Splashers3 wrote:
Dutchman - which GD model line did you compare to your Montana? Reflections or Solitudes??? there is a difference.
Grand Design Solitude 379FLS -
Here's a video on it too: Click here.
opposed to the Montana High Country 375FL: Click here.
What we DID NOT like about the Grand Design:
With all the slides in, the kitchen and passage from front to back was completely blocked. Access to the upper living area is blocked. Although it had 2 doors for accessing both ends of the camper, both doors were are on the same side, passenger side.
What we DID like about the Montana:
With all slides in, the kitchen is still 100 percent accessible because it has no center island and it had much larger kitchen counter space, even comparing with the Grand Design with that center island.
The center island took too much away from the open space, felt cramped, claustrophobic.
The Montana, kitchen is wide open, even with slides in, can still site at the kitchen table, and access everything except the one cabinet beside the steps.
The Montana has a rear back on the drivers side and a front door on the passenger side. With the kitchen slide in, access from front to back is still blocked. But the feature of doors on both sides was the "Wow" factor that threw us over the edge.
My dealer had the Grand Design front living room in stock and we were able to see it. But I really wanted to see the Montana. He told me a Montana was due to arrive and when it came in, he'd let me know. Well, 6 weeks later I had actually forgotten about it as we decided to just settle on our current TT and not switch.
Then I got a call the Montana came in. So, that Saturday we went and looked at it, not really expecting to actually take it. By now, I was just curious to see the one I wanted to see, based on floor plans and videos. It was everything I anticipated and more!
The back drivers side door and the completely 100 percent accessible kitchen and access to the bathroom with slides in (although from the drivers side) was all it took. Actually, we signed the dotted line that same Saturday. We were actually camping that week-end, and when we got back to the campground, we couldn't believe what we just did.
3 days later, we had the Montana sitting in our drive way.
Both are very, very similar in craftsmanship, use of products, like the steps, the appliances, the fixtures, the woodwork, everything. Even the frame is the same. Both have the dropped down frame under the overhang.
The Grand Design had the gas/electric refrigerator. The Montana 375FL had the electric only refrigerator. The Montana 374FL is the same identical floor plan. The only difference is, it has a gas/electric refrigerator.
We also look at the Alpine 3711KP. Actually, that was the first front living room model we looked at. We absolutely loved the front living room and the bed room bath was something to die for. But it had only 1 door and with slides in, everything was blocked, including everything in the kitchen because of that island in the middle. We ruled that one out immediately, but absolutely loved the huge master bath and front living area.
Keystone Montana 375FL:
Grand Design 379FLS:
Keystone Alpine 3711KP:
The issues we've had with the Montana since taking delivery?
Stink bugs invaded the water heater oraface causing the water heater to fail. I finally figured this out, blew them out, and everything has been fine since.
The rear closet shelf fell on our second trip out. I rebuilt it, reinforced it, and it's now stronger than anything in my house!
There is a quick connect gas valve for hooking up an external stove or appliance outside. The valve was angled too high, not straight to the ground, making it impossible to plug in anything. In my attempt to rotate the pipe so it would be straight out, I broke the valve. it's been a nightmare getting a new one and all the parts to fit. Also, picked up a Coleman camp stove, and the very, very frustrating part is, Coleman and Keystone don't play together at all. I'm still attempting to fabricate something to connect the 2 together.
Everything else has been great! I haven't hit my head on the king pin for a couple weeks now, so I guess I'm adjusting to everything.
And yes, we picked the best floor plan that works for us. That rear door on the opposite side is absolutely great! At home parked in the drive way, that back door is actually our front door. I can back the camper in the drive way now instead of pulling forward and have the door facing the house. For us, this is absolutely perfect, being able to have doors on both sides. It fulfilled a need 100 percent!
