How Long?

[gjetzen]

I often wondered how long can we except our Montana's to last? I do realize that how and how much you use them and how you maintain them is the key. While the DW and I are not full timers or even hard core long timers, the Monty does not sit still very long. We usually have 2-3 one month trips with 4-5 week longs a year and average about 2000-3000 miles.

We purchased our Montana at the then Harrisburg RV show in Sept. 2004,a 2005 3295rk with everything Montana had to offer on that model. We are VERY pleased with the floor plan. Every year since about 2009 we go to at least 2 RV shows looking for a replacement for the Montana but have yet to find a layout that fits our bill as much as the one we currently have from any manufacturer. Our coach has had some issues mechanical and cosmetic (read graphics), but all the mechanical wows have happened between the 18-24 month time frame and where vendor problems and not Montana problems. I have not experienced any frame flex although to be honest I wouldn't know exactly what to look for.

I guess what the DW and I are wondering are we sitting on a time bomb? We do like the 3582rl and the 3725rl although the later has a little to high pin weight for the current TV.

Your thoughts are appreciated and please do not turn this thread into a "bitch" session.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

We also have a 3295, a early 2004, purchased June 2003.

The selling point of the 3295 for us is the desk. I MUST HAVE A DESK. And, it must face away from the blue flicker of death, aka, the telie. The desk is so important to me that when we purchased our 2004 I did not even look at the bedroom arrangement, ya, really!

With those parameters, these are the two current contenders for replacement:

the NEW 3735. Although I have to say, they have made a change in the back pantry closet that has us very concerned and Al is also very concerned with the Spendide in the front closet, that is a LONG run for the dryer vent hose. Having dealt with lint, which made the dryer all but non-functional, and eventually started throwing error codes, he is very concerned about the run cross half the width of the 5er.

the 3582. Being looked at very hard, the Splendide would NOT be in that front closet, I am not thrilled with it being in the living area, but - - - And, the 3582 would require a custom desk and loss of the kitchen table. For us, that would be the requirement.

Good luck, it is fun shopping.

[K0LCB]

I am not sure how long a Montana will last, but I know several folks with units over 20 years old and still traveling.

[gjetzen]

Mrs Country Guy, These are our thoughts exactly, a separate "office" loads of storage space (more than any I have yet to encounter) a separate laundry room, kitchen counter space galore, carpeting, which is getting less and less in the new coaches and the list goes on and on. I see you don't like the laundry room on the 3582rl but at least it is a separate "room" not in your wardrobe with all your clean cloths. I'm most likely wrong but I would think your cloths would get damp.

[jsmitfl]

We love our 3582, we traded in a 2001 Monty on it. Inside was still perfect, outside was minus all decals but was great somewhat faded. We just needed a little more room.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

gjetzen,

a FYI, I note no "moisture" in the closet in the 3295 that houses the Spendide, we have the vented version/model.

I have computer gear stored immediately above the Spendide, never have been worried about excessive moisture.

[gjetzen]

Mrs Country guy, was just wondering because on the stick home the laundry room always seems humid when we do laundry.

[DQDick]

Since we are still adding a lot of money worth of extras, we're hoping ours will last our lifetime.

[WaltBennett]

We haven't had ours that long, but some close friends bought an '06 (I think?) and have used it heavily with no age issues. It still looks great inside and out. Other than trying to go off-road, not doing regular maintenance, or making a really dumb modification, I'd imagine there would be only wear & tear issues - and those happen to anything.

[Drifty1]

We have a 2002 3295RK. The wife loves the rear kitchen and we also like that we sit across from the tv and do not have to look at an angle. We bought this rig in 2007 and have not have any problems up until now. The floor under the living room slide needs to be replaced and are having it done soon. We are hopeful to get many more years out of the old girl...

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

gjetzen,

A Spendide is a different type of unit. I cannot explain the functions, but, it is not your house dryer when in dryer mode. Try a search (in your browser) on it.

[timandsusan]

WE have decided a lifetime is good! We have upgraded the suspension with wet bolts, added Moryde king pin, wired for 3 types of TV signal-cable, air, satellite. Plenty of storage. Outside--new electric awning but graphics are cosmetic--look like everyone else. Best of all the floor plan is the best--desk, TV in front of sofa, good kitchen storage. Maintenance is the key--DO IT! Not looking around for anything else!

[Larry-P]

What would be the top maintenance issues to keep the Monty in good safe condition ??

[richfaa]

We had our 2006 3400 for 7 years. As long timers we used it hard my guess is over 70 K miles. We did many mods Mor Ryde IS suspension, Wet bolts, bigger brakes . Maintenance is critical. The interior was in very good shape, carpets , cabinetry etc.
We had frame flex twice, replaced 5 holding tanks and the graphics were crap by the 7th year.

We considered more upgrades and repair instead of purchasing new like new graphics, 6 point level up, G614 rubber, electric awning. The new purchase was cost effective for us. I think the 2006 with upgrades and repair would have lasted another 7 years. It is doing fine as a low use unit now.

[Recumbent]

Sometimes we do things like trade or buy something just because we want to, including making good quality upgrades. Whoever got our previous rig found a well maintained and attractive unit with several valuable upgrades. I believe it will provide someone many years of use. We saw the new 3725RL and liked it even more. As indicated by others maintenance is the way to eliminate most "time bomb" issues, but sometimes things just wear out or break. Then again sometimes we just want something different.

[Carole]

Rich and Helen, noticed from your picture you must have a future Big Sky. 2025? LOL.

[gjetzen]

We took delivery on our Montana 11/21/2004 so we are going into our 9th year of ownership. We have not had many problems with our Montana from year 2 to the present, when new through the 2nd year however was another story. we had a lot of pesky problems most minor 2 not so minor. This past summer was the first in 7 years that we had to replace some parts here again I consider these all minor repairs 1 axle seal, 1 light bulb and a water closet door hinge. Most of the maintainence I do myself, the big stuff I leave for the local Keystone dealer. I was thinking about doing some mods/upgrades like 2nd a/c, a new mattress and Mor Ryde suspension and wet bolts. I think I have enough miles on the unit to know if I suffer from frame flex. I guess that I'm trying to justify spending the money on the current unit or to buy a new one. That's why I have a new truck, the old truck needed some repairs the DW didn't want to spend the money on the old truck and told me to go buy a new one. DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!!!

[Art-n-Marge]

I think everything should last forever with a lotta luck and proper care. I just saw a Ford Edsel still on the road recently. Yes, it was moving and not by the side of the road and I'm guessing that took a lot of luck since it didn't look restored.

[Artemus Gordon]

Should last years if you take care of it! Have a 1985 Eldo Convertible that looks like the day I brought it home from dealership. Why TLC, all my cars trucks, toys are looked after and without deferred maintenance. It's not rocket science, just pay attention! So many people don't take that advice!

[twindman]

I bought my 2006 model used in 2006 - about 6 months old. I have probably 60-70K miles on it. We use it pretty hard for 90 days each summer. I think we probably average 45 different campgrounds in 90 days, so a lot of setup/takedowns. My only major repair was frame flex that cost $1800. So pro-rated, that is $250 a year or so.
So I think if you only drive 2-3000 a year, it should last 15-20 years.