Better RV Brands?

[THerber]

Anyone know anything about KZ? My wife and I are looking to buy a new 5er in the next year, we live an hour and a half from the New Horizon plant, very nice units just to rich for our blood, they sell the KZ's there also,but I had never heard of them until we went to look at the New Horizon. We are having trouble finding a floorplan we like in anything but the Keystone's, we love the FP of the Alpine 3500RE i think it is, but after reading this thread we are starting to think twice about dropping 60K in one of them. We also live close to the Excel plant, we looked at them last week, they had a pretty good snow with wind two days before and there was snow drifted on the inside around the slides, that didn't impress us much. We are going to go and look at the NuWay this next week. We are going to do some hard looking a research over the next 12 months, when I am looking to spend 50-60K on a trailer I want to make sure I know what I am getting.

 

[Grizzly]

Anyone know anything about KZ? My wife and I are looking to buy a new 5er in the next year, we live an hour and a half from the New Horizon plant, very nice units just to rich for our blood, they sell the KZ's there also,but I had never heard of them until we went to look at the New Horizon. We are having trouble finding a floorplan we like in anything but the Keystone's, we love the FP of the Alpine 3500RE i think it is, but after reading this thread we are starting to think twice about dropping 60K in one of them. We also live close to the Excel plant, we looked at them last week, they had a pretty good snow with wind two days before and there was snow drifted on the inside around the slides, that didn't impress us much. We are going to go and look at the NuWay this next week. We are going to do some hard looking a research over the next 12 months, when I am looking to spend 50-60K on a trailer I want to make sure I know what I am getting.

Get a used New Horizon. They're much better than a new almost anything else. Since your're so close to the manufacturing plant maybe you stand a better chance of finding one. I tried to find one for a long time and never could. People that buy New Horizon don't want to let go of them.

 

[EricBu12]

Grizzly,

The pics I posted above IS a toyhauler. . It is the new Wide Open '09 model by Gulfstream..... the pic where you see the TV on the right inside is actually half of the wall that closes. . you can see the metal hinge. . the ohther half is hard to see. it has a door access to the garage..... the beds go up, carpet rolls up and then you haul the toys.

Gulf Stream Coach :: Wide Open :: Overview

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



The pics I posted above IS a toyhauler. . It is the new Wide Open '09 model by Gulfstream..... the pic where you see the TV on the right inside is actually half of the wall that closes. . you can see the metal hinge. . the ohther half is hard to see. it has a door access to the garage..... the beds go up, carpet rolls up and then you haul the toys.



Gulf Stream Coach :: Wide Open :: Overview

I know it's a toyhauler. I was just telling mwilson that I have no data on the new GS toyhauler on my RV Consumer Guide and hope that the new ones rate better than the older ones did.



george

 

[daverobb]

We presently own an '08 Jayco 28 BHS. In the two seasons that we have had it I have pulled it about 40,000 kms. Up here we normally run at or just over the the trailer's rated GVW with full water tanks etc. We bought the Jayco because we like the layout, the $$$$ and it does work well for us. However our last 3 trailers were made by Travelaire, a Canadian manufacturer out of Red Deer, Alberta. I must say that the Jayco can not hold a candle to the Travelaire product from the stand point of workmanship, design and construction. When we are in the market for a new trailer as a retirement unit, we are certainly hoping that Travelaire will still be making travel trailers.

 

[DGerth]

I have pulled a Artic Fox 30fft b/p for about 52K and other than tires and batts, life is good! Would buy again.

dg

 

[HBarlow]

Anyone know anything about KZ? My wife and I are looking to buy a new 5er in the next year, we live an hour and a half from the New Horizon plant, very nice units just to rich for our blood, they sell the KZ's there also,but I had never heard of them until we went to look at the New Horizon. We are having trouble finding a floorplan we like in anything but the Keystone's, we love the FP of the Alpine 3500RE i think it is, but after reading this thread we are starting to think twice about dropping 60K in one of them. We also live close to the Excel plant, we looked at them last week, they had a pretty good snow with wind two days before and there was snow drifted on the inside around the slides, that didn't impress us much. We are going to go and look at the NuWay this next week. We are going to do some hard looking a research over the next 12 months, when I am looking to spend 50-60K on a trailer I want to make sure I know what I am getting.

