Forum

You must be logged in to post Login

Search Forums:


 






KZ Spree Escape

No Status Selected
No Tags
UserPost

1:06 pm
December 27, 2010


motx72

Member

posts 5

Have any of you seen the new KZ Spree Escape? 


http://www.kz-rv.com/spree_esc…..index.html


Looks like the Sportsmen Classic, but with what looks to be a fiberglass exterior.  Same basic floorplans (not as many, but I guess the more popular models).  Of course, it has a different interior color scheme/flooring/etc.  It would seem that the Sportsmen Classic is popular enough to warrant introducing another brand within the KZ family.  That's good news!  Cool


=motx72

Sportsmen Classic 19SBT or Spree Escape E19SBT – perhaps in 2012

7:39 am
December 29, 2010


kayaknut

Member

posts 376

Post edited 3:12 am – January 14, 2012 by kayaknut


5:22 pm
December 29, 2010


mbanda

ARKANSAS

Member

posts 121

Outside is cool. Also like the 14″ aluminum wheels. I installed a flooring just like that myself on the inside for around $50. Yeah, I don't see paying that much more for the cosmetic upgrades that I see. There are so many upgrades that I would rather see though for that price. Dual axle, more powerful AC, larger holding tanks, enclosed underbelly, – just to name a few. 

7:34 pm
December 29, 2010


sandersmr

Texas

Member

posts 338

The only thing I see that I like over mine is that they offer a variety of BTU options on the A/C.  The 5000 BTU in my 16BH is undersized for Texas summers.

2010 16BH towed by 2002 F-150 Super Crew 4.6L V8

7:31 am
January 9, 2011


thebbqguy

Riverview, FL

Member

posts 13

I look forward to checking out the 2011 KZ Spree Escape in detail at the 2011 RV Supershow next weekend in Tampa. 

Brian, Riverview Florida

11:36 am
January 15, 2011


Ken O.

Member

posts 39

Post edited 6:39 pm – January 15, 2011 by Royal Coachman — Centennial, Colorado


Brian – We are anxious to hear your comments on the Escape after you go to the show next week.  We just bought an Escape 19SB.  I won't be picking it up for at least 2 or 3 weeks yet so I can't comment on it's performance at this point.  In addition to that we won't have any decent camping weather in Colorado right away.   We were very impressed with the quality and bright interior of the camper and the 14″ alum. alloy wheels.  Really like the fiberglass exterior since this part of Colorado is known as the 'hail capital' of the country.  We have had other campers that ended up with bad hail damage in addition the having had two house roofs replaced because of hail.  Our use of the camper will be mostly for travel and a little local camping.  Having relatives in Mass., NY, Minn. & Calif. we have plenty destinations to choose from plus we do enjoy spending a couple of weeks or so in New Mexico in the springtime.  Anyway, we will be looking forward to your evaluation of the Escape after you visit the show next week.

Another happy KZ owner!!  Ken & MarilynCool

Spree Escape E19SB – 2009 Kia Sedona 6 cyl. – WD Hitch – Anti sway Control – Electric Brakes

2:25 pm
January 16, 2011


thebbqguy

Riverview, FL

Member

posts 13

Royal Coachman — Centennial, Colorado said:

Brian – We are anxious to hear your comments on the Escape after you go to the show next week.  We just bought an Escape 19SB.  I won't be picking it up for at least 2 or 3 weeks yet so I can't comment on it's performance at this point.     We were very impressed with the quality and bright interior of the camper and the 14″ alum. alloy wheels.  Anyway, we will be looking forward to your evaluation of the Escape after you visit the show next week.


Hi Ken,

I like everything about the Escape…except the shower wall design. I like the exterior, I like the interior and the floor plans available. It's lightweight and towable by a light duty vehicle. The tongue weight it good too. It just seems like they could have done a little better with the shower walls. Maybe an insert like some of the other manufacturers use would work better.

My wife doesn't like to use campgrounds' shower houses. Part of the allure of a camper is to take a shower in your own surroundings. I'm afraid the Escape falls short in this area.

Is that enough to keep me from buying one? It very well might be, because when you compare the Escape feature for feature to other models in the ultra-lightweight category there are some others that stack up pretty well.

I do feel that seeing so many models side by side one after another at an RV Show is a very good way to shop for an RV.  I highly recommend it for anyone that has the opportunity. It allows for a quicker comparison and you can go back and re-check things for comparisons on foot, rather than driving around to different towns back and forth.

