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I had planned to not offer any more messages on this thread but so much for plans. :-) I would encourage all to re-read Richfaa's last message on this thread. I agree with it wholeheartedly. The only thing that I would try to enhance is the last sentence in the first paragraph and the last sentence itself. My suggested improvement is based on the assumption that someone at Keystone/Montana reads this forum and reports back to management anything that might be significant in their minds. I may be wrong in the assumption. Since I haven't seen any kind of recall related to the repeated and wide spread problems we have discussed here on this forum, they may not be. But on the chance they may be monitoring this forum I would add to the letter writing campaign, that a copy of the letter also be posted on this forum for others to read and digest. Otherwise many of the issues brought to Montana's ATTENTION MAY NOT SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY. Many Forum members have written that they have taken preventative measures to try to get ahead of problems that others have had. I think that result makes it well worth the effort to keep this forum informed.
I know I have started to write a chronology of issues we have had to deal with on our late 2006 3400RL since purchase in May of 2006. Unfortunately it is a depressing task so I don't dwell on it very long. So it may never get done. If it ever gets completed I will post it and will mail a copy to Montana and the original dealer. I agree that this Forum shouldn't be used to organize a rebellion. However, I don't find it inappropriate at all to discuss the problems we have had to deal with.
I'll close with one additional comment about the apparent numerous problems owners have had with their appliances. We haven't had a refrigerator failure but have had a Apollo 1/2 Time Oven failure requiring complete replacement and then as a result of that replacement, another dealer trip later to get it installed correctly. But .... Ovens and refrigerators and other appliances have been around since God was a kid. Even those that switch from AC/DC to Gas. There is no rocket science involved. Therefore the fact that they are installed in a RV that has wheels isn't setting back the annals of science either. I'm sure the potential problems are well known. What I suspect is the driving force behind the high repeat of failures, is the constant pressure to reduce the costs or hold the line on the costs of the units with added features. More Bells and Whistles, which many of us will never use but impress the hell out of us during our buying phase. So we are part of the problem. However, the manufacturers of the appliances and the RV manufacturers hold the primary responsibility to provide reliable products. My guess is that if a refrigerator or oven manufacturer for the stick houses had the same rate of failure as those in the RV industry they would have immediately taken them off the market or gone out of business. Homeowners are holding those manufacturers feet to the fire but apparently we RV owners are not doing the same in the RV industry. Why is that? The only excuse I can come up with is: We have been conditioned to accept it. I don't like being manipulated that way primarily because I know that reliable products can be made at a reasonable cost. If the market demands it and there is motivation to do so. That motivation at the manufacturers level will only come from us, the RV owner community. if we demand it.
It seems to me there needs to be some kind of association formed that truly and effectively represents the RV owners. Something like a "Consumer Reports" organization and publication for the RV industry. Maybe one exists that I am not aware of. Especially one that reports warranty and out-of warranty repair frequencies and details by manufacturer and model similar to the way it is done on automobiles and trucks. Most if not all of the RV associated magazines/publications and Web Sites, I have been exposed to, appear to me to be so dependent on industry advertising that their reporting neutrality is very suspect.
And to close, the primary reason to continue to discuss these issues on this forum is to help others who may be potential buyers or help current owners so that they can take preventative measures based on information gained herein. Especially those related to safety. Thanks for listening to my sermon. :-) I didn't even use any of Jesse Jacksons words. :-) Let me repeat, w/o access to this forum, the information and knowledge gained from reading and participating in it, I just don't know how we could have survived with any sanity these first 2 years. Thanks to all.
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