The New Horizon, Excel, and NuWa you mentioned are all high quality respected brands intended for full time use.

When you travel to Chanute to consider NuWa's HitchHikers look at the several two or three model year old but brand new units repurchased from failed dealers during the recession. NuWa has several very nice 2008s and at least one 2007 Champagne, new, never registered, at deep discounts in their inventory.

NuWa is a sincere, honest, and fair company that provides exceptional customer service, even when they are not responsible for problems that occur. You won't go wrong buying from them if they have a unit you like.

 

[Grizzly]

Anyone know anything about KZ? My wife and I are looking to buy a new 5er in the next year, we live an hour and a half from the New Horizon plant, very nice units just to rich for our blood, they sell the KZ's there also,but I had never heard of them until we went to look at the New Horizon. We are having trouble finding a floorplan we like in anything but the Keystone's, we love the FP of the Alpine 3500RE i think it is, but after reading this thread we are starting to think twice about dropping 60K in one of them. We also live close to the Excel plant, we looked at them last week, they had a pretty good snow with wind two days before and there was snow drifted on the inside around the slides, that didn't impress us much. We are going to go and look at the NuWay this next week. We are going to do some hard looking a research over the next 12 months, when I am looking to spend 50-60K on a trailer I want to make sure I know what I am getting.

K-Z RV Manufacture makes many brands of 5th wheels, travel trailers and toy haulers. Some of the brand names are; Durango, Coyote, Escalade, JAG, Montego Bay, New Vision and Sportman to name a few. Most are rated 3 stars and some go as low as 1 star. All are for Vacationing except for the Escalade, which is rated 3. 5 stars and is for snowbirding. Only problem with the Escalade is that the list price is $86K. If you're going to spend that much money you might as well get a New Horizon, which is the only 5 star rated 5th wheel and considered the best in the RV world.



NuWa is an excellent choice where most are 4 star rated, except for the Champagne which is 3 star rated. Most NuWa 5th wheels are rated for fulltiming. Hichhiker invented the 5th wheel concept some 40 years ago.

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .
NuWa is an excellent choice where most are 4 star rated, except for the Champagne which is 3 star rated. Most NuWa 5th wheels are rated for fulltiming. HitchHiker invented the 5th wheel concept some 40 years ago.

George,

Really? I didn't know that! Why does the buyer's guide book rate the Champagne, NuWa's flagship unit, lower than my mid-range Discover America or the less expensive line, the HitchHiker II or LS?

Harvey

 

[Grizzly]

George,



Really? I didn't know that! Why does the buyer's guide book rate the Champagne, NuWa's flagship unit, lower than my mid-range Discover America or the less expensive line, the HitchHiker II or LS?



Harvey

I'm sure that the quality of the Champagne is as good as all other HichHikers. 5th wheels, TT and toy haulers are rated in three areas, Reliability, Value and Highway Control. There are two items I see in the RV Consumer Group (RVCG) that appear to be deficient however. Highway Control and Capacity. I'm looking at two 35' Champagne Fulltiming, an 06 and an 07, which appear to be about the same with almost the same model number. The 06 is rated, Reliability 82, Value 84 and Hwy Control 58. Hwy Control is considered low. Because of a low Hwy Control and a low Catacity, it's overall rating is 2. 5 stars. I believe that Hwy Control is low because the trailer is too heavy for something in the running gear. It weighs 14,730 lbs empty and has a GVWR of 16,200 lbs. The 07 version is rated 82, 84, 85. HH did something to help the Hwy Control. The 07 also has a GVRW of 18,700 lbs. This is very typical of 06 and older models.



The second thing that was not up to par is Capacity. With a curb weight of 14730 and a GVWR of 16,200 only leaves 1,470 lbs for personal equipment and supplies. This is considered "Deficient" by RVCG. Some units have even less Capacity with about 1100 lbs for personal equipment and supplies. This is not good for a full time unit. The 07 and newer have about 3000 lbs capacity, which RVCG says is acceptable.



