It may warrant a quick check - Montana Owners Club

bncinwv · 09-10-2011, 03:32 PM

Got the rig to the dealer for the warranty work and received some slightly disturbing news. One of the items mentioned previously was that the electric side of the water heater had started to kick the breaker immediately upon trying to turn it on. I knew that it had to be a wiring issue, and since it was under warranty decided to have the dealer do the troubleshooting. The tech showed me the problem, the Keystone installed wire nuts on the back of the heater were melted together!! Evidently one of the factory connections was loose and overheated, melted the wire nuts, and then shorted out causing the breaker to trip. There have been many posts about checking the "tightness" of connections on the buss bars, but I cannot recall a similar post of checking the wire nut connections. Food for thought here, but it seems we were blessed at least that the rig didn't burn to the ground. Beware, it may warrant a quick check.
Bingo

HOOK · 09-10-2011, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the headsup. Tightening is a constant job on all RVs I've owned. A person should be at least handy if they want to own one. Larry

Art-n-Marge · 09-10-2011, 09:28 PM

That's a good point, Hook.

Nothing like living in a home that goes through a perpetual earthquake every time you drive it. It's good to give things the once over on occasion but there are so many things that can get loose. Not having them tight from the factory ain't helping either unless there's a lot of earthquakes in Indiana or Oregon.

jpkelpe · 09-11-2011, 01:55 AM

Ours stopped working on the elecric side and the wire for the switch had burnt thru and some of the insulation burnt apparently due to the wires being "scraped" when installed.

RickW · 09-12-2011, 04:02 AM

Had a similar problem on my previous 5th wheel. We were on the road and were getting no power to the trailer because a wire nut came off and the 2 leads separated. Luckily it was not touching anything. When I installed a new wire nut (all I had that would work in my toolbox at the time) I then wrapped everything in electrical tape. Those wire nuts were not coming off again. As much moving as a trailer does a wire nut is not the idea type of electrical connector.

Art-n-Marge · 09-12-2011, 09:46 AM

These must have been done by the same team that left the wires loose so they could get crimped on the Television that raises up and down in some model rigs.

This ain't right!!! These are basic workmanship issues that are rushing instead of following procedures. I'm pretty sure these mishaps were not intended by the original designs.

Phil P · 09-12-2011, 10:13 AM

Hi

I would be a little careful of counting on the problem being “loose connection”. So far every one of the hot or melted connections(only two)I have had to repair were the result of Keystone using too small a wire for the power being used.

Phil P

bncinwv · 09-12-2011, 10:19 AM

I think when the wire nuts melt it is a good indication that the problem was in the wire nut, which in turn means the connection inside the wire nut.
Bingo

Phil P · 09-12-2011, 11:36 AM

As I said its just a suggestion to watch out for. I have been fortunate considering the way the trailer was wired that I have only had two hot spots so far.

Phil P

seahunter · 09-12-2011, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the heads-up on that. My to-do list for the new trailer is getting longer by the day and we don't even have it yet

.

These tips are kind of scary, but good to know...

RichR · 09-13-2011, 10:59 AM

Hook-Having just changed from Hitchhiker to a Montana you sure do not make me fell well about the change-the Hitcher was 13 years old and I never had to tighten anything.Tires and wheel bearings,that it!OH ME

mail2us · 09-13-2011, 02:28 PM

Turning wire nuts all day can be fatiguing.

farmboy · 09-13-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by mail2us

Turning wire nuts all day can be fatiguing.

Yes it can. Did it for a living.Thousands of then over a 21 year period.

pvcoach · 09-13-2011, 02:59 PM

Thanks Bingo! Looks like it's time for me to get out my solding iron...yeah, that's that way we do things for spacecraft too.

Buckeye Mike · 09-16-2011, 05:03 AM

Bingo,thanks for the heads up. Like RichR,We just traded for 3400. If I had known aboutthis site probably would not have bought a Montana.Would havestayed with Jayco all thought we didn't like thier new floorplans.
Buckeye Mike

bncinwv · 09-16-2011, 05:21 AM

Jayco has problems as well as do all of the manufacturers. It is just that some of the RV junk is a little shinier and a little pricier than the other RV junk. At least we can come up with the fixes here on the forum. by the way, we really enjoyed our 3400 for the three years or so we had it, we just wanted to trade for some junk with a florrplan layout we liked better!!

