2009 Montana Features - Montana Owners Club

bsmeaton · 08-09-2008, 05:24 AM

I was waiting for a plane in Idaho Falls and decided to check out the 2009 Montanas at nearby Bish's RV Supercenter. Other than they are displayed on weeds, he did have a good selection.

I found a 3400RL in Desert Sunset as a fair comparison to our 2007, and I wanted to see exactly what changed. Lots of stuff - and wow they do listen to somebody or they would have never dreamed some of this stuff up!!. I had my camera so shot what I could see here:
2007 2009 3400RL Comparison

richfaa · 08-09-2008, 05:37 AM

Well I wonder where thay got all those weird ideas?????

muddflapp · 08-09-2008, 06:04 AM

Brad,
Very detailed pictures. I saw one on our dealers lot also and liked some of the new features but still would rather have my early 2008 3400 model. What was funny, when I saw that the tank dump handles had been moved inside to the convience center, I immediately went between the axels to see if the galley handle was still there. The salesman asked what I was looking for. I pulled on the handle and it game right out. I picked it up and showed it to the salesman. I told him mine came loose also and this was a brand new one. He didn't even know that the galley tank had a dump handle. He had no idea it was even there.

Jolu · 08-09-2008, 06:29 AM

Thank you Brad for all the photos and updates. You spent some time doing this and it is appreciated. New things are always coming along to improve what we have. JB

Bruce Lenhardt · 08-09-2008, 06:37 AM

Brad, Very nice photos and comments. Thank you. I have an 08 and I have mixed feelings about the electic rear stabilizers. I too used an electric drill on my 06 2955 and liked it. The electric stabilizers are OK, but slow. Wish there was a fast and slow mode. Guess I should just slow down.

The photo on the TV wiring was interesting. As I stated in an earlier thread, my "cable/Satelite" label is wrong. It is on the single connector faceplate, unlike your photo shows and the signal is not where it's labeled. I'm still trouble shooting to find my cable problem, but this seems to confirm some hookup problems.

JimF · 08-09-2008, 07:11 AM

Great pictures, thanks. Setting new goals for me to add.

jjackflash · 08-09-2008, 07:44 AM

Great pictures and descriptions Brad,Thanks!
I noticed there are a few things we already have on our 2008.
Our sub-woofer is hidden behind a panel below the desk,I found it accidental.
Jack

Exnavydiver · 08-09-2008, 08:17 AM

Brad, great pics, we had that exact tank gauge system on our old Jayco. Most of the other goodies were already on our 08 Big Sky but I do like that small shelf under the desk. Ours has a very flimsy panel that reaches from floor to about 2 inches from the desk top. I plan on removing that panel and boxing around the sub woofer.

Icehouse · 08-09-2008, 08:32 AM

First, Brad how long was your layover???

I loved some things and didn't care for others. My pinky finger literally quivered when I saw the new closet door clips! I like the curtain around the bedroom window. Just adds something.

Tammy

TLightning · 08-09-2008, 09:09 AM

Thanks for the photos...some good ideas/some bad ideas. IMHO, most of the 'bad' ideas were in the bedroom, no fixed lamp, doing away with the mirror on the closet door, and replacing the wood valence around the escape window with cheap looking curtains.

dsprik · 08-09-2008, 09:38 AM

Thanks, Brad! Great job! I have bookmarked that page and I am making up my list of "gimmes" at the factory during the Rally this fall.

sreigle · 08-09-2008, 01:25 PM

Excellent pictures and terrific descriptions and comparisons, Brad. I had opportunity the other day to look over a brand new 3665 here in our rv park as the owner was anxious to show it off. You caught quite a few changes that I missed in my looksee.

In that remote box on the side, the slides are only kinda sorta individual. What they have done is move the slide valves that used to be in the front locker (extra cost option) to the remote box. So to control a slide individually you turn off all the other slides. The good thing is they used the new slide control valves that are 1/2 turn rather than several turns to activate. And they're easy to turn with knobs that work well. When our valve set sprung a leak this Spring Lippert sent me a new one. And I got the same thing they're using in the new Montanas. Much easier to use. Mine, of course, is mounted in the front locker.

