Considering 2007 Montana 3400RL - please help!

[janegowest]

Hi everyone! It's been a while!! We are going to look at a 2007 Montana 3400RL tomorrow morning. I have a concern about it.

The "mountain" decals have been removed due to peeling. It looks kind of dark in the areas where the logos have been removed. I have seen others of the same year on RV Trader where the decals are still intact.

What would cause this sort of thing? I would assume that it has not been kept under cover. I would think that the UV damage would have caused this?

Is so, I am wondering what kind of damage would have occurred to the roof due to the UV and being out in the weather all the time? Should we steer clear of this unit? The salesman, who sounded very sincere, said that there were no odors that he could detect in the unit, and that it had been very well kept. The people that traded it in even shampooed the carpet prior to trading it in.

They were asking $26,000+ initially. Then, I got a call a few days ago, saying that corporate has reduced the price drastically on all used units just to move them. So now, the price is down to $19,700. Is this a good price for a unit whose decals have flaked off?

If anyone knows of any issues with this year's model, please share!

Oh, yes...have there been any issues with the seams of the shower leaking water out into the surrounding walls?

Thanks for your help in advance!

[rhochnadel]

We looked at a very clean 2011 Montana last summer, it was $30,000.

[BB_TX]

There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why decals peel. Mine spends the vast majority of its time in covered storage. Decals peeled after 6 yrs. Others have had decals peel after 2-3 yrs. And another Montana just like mine except 2008 model in same storage decals still look new. And it is not just Montana. Decals peeling is a problem among other brands including some motor homes. That is not a sign of roof problems.

As far as the pictures, there are a lot of shadows of different shades in many of the pics on floors and cabinets. Hard to tell much about them. You might question the salesman and ask for better pics of the area.

[SuperdutyII]

Your gut is telling you what to do. Don't touch it.

[janegowest]

Would you all mind looking at these photos?

http://www.campingworldofdothan.com/used-fifth-wheel-rvs/2007-keystone-montana-3400-1215286

In the 3rd and 4th pics, the floor in front of the TV looks dark...it looks like there may be roller problems...like the slide mechanism is malfunctioning and scalping the carpet. Never noticed until now. Can someone give an opinion on this? The dealership is 2 hours and 45 minutes away, so this may save us a trip...

[Mfan]

Peeling decals were common back then. Just check everything out as normal. If you're happy at that price, it's a good price. Never hurts to offer less yet.

[SuperdutyII]

The cost of replacement decals is significant. But the cost of repair of the other quality issues is even more significant. The Keystone/Montana is just not built to high quality standards. It is a high production volume unit and the production quality shows it.

[janegowest]

Thank you! So, peeling decals is not a sign of a possible roof problem? Do decals peel even when garaged?

If we just paid the $19.7k, would it be a bad deal? I just don't have the energy to be haggling at this point...

[BB_TX]

Peeling decals was a common problem thru the years around that model year. Many, including myself and my 2007 Montana, have replaced the decals. That may well be why others you saw look new. Mine do, .... now. Replacements were available from Keystone up until a couple years ago. When I removed the decals the areas under those were very shiny compared to surrounding areas. That may have made them look darker in pictures.

I have never had any water leaks around my shower. Only leak I have ever had was due to a failed black tank flush anti-siphon valve.

$19.7k is considerably below NADA "low retail". Would all depend on overall condition as to whether it is a good deal. I would look inside, outside, on top for roof condition and any signs of cracked caulking, under side especially at suspension, tires, check all appliances, check furnace and A/C(s), and any thing else you can see. If it all looks good, you could start with an offer somewhere below that and see how bad they want to sell.

[SuperdutyII]

Don't even consider it. We owned a 2006 3400RL that gave us nothing but grief for 9 Years. All the decals peeled off which compared to everything else was a minor issue . We sold it in the summer of 2015 and were very happy to get 19,999 for it. Keystone/Montana 5th wheels have all kinds of quality issues which are too numerous to mention here. Don't touch it.