Brian, Riverview Florida

4:20 pm
January 21, 2011


Karsty

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Member

posts 114

I just saw the Spree Escape at the Toronto RV show. I had ordered the Sportsman Classic for delivery in the spring but am now looking to "upgrade" to the Spree Escape.


Granted not a lot of difference but I do like the 14 inch wheels compared to the 13 inch. The weight difference is negligible …  


I also prefer the fiberglass exterior. As for the interior … I thought it was upgraded slightly from the Sportsman Classic and like the colour scheme better … not a big deal but since I am not scheduled to receive my 14RB till April I figure I will upgrade.  The difference in price is negligible.


Since I am travelling alone the 14RB is more than enough for me and my camera equipment.  Look out Alaska, Newfoundland and Route 66.

CURRENT: 2012 Winnebago ERA – FORMER: 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited – 2011 Spree Escape E14RBnn"If a hammer doesn't fix it … it must be an electrical problem."

6:47 pm
January 21, 2011


Ken O.

Member

posts 39

Post edited 1:48 am – January 22, 2011 by Royal Coachman — Centennial, Colorado


Hi There Karsty.   We enjoyed reading what you had to say about the Spree Escape.  Your thoughts were very close to what we were thinking when we saw it.    The shows are great because it gives a chance to see so many units all at once in one place.  Sounds like you have some big plans for yours once it arrives.  It sounds exciting!   We just relocated from your 'neck of the woods.'  We lived between Buffalo and Rochester.  We had lived in Colorado 30+ years and something began calling me back to NY where we had come from.  I don't know what had been calling me back but it didn't work out.  We lasted 6 years and  moved back to Colorado in June of 2010.  We are so happy to be back home again.  Between the humidity, snow, lack of sunshine and the wind it was just too much for us.  The 300+ days of sunshine and golf here are just great.Cool  Great to read about your plans!  Have a great summer and great trip.   Best of everything.   Ken & Marilyn

Spree Escape E19SB – 2009 Kia Sedona 6 cyl. – WD Hitch – Anti sway Control – Electric Brakes

10:31 pm
February 14, 2011


Mike Magee

near Tulsa OK

Member

posts 204

I viewed both units at a nearby dealer.  The Spree Escape does look more upscale, but as others have said it's all cosmetic differences inside.  I do like paneling though, so it gave me pause… but yeah, carrying that paneling into the shower was a mistake IMO.  On the outside I can see the benefit of fiberglass finish when hail comes (not if, but when!), but for some reason the aluminum on the Classic just looks more appealing… more cute.  Not sure if the anti-hail finish and fancier looking interior is worth a thousand extra, but something to think about.


2008 Toyota Highlander – 2011 Escape E14RB

9:20 pm
February 15, 2011


2outforfun

Member

posts 4

I have also been looking into the differences between the Classic and the escape as I ponder which nit is the right fit for me.  A email with KZ today returned the following list of differences.   I hope this helps others looking at all the options.


To answer your question, The main differences are the exterior, fiberglass for the Escape and Aluminum for the Classic, more headroom in the Escape, approximately 2" than the Classic and 14"wheels as standard on the Escape.  In addition, you can choose your interior décor in the Escape (3 choices) versus no choices for the Classic.   On the Classic we use leftover fabric, flooring and wall boards. The Escape has the same flooring as the Spree and the interior walls and countertops due not change.

 

The Escape floors are the same as the Classic floors, ½" plywood on 2" x 2" wood studs.  The Escape walls are a laminated sidewall with aluminum studs and foam block insulation.  The Classic is batten insulation between wood studs with an aluminum exterior.


9:38 pm
February 15, 2011


mbanda

ARKANSAS

Member

posts 121

2outforfun said:

 In addition, you can choose your interior décor in the Escape (3 choices) versus no choices for the Classic.   On the Classic we use leftover fabric, flooring and wall boards.



Leftover fabric & wall boards, eh? I don't remember seeing that in the brochure.  Embarassed


Sounds like a great sales pitch! "And here is the new 2011 KZ Classic with some very stylish leftover flooring."

4:28 am
February 16, 2011


kayaknut

Member

posts 376

Post edited 3:12 am – January 14, 2012 by kayaknut


11:39 am
February 16, 2011


mbanda

ARKANSAS

Member

posts 121

Hey Julie, I figured that was the intended message.

