Upgrades Necessary and Nice to have.

[CVNCheng]

You mentioned getting a generator. Presume you're thinking of an installed generator. If you're planning on a lot of dry camping then go gas. If it's the occasional run, maybe propane but in the end you just don't have enough propane onboard for extended runs. I have a 7KW Onan. It runs everything and only on rare occasion do I need to remind DW about which outlets / appliances are on which side and what can be run simultaneously and what can't. I have a 12gal and a 6gal marine tank depending how long we intend to (dry) camp and how often we expect to go out for supplies.

If you're thinking external, before I installed the Onan, I got by on a Honda Eu3000is with a 30A transfer switch between the generator plug (added to the front compartment) and the inverter. That allowed me to lock the generator to the hitch and run off a 10' cord. I could run one large load (AC, Microwave, or Coffee pot) and most of the smaller "hotel loads" without issue. The Honda is the gold standard in portable generators. I went with the Onan so I didn't have to hump the generator in and out of my truck.

In either case, Easy Start for both ACs. Makes a world of difference, specially on the small generator.

[The Old Fogies]

Originally Posted by h2ojocky

I have the Progressive hardwired and it does have a bypass on my remote readout. Very happy. I did have to add a neutral ground bonded plug with my Honda, very easy to make yourself.

I agree

[rickbecker]

Safety first - G rated tires and disk brakes - don't leave hone without them!

[davewald]

Tire Pressure Monitor. It is critical to keep track of your RV's pressures and temperatures. There are plenty on the market, including some good ones at CampingWorld.

[RRman]

Our Surgeguard has found 4 bad RV Campsite Pedestals in 10 years.
We're 9 month/year "Part-Timers" so maybe that's why...

Recently added "JoyRider" Shock System to replace the OEM Shocks and the ride /towing experience is tremendously better.

Disc Brakes would be nice but so far Dodge Ram Dually and "Brakesmart" System have succeeded in the few "Emergency Stops" we've had to make.

[Maury]

Good! Maybe things are changing but in the recent past, I doubt if there are more than 10% of campers in the parks who have surge protectors? In terms of what to focus on, I think (at least for us) the primary issue was to have adequate tires and suspension system both of which we found needed upgrading in both of the new Montana's we purchased.

[montana20]

Disc brakes are included in Legacy package that I DIDN’T get. What brakes do they come with otherwise? Are they that bad? How are the standard E rated tires? Everyone seems to agree to immediately upgrade them.

[AZ Traveler]

Most folks are still pulling their rigs with standard drum brakes. If the drum brakes are maintained they seem to work well. To my knowledge all Montanas have come with G rated tires since 2018 model year. E rated tires do not have a good track record on heavy Montanas.

[MelDan]

Don't know about water softener but for me water filtration system is essential. We have been at places that make my first in line white filter either black or yellow within a day. Do you really want to be drinking or bathing in that? Also, I have heard that some fulltimers have had to replace the plumbing within a year because they had no filtration. We started day one with a reverse osmosis system and I won't be without it.

[Loneoak]

Originally Posted by montana20

The lock handle or the screen door handle is affecting the lock?
You have a picture of the spacer location?

Here is the picture I promised. We are back from the rally and back on home wifi.


You can see what I stuck onto the lock. It is just to the left of the 5/6 button. It is strategically placed so the door handle folds onto this thing and the lock or handle do not get damaged.


If you have any questions, let me know.

[montana20]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

Here is the picture I promised. We are back from the rally and back on home wifi.


You can see what I stuck onto the lock. It is just to the left of the 5/6 button. It is strategically placed so the door handle folds onto this thing and the lock or handle do not get damaged.


If you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks for following up. I understand now!

Do you find the screen door handle worth it?

[montana20]

Says it checks for bad wiring. So is this the cheapest EMS out there?

https://parts.unitedrv.com/products/...-50a-125v-250v

[MARK A]

I took the handrail off and used the base to make a 3/8” spacer out of aluminum. But you could use plastic. It no longer touches.
P.S you need 1/4” longer screws.

[montana20]

Originally Posted by MARK A

I took the handrail off and used the base to make a 3/8” spacer out of aluminum. But you could use plastic. It no longer touches.
P.S you need 1/4” longer screws.

Pics :-)

[Montana Man]

If you don't get disk brakes on the trailer then the next best thing is to upgrade the TV brakes. In my case the Ram 3500 is woefully underbraked even unloaded. For $1100 you get effective loaded braking power and responsive unloaded performance.

[Lucky23]

Stromberg sells 1/4" shims with screws by the pair mine took 2 pairs to clear my rv lock.

[Loneoak]

Originally Posted by montana20

Thanks for following up. I understand now!

Do you find the screen door handle worth it?

Absolutely! Without it, you usually open the little slider thing to grab the door for closing it. The screen door handle is mostly for closing the screen door.

[richfaa]

I can not count the number of pedestals with bad power over the last 13 years that the EMS would not let us connect to. There have been plenty.The EMS has also shut down the Montana for various faults over the years. The most common has been low voltage on one leg or another or open ground.

[MidMOTraveler]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

Absolutely! Without it, you usually open the little slider thing to grab the door for closing it. The screen door handle is mostly for closing the screen door.

Question, I have added the Moryde 4 step handrail.
Will the screen door handle clear when the stairs are up in travel position?

[Dave W]

Lots of good info above --


Our partial list of 'required

- Disc brakes (mandatory IMHO, on a 5er over 12K)

-MORryde X Factor cross member(s)
-Favulous range hood fan mod to the OEM noisy rattler

- More towel racks, coat hooks, key hooks

- 2nd a/c if not equipped

- Valterra sewer line end gate valve plus 45* clear elbow

- Macerator

- EMS/surge guard
- Extra 50 as well as 30 amp extensions plus whatever adapters are needed
- REAL tires if OEMs are China Bombs (all 5 of them!)

- Maxxair new design vent covers



Nice to have - ours

- Slide toppers - spring 2019

- Carefree awning screen - have

- Keyless door lock - maybe

- - Self leveling - sighhh. Not on this 5er with 2x8s sufficing