We bought at 21' KZ two years ago from D&H in Apex. The sales experience was great, no pressure, very knowledgeable, and honest. The service department has been a bit of a disappointment. Not many problems, but I don't think they fixed anything the first (and in some cases, the second) time.
Our third trip out we took it to Yellowstone for 21 days. Last year, we took it to Texas for 19 days. Both trips were just epic for our family. Here's some things I'd tell people shopping:
- We started out looking at 16', but if you want a full bathroom, meaning a vanity, toilet, and dry shower, there are not many floor plans with that under 21'. I didn't want to brush my teeth in the kitchen sink, so we went with the slightly longer trailer and it was a good decision.
- Towing is like golf in that there is a long game and a short game. The long game, i.e., interstates and open highway, was easy. Camper had a rear view camera but I soon learned to use just the mirrors when changing lanes. The short game, backing into campsites and maneuvering around gas pumps, was a little trickier, and I often still have my son get out and spot me, especially backing up. A set of walkie-talkies is helpful there.
- Know that a 21' box is actually about 26' once you add the tongue, rear bumper, and spare tire. Campgrounds will ask you the length, you give them the total length.
- Length doesn't seem to matter as much as width. Toll booths and narrow lanes in construction zones will make you appreciate narrow. Mine is 9" narrower than many in its class, and the shorter axles seem to make it more nimble getting into difficult campsites.
- The Murphy bed is great. It gives us a queen sized mattress that lies flat and doesn't have any folds or creases. And when we wake up, the bed snaps out of the way and we have a nice couch that takes up less room and gives us more seating.
- Dealer told me I didn't need a load balancing hitch, but I had been pulling a pop-up with a 4-Runner and it was uncomfortable and swayed a lot. I bought a top-of-the-line $900 Equalizer-4 load balancing hitch with sway bars and it was a good decision. I pulled it up and down a 10,000 foot mountain near Cody, WY and it performed fantastic. I never get any sway, it brakes straight and true, and the Tundra's front bumper rises about 1/4 inch when I hook up the trailer.
- Budget $300-500 for hoses, dishes, sheets, pots & pans, chocks, water filters, camp chairs, etc.