I got tickled reading it though. I am sure that is not the terminology that KZ would like their employees to be using. Laugh

4:28 pm
February 16, 2011


kayaknut

Member

posts 376

Post edited 3:12 am – January 14, 2012 by kayaknut


9:45 pm
February 16, 2011


Mike Magee

near Tulsa OK

Member

posts 204

They told you the Spree Escape comes with 14″ wheels standard, but the online specs page for 2011 still says 13″ wheels for the E14RB, E16BH and E16RBT.  I'm not sure what to think.  14″ wheels would be nice for the greater load carrying safety margin available in 14″ tires.

2008 Toyota Highlander – 2011 Escape E14RB

8:46 am
February 17, 2011


Karsty

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Member

posts 114

Post edited 4:15 pm – February 17, 2011 by Karsty


Mike Magee said:They told you the Spree Escape comes with 14″ wheels standard, but the online specs page for 2011 still says 13″ wheels for the E14RB, E16BH and E16RBT.  I'm not sure what to think.  14″ wheels would be nice for the greater load carrying safety margin available in 14″ tires.


I have checked several sources including the dealer and have actually seen the 14RB at the recent RV show in Toronto and they do have 14″ tires.  That was one of the main reasons for me switching from the Sportsman Classic to the Spree Escape.

CURRENT: 2012 Winnebago ERA – FORMER: 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited – 2011 Spree Escape E14RBnn"If a hammer doesn't fix it … it must be an electrical problem."

11:13 pm
February 17, 2011


smilinjohn

Minnesota Prairie

Moderator

posts 380

Post edited 8:33 pm – February 25, 2011 by smilinjohn



Call KZ-RV Customer Service at 1-866-472-5460.

SmileJohn

2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin

8:56 am
February 19, 2011


Mike Magee

near Tulsa OK

Member

posts 204

The salesman at my local dealer confirms the 14″ wheels.

The greater carrying capacity of 14″ tires seems like a very practical feature.  So is the fiberglass exterior since it should be more hail resistant.  Only, I prefer the way the Classic looks (cosmetics) both inside and out. Frown

The local dealer needs to come down some on their prices.  They want $10K for the Escape, $9K for the Classic (without furnace even).  I can do better by driving a bit.

2008 Toyota Highlander – 2011 Escape E14RB

7:29 pm
February 19, 2011


Mike Magee

near Tulsa OK

Member

posts 204

I went back to the dealer lot for another look at these trailers, and here's a bit more info.

The Classic 14RB and the Escape E14RB were sitting side by side today.  I went back and forth, looking.  The Escape sits quite a bit higher: the tank drain cap is about 10″ from the ground, versus 6″ for the Classic.  The Escape had the 14″ aluminum wheels.  There was more room in the wheel wells too, not just below.  I looked underneath each and found that the Escape has long ears, about 4.5″ or 5″ long, from the frame to the spring shackles.  The ears on the Classic only went down about 1.5″ to the shackles.

The salesman pointed out to me that the fiberglass-sided Escape has a metal roof just like the Classic!  It is not any more resistant to hail dents.  (But who looks at roofs that much, I suppose.) 

I like the Classic better than the Escape overall, so I asked him to check with the factory rep and see if they would build one for me with a 3500 lb. torsion axle and 14″ wheels.  This would be great IMO since I favor the torsions… less bounce stress on the trailer and no squeaky springs down the road, plus it should have more clearance.  I'll report their answer when I have it.

Oh, I asked the salesman if he knew why the 2011 Classic 14RB is listed at about 200 lbs heavier than the 2010.  He replied without hesitation that KZ had beefed up the frame for the 2011 model.  I'm pretty sure the 2011 Spree Escape shares that same improved frame.

As a side note, I had been hoping to see an Ameri-Lite Superlite 14RBC at this dealership, but they still don't have one in.  They did, however, get in a 16BHC that I looked over.  I liked the jalousie window (in theory) vs. KZ's sliders, and the Dometic fridge has slightly more useable space inside than the Norcold with its inner drip tray that takes up room.  But what really struck me was how the windows worked out (or failed to work out?) on the Superlite.  On the driver side, the big window by the dinette is an emergency hatch and the little window over the galley is a non-opener (KZ's little window opens).  On the passenger side, the big window by the bunks is another emergency hatch and the other big window by the dinette is the only jalousie window… but (get this) it is blocked from opening by the awning support!  That support runs right up the middle of the window, so unless one deploys the awning, that window will only open about an inch, maybe less.  I guess the emergency hatches must be opened for air movement in that unit. Confused  Not a well thought out design IMO.  I assume the 14RBC at least would have two jalousie windows on the passenger side, but still…

2008 Toyota Highlander – 2011 Escape E14RB

No Tags