2104 Keystone Hideaway 280lhs

[DukeAJuke]

Thinking of trading in my old 97 Innsbruck in on a 2104 Keystone Hideaway 280lhs. Anyone own one or a previous model that can give me a quick review? I find it inexplicable that there are almost no review websites that target individual models of RVs...

[5Cent]

Duke,checking in, year 6 already! Do you still have your Keystone?

We still have our 28BHS and overall it's been a good unit. Year 2 and the front roof seam leaked. Got it sealed up and we just live with the wrinkled area in the corner. Add that to the fridge failure and those Are the only 2 things experienced to date that put a bad taste in my mouth. Could be worse, could be better.

Last week we had a blowout on a 3 lane highway on the original d range tires. It's year 5 and I always replace them after 4-5 years but they looked great and we haven't put many miles on them. I planned on changing them after this summer but that's been moved up. Damage wasn't too bad but I have to get the area covered up if we want to use it this year not not ruin it.

[DukeAJuke]

Nice! I cost me $150 for the part and service guy to install it!

[5Cent]

The $30 heating element was the ticket!

[5Cent]

Found a good read on the failure and fix. Just ordered the part, will give it a shot when it arrives and check the fuses. I will be estatic if it's only a $30 part lol. Need to see how much a control board is just in case.

http://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/1823-Atwood-Refrigerator-Electric-Mode-Failure...

[DukeAJuke]

5Cent wrote:
Well the fridge gave up on us sometime this past week. We are seasonal this year and its been on electric since the beginning of May. Opened the door yesterday and knew right away. Lost about $100 worth of stuff between freezer and fridge.

Did yours give you any warning lights? It was acting like everything was ok when on electric but nothing. I cleaned it up, aired it out and switched it to propane. Over night it cooled off. So looks like something on the electric side only.

Yea it sounds like the exact same thing that happened to mine. That year Fridge came with a faulty heating element. I think I did have a warning light come on since it wasn't getting cool. Your dealer (hopefully not too far away) should be able to send out a repair guy to replace it. The part might still be under warranty but it will likely cost you about $75 for the camper repair guy's visit.

[5Cent]

Well the fridge gave up on us sometime this past week. We are seasonal this year and its been on electric since the beginning of May. Opened the door yesterday and knew right away. Lost about $100 worth of stuff between freezer and fridge.

Did yours give you any warning lights? It was acting like everything was ok when on electric but nothing. I cleaned it up, aired it out and switched it to propane. Over night it cooled off. So looks like something on the electric side only.

[5Cent]

DukeAJuke wrote:

5Cent wrote:
Hey Duke, it's been almost 2yrs, wanted to see how things are going and to share the experience with our Hideout.

Before 2014, I would have never stepped into a Keystone. It was always Jayco to start and go from there. I'm glad my wife talked me into it at the 2014 show! Overall I am very pleased with the quality of our BHS. Haven't had to tweak anything yet and only wear and tear is showing on the cheap wooden ladder to the upper bunk and the wrapped armrests throughout the unit. The corners are wearing through the fabric. My only other observation (not really a complaint because I imagine other new models are similar), is the lack of cleaning up left over construction saw dust/small pieces in hidden places. I was boon docking for 4 days and A/C drain holes plugged up with ****. Luckily there were a few ppl in the camper and they got a turkey fryer container under the unit inside. The drain tray overflows as it thaws been cycles and comes back thru the unit lol!

The towing experience has been great. No issues with tires, bearings, brakes, lighting. It was too much to handle with the 1500 we had so I went back to a 2500hd. The family is growing and more capacity was required. We have decided to go to seasonal this year and pull-out for a few big trips already planned. Baby boy #3 was born last Weds. so this will be easier to ensure lots of use this summer. I'm curious to see how the rig holds up to seasonal, will report back at end of season.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Glad to hear things are going well with your camper! Over all I have to say my experience has been just ok.. We really are enjoying the camper but I did have had a couple issues with it last summer. One was that the heating element in the fridge failed. It was known defect in that model/year fridge, and the part was covered under warranty. I did have to pay $150 labor for a guy to come out and replace it (they wouldn't send me the part directly). The second was that once of the plastic water hoses on the underside of the camper was rubbing on a bur on the frame and started leaking. I ended up having to replace a section of hose and replacing a good part of the insulation underneath. Other than that, it's been holding up ok. Towing has been just fine with my F150 Eco so far.

Duke, hate to hear of the things that have gone wrong, but appreciate you sharing. The fridge one worries me. Did the fridge manufacturer or the dealer honor the warranty? I need to go check on how long it's good for lol.

Man, that hose leak had to be a B***H to locate. What are the odds that it rubbed through PEX, hate to hear it. I work in the plumbing industry and can relate to the amount of damage just a little water can do. Any input on what the underside looks like? I have had thoughts of pulling off the underbelly plastic to take a peak but it looks like a PITA.

Great to hear on the towing experience with the F150!

[DukeAJuke]

5Cent wrote:
Hey Duke, it's been almost 2yrs, wanted to see how things are going and to share the experience with our Hideout.

