What do you think about Montana 5ver?

[DarrellQ2001]

I owned a new Keystone Passport TT a five years ago and it was junk. Keystone wouldn't even stand behind their product and replace a defective axle. So after 1 year I traded it for an Ever-Lite TT by Evergreen. It is a fantastic TT but I'm retiring next year and we want to spend significant time on the road. We are thinking a 5ver would be an all around better choice than a Class A since it will be parked in Fla during winter months.

Although I swore I would never buy another Keystone product, the Montana looks like great bang for the buck. I would get the longest extended warranty I could find.

Would greatly appreciate thoughts on the Montana pro or con?
Thanks in advance

[kakampers]

up2nogood wrote:

richfaa wrote:
Having had the Mor Ryde IS on my 2006 3400 Montana and not on my 2013 3402 Big sky I can speak to the difference There is of course a difference, The Mor Ryde IS far superior to most if not all OEM non IS system systems. The suspension on this 2013 Big sky is NOT up to the IS standards but it is entirely adequate. The G614 tires are OEM on all the Big Sky Montana models. The Marathon tires on these heavier Montana's and other similar brands , IMO are not adequate for the heavy user. There are brands like Mobile suites where the IS system is a option. The MS is much heavier but if you can afford the upgrade and have the truck to pull the MS indeed purchase one. If you expect a flawless 5th wheel you will no doubt be disappointed no matter what the brand. The Montana is no better..no worse than any brand in the price range. We are not disappointed with this 2013 3402 Big Sky without out the IS although the IS would be a great upgrade and may be in the future.

Please explain the difference other than disk brakes if that applies. After dragging trailers of some sort around for the past 40 years ,have never seen any problem with a leaf spring setup up ,or have I had any problems with leaf springs.Also been running around on leaf springs on my trucks for the past 40 years. So IS being FAR SUPERIOR than leaf, just wondering what that far superior could be. I maybe can see where you having your leaf springs coming loose would be a concern, but that is very preventable.

Independent suspension eliminates the shock transferring thru the axle to the other wheel when one wheel hits a hole or bump...makes the ride much smoother and also protects the rest of the rig from our lovely roads. Not to mention the shocks are installed at the correct angle. If you ever saw the beefier difference between IS and springs hung on those wimpy spring hangers you wouldn't ask...

Had several springs flatten and break in half...done with that problem.

[LostinAZ]

DarrellQ2001 wrote:
I owned a new Keystone Passport TT a five years ago and it was junk. Keystone wouldn't even stand behind their product and replace a defective axle. So after 1 year I traded it for an Ever-Lite TT by Evergreen. It is a fantastic TT but I'm retiring next year and we want to spend significant time on the road. We are thinking a 5ver would be an all around better choice than a Class A since it will be parked in Fla during winter months.

Although I swore I would never buy another Keystone product, the Montana looks like great bang for the buck. I would get the longest extended warranty I could find.

Would greatly appreciate thoughts on the Montana pro or con?
Thanks in advance

Just remember how much hassle getting warranty repairs done is!

[cummins2014]

richfaa wrote:
Having had the Mor Ryde IS on my 2006 3400 Montana and not on my 2013 3402 Big sky I can speak to the difference There is of course a difference, The Mor Ryde IS far superior to most if not all OEM non IS system systems. The suspension on this 2013 Big sky is NOT up to the IS standards but it is entirely adequate. The G614 tires are OEM on all the Big Sky Montana models. The Marathon tires on these heavier Montana's and other similar brands , IMO are not adequate for the heavy user. There are brands like Mobile suites where the IS system is a option. The MS is much heavier but if you can afford the upgrade and have the truck to pull the MS indeed purchase one. If you expect a flawless 5th wheel you will no doubt be disappointed no matter what the brand. The Montana is no better..no worse than any brand in the price range. We are not disappointed with this 2013 3402 Big Sky without out the IS although the IS would be a great upgrade and may be in the future.

Please explain the difference other than disk brakes if that applies. After dragging trailers of some sort around for the past 40 years ,have never seen any problem with a leaf spring setup up ,or have I had any problems with leaf springs.Also been running around on leaf springs on my trucks for the past 40 years. So IS being FAR SUPERIOR than leaf, just wondering what that far superior could be. I maybe can see where you having your leaf springs coming loose would be a concern, but that is very preventable.

