KZ spree connect 260kls

[Helen233]

Hi everyone,
I am a newbie. Hubby and I just decided to purchase a 2015 model KZ spree connect. I think the model number is 260 Kls. I could be wrong. This trailer is basically just for the two of us and possibly daughter and her hubby.
My first question- is this a reliable trailer?
Is it well made?
How easy would it be for me to tow by myself
How easy would it be for me to set up alone?

How solid are the doors and locks?
Is it safe for a woman to travel alone

Thank you all for your response!!

[Hannibal]

Aside from the short queen as I'm 6'2", I really like the floor plan. Only thought that would trouble me is, a rear kitchen can get rear heavy which could affect towing stability. Maybe not. The other thing is a rear kitchen can be a little bouncy on all things kitchen like the back seats on the school bus. Just a thought. Others might tell me I'm full of fertilizer and they may be right.

[Helen233]

Yes this is the one we are considering. I wanted one that had swivel rockers it. My husband feels that the larger one would be to heavy to tow. I am concerned that that couch will be uncomfortable and in the event my daughter and her husband come with us that there won't be enough room

Thank you so much for all your advice and suggestions!!!

[myredracer]

GMandJM wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
I'm guessing she means a Spree 262RKS ... if so, it's unlikely that bathroom could be accessed with the slide in the travel position.

If so, it looks like that one has two entry doors - one to the kitchen and one into the bedroom. But the slide, when in, still might not allow access to the bath.

Looks like a nice camper. I wish you many safe and happy trips.

I think she probably means the Spree Connect C260RKS (layout on left below) and not the Spree 262RKS (layout on right). The Spree Connect is KZ's basic version of the Spree with less features and options. The 2014 version of the Spree 262RKS had an angled bathroom wall like the C260RKS shows on the floorplan and you could access the bathroom if you were skinny or by opening the slide a few inches. I thought I saw a 2014 C260RKS (261?) at a show which had a bedroom door but maybe they have deleted it now. We rarely use our bedroom door.

Based on our experience on the equivalent Spree model, expect the actual tongue weight when fully loaded to be something like 800-900 lbs - the TV will need to have adequate payload capacity for this.

Adults sleeping on the dinette bed or sofa would not be terribly comfortable, esp. if tall, plus the furnace is below one dinette seat and noisy at night. Our 6'-2" son slept on the dinette bed once and he said never again and would use the tent instead. We went through a lot of thought and study about the sofa and considered KZ's theater seating or hide-away bed. The factory insisted that neither of these would fit but the measurements I took said they would (barely). If the bathroom wall is indeed angled, these should have no trouble. You could try and negotiate a delete price for the sofa and install your own. We've had our eye on this De Leon double recliner set from shop4seats.com for a while and may upgrade at some point. This set will definitely fit as it is very shallow front to back. Shop4seats.com makes RV furniture and you might look at their sofa bed line to see if it'd work better.

If you could find a very early 2014 Spree 216RKS model somewhere, they have a BAL Ultraframe (not Lippert) and I *think* still had the angled bathroom wall. The large shower in the Spree is nice and they also have a larger 8 cu. ft. fridge which makes quite a difference.

The Connect (and Spree) floor plan is great and you will love it.

[Doug33]

Good for you. My wife would NEVER tow the TT. That's part of the reason we don't go on really long trips, because I would have to do all the driving. And if I somehow got injured, we'd be screwed. 😉

[trsky]

We have a 2011 KZ Spree 265KS and love it. No issues. Hope it works out for you. Enjoy

[GMandJM]

SoundGuy wrote:
I'm guessing she means a Spree 262RKS ... if so, it's unlikely that bathroom could be accessed with the slide in the travel position.

If so, it looks like that one has two entry doors - one to the kitchen and one into the bedroom. But the slide, when in, still might not allow access to the bath.

Looks like a nice camper. I wish you many safe and happy trips.

[Helen233]

Thank you for your information everybody!!! I really appreciate it!!

[BubbaChris]

Last year was our first year with a TT. I think my wife could camp alone now if she put her mind to it. She has lived up to the marketing on the Andersen WDH and hooked up our TV totally without me for a few trips.

If you're serious about learning to do it by yourself. Plan on spending extra time at the CG during setup and prepping to leave so you're shadowing DH 100% with everything he does (rather than being inside the TT working). We now divide-and-conquer for most trips, but will probably trade off some weekends to keep both of us sharp.

[SoundGuy]

Helen233 wrote:
... with a tow haul button that changes the gear ratios.

Tow Haul doesn't change the gear ratios, rather it shifts the transmission shift points to better suit the load it's towing.

[SoundGuy]

GMandJM wrote:
I didn't see a 260 kls model listed on their website when I looked, so other than the previously mentioned "what kind of tow vehicle are you using", the only thing I can offer is to make sure that your camper is fully functional with the slides in, if that is important to you.

I'm guessing she means a Spree 262RKS ... if so, it's unlikely that bathroom could be accessed with the slide in the travel position.

[Helen233]

We will tow with a 2008 Toyota tundra. It is 5.7 liter engine, 6 speed transmissionis iwith a tow haul button that changes the gear ratios.

Thank you all so much!!!!!!!

[GMandJM]

I didn't see a 260 kls model listed on their website when I looked, so other than the previously mentioned "what kind of tow vehicle are you using", the only thing I can offer is to make sure that your camper is fully functional with the slides in, if that is important to you.

In the Spree we almost bought in 2012, there was only 1 door and with the slides in you could not access the bathroom or the bedroom. (We though it would be inconvenient to put out the slides every time we wanted to use the potty while on the road.)

[Doug33]

Hannibal wrote:
We're still enjoying our 2007 KZ Jag, KZ's entry level unit back then. Other than routine maintenance, we haven't had any issues with it. The rear end which faces the afternoon hot Florida sun every day is starting to delaminate but I've seen high end rv's with the same affliction after a few years. Check or have the roof checked and resealed yearly. Ease of towing depends largely on what you're towing it with. A HD pickup makes towing much more stable. Security depends on where you stay. I have an extra security policy with me at all times along with a license to carry it. It does not embolden me. It makes me much more careful of where I go and what goes on around me. Be watchful and safe and enjoy your new Spree!

We previously owned a 2006 Jag with similar experience. We upgraded last year to a bigger unit with a slide.

[SoundGuy]

We owned a KZ Spree 240BH-LX for six years and overall were quite happy with it BUT I would note that the curb side sidewall did begin to de-laminate quite badly, unfortunately after the factory two year warranty had long expired. You yourselves would want to also note that any responses you get from former KZ owners will be referring to products built when KZ was a privately owned family business ... now it's not, having been bought out by Thor ... whether that makes a difference or not in quality control I wouldn't know, other than to say that often when a large conglomerate takes over any company quality on the production line often suffers. You might want to join the KZ Family Forum and ask for commentary there.