We have an opportunity to purchase a new 2016 Montana 3661RL at a reduced price. I've never owned a Keystone/Montana RV and I'm wondering how the quality, workmanship and durability is with a Montana. We owned a 2007 Heartland Sundance for six years and had very few problems but the next two Big Horns had water leaking problems with water leaking from under the belly cover somewhere among other issues. Seems since Thor/Heartland have been buying up RV companies, Jayco being the latest, the quality of their own RV's isn't as good as when Heartland was fairly new to the industry back in 2007. I know were going to have some issues with the 3661RL if we purchase it but we full time RV and I need something that has a track record of being reliable. Thanks for your comments and be safe out there.

Do some research on owner forums. When I did, I found more problems with Keystone and Montana and much less for Heartland and Big Horn. We went with a Big Horn and have been very pleased.

Montana's the #1 selling 5th wheel in it's class for 15 years or so. So naturally the amount of problems reported would be higher. The percentage of problems for sold units would be a better indicator.

I would go with a mfg that has a good track record servicing their client base,on here that appears to be Cedar Creek,Solitude LINE,Heartland.

How much of a reduced price?Bare in mind, Montana/Keystone was bought out by Thor a couple years back. From what I have seen of Thor so far does not place them very high on my watch list.But then again very few manufacturers care about quality any more.

goducks10 wrote:Montana's the #1 selling 5th wheel in it's class for 15 years or so. So naturally the amount of problems reported would be higher. The percentage of problems for sold units would be a better indicator.A fact. It is hard to judge based on owner web sites. If brand A sells 3 times as many units as brand B, then brand A will likely 3 times as many listed owner complaints as brand B. A percentage of complaints vs owners is the only way to compare, but no way to do that without knowing all the numbers, which are simply not available.

Heartland vs. Montana | Good Sam Community

padre1944
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
Do some research on owner forums. When I did, I found more problems with Keystone and Montana and much less for Heartland and Big Horn. We went with a Big Horn and have been very pleased.
goducks10
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
Montana's the #1 selling 5th wheel in it's class for 15 years or so. So naturally the amount of problems reported would be higher. The percentage of problems for sold units would be a better indicator.
alboy
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
I would go with a mfg that has a good track record servicing their client base,on here that appears to be Cedar Creek,Solitude LINE,Heartland.
donn0128
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2016
How much of a reduced price?
Bare in mind, Montana/Keystone was bought out by Thor a couple years back. From what I have seen of Thor so far does not place them very high on my watch list.
But then again very few manufacturers care about quality any more.
BB_TX
Nomad
Sep 08, 2016
goducks10 wrote:
Montana's the #1 selling 5th wheel in it's class for 15 years or so. So naturally the amount of problems reported would be higher. The percentage of problems for sold units would be a better indicator.

A fact. It is hard to judge based on owner web sites. If brand A sells 3 times as many units as brand B, then brand A will likely 3 times as many listed owner complaints as brand B. A percentage of complaints vs owners is the only way to compare, but no way to do that without knowing all the numbers, which are simply not available.
RoyB
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2016
I think what has killed the quality for the most-part is making everything lite weight pushing them being towed by the Ford F150 size trucks.

Roy Ken
goducks10
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
BB_TX wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Montana's the #1 selling 5th wheel in it's class for 15 years or so. So naturally the amount of problems reported would be higher. The percentage of problems for sold units would be a better indicator.

A fact. It is hard to judge based on owner web sites. If brand A sells 3 times as many units as brand B, then brand A will likely 3 times as many listed owner complaints as brand B. A percentage of complaints vs owners is the only way to compare, but no way to do that without knowing all the numbers, which are simply not available.

True. I'm by no means pushing Montana's but the fact that they've sold the most for about 15 years would mean something I think. Dealerships aside because that's hit or miss, I would think that if Montana's where junk or somewhat trouble prone the word would get out one way or another and they probably wouldn't be #1.
Would I buy one? Probably if I had the truck.
Really hard to judge any RV by internet polls.
olcoon
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
One thing to consider, no matter who makes it, all of them get the components from the same suppliers, and all of them hire from the human race. So the fridge, axels, AC, etc. will all have the same success/fail rate. As humans, we all make mistakes, and have good & bad days. Personally I feel that where RV manufactures are dropping the ball is that (at least as far as I know), most or all of them have a quota of rigs they want built in a day. When they have met their quota for the day, the employees can go home. No matter if it's noon, or 6:00, so naturally everyone one wants to go home early, so they are rushing to get things done, in the rush, something may be accidentally overlooked, or intentionally overlooked so everyone could leave early.
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Sep 08, 2016
I would say that Montana is really no better or worse that Heartland. We looked at both when searching for our first 5th wheel. Ended up with a Montana as the floor plan and price fit us better. We had no problems with it, but that was back in the fall on 2009. The whole RV Industry seems to have gone down hill since then.
So I would say go with the one you like the best and can get best deal on.
buckeyebob
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
had a heartland sundance 20009mk29 fifthwheel.bought it new windows leaked into walls,bedroom slideout floor rotted,then delamination started in 4 different spots,traded to montana high country fifth wheel 343rl in 2014 model,traded again to 2015 310re for more options 2nd air,auto level,big shower,slideout awnings and king bed.no leaks yet but slideout motor replaced,mother board for air conditioner replaced sldeout awning broke.the quality on all of them went to heck when thor bought em.i think the bighorns are great but 2 leakers would do me too,still scared of heartland