[richfaa]

Having had the Mor Ryde IS on my 2006 3400 Montana and not on my 2013 3402 Big sky I can speak to the difference There is of course a difference, The Mor Ryde IS far superior to most if not all OEM non IS system systems. The suspension on this 2013 Big sky is NOT up to the IS standards but it is entirely adequate. The G614 tires are OEM on all the Big Sky Montana models. The Marathon tires on these heavier Montana's and other similar brands , IMO are not adequate for the heavy user. There are brands like Mobile suites where the IS system is a option. The MS is much heavier but if you can afford the upgrade and have the truck to pull the MS indeed purchase one. If you expect a flawless 5th wheel you will no doubt be disappointed no matter what the brand. The Montana is no better..no worse than any brand in the price range. We are not disappointed with this 2013 3402 Big Sky without out the IS although the IS would be a great upgrade and may be in the future.

[kakampers]

Yes...their suspensions are very adequate. However, we fulltime and run very heavy which caused us spring issues on our 2008 Bighorn. This time around we decided to skip those problems and had IS installed from the beginning on the Landmark.

[DarrellQ2001]

kakampers wrote:

Gib3633 wrote:

!

OP...another option in the range you are looking is the Bighorn or possibly the Landmark by Heartland.

Are you saying that the Bighorn and Landmark already have adequate suspension systems?

[cummins2014]

Gib3633 wrote:
I bought new Montana in 2010. I can't say everything because the old watchdogs get after me. The Montana is good if you buy it knowing it will never be any good unless you take it to Mor/yde and install the IS Suspension. Unfortunately you can't order even when you order a trailer new. If you ordered a Mobile Suite it could be ordered with IS Suspension, Disc Brakes and 17.5 tires. Montana's are heavy and like many others the are shipped just good enough to to skim by the DOT and get you over the one year warranty. Just look at the recent postings about bent axles from various manufacturers. Rebending bent axles doesn't make them stronger in my opinion. I don't believe for one minute that everyone who spends $80,000.00 looks for curbs to jump over. I was accused of being overweight and when Mor/yde weighed it before installing the IS Suspension and Disc Brakes it was 500 lbs. under it's factory weight limit and the fresh water and black water were full and somewhat grey . With those upgrades and the G614 Goodyear tires I am Quite satisfied. Without those upgrades I believe you will be in for some big disappointments as was I.

I have much different outlook than you do, yes I upgraded to the G614 tire, but unlike you the suspension has been no problem, braking okay, I did fabricate ,and installed the X-factor style braces, makes a world of difference in stabilizing the suspension. Even if you buy and have the x-factor braces installed it is a pretty cheap upgrade, and will do wonders for suspension. IMO owners do not have to run out, and buy expensive upgrades to make these fifth wheel reliable . Quality brake controller ,and good bracing will make a huge difference in the suspension ,and braking.. I do agree they could be better.

[kakampers]

Gib3633 wrote:
I bought new Montana in 2010. I can't say everything because the old watchdogs get after me. The Montana is good if you buy it knowing it will never be any good unless you take it to Mor/yde and install the IS Suspension. Unfortunately you can't order even when you order a trailer new. If you ordered a Mobile Suite it could be ordered with IS Suspension, Disc Brakes and 17.5 tires. Montana's are heavy and like many others the are shipped just good enough to to skim by the DOT and get you over the one year warranty. Just look at the recent postings about bent axles from various manufacturers. Rebending bent axles doesn't make them stronger in my opinion. I don't believe for one minute that everyone who spends $80,000.00 looks for curbs to jump over. I was accused of being overweight and when Mor/yde weighed it before installing the IS Suspension and Disc Brakes it was 500 lbs. under it's factory weight limit and the fresh water and black water were full and somewhat grey . With those upgrades and the G614 Goodyear tires I am Quite satisfied. Without those upgrades I believe you will be in for some big disappointments as was I.

We too wanted to avoid suspension issues...worked with our dealer who picked up our Landmark at the factory and delivered it to Mor Ryde for IS and disc brakes PRIOR to being delivered to us! Went one step further and put on 17.5 inch, H load tires and rims...couldn't be happier!

OP...another option in the range you are looking is the Bighorn or possibly the Landmark by Heartland.

[Gib3633]

I bought new Montana in 2010. I can't say everything because the old watchdogs get after me. The Montana is good if you buy it knowing it will never be any good unless you take it to Mor/yde and install the IS Suspension. Unfortunately you can't order even when you order a trailer new. If you ordered a Mobile Suite it could be ordered with IS Suspension, Disc Brakes and 17.5 tires. Montana's are heavy and like many others the are shipped just good enough to to skim by the DOT and get you over the one year warranty. Just look at the recent postings about bent axles from various manufacturers. Rebending bent axles doesn't make them stronger in my opinion. I don't believe for one minute that everyone who spends $80,000.00 looks for curbs to jump over. I was accused of being overweight and when Mor/yde weighed it before installing the IS Suspension and Disc Brakes it was 500 lbs. under it's factory weight limit and the fresh water and black water were full and somewhat grey . With those upgrades and the G614 Goodyear tires I am Quite satisfied. Without those upgrades I believe you will be in for some big disappointments as was I.