Hee Hee!!
Bingo

kramperD · 09-16-2011, 06:55 AM

From one Buckeye to another (and anybody else willing to read this) - just a note of encouragement to let you know you're not going to find anything better......and I know this is but my humble opinion, but I've gotta get this out. Here's a little history to settle your nerves about the Montana and to let you know I think you made a very wise decision.......I was a forum member for over 3 years before we took the plunge. And what I found out over that time was a great, great group of people. This isn't just a forum but it's folks like you and me who care about one another, not just about their Monty. And sure, if you have a concern or question about your rig, before long someone (and I say that in the plural) will come along and help you out. Because many have come ahead of us and blazed the trail if I might say so and conquered your or my problem already. Occasionally a new fix will be needed, but rest assured you'll not be alone in trying to figure it out on what to do. Because before long someone will do the research and do the figuring and give suggestions and you know what, things'll come together in the end. We've got both men and women specialists of all sorts - whether it's homemakers or military, Doc's to Lawyers, engineers to divers, old teachers (like me and the Boss) to ministers of the Gospel, some retired some not and there's even some in between; they all support this forum. So.......what I'm saying is, I think you made the right decision with your Montana....I know I did.....and that's how I would happily describe "priceless". LOL! : ) D

seahunter · 09-16-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by ddettorre

From one Buckeye to another (and anybody else willing to read this) - just a note of encouragement to let you know you're not going to find anything better......and I know this is but my humble opinion, but I've gotta get this out. Here's a little history to settle your nerves about the Montana and to let you know I think you made a very wise decision.......I was a forum member for over 3 years before we took the plunge. And what I found out over that time was a great, great group of people. This isn't just a forum but it's folks like you and me who care about one another, not just about their Monty. And sure, if you have a concern or question about your rig, before long someone (and I say that in the plural) will come along and help you out. Because many have come ahead of us and blazed the trail if I might say so and conquered your or my problem already. Occasionally a new fix will be needed, but rest assured you'll not be alone in trying to figure it out on what to do. Because before long someone will do the research and do the figuring and give suggestions and you know what, things'll come together in the end. We've got both men and women specialists of all sorts - whether it's homemakers or military, Doc's to Lawyers, engineers to divers, old teachers (like me and the Boss) to ministers of the Gospel, some retired some not and there's even some in between; they all support this forum. So.......what I'm saying is, I think you made the right decision with your Montana....I know I did.....and that's how I would happily describe "priceless". LOL! : ) D

Good post Dino! I was a little worried too, but like others have said every trailer is going to have issues. We learned this with our travel trailer and so going into this new Monatana we know there will be things wrong right out of the factory and maintenance issues continuously. You have to think how many trailers Montana sells and here are only a relative handful of people who found a way to talk about the issues that come up. The majority of people are happy and just don't post about it. A person might see the problems on here and get concerned, but it's just because this is a place people have come to find answers to their issues. And I'm just like Dino was - we don't even have our trailer yet, and people on here have been tremendously helpful and kind in answering a lot of pre-purchase questions I have had to help us make wise decisions for our new Montana. We really appreciate that, and no one has ever made me feel like like I had a dumb question either, as we all have had to start from somewhere with our knowledge and the folks here are really great about helping you out.

dpilot · 09-16-2011, 12:41 PM

I have.just recently purchased a 3455 and must say that I.am very pleased with both the.coach and Keystone... their cust serv has been.outstanding.... Yes I have had a couple of minor issues but in a sense expected...
As an engineer Let me suggest that a bundle of wire ties and a few hours will go a long ways to cut on future problems... In a prod line by necessity not all details may be addressed... if wiring and plumbing is securely held, NOT too tight, a lot of problems will be eliminated...
I guess when we buy one of these beauties we must in the first few weeks finish. Onstruction and customize.... Hhmmm.... and it could be.fun...

dpilot · 09-16-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dpilot

I have.just recently purchased a 3455 and must say that I.am very pleased with both the.coach and Keystone... their cust serv has been.outstanding.... Yes I have had a couple of minor issues but in a sense expected...
As an engineer Let me suggest that a bundle of wire ties and a few hours will go a long ways to cut on future problems... In a prod line by necessity not all details may be addressed... if wiring and plumbing is securely held, NOT too tight, a lot of problems will be eliminated...
I guess when we buy one of these beauties we must in the first few weeks finish. construction and customize.... Hhmmm.... and it could be.fun...

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