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Old 02-11-2013, 07:27 AM   #1
richfaa
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2013 3403 6 months Big Sky report

2013 3402 Big Sky

1.Black , gray, galley tank indicators not accurate. Black tank failed two week after we got the camper.
2. Latch on pantry door not properly installed. Door would not close
3.Border alongside the stove peeled off the first time we boiled water.
4.Latches on most of the drawers would not keep the drawers closed in transit. The ones in the PC desk were not properly installed.
5.Satellite and cable inputs reversed in the convenience center.
6. Microwave /convection oven would not come up close to set heat.
7.Some brackets holding down the curtains are pulling out of the wall.
8.Struts on the compartment doors are pulling out of the door. They are screwed into basically nothing.
9.Propane regulator reads erratic sometimes all red, sometimes all green, sometimes half red. Half green.
10.Valve stem in one tire worked loose from rim causing loss of tire pressure. Had to change tire on the road another has a slow leak.
11.Lug nuts are rusting, all of them.
12.Various screws along fender wells are rusting a couple were missing.
13. Screw on bracket on fender well keeping fender from flapping completely missed its mark causing issue # 12
14.Torque on U bolts on suspension were all under 40LBS..

1 through 7 were corrected at the fall rally. 12,13 and 14 corrected by me. 10 corrected by Loves truck stop and Goodyear.

Typical crappy workmanship. But much better than our 06 3400.
 
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Old 02-11-2013, 08:13 AM   #2
bigskyjimmy
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WOW ! thats still alot must have been built on a Monday when everybody had hangovers, we have Been lucky with our 3402 only the toilet lever broke(and of course the rusty Lugs)Ours must have been built by "the employee of the month" that day
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Old 02-11-2013, 01:22 PM   #3
Hooker
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That's pretty bad, especially for a Big Sky. Our MH has had some problems like all RVs will have, but virtually no issues like those noted.
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Old 02-11-2013, 01:32 PM   #4
mail2us
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Rich, good detail on issues, however it seem that maybe you could explain the BigSky package today as opposed to the past. It is now labeled a Big Sky package as opposed to a Big Sky model. There is a difference, isn't there?
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Old 02-11-2013, 02:28 PM   #5
snfexpress
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Dennis,

Up until about 2010, Big Sky's were built in the factory where current Montana's are built, so it was a different animal, all together. For example, our 3400RL had different cabinet sizes compared to our Big Sky. Also, our light fixtures are glass cans as opposed to plastic pancake ones. There are other differences, as well.

Today's Big Sky package is an upgrade of a Montana. The base trailer is a Montana.
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Old 02-11-2013, 04:57 PM   #6
DQDick
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Rich, sorry to hear you're having all that trouble.
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:02 AM   #7
bullroc3
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Makes me wonder if I should just keep my 2005.
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:28 AM   #8
1retired06
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Seems to be some quality control issues associated with the departure of senior management to start their own company.
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:32 AM   #9
richfaa
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Nope nothing much has changed. Same crappy workmanship.Note that these are not major issues all lack of attention to detail on the line, little supervision and lack of workman training. It has always been this way. Nearly all of my listed issues have been reported on this forum.

Big skies were once a separate unit built in their own factory. They are now a upgraded Montana.Full Body Paint, G614 tires and a few other small upgraded items..

Strange i feel this is a much better unit as compared to our 06 3400 and except for the struts pulling out of the doors and that has been reported by others we are in general happy.We could fix all of these things ourselves but we will not.Montana made the errors..they can repair them.

BTW..This 13 3402 Built prior to Oct 2013 is basically a standard Montana 3402 with full body paint ,G614 tires and a few other minor upgrades. We purchased the unit for the full body paint and the tires as we had zero confidence of any RV manufacturers to put quality graphics on a RV.We also got a very good price and trade in.

We are happy with this unit and we do not understand why anyone is surprised at our list of problem items.
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Old 02-12-2013, 03:10 AM   #10
RickW
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The problem is a workers performance is based on quantity not quality. We had a similar list when we purchased our 2009. Montana & our dealer where good and took care of all the problems we found in a timely manner for the most part.
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Old 02-12-2013, 03:18 AM   #11
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The reason some of us are surprised at the list of problems is that most of us only had one or two. Granted our two were major, but still the rest of the rig was done right. As Mike said, the problem for Keystone is once we've got everything fixed why would we want to start again and risk a longer list? Also, many of us have added level up and G614's so why would we want to. Those of us with IS and disk brakes have an added incentive to stay with what we have.
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Old 02-12-2013, 04:22 AM   #12
DarMar
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Thanks for the update Rich, we would be happy with that Big Sky package as well.

