2013 Summer

you’re the experts

cupboards above and below it. The top cupboard houses the slide controls and levels gauges, nicely out of sight, while that countertop is ideal for dropping all the stuff you have in your hands as you enter the RV. In a pinch it can add kitchen counter space by accommodating the coffeemaker and toaster, still within easy reach. The amount of counter space in the Durango is already on the high side, so this is a true bonus. A third slide-out expands the front bedroom, moving a wardrobe and linen closet out to add space around the queen- size bed. Clothes storage is ample here, but the lower height of the 1500 series affects headroom. At 6 feet, I just cleared the ceiling near the head of the bed. If you played basketball in high school, you might have a problem. The bathroom shows off the designers’ ability to follow the trends with a large shower, offset toilet position and two doors. That third slide-out continues in the bathroom, so the linen closet is accessible with the bathroom doors closed, a handy feature. The Durango D326CS has a few nice lighting fixtures but relies mostly on flush-mounted 12-volt lights. Air-conditioning diffusers on the ceiling are plentiful, and heat is routed through a single underfloor vent with floor registers in the living room, kitchen, bath and bedroom. Outside storage doors have slam-shut fasteners, and the main door provides access to all the service hookups, which saves space and a door, a smart feature. Not as smart is the placement of the landing-gear control. It’s on the outside of the trailer body, right up front where road grime from the truck’s rear wheels hit it. I towed my test Durango with a new Ram 3500 dually. The diesel-powered pickup was certainly overkill for this trailer, and by virtue of the large truck’s abilities, the rig towed wonderfully. However, KZ built this fifth wheel specifically to maximize the current crop of half-tons. Not having the chance to test this model with a smaller truck, I can’t comment on that except to say that the weights as shown are within the published limits of the major truck manufacturers. With the Durango D326CS, KZ has put together a smartly appointed fifth-wheel while keeping an eye on weight, and that’s a good thing for owners of half-ton trucks.— Howard J. Elmer

Inside information from Coast to Coast members

lighting the way We often camp in areas where the ground is hard to penetrate, and inserting solar-powered outdoor lights was a trying experience. Then we came up with the

bright idea of placing the light stakes in the bottom brackets of our RV’s awning legs. Once we settle in at a camp- site, we place one light in each of the two holes. This not only helps with visibility at night, the lamps look attractive and they’re easy to put away when we break camp. Bonnie and Vance Clegg Breckenridge Lake Resort Tennessee

mold-free shower mat I don’t like using a big rubber shower mat in my RV because I don’t have a place to hang it to dry. Instead, I use two large jar openers, one for each foot. These mats grip the floor to keep me from slipping, and they’re easy to hang to dry, so no worries about mold.

Christine Vite Pride Resort, North Carolina

2013 KZ Durango 1500 D326cS GVWR: 10,800 pounds Dry Weight: 8,780 pounds Length: 34 feet, 3 inches width: 8 feet

Height: 12 feet Freshwater: 55 gallons Gray Water: 32 gallons Black Water: 32 gallons LP Gas: 60 pounds Base msrp: $44,505 kz-rv.com

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Illustrations by Wayne Shipp

Summer 2013 COAST TO COAST 21

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