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RBPerry's avatar
RBPerry
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016

Keystone - never again

New 2017 Keystone trailer, on trip of 600 miles. Cabinet door hinges falling off, dealer never flushed antifreeze from system, Water heater won't work on propane, water pump wouldn't work was sucking air. Dealer adjust electric brake controller wrong, repaired myself. Door to bedroom opens the wrong way and hits bed blocking access to bedroom.

But the WORST thing is tires are not rated for gvw of the trailer, they over 1000 pounds under, and they are junk tires. Dealer said I needed to get authorization from Keystone to replace, Keystone said I needed to go to dealer.

I'm a retired truck technician, so I took it down to my local CHP office and the DOT guy says, ya, tires aren't right, I tell him to give me a ticket for it. Now dealer tells me it will be a couple months before they can get everything done, ticket says I need it corrected in two weeks, that is unacceptable, next step is a lawyer to see if I can get dealer to take this thing back.

I ended up fixing the water pump myself. I have never seen such terrible workmanship in anything.

58 Replies

  • that's interesting about the tires. Can we see the specs or pictures of the tires, and what the model number of the trailer is ?
  • Sorry to hear your about troubles. As mentioned above all RV's are a piece of junk made to last a few years at best.

    Two out of the 6 or 7 trailers I've owned were Keystone. Keystone is the absolute worst. Keystone has a very bad structural design flaw in the header above their slides. They will always leak above the slide and if you don't catch it quick enough, you will have structural damage that will cost thousands if you can't do the repairs yourself.

    Don't waste time with a salesman at the dealership, only speak to the general manager. Let him know you expect timely updates from him on what is being done.It is best to get his email and converse that way so you will have written documentation.The dealer can only do what keystone will allow.It does take some time to get issues like this resolved because I'm sure the factory is dealing with dozens of issues like this every day. But make sure you get a good feeling that the dealer is on your side and be firm about getting regular updates on what is being done. Remember, the squeaky wheel always gets the grease.
  • It's not unheard of for tires and axles to be rated at less than the trailers GVWR. Remember, not all the GVW is carried by the tires and axles. Over 1,000 pounds might be carried by the tow vehicle in the form of tongue weight. It would vary by model but something to be aware of. You may have gotten yourself a ticket for no reason.

    Water pump sucking air will happen every time you let the fresh water tank go dry.

    I have to readjust my brake controller all the time. Depends on roads and loads.
  • I'm guessing this is your first new trailer purchase. You are right .RV manufacturers could definitely do a better job in the quality department. But I don't think they care. It's that bottom line that matters. Next year Keystone or any other manufacturer will just slap a different name on the same trailer and the salesman will say this is a great trailer and someone will buy it.
    Try to be patient and enjoy your trailer. It can be fixed.
  • You're lucky the CHP Officer let you drive off with the rig, I would've made you switch tires before letting you back on the road. Ask for a ticket!? Sorry, that doesn't make sense. But good luck
  • We were very disappointed in our Bullet Ultralite. The workmanship in the interior was very poor. We constantly replaced the screws in the cabinet hinges, took down and reglued the doors themselves, etc. etc. etc. It seemed there was always something falling off or coming loose. We liked the floor plan and ease of towing but it finally had too many problems to deal with and we traded it in after only two years. I think that TT's, especially the lightweight ones are just shabbily put together boxes, not intended for long term use. lizzie
  • Why did you buy it and take possession of it in the first place? Didn't you do a PDI? Door opens wrong and you still bought it? Ticket for tires? That I'd like to see. Smells fishy. Sorry.
  • Sounds like you got one of the better ones.

    I have learned that a trailer is just a pile of materials with much assembly required.

    As for the tires, I would buy the tires you need and hand them the bill. If they don't pay it contact your states attorney generals office and file a complaint.