Sway problems 2005 3650

[Montana_2498]

We have written to you before regarding our problem,however, we probably didn't give you all the information.

We bought our 3650 this year, but prior to that we traveled in a 2001 Sunny Brook. We had vertually zero problems with the SB so are quite discouraged with all the problems we have experience thus far with our 2005 Montana. We chaged to the Montana because they had the floor plan we desired and because we heard they were the top of the line in 5th wheels. We didn't expect so many things to go wrong for us.

The first thing we noticed was the swaying of our new 5th wheel. It was quite a frightening experience. We took it to the dealership and were told that there was bound to be some sway...but they lowered the reese hitch as low as they could. They say the pin weight should be 2100 lbs but were not sure that's what it is so we are going to have it weighed this week -- first the truck and then the truck hooked to the 5th wheel. It seems to only happen when we encounter a cross wind. Is there anyone out there that has any suggestions. We are sure open to trying them. We will be pulling this 5th wheel with the same vehicle as we pulled the 2001 sunny brook and we didn't have any sway problems with that one. We have a F-350 superduty crew cab.

We have also experienced the slide pump leaking which hasn't been fixed yet. The dealership says they will have to order them and they might be on backorder....so we are thinking others are having the same problem. We have also experienced the shower leaking into the storage area, which we fixed ourselves, along with replacing cabinet hinges in the bedroom which were stripped upon arrival and molding separated from the ceiling in the livingroom, and the kitchen window leaked. The fresh water breather hose was kinked and needed to be cut off. Fortunately we are pretty handy and can fix these things ourselves, but it is getting quite discouraging. Oh yes, we forgot, the black tank flush hose takes no water -- probably kinked too.

All these things have been happening and we have hardly left home yet. What might we encounter enroute to our winter destinatiion???
We would sure like any suggestions that anyone might have. Thanks

Montana Bill

PS: SEMPER FI gave us #s to the service representative for LIPPERT Pumps but they are fax #s so we e-mailed instead.

[CountryGuy]

Montana Bill

Welcome to the forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be blunt, your dealers comment that "some sway is to be expected" is questionable. Read the archives here at MOC, you will find many many comments about how the Montana pulls like a dream and no sway!

The only time we feel even the SLIGHTEST amount of sway is in a strong wind, over, oh, say, 30 MPH, that hits us full in the side. What we feel does not seem to resemble what you are complaining about.

From Mrs. Countyguy's point of view, I think I would be calling the manufacturer of your hitch, asking a LOT of questions, including the name and address of thier best installer! I would be having that hitch set up checked by someone other than your Montana dealer.

Your situation with the slide pump is serious, the other problems, even tho they are agravating as all get out, are not that serious, and several of them have been discussed here at lenghth at MOC. Specially that tub faucet one (been there, done that!). As one of the MOC members that has had more than our fair share of trouble (we got a lot of other people's problems too), maybe it would make you feel better to know that your list seems very short to us!

My suggestion, get to a hitch specialist, get that pump situation taken care of, and then go forth and enjoy your Montana and your winter travels. Have you decided where you might take off to?? Florida, Texas, Arizona?? So many great places, so little time!

Carol

Ohhhh, keep us posted about that hitch situation, I'll bet we can all learn something from you when you find the fix! That is what MOC is about, sharing and learning together.

[HamRad]

Agree 100% with CountryGuy! We pull our 3295RK with a Ford 450SD and have NO sway. Even when we pulled with the Ford 250SD we had little to NO sway. Something somewhere is not right. Whether it is with the truck or the trailer it is not right and it sounds as if your dealer does not plan to deal with the problem.

Good to see you are getting the units weighted. That will give you a good starting point. Good luck and do keep us posted as to the resolution.

HamRad

[Dave e Victoria]

Also in agreement relative to sway. We pull a 3295RK and have NEVER experience sway in even the toughest crosswinds. Then again, our pin weight is about 2500 pounds and we keep the truck and trailer tires at 80 psi. I suspect light pin weight can give lots of problems.

[mazeeff]

quote:Originally posted by Montana-Bill

We have written to you before regarding our problem,however, we probably didn't give you all the information.

We have also experienced the slide pump leaking which hasn't been fixed yet. The dealership says they will have to order them and they might be on backorder....so we are thinking others are having the same problem.