I wish I could email you copies of some of this data, but the software won't let me transfer any of it. Next time you see one of your HH dealer friends, ask them to let you look at their copy. It contain a wealth of information and all RV dealers have one and use it like a bible.



george

 

[Shadrach]

The RV show is on this weekend here and we will probably go to see what's out there, although a brand new one is out of the question. Personally I find most new trailers too fancy. We just use ours for summers holidays, but I want something that has good quality, without the luxury of most units nowadays. I will take good workmanship over carpet and chrome any day. I want something that I can take to the campground and wipe my feet and walk in, more cabin than resort. Something that good for kids and a dog. If you are living in it full time that's different. Something with a real bed up front and bunks in back and decent counter space for cooking. Shadrach

 

[THerber]

Grizzly,



Thank you very much for passing on all the data from the buyers guide, I guess I just need to suck it up and join, it is a small price to pay when I think about what I am about to spend. We are heading to Chanute on Monday.



Tim

 

[Grizzly]

The RV show is on this weekend here and we will probably go to see what's out there, although a brand new one is out of the question. Personally I find most new trailers too fancy. We just use ours for summers holidays, but I want something that has good quality, without the luxury of most units nowadays. I will take good workmanship over carpet and chrome any day. I want something that I can take to the campground and wipe my feet and walk in, more cabin than resort. Something that good for kids and a dog. If you are living in it full time that's different. Something with a real bed up front and bunks in back and decent counter space for cooking. Shadrach

If you want a good 4 star rated 5th wheel or travel trailer without all the luxury foo foo, consider a Nash built by Northwood Mfg. Click here. It has an aluminum super structure and 16" wheels. They have an American made frame, which is made in their own plant. If you want a little more foo foo and pay more money, consider an Arctic Fox. The only thing I don't like about Nash and Arctic Fox are the standard equipped ST China tires, however you can get them changed out for American made LT tires when you get it home. I had my Arctic Fox changed out to Michelin XPS Rib LT tires.



george

 

[HBarlow]

Interesting. Your explanation makes sense because Champagnes are heavy and when equipped with standard axles and tires their CCC can be modest.

All HitchHikers are handbuilt to order and NuWa is very flexible. The factory responds to individual customer orders so a buyer who is ordering a trailer, which many do, can upgrade axles, suspension, brakes, tires, etc. and the factory will take the capacities into consideration when they create the VIN tag, GVWR, GAWRs, and CCC.

I ordered my DA with 7,000# Dexter axles and springs instead of the standard 6,000# and with the oversized, heavy duty Dexter self-adjusting brakes (3 1/2" by 12" drums and linings IIRC) but because I planned to put Michelin XPS Ribs on it I didn't order the GY LRG tires which would have raised the GVWR by 1000# or so.

I've never seen the buyer's guide you refer to so often but it must contain a lot of useful information. It sounds like a worthwhile investment for someone with limited knowledge of the RV industry who is planning to purchase a trailer.

I'm sure that the quality of the Champagne is as good as all other HichHikers. 5th wheels, TT and toy haulers are rated in three areas, Reliability, Value and Highway Control. There are two items I see in the RV Consumer Group (RVCG) that appear to be deficient however. Highway Control and Capacity. I'm looking at two 35' Champagne Fulltiming, an 06 and an 07, which appear to be about the same with almost the same model number. The 06 is rated, Reliability 82, Value 84 and Hwy Control 58. Hwy Control is considered low. Because of a low Hwy Control and a low Catacity, it's overall rating is 2. 5 stars. I believe that Hwy Control is low because the trailer is too heavy for something in the running gear. It weighs 14,730 lbs empty and has a GVWR of 16,200 lbs. The 07 version is rated 82, 84, 85. HH did something to help the Hwy Control. The 07 also has a GVRW of 18,700 lbs. This is very typical of 06 and older models.

