Keystone Springdale Quality?

We didn't have a 5th wheel, but we had a Springdale TT for several years. It had some nice features, but was generally a poorly built unit with cheap materials. It was certainly attractive from a price point which probably makes it attractive for lots of folks. I can't say it was any worse than the other comparable priced TT but I do believe that you do generally get what you pay for when it comes to RVs.

I don't have a real high opinion of Keystone products from the ones we have seen and friends who have owned them, but I will say they do give you quite a few features at an attractive price point.

We have had our Springdale 5th wheel for 4 years. Yes it is not a high end unit. We did not pay a high end price. We use ours 20 to 30 nights a year. Not had any issues with it.

Look over the unit you are considering very closely. Make a decision based on what you find.

Brian

Keystone - IMHO doesn't build units any better or any worse than the other major high volume manufacturers. They may have a little more "value" due to the nature of the high volume business.

If you get a good one, you'll be very happy.

If you get a bad one, or have warranty issues - as far as I'm concerned Keystone is bottom of the barrel in resolving warranty issues. In most circumstances you'll only be able to service it at the purchasing dealer.

Before you buy it, read Keystone's response to consumers on BBB complaints - see the types of issues people are having and how the business responds. Then decided if you want to "gamble"....

Up until 1 July, I had a 2013 (purchased August 2012) Springdale 247FWRLLS. We had it out every month, with the exception of 2 during the close to 4 years of ownership. It was entry-level look and feel, but it was solid. We had no issues related to the build itself. The axles, while appropriate for the GVWR of the trailer, seemed flimsy, something I learned a lesson or two with.

Good luck in your search!

We had a Keystone Springdale TT for 8 years and towed it thousands and thousands of miles. We had some issues (some very minor, one not so minor), but all were resolved and Keystone warranty, and even after the warranty ended came through for us. We purchased the Springdale from Stouts RV South of Indianapolis. One month later, they became a Camping World. We received good service and never had any heartburn.

We now have a Keystone Outback (different dealer), and Keystone came through on several minor warranty issues, and my dealer had a 3 month and 1 year re-inspection practice. After ownership 3 months, bring it back with all your complaints and it all gets fixed. Then again at the 11th month mark, right before the 1 year warranty expires. At the 3 month mark, the dealer found some minor issues that I didn't even notice, like the fender skirt screw holes were broken and they replaced both fender skirts to my amazement. And then even a repaint of the front cap when the camper was past the initial 1 year warranty. The Outback is far superior to the Springdale with real wood cabinets and real furniture. Better build in my opinion.

Both trailers towed wonderfully and were used very heavy. Of course we worked hard to keep (both) in good shape. So far, other than the repaint of the front cap and a fix of the plumbing drain in the shower, for 3 years, we've not had a single issue... not even a fallen drawer or a broken cabinet door! Here again though, I check the camper and inspect it often, and take my time hand washing every square inch so I have a personal intimate relation with every bump and seam in her. Any changes and I'll know immediately. Do I have a "romance" with my Keystone? If you watched me, the answer may appear to be "yes" as much as I carress her feeling for anamalities.

You didn't say if it is new or used, but... If it is a used unit, have the alignment checked, look at the leaf springs underneath, and double check the area under the bedroom slide for body cracks.
We bought a used one a few years ago, and sold it after our first trip, due to the above issues.
They are definitely not middle, or top of the line Keystones.
Good luck

Our first 5er was a Springdale 283 bunkhouse. Served us well. We had 2 warranty claims. The table developed a sag in the middle and the outdoor shower shot a knob across a camping sight. In both cases Keystone shipped the parts directly to us and paid return shipping on the shower unit. They didn't want the table back.

After a few years we did get some creaking from the wood framing. not sure if they are still framing in wood. Also the under belly wasn't enclosed.

We ended up moving to a cougar bunkhouse after about 5 years. Just changed over to the rear living as the kids are starting to move out.

I looked at your floor plan and depending on the kids ages you might want a separate room style bunk area rather than bunks that open to the living area. Think 2 days of rain.

Nutinelse2do wrote:
You didn't say if it is new or used,

The unit is used but owner claims they only had it out 2 times. Reason for selling is lack of time to use it. It is a 2015 model that was purchased earlier this year.

I can read that comment a few ways:
1) They truly did over-estimate the amount of free time they have to go camping. I can appreciate that, our schedule is usually jam packed and unless we actually put camping on the family calendar it doesn't happen.

2) The owner is having issues with the 5er, can't get them resolved and is trying to pawn off the camper. I kinda doubt this one since it's still under the 1 year warranty. That is unless the owner did something drastic to cause damage that Keystone won't repair. From the pictures I saw it looks to be in perfect shape so this doesn't seem likely.

3) The owner got in over their head and needs to unload the payment.

We're going to look at it this weekend and get an idea if this unit will fit us.

Thanks,
KJ

LIKE2BUILD wrote:

Nutinelse2do wrote:
You didn't say if it is new or used,

The unit is used but owner claims they only had it out 2 times. Reason for selling is lack of time to use it. It is a 2015 model that was purchased earlier this year.

I can read that comment a few ways:
1) They truly did over-estimate the amount of free time they have to go camping. I can appreciate that, our schedule is usually jam packed and unless we actually put camping on the family calendar it doesn't happen.

2) The owner is having issues with the 5er, can't get them resolved and is trying to pawn off the camper. I kinda doubt this one since it's still under the 1 year warranty. That is unless the owner did something drastic to cause damage that Keystone won't repair. From the pictures I saw it looks to be in perfect shape so this doesn't seem likely.

3) The owner got in over their head and needs to unload the payment.

We're going to look at it this weekend and get an idea if this unit will fit us.

Thanks,
KJ

Something doesn't make sense. They bought it this year as a leftover, used it 2x and now selling it? I'd err on side of caution and go w/ 2 & 3.

We bought a Keystone product a year ago and bit the bullet and traded within 45 days. Yeh i took a little loss but the final outcome was great. my reason was useability and insulation. a couple things overlooked but unit was brand new and was i believe a good product. go to the other thread on buying a new fifth wheel and there is a bunch of suggestions in there. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !