It is hard for the wife and I to believe our 2005 Montana will be 9 years old this spring. She has ben a great trailer. Over the years I have upgraded the entire suspension, new brakes, new bearings, great tires and the wife takes wonderful care of the inside. Not one nail hole any place in the camper always use the 3M Command system to mount pictures and the like on the walls. We have a new refrigerator that was replaced under extended warranty about a year ago and still has another year on warranty. The OEM TV's have been replaced with LED's, the OEM microwave/convection works great, really no know issues to contend with.The Montana took us to Alaska last year and functioned flawlessly, it was an amazing 8960 mile adventure which will be hard for us to top in the near future.I guess what we were wondering was should we get proactive with some additional preventive maintenance before we set out on another major trip? Specifically the hydraulic slide system. Never had a problem, did install a new pump before going to Alaska but the OEM hydraulic lines are still being used. Would you wait for a line failure or invest in some new lines because of the age of the camper?I have talked to many Montana owners who have had rigs slightly older than ours, say 2003-2006 who purchased a new Montana, like 2013-2015's and were disappointed at the quality of the entire trailer, which is really, really sad. I guess the wife and I have a pretty good trailer and thinks if it would be smart to invest a few dollars to maintain its reliability.And thoughts and comments will be appreciated.

If you like the layout, and it is as solid as you state why waste money on a new rig?If it meets all you needs, I would keep it.

It seems like the hydraulic lines that I've seen fail suffered from poor manufacturing and failed fairly fast rather than die of old age or wear. Yours being nine years old, I suspect they are well built and have many more years left on them.Unless they have blisters, soft places or leaks, I would not replace them.

We have the 06' unit in my sig., the quality of the build is great, and other than replacing a front landing gear...that's it... and it'll be 8 years old next month...It looks "almost" as good as the day we drove it off the lot, (brand new)....Everything works great, all 4 slides can be in and you can still set in the living room and watch TV, use the kitchen, use the bathroom and sleep in the bedroom...To my wife and I it is the perfect floor plan....Just because they have some age on them doesn't mean a whole lot as long as they been well taken care of and maintained properly. We have the electric slides and thus far, no issues except for one front leg (stripped out)....cost wasn't much and replacement was a piece of cake....You might want to have some pre-made hydraulic hoses along with you, "just in case"...

Sounds like you have a good one, and fixed up as you like it.Keep it.

I have '94 Terry with a hydraulic slide. I did have to replace one of the rams a few years ago after attempting to open the slide with the slide locks still in place (admitted bonehead move), but the lines and pump have never been touched.

Thoughts about our 9 year old 5th Wheeler | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

cummins2014
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
richfaa wrote:
We had our 06 3400 Montana for 7 years and over 70K mikes traveled. We used it hard and it served us well but not without many problems. We did replace the OEM suspension with the Mor Ryde IS system. We had over the years 5 failed holding tanks, Frame flex, Peeling and shrinking graphics. The fridge failed after 6 years and we went through two Apollo half time ovens. It goes without saying that we also went through 3 sets of tires but never had a blowout.

We purchased a 2013 3402 Big Sky in June of 2012. It is setting here in Florida with two leaking holding tanks and the Nor cold fridge failed here last winter. We popped two wall panels on our way to Florida the Ardmore shelves collapsed and the bottoms of two dining chairs fell out in October.In hindsight we should have kept the 06 3400 and spent 5 or 6K in upgrades and repairs. If you have a older brand 5th wheel and it is serving you well hang on to it. We made a big mistake in the purchase of the 2013.

It's a tough call, but from experience hanging on to my nearly 16 year old 99 Superduty bought new in july 98 I think it was the right call. Paid for, not a daily driver, used to tow a Montana fifth wheel that is going on 7 years old .It is also payed for, I know what I got, and having no issues I will stay with both ,and see how things go.

To replace the two , got to be around 110K at least , minus whatever I get out of the old ones, maybe 15K for the truck ,and again maybe 30K for the trailer, maybe. That leaves me owing around 65k. I can do a lot of repairs for 65K. IMO I am money ahead.

Rich, listening to you ,and you being an experienced rv'er confirms my decision to hang on to what I got..
MrVan
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
richfaa wrote:
We had our 06 3400 Montana for 7 years and over 70K mikes traveled. We used it hard and it served us well but not without many problems. We did replace the OEM suspension with the Mor Ryde IS system. We had over the years 5 failed holding tanks, Frame flex, Peeling and shrinking graphics. The fridge failed after 6 years and we went through two Apollo half time ovens. It goes without saying that we also went through 3 sets of tires but never had a blowout.