Great post.

rving2us · 08-10-2008, 06:24 AM

Thanks for the pictures and discriptions of all the new gadgets, you did a great job. I was surprised to note Keystone did not put a seat in the shower, old people are dirty and tired. Jon

Bruce Lenhardt · 08-10-2008, 07:45 AM

Tlightning, If you are talking about the lamp mounted to the chest of drawers, my 08 3075 came with one but it was not mounted to the chest. In our case a good idea since we don't want it mounted and don't use it and don't want the hole in the chest. It gives one the option to mount it if you wish. There is a full length mirror on the commode wall very usable when you open the door.

mail2us · 08-11-2008, 02:55 AM

Brad, your thoroughness is everyone's win!

Thanks! Idaho Falls, Wow those layovers can be productive at times and...enjoyable! Dennis

richfaa · 08-11-2008, 03:40 AM

Big fridge..extra counter space, rear view cam, 12 gal hot water tank, placement of lippert pump, dump handles, many things to like.

bsmeaton · 08-11-2008, 04:33 AM

Thanks all - I enjoyed doing the walkthrough. Its interesting to see how these things evolve so quickly through the years, even months, of production. Some changes are driven by the competition (frame change, awning, remote, pinbox, etc), some by prior problems with products (new counters, TVs, tires), and some just by good old fashioned listening to the consumer (bathroom light switch, swivel table, louvered W/D door). I still think Keystone is more responsive to the costumer than most.

dsprik · 08-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Don't forget Apollo, Brad, under "All of the Above"...

Actually shouldn't badmouth them to bad. Ours is still ticking (one warranty) and DW loves it. We may be in the minority, though...

William O. Phillips · 08-11-2008, 11:13 AM

Great pics!

To help with some of the information and add to....

In the pic of the Lippert hydraulic pump, note the pink wire with the inline fuse holder? That is the little buggar that pops when you misuse the landing gear switch - too high or too low. Not a red wire this time.

The fireplace controls are behind a panel that opens across the bottom.

The HD TV is great! I could use some help with the wiring - how in the heck is all this stuff wired?

The woofer is in the cabinet above the HDTV. So to use it you have to leave the cabinet open?

The landing geat motor is still very wobbly and loose!

The floor in the basement is Congoleum. Very nice!

The rear stabilizers are very slow.....you can still control them with a drill or manually a little faster.

Tank gauge is not better than most. Still shows tanks 1/3 full when completely empty.....

Deluxe King mattress is horrible......anyone try a memory foam topper? Does this help?

They still need more outlets and light switches!

Thanks -

Bill

dsprik · 08-11-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by William O. Phillips

Great pics!

To help with some of the information and add to....

In the pic of the Lippert hydraulic pump, note the pink wire with the inline fuse holder? That is the little buggar that pops when you misuse the landing gear switch - too high or too low. Not a red wire this time.
Great, at least they are still giving us a color that's easy to find - as much as some of us use it...

The fireplace controls are behind a panel that opens across the bottom.
Too bad... I so look forward to those first degree burns every time I go to change the thermostat. Good idea moving the controls. Bad idea making look like something I would make from scratch...

The HD TV is great! I could use some help with the wiring - how in the heck is all this stuff wired?
Don't know, but I am going to have to unwire and move some of that stuff shortly. Not looking forward to it...

The woofer is in the cabinet above the HDTV. So to use it you have to leave the cabinet open?
Woofer does not need to be exposed to get the effect. Just this AM had a terrific young lad share his "bumping" as I he passed slowly by at 6 AM. Don't any of these young kids know Led Zepplin???

The landing geat motor is still very wobbly and loose!
Well I was looking for an improvement there...

The floor in the basement is Congoleum. Very nice!
What's "Congoleum"??? A country in Africa???

The rear stabilizers are very slow.....you can still control them with a drill or manually a little faster.
My vote goes for the drill...

Tank gauge is not better than most. Still shows tanks 1/3 full when completely empty.....
Really? That accurate? Mine reads "Full" when it is "Empty"...

Deluxe King mattress is horrible......anyone try a memory foam topper? Does this help?
4 in memory foam on our King. Mattress don't matter. You'll never go back!

They still need more outlets and light switches!
Still better than the one outlet I think I have for my entire fifth wheel - seems like...

Thanks -

Bill

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