The second thing that was not up to par is Capacity. With a curb weight of 14730 and a GVWR of 16,200 only leaves 1,470 lbs for personal equipment and supplies. This is considered "Deficient" by RVCG. Some units have even less Capacity with about 1100 lbs for personal equipment and supplies. This is not good for a full time unit. The 07 and newer have about 3000 lbs capacity, which RVCG says is acceptable.

I wish I could email you copies of some of this data, but the software won't let me transfer any of it. Next time you see one of your HH dealer friends, ask them to let you look at their copy. It contain a wealth of information and all RV dealers have one and use it like a bible.

george

 

[HBarlow]

The RV show is on this weekend here and we will probably go to see what's out there, although a brand new one is out of the question. Personally I find most new trailers too fancy. We just use ours for summers holidays, but I want something that has good quality, without the luxury of most units nowadays. I will take good workmanship over carpet and chrome any day. I want something that I can take to the campground and wipe my feet and walk in, more cabin than resort. Something that good for kids and a dog. If you are living in it full time that's different. Something with a real bed up front and bunks in back and decent counter space for cooking. Shadrach

A Jayco is a good brand for your intended application. Jaycos are low to lower middle-priced units but IMO are better built than Keystones, Forest River, and other entry level brands. I pulled a lot of Jaycos when I was transporting and liked them. They are not heavy on glitz and glitter but are more practical.

How are Jaycos rated, Grizzly?

 

[Grizzly]

A Jayco is a good brand for your intended application. Jaycos are low to lower middle-priced units but IMO are better built than Keystones, Forest River, and other entry level brands. I pulled a lot of Jaycos when I was transporting and liked them. They are not heavy on glitz and glitter but are more practical.



How are Jaycos rated, Grizzly?

Not bad, especially the Designer Series. They are made for snowbirding and most are rated 3. 5 stars. Some will rate down to 2, 1. 5, and 1 star. So, it's best to check them out and make sure there in the 3. 5 star rating. A typical 2007, 37', model # 34RLQS, has a Reliability of 76, Value 76, Hyw Control 82 and 3. 5 star rating and has a Payload Capacity of 3080 lbs. It has a GVRW of 15,800 lbs. It's heavy. The guide never talks about what axle, frame and tires these units have, which is disappointing.



I believe the guide is well worth the $150 or so I paid for it and I highly recommend it for anyone considering the purchase of a new or used RV.



george

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



Thank you very much for passing on all the data from the buyers guide, I guess I just need to suck it up and join, it is a small price to pay when I think about what I am about to spend. We are heading to Chanute on Monday.



Tim

My pleasure Tim. You'd be wise to make that small investment. With the guide you also get a paperback book on how to negotiate the best price on a new RV.



I want everyone to know that I get no kick back from RV Consumer Group for recommending them.



george

 

[NStates]

Purchasing A Fifth Wheel

I have owned three fifth wheels and have used them to travel all over USA lower 48 and a summer in Alaska. You basicly get what you pay for. I had one Carriage prior to them being bought out and it waqs a good medium priced unit. My next one was a Teton which is an excellent unit. I now have a Mobile Suite and find it to be top of the line. The Teton and Mobile Suite can be used to live in for extended periods and are very well insulated. I would look for a good used one rather than an inexpensive new unit. There are some real bargains out there especially if you can deal private.

You will love traveling,

ROVOL

2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2

6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.

 

[NStates]

Full Time

Slow Six



If you are considering full time there are only a few that you should consider. The unit must be built for full time. I have owned two such units, one being a Teton and the present one a Mobile Suites. They are both built with full timing in mind. I find the Mobile Suites my preference as I believe it is a little better built and handles superb. Air ride and Hydraulic Disc Brakes top it off. Look at the construction, frame & chassis. Been enjoying traveling part time for 11 years.



ROVOL



2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2



6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.

 

[HBarlow]

Grizzly,

I looked at Mobile Suites up in Elhart several years ago when they were a fairly new brand. The interior finish quality looked good but I wondered about insulation.

How does your magic RV buyer's guide book rate MS units?