We purchased a 2013 3402 Big Sky in June of 2012. It is setting here in Florida with two leaking holding tanks and the Nor cold fridge failed here last winter. We popped two wall panels on our way to Florida the Ardmore shelves collapsed and the bottoms of two dining chairs fell out in October.In hindsight we should have kept the 06 3400 and spent 5 or 6K in upgrades and repairs. If you have a older brand 5th wheel and it is serving you well hang on to it. We made a big mistake in the purchase of the 2013.

Very interesting!
richfaa
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
We had our 06 3400 Montana for 7 years and over 70K mikes traveled. We used it hard and it served us well but not without many problems. We did replace the OEM suspension with the Mor Ryde IS system. We had over the years 5 failed holding tanks, Frame flex, Peeling and shrinking graphics. The fridge failed after 6 years and we went through two Apollo half time ovens. It goes without saying that we also went through 3 sets of tires but never had a blowout.

We purchased a 2013 3402 Big Sky in June of 2012. It is setting here in Florida with two leaking holding tanks and the Nor cold fridge failed here last winter. We popped two wall panels on our way to Florida the Ardmore shelves collapsed and the bottoms of two dining chairs fell out in October.In hindsight we should have kept the 06 3400 and spent 5 or 6K in upgrades and repairs. If you have a older brand 5th wheel and it is serving you well hang on to it. We made a big mistake in the purchase of the 2013.
FordDiesel250
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
If it ain't broke don't fix it.
rtazz17
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
You got a good one and have maintained it.No way would I get rid of it.You can start replacing stuff but why? If you keep up maintaniance and are vigilant about looking for problems your safe.Of course anything can happen to mechanical things but you cant be prepared for everything unless you have a money tree.. Good luck
samsontdog
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
I had a 1999 TT for over 10 years and we loved it, especially the huge slide out. {living rm and dining rm}. I needed to put some money in it {new A/C} so I sold it instead which I regret every time we go camping. I would say in your case put some money in yours and keep it !!
oldbeek
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
94 Alpenlite with 73,000 miles, lived in 3 1/2 years. Two trips to Alaska with 3,000 miles of gravel. I have been on all the less traveled roads in AK and NW Territory. Original axles and springs. Did replace brake assemblies and added wet shackles. I lube the front jack screws and the acme screws on the slide. Last month camped in 20 degree weather with 40 mph wind and rig is still air tight. Added Pergo style floor and recoated roof with EDPM. Good for another 20 years.
JEBar
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
we picked up our '06 on Halloween Day of '05 .... early on there were some major issues which required 3 trips back to the factory to correct .... our camper has been heavily used (as this is being typed we are on the last day of a 2+ month trip to spend the winter in Texas) and over he years we've replaced the frig, both AC's, both recliners, the couch, generator auto switching unit, the central vac, the washer, and the dryer .... major upgrades include a Bigfoot Auto Leveling System, numerous cabinet mods, addition of a roof mounted dome satellite dish, G614 tires, heavier duty springs, Nev-R-Adjust brakes, and so on .... in short, we've spent a good deal in keeping the camper in top shape as well as improving .... from day one we never thought of it as being our last camper but if we never purchase another camper, we are happy with what we have .... to us it all boils down to doing what you feel is best for you .... thankfully you seem to have a fine camper which gives you choices as to where to go from here

Jim
john_bet
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2014
I have the same year and model as yours and I am keeping it. Did suspension and tires last Sept. Got a couple normal maint. things to do before we take off in late May for an extended road trip.
Endricken
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
My 05 Montana BigSky was built in Oct 04 and we still love it.
Replaced Fridge with Whirlpool Residential, heavy Tube TV with Flat Screen, upgraded Suspension to EZ Flex with wetbolts, Propane, Smoke, CO detectors,
Shear bolt on Front Jacks shaft and upgraded Fuses from 20-30 Amp, Water Heater Check valve, and just today had to replace a cracked air gap valve on the Toilet (the valve behind the box on top of the Sealand Toilet). Repaired the Apollo Oven once and the door opener twice. Upgraded the Winegard TV Antenna to Jack, along with Sensar Booster. Replaced the original failed AC and added a bedroom AC last summer. Replaced the Hydraulic lifts for the bed too.
Now I just wonder what else/ or is left to fail?