... Wife says not so much...

I wouldn't let a shower door, of all things, be the deciding factor on your decision. Those are easily changed/swapped out. There are all sorts of different designs and functions out there for shower doors that you could replace the original door with.
dclark1946
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
jamesu wrote:
"Be afraid...Be very afraid..." of what?

Just wondering why all the drama in the title of this post? And the conspicuous lack of curiousity about it from the other responders. The subject discussed in this post is pretty normal, run-of-the-mill stuff, but the title appears to scream otherwise. Just wondering.

As a owner of our second KZ trailer I agree with this response. Please provide sources for all the negative KZ information.
TxTwoSome
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
All i can state is the luck we have had with our Jayco 23RLSW it has been great we have had it going on two years now.

Two trips to East coast South Carolina and one thru Arkansas and Tennessee.

We also tow with a Ram 1500 5.7 with tow package and a Blue Ox Sway Pro Hitch.

It pulls easy and is rock solid going down the road.

The shower door does hit the toilet. I am 6'2 and 234 the shower works great for me.

Just some of my experiences that may help.
jamesu
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
"Be afraid...Be very afraid..." of what?

Just wondering why all the drama in the title of this post? And the conspicuous lack of curiousity about it from the other responders. The subject discussed in this post is pretty normal, run-of-the-mill stuff, but the title appears to scream otherwise. Just wondering.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
keymastr wrote:
A units quality is fairly directly tied to it's weight so finding one the size you desire in a "1/2 ton towable" weight would imply less durability. for my money I would not be looking at lightweights if I wanted quality.
Blanket statements like this should be taken with a grain of salt.
keymastr
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
A units quality is fairly directly tied to it's weight so finding one the size you desire in a "1/2 ton towable" weight would imply less durability. for my money I would not be looking at lightweights if I wanted quality.
GoHorns
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
We went over to look at a Lance this afternoon... however, we ended up liking one of their other units. Sonoma by Forest River. We have been a bit leery of Forest River, having owned two of their Fifth Wheels already. However, all the "pet peaves" we have from those to seem to be taken care of in the 240RKS model we looked at. The weight on the unit is well under the capacity of my Dodge 1500, and the features of the unit we looked at seem right down our alley. This one has definitely moved into first place on our current list.

The Lance models were nice, but probably not as nice as the price difference might suggest.

We'll see, we are still researching and contemplating. Any feedback is always appreciated.

Thanks,
ulvik
Explorer
Feb 16, 2017
We looked at the Jayco Jay Feather 23RLSW and I really liked it then the boss saw the kitchen and the opposing slides in the Rockwood 2304ds and fell in love with it. I was not too hip on the murphy bed but now I like it. Really glad she was persistent I really like it too especially after I took out the large dinette and installed recliners.