Keystone Montana for fulltiming??

[keh3491]

Any thoughts or experiences with the Keystone Montana, specifically the 3854BR? My husband and I are looking to full time soon. Our price range is $50-$60k and we think we want to buy new. Also, anyone know much about their manufacturers warranty?

[MFL]

keh3491 wrote:
So the F250 can pull 15,900 lbs.

All 250s are not the same. You need to state year, gas or diesel, tire rating, any suspension enhancement (springs/airbags,etc). A beefed up 250 would be at upper limit at that wt.

Jerry

[keh3491]

So the F250 can pull 15,900 lbs.

[bpounds]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I HIGHLY advise the MORryde IS suspension, anything else running FullTime will not hold up!!!

I think they are probably going to live in it full-time, not drive it around full-time.

keh3491 wrote:
I am a dietitian and my husband is a nurse. We are traveling, doing contract that are usually 3 months at a time.

My husband drives an F250 so we know what we can pull. We are a little worried that the Montana may be a little heavy.

Your husband is right about that. I won't say it can't be done, but it is more than an F250 is designed for. At a minimum, plan for some upgrades to your truck, if a new one isn't in the budget.

[keh3491]

I am a dietitian and my husband is a nurse. We are traveling, doing contract that are usually 3 months at a time. Right now we stay in air b&b’s usually but it’s so hard packing up and moving that often and it gets very expensive. Our poor pets get so stressed when we keep uprooting them. So, this is why we are going to get the 5th wheel. We have borrowed the in-laws trailer before and got a little idea of what it’s like. Because we have been on the road for about 6 months now we have already down sized considerably and just rent a uhaul when we move. My husband drives an F250 so we know what we can pull. We are a little worried that the Montana may be a little heavy.

[ependydad]

I don't have a Keystone. But, last January I chatted with the online customer service about using mobile RV techs vs. taking the rig to a dealer. They said it was dealers or nothing for warranty service.

That's a non-starter for me.

[12:28:52 PM] System: To better serve you, please provide us the Vehicle Identification (VIN) Number.

[12:30:02 PM] System: Welcome to our live chat!

[12:30:02 PM] System: I am here to provide live assistance. How may I help you?

[12:30:02 PM] Me: Hi there. I'm considering a Keystone as an upcoming purchase. I wanted to find out what your warranty process is like if I need a mobile RV tech to come out or if I go to an RV service center?

[12:31:21 PM] Jeannene: We require all warranty concerns to be addressed at an authorized dealer after reporting any concerns to Keystone. In emergency situations, we can assist you if a mobile technician is needed

[12:31:50 PM] Me: So I can't start at a local RV service center that I've used before?

[12:32:25 PM] Jeannene: Onl;y if they are one of our authorized dealers

[12:33:05 PM] Me: No, they're independent and don't actually sell RVs. I find their scheduling and turnaround time to be much better than most dealers I've worked with (3-4 now). Hmm, ok.

[12:33:12 PM] Me: Thanks for the information.

[12:33:19 PM] Jeannene: you're welcome!

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
" That is going to put a lot more stress on the tires, running gear and frame. For that kind of use the MORryde Independent Suspension System (IS) stands up much better than a leaf spring suspension."

I HIGHLY advise the MORryde IS suspension, anything else running FullTime will not hold up!!!

Thats a rather bold statement , had friends over yesterday, planning our Alaska trip starting in late May. They have been full timing now for 5 years with a 36' Big Country, conventional leaf spring suspension. Waiting to hear back from him on how many miles . They spent the entire summer ,and fall in the northeast this past year. They have traveled all over this country.

Although I don't full time , I have a 12 year old Montana fifth wheel , that has a lot of miles on it. Only thing I have done to the suspension is replace the shear springs on the MorRyde LRE suspension, which is a wear item. Plus added the wet bolt kit early on . Still the stock leaf springs.

Its going to get a few miles on it starting in mid Feb. to Arizona, and that state is pretty rough on suspension, pretty crappy roads , its been down there pretty much every year since new. Also it will get a pretty good workout on the Alaska trip , minimum of around 10K miles.

[Cummins12V98]

" That is going to put a lot more stress on the tires, running gear and frame. For that kind of use the MORryde Independent Suspension System (IS) stands up much better than a leaf spring suspension."

I HIGHLY advise the MORryde IS suspension, anything else running FullTime will not hold up!!!

[Me_Again]

keh3491 wrote:


We are first time buyers. We like the layout of the Montana because we know we want a mid bunk house for an office space.

There are many varieties of full timing. We "full timed" in our Big Horn 3575el for 2 years and now it is our summer home. The Bighorn made two round trips to Arizona from the NW. Our full timing was winter in Arizona and summer in NW Washington at set RV parks at each end. So the number on miles the trailer traveled were not that many.

Then there are those that move every few days or weeks. That is going to put a lot more stress on the tires, running gear and frame. For that kind of use the MORryde Independent Suspension System (IS) stands up much better than a leaf spring suspension.

Having the tools and ability to repair "things" including knowledge of AC and DC circuits helps greatly.

Internet access is an issue that drives many batty. RV Park's WiFi service varies greatly by location from fair to none. After several different setups we now use OTR Mobile service(on AT%T sim)/unlimited data with a purchased MoFi4500 router for internet year round and are quite happy with the service. We switched to Consumer Cellular with AT%T sims(they call it "sim 1") for our cell phones with small data plan, as phones when are near the MoFi4500 use that unlimited data.



So tell us a little more on how you see "full timing"! Chris

[topjimmy]

Yep just got off he road after 8 years of fulltiming in 3 of them a 2004,2012 and my current 2015 up here in the PNW with very few issues,would I do that in Minnesota or Wyoming, Dakota's etc.. were it gets REALLY cold and a lot of snow HECK NO! stay in decent climates(like Florida) and you will be great

[keh3491]

Dick_B wrote:
Just curious to know if you are also first time buyers?
If not then you must have a good idea of what the new rig has to have to fit your lifestyle. If not, good luck jumping into full timing.

We are first time buyers. We like the layout of the Montana because we know we want a mid bunk house for an office space.

[Dick_B]

Just curious to know if you are also first time buyers?
If not then you must have a good idea of what the new rig has to have to fit your lifestyle. If not, good luck jumping into full timing.

[wanderingaimles]

One of the most popular lines among full timers, and if it matters to you, they dont void the warranty on new models for fulltiming. Many brands and lines wont cover full time use.
Look also at their sisters Alpine, Avalanche from Keystone, and some other lines you may want to peruse would be K-Z Durango and the Columbus from Palomino, and the Bighorn from Heartland, you will also hear a lot of positives about the Grand Design lines, with the Solitude being most comparable.

[md_procouple]

We have done full time for 2 years in our Montana 38' with no major problems. Make sure wheather buying Used or New.. make sure you have a good walk thru and that everthing will fit your expectations etc. Good Luck and Happt Travels !!

[BB_TX]

There are a lot of Montana Owners who full time. Check out the Montana Owners Club forum.

[Lwiddis]

Do you like the floor plan? (Don’t answer unless you have spent an hour inside the unit moving around) Ever towed before? How long? Ever owned or rented an RV to try out our lifestyle? If you have a tow vehicle will it safely do the job? (No, don’t tell us what the salesman said...”it’ll tow anything on the lot.”) Could be 17,000 pounds wet and loaded and 41 feet. Very few county, state and federal parks at that length.