Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
Seriously looking at a 2008 KZ Escalade 36KSB and would be interested in hearing from those that may have own or have owned one. Specifically I'd like to know what type of frame they used on this? The dry weight on this couch is about 13,500 lbs. I've read in this forum to look for something with at least a 12 inch frame for a coach this heavy. Anyone have any information on this. This coach does have More-Ryde suspension and disc brakes.
I can only chime in on the Mor/ryde suspension and disc brakes. We added it to our Solitude before we took off to Alaska and were glad we did. We feel the $6200 to $6500 upgrade saved us at least that much in wear and tear on our coach. We also added Goodyear G114 17.5" tires and had no tire problems on the trip. So if this coach has the tires too, add approx $10k to the value when comparing it with other rigs.
I still have a brochure for the 2006 KZ Escalade and it shows a 10" I-Beam over a 8" rectangular tube for a total of 18" of frame, one of the largest in the industry. There were few changes between '06 and '08.
As for the Mor/Ryde suspension it probably does not have the IS suspension, which is independent for each wheel, (and not listed as an option) but probably came with the Mor/Ryde RE system which is still leaf springs but the center support is rubber mounted. The RE was standard in '06.
If you want a copy of the brochure send me a PM with your email address.
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 7th of December 2014 11:23:17 AM
According to the 2008 specifications: “18 inch - Box beam/”I” Beam Stack Chassis.” We owned a 2007 Escalade 36KSB.It was a “tank.”The frame is excellent. In fact when we had the MOR/ryde IS suspension installed on ours at the MOR/ryde factory the technician commented, without me asking, “This is a very good frame.”
As was commented above, if the unit has a MOR/ryde IS it was not OEM from KZ but that matters not at all.If it was installed by MOR/ryde that’s fine and no reason for concern. Actually just the opposite. I’d rather have MOR/ryde do the installation as they have the proper equipment to align the IS perfectly.
When we were trading the Escalade in on our NH (that was a very difficult decision by the way) the NH representative was very surprised at the frame quality and commented on that fact.
We are Escalade fans and if you have found one in good condition and it is a 2008 with a MOR/ryde IS I would seriously consider it. KZ’s Escalades from model year 2005 – 2009 where excellent trailers. The frame is strong enough that we were able, without issue, to put just 4 Big-Foot levelers on the frame.
We have towed it to Alaska but moreover once up to Yellowknife, NWT and then up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik, NWT, Canada.No issues at all and those were some of the worse roads with way over a 1,000 miles of unpaved highway – mostly dirt and rock.
If you will PM me with an email address I will send you the 2008 Escalade book and be glad to provide information about Escalades including factory service which I believe KZ is still supporting.In good condition, we highly recommend this trailer.