Before 2014, I would have never stepped into a Keystone. It was always Jayco to start and go from there. I'm glad my wife talked me into it at the 2014 show! Overall I am very pleased with the quality of our BHS. Haven't had to tweak anything yet and only wear and tear is showing on the cheap wooden ladder to the upper bunk and the wrapped armrests throughout the unit. The corners are wearing through the fabric. My only other observation (not really a complaint because I imagine other new models are similar), is the lack of cleaning up left over construction saw dust/small pieces in hidden places. I was boon docking for 4 days and A/C drain holes plugged up with ****. Luckily there were a few ppl in the camper and they got a turkey fryer container under the unit inside. The drain tray overflows as it thaws been cycles and comes back thru the unit lol!

The towing experience has been great. No issues with tires, bearings, brakes, lighting. It was too much to handle with the 1500 we had so I went back to a 2500hd. The family is growing and more capacity was required. We have decided to go to seasonal this year and pull-out for a few big trips already planned. Baby boy #3 was born last Weds. so this will be easier to ensure lots of use this summer. I'm curious to see how the rig holds up to seasonal, will report back at end of season.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Glad to hear things are going well with your camper! Over all I have to say my experience has been just ok.. We really are enjoying the camper but I did have had a couple issues with it last summer. One was that the heating element in the fridge failed. It was known defect in that model/year fridge, and the part was covered under warranty. I did have to pay $150 labor for a guy to come out and replace it (they wouldn't send me the part directly). The second was that once of the plastic water hoses on the underside of the camper was rubbing on a bur on the frame and started leaking. I ended up having to replace a section of hose and replacing a good part of the insulation underneath. Other than that, it's been holding up ok. Towing has been just fine with my F150 Eco so far.

[5Cent]

Hey Duke, it's been almost 2yrs, wanted to see how things are going and to share the experience with our Hideout.

Before 2014, I would have never stepped into a Keystone. It was always Jayco to start and go from there. I'm glad my wife talked me into it at the 2014 show! Overall I am very pleased with the quality of our BHS. Haven't had to tweak anything yet and only wear and tear is showing on the cheap wooden ladder to the upper bunk and the wrapped armrests throughout the unit. The corners are wearing through the fabric. My only other observation (not really a complaint because I imagine other new models are similar), is the lack of cleaning up left over construction saw dust/small pieces in hidden places. I was boon docking for 4 days and A/C drain holes plugged up with ****. Luckily there were a few ppl in the camper and they got a turkey fryer container under the unit inside. The drain tray overflows as it thaws been cycles and comes back thru the unit lol!

The towing experience has been great. No issues with tires, bearings, brakes, lighting. It was too much to handle with the 1500 we had so I went back to a 2500hd. The family is growing and more capacity was required. We have decided to go to seasonal this year and pull-out for a few big trips already planned. Baby boy #3 was born last Weds. so this will be easier to ensure lots of use this summer. I'm curious to see how the rig holds up to seasonal, will report back at end of season.

Look forward to hearing from you!

[5Cent]

Duke,

What kind of converter is in your unit? Any specific instructions from Moore's on charging?

[DukeAJuke]

stp07030 wrote:
Hi,

Does anyone know the difference between the 280LHS and the 28BHS? They are both listed on the keystone website and appear identical? The MSRP on the 28BHS looks to be a a few thousand more than the 280LHS? Thanks for your help, Erik.

I believe the BHS has a sealed underbody, better stereo, and a swivel TV stand so that it can be viewed both from the Bed and the rest of the cabin. I looked at both and those are the only differences I found.

[stp07030]

Hi,

Does anyone know the difference between the 280LHS and the 28BHS? They are both listed on the keystone website and appear identical? The MSRP on the 28BHS looks to be a a few thousand more than the 280LHS? Thanks for your help, Erik.

[DukeAJuke]

It was the 3.5 EcoBoost. I averaged 11.5 Mpg there and back. My initial impressions of the camper was good. There was a loose connection for the water hookup in the bathroom sink I had to tighten (slow drip), but other than that everything worked as advertised. It had plenty of room for 3 of us plus 2 dogs. What was a little weird is that with my old 4800lb camper I never averaged more than 10mpg so I was surprised with the heavier 6700lb I actually got better MPG. it probably has to do with fresh wheel bearings and more aerodynamic..

[5Cent]

DukeAJuke wrote:

5Cent wrote:
Hi Duke,

Have you had a chance to put the trailer through the paces or get some more miles towning?

Looking for feedback in quality and performance with your 1/2 ton.

I'm going to call T&C today to see if our unit has arrived yet and to make sure we are still go to go for a next Saturday delivery.

Let's hope it's done snowing lol!

Ran to KY and back about a month ago. It was about 6.5 hours one way. I had no problems towing with my F150 EB, Screw. There were some crazy winds on the way back (40mph gusts), which kept my under 65 for most of the drive, but overall it towed great. I did not experience any sway or stability issues.

Great to hear! How did the 5.4 do on mileage? What were your inital thoughts on the camper functionality and quality?