Closet Panel

[triplehorn]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B03...it?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B03...it?usp=sharing

I've sent the following email to customerservice at Keystone.

Hello,

When I took my 2011 3400RL in to Tarpley Sales in Durango, CO for final
warranty service this closet panel had popped loose. This was repaired
by what appeared to be a quick and sloppy stapling. Protruding staples
were not even removed. I've attached a couple pictures. Since this
repair, the panel being in bind has buckled again and split. This is
the other photo I've attached. I stopped at Tarpley and was told by
John that if this was repaired on warranty that it would be repaired
again on "Tarpley warranty". John said he had to order the part and
would call. Several weeks passed and when he called he was quoting me
shipping and cost for the panel. When I questioned the cost he told me
he would have to talk with the owner. I have not received a call back.
Can you advise on this situation please?

[Overlord]

When I had mine fixed at the factory service center, they cut some of the panel off of the bottom edge so that it did not fit too tight to the floor and added another trim piece to help hold the vertical edge along the corner. Movement during towing will keep popping this panel apart unless you have it shortened up some. The fix that they did on mine has been good for four years now, and we have towed the 5er over some horrendously rough roads for a lot of miles.

[DQDick]

If you are going to the fall rally take this up for sure with the Keystone tech.

[JLH]

The side panel on mine came apart also. All the shelving come down and made quite a mess. I had to add a re-enforcement piece and install extra screws for adequate strength. It really is poor engineering.

[JLH]

The side panel on mine came apart also. All the shelving come down and made quite a mess. I had to add a re-enforcement piece and install extra screws for adequate strength. It really is poorly engineered.

[Carl n Susan]

Montana went cheap on the vertical panel starting in 2011. It used to be a much thicker panel. The thin panel they started using flexes with the front end and causes the staples holding the shelves to pop out. They also made the panel a tight fit to the floor so it breaks when the front end flexes.

While some amount of frame flex is expected, ensure that yours is not excessive indicating the welds have failed or the exterior wall has separated from the frame.

The solution to the cabinet problem (assuming you don't also have a frame flex problem) is to have Montana (via your dealer) fix it correctly. They have a 3/8" or 1/2" panel replacement for the vertical closet wall. It doesn't flex/break and it provides better support for the closet shelves. Mine had the same problem (along with excessive frame flex) and that is how the dealer repaired it.