[Av8orlouTX]

DarrellQ2001 wrote:
I owned a new Keystone Passport TT a five years ago and it was junk. Keystone wouldn't even stand behind their product and replace a defective axle. So after 1 year I traded it for an Ever-Lite TT by Evergreen. It is a fantastic TT but I'm retiring next year and we want to spend significant time on the road. We are thinking a 5ver would be an all around better choice than a Class A since it will be parked in Fla during winter months.

Although I swore I would never buy another Keystone product, the Montana looks like great bang for the buck. I would get the longest extended warranty I could find.

Would greatly appreciate thoughts on the Montana pro or con?
Thanks in advance

All manufacturers have issues, there are always people that never have a problem and people who can't seem to go an hour without a new problem. You have a tough decision but remember your original decision to not buy Keystone again wasn't due to the product it was due to the company not backing the product and the lack of service you received. I think you should be asking if Keystone will back the Montana and again you will have people singing their praises and others cursing them. With all that said I would go with your gut feeling on it, you left them once do you want to try it again? I personally have a Cedar Creek and love it, but partially why I bought because of the reputation for backing their product but again that is a matter of opinion and experience and I am sure someone will say different. So do what makes you and yours happy.

[cummins2014]

donn0128 wrote:
You basically have two choices in your price range. Thor, which now owns Montana, or Forest River. Personally my Forest River Cedar Creek has been flawless for 8 years now. And I expect another 10 years of the same. Montana is number one for a reason, but other than a very large dealer network im not sure why

Is there something you would like to add to this thread, such as I have owned a Montana Fifth Wheel, and I had this problem or that problem, or do you just want to bash a product you have never had. I get it you heard about this problem or that problem. I am not going to comment on Cedar creek ,never owned one ,never will, but have owned two Montana fifth wheels for nearly 7 years, and can't claim they have been flawless, thats a pretty bold statement, but I can claim they have been pretty trouble free, nothing worth mentioning, other then some bad graphics . If or when I buy another fifth wheel it will be a Montana.

[MPI_Mallard]

Before buying our fiver I sat around the fire-pit with a bunch of other fiver owners and asked them what they thought of their rigs,the Cedar Creek owners did nothing but rave about their fivers remarking on the quality and most important after-the-sale company support which I know to be top-notch myself. The Montana owners in whole were satisfied with their trailers but had horror stories from the initial quality to the lousy dealer co-operation to finally keystone's out-right lack of interest. At the time Frau Blücher and I were looking at the new front living room model but the lay-out and quality turned me off so we bought our Daydreamer and have been thrilled from the start. The odd problems we encountered Cedar Creek were there eager to help. If I had bought a product from a company as you did and gotten such lousy treatment as you did it would be a cold day in hell before I gave them any return business,after all their not giving these thing away!!!

Red Green:
You ever see one of these? It's called a GPS,
which stands for - well, who cares? Point is,
this thing uses satellites to tell you where you
are, which means that every man can have a
five-hundred-dollar reason not to ask for
directions.

[Me_Again]

Keystone has been very tire challenged over the years. As a member of the Cardinal club we got them to install wheels rated for LRG tires on all of their models and offer those upgrade tires as a factory option. I believe this is spelling over to other Forest River products.

Keystone is going to have play catch up on this one. Cheap OEM tires hves been a problem for years across many vendors. Don't buy a mid to large 5th with cheap ST tires installed, or you will foot a higher cost to upgrade in the first year or two, maybe having to upgrade wheels also and possibly having trailer damage.

Chris

[jwduke]

Just wait for it.... The great "Artemus Gordon" to post about how you should buy a Montana 5th wheel over ANY 5th wheel, especially a NuWa Hitchhiker!

As for a Montana 5th wheel, we looked at several a few years ago, and I really liked them, but it seems as they have really got cheap (Build wise)lately, but so have most other campers. My opinion, do a LOT of legwork & internet surfing, and find what fits BEST for YOU! Good luck!

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

donn0128 wrote:
Thor bought Keystone several years ago.

A distinction I failed to make. Yes, Montana is a Keystone product but Thor is the parent company 😉 Being a very active member of the Keystone Forums I can say most Keystone owners don't make that distinction but you are certainly technically correct.