We are of the camp of not surprised by your list, although unfortunate, Items #1,6,8 and 9 are what we consider the major problem items. Most of the other items have appeared to a degree in all of the three Montanas we've had but we just set about correcting them properly ourselves. Not saying everyone needs to do that "FOR KEYSTONE" but it's just the way we've been built, it's easier to just set about doing the "simple" fix and making sure it's done right.

Whenever we run across anyone who is buying or considering buying a new rv we warn them there could be a host of minor problems to deal with, don't let that get in the way of rving happiness, but it sure goes down easier if you are a bit handy.

Kind of a sad way of looking at things maybe, but it is what it is, and we will continue to be happy rvers no matter!!!
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Old 02-12-2013, 04:48 AM   #13
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I feel fortunate that our 5th wheel has had only four problems since we owned it, two of them the dealer had to "eat"....
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Old 02-12-2013, 05:23 AM   #14
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Sorry to hear you have experienced a "list" of issues Rich. Maybe your next one will be better...
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Old 02-12-2013, 06:33 AM   #15
richfaa
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We were not pleased to give up our Mor Ryde IS system but we did get more on a trade in because the unit had it. we seriously considered Upgrading the 06 3400.Complete new set of graphics, G6- 14 tires,we even spoke to Lippert about installing the level up system.

The double fridge was a upgrade Helen had wanted for a long time and the extra vanity and sink was appealing to me. We also realized the value of a fireplace that we did not have in the 06.Compared to the 06 the 13 is much better built. Better insulation, better fit on the slides with the double seals.We can now claim the " warm and toasty" tag.Everything about the 13 3402 is a upgrade from the 06 3400.
When we did all the numbers going with a new RV was not a big jump.

However had we known we would have waited till the "new" line of Montana's came out..12 inch frame, full time package, etc.In fact the new Montana makes my new 2013 3402 sort of obsolete.I was not happy about that at the Rally and let Aram know...Oh well that's life.

I am not the only forum member that checked their shackle bolts and found then NOT to be anywhere near 60lbs. Tank gages have been a historical issue on just about all rv's since day one. The wall paper along the stove BTW is no longer there.They did not even have it to replace it at the rally. Rusting lug nuts seems I have seen that mentioned here many times. The service center said the propane regulator works and it does but how many of you have one that reads half red and half green??? The crushed valve stem according to Goodyear who replaced it free of charge was improperly installed.We have the stem. That tire change along the road was not a good experience. Montana and I will have a chat about that. We are not unhappy with the Rv but I have aalwys been on to hold Keystones feet to the fire for these workmanship issues.We will spend some time at the Service center when we get home and the guys will as usual put the unit in the condition it should have been when it left the line.
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Old 02-12-2013, 08:34 AM   #16
michael346LBQ
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Our Mountaineer had a simulare list,

None of which kept us from useing it,
When purchased July 1rst and used thru Nov 1rst 2012,
Then the trailer and list was handed to the dealer and they have had all winter to make good on repairs,
We shall make a phone call soon to verifi all items were repaired,
Then pick it up about March 1rst and spend at least 3 to 5 nights in it. Hopefully all will be ready for 2013.
Evan when you build a house theres always a few items to touch up that you find after your in it for awhile.
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:05 PM   #17
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When we had our 3400, the tank gauges (water, sewer, propane) worked for a few trips then quit. Our MH has a Sensa Tank Level Guard system. It is not cheap, but has worked perfectly for two and a half years. We have two units, one in the outside water compartment and one inside the cabinet where all the AC/DC controls are located.

http://levelguardproducts.com/marine...nk-monitor.php
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Old 02-14-2013, 09:42 AM   #18
bigred715
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I've had some of the same issues on my 2010 and expect to continue to have them because of poor design. The brackets for the curtains go into such thin wood, it takes very little to work them loose so I have left some brackets off. Check valve in motor of fresh water pump still doesn't work. I think they went to a cheaper pump (Shurflo to Flojet), and fireplace won't stay on. Oh well.... so much for quality and workmanship.
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Old 02-15-2013, 04:17 AM   #19
simonsrf
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These issues are very similar to issues present in 2005 when we bought our Montana.

We learned quickly that Montana was not interested in improving or fixing past workmanship mistakes for future models. The dealers passed the problems off on Keystone, Keystone passed the problems off to the component manufacturers. Unfortunately, they won't learn from past mistakes.....and don't care.

We decided we wanted better quality and better service for our investment.
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Old 02-15-2013, 05:01 AM   #20
richfaa
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The quality of workmanship issue is something that has existed among ALL manufacturers as long as we have had rv's. This is our 6th Rv in over 25 years all different brands and the workmanship issue has been there with all of them.Manufacturers are not willing to make the investment in training and quality control.That is just the way it has always been. This 2013 Montana as I have said over and over again is MUCH better than our 06 3400 but the sloppy workmanshipo issues are still there.
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