I had the same problem with the slide pump leaking. The failure is quite common. Half of the Montana units on the lot had the leaking pump. It took a month for Keystone to send the dealership a replacement, but it fixed our problem. We took the old pump apart, and found that the O-ring was installed incorrectly (pinched). The tech said it was a common problem. The pumps come from Lippert, and they seem to have an assembly problem. Sure can make a mess of the storage area!

[mazeeff]

On the sway issue, I would check the alignment of the axles. If the axles are out of alignment, it can cause the trailer to pull to one side, and appear as "sway".

[Native Tex]

On the sway issue, we have some but it really has to be a strong cross wind. I have never driven any trailer that did not have some movement in a cross wind. Take a look at the 18 wheelers on the roads in a cross wind; what those guys fight the same thing you are fighting.

[Glass Guy]

I tow a 3295rk and came across the mackinaw bridge with high wind warnings and did not notice any sway problems, you might check air pressure in you tires and your pin weight you might be to heavy on pin weight and letting the front drift a little bit. I did notice that when I had to use a different f-350 to pull my montana home, it was not a dually but I'm not sure if that made any difference. Good luck, Roman

[mazeeff]

Perhaps, you can define your definition of "sway". I assume that mean side to side motion, similar to what happens when you pull a normal trailer, and you are passed by a 18 wheeler. Or do you mean "bucking", "purpoising", or other verticle and/or front to back motion. The later is normally associated with distribution of weight, especially pin weight. That may be why the dealer attempted to put more weight on the pin, by lower the hitch. You can also try a simple test next time you tow. Fill the water tank, and see if it makes a difference. If it makes the problem better or worse, weight distribution is an answer.

[CountryGuy]

Good point Mike,

Bucking is a totally different situation, and it can be horrid depending on the road, as well as the weight distribution. We all know about I 10 in Louisiana. UGHHHH

[sreigle]

We also have no sway when towing our Montana nor did we when towing our first Montana. Nor on our Jayco Eagle and our Wilderness fifthwheels. Just shouldn't be there. If it's as bad as described I'd suspect either axle misalignment or perhaps something seriously loose in the suspension. I think I'd crawl under and look for problems, then have the dealer do the same thing.

Please let us know how this turns out.

[captbanjo]

I don't know about that...we have the 3400RL which is one of the lightest pin weights I think. After a half-dozen trips at varying speeds, many through the White Mountains, we have experienced ZERO SWAY. Never...nada. In fact, we're still amazed, after coming from trailer towing for over a decade, that the big trucks pass us at speeds of over eighty miles per hour and we don't feel a wisp of sway. We're taking a trip to Fl and the east coast this March and that should be the final arbiter but I'm not expecting any trouble.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also in agreement relative to sway. We pull a 3295RK and have NEVER experience sway in even the toughest crosswinds. Then again, our pin weight is about 2500 pounds and we keep the truck and trailer tires at 80 psi. I suspect light pin weight can give lots of problems.

[Montana_2809]

We just signed on to the forum with particular interest in the 2005 3650RK. Our situation is very similar to yours Steve in that we own a 2001 Sunnybrook TT and are considering purchasing the 3650RK. We have experienced a few scary sway problems with the TT and are switching to a fifth wheel after hearing from everyone that pulling will be a breeze. We especially like the 3650RK but are concerned with the extra weight in the back, with the kitchen having two slides.

We'd appreciate hearing from other owners with the 3650RK, how they like it and what experiences they have had with towing. We also heard that breakage of dishes is common with rear kitchens. Any comments?

Thanks,
Karen, Ken and our two Wheatens, Celtie and Doogan
Clearwater, FL

[Montana_1985]

after finally getting inet access here in Tucson, AZ let me me weigh in...
We have the 05 3650RK, and after traveling from FL to AZ the last two weeks across I10, we experienced very little sway in our rig...pulling with a F350SD. The cross winds in NM and AZ seem to push the rig a couple inches; just noticable to the driver (me), but nothing that would cause a hazard.
We use almost all plastic/foam kitchenware, so there is almost %0 breakage. Havnt had any china cups break or anything!!
I think we are overweight (sure feels like it!!), but will pare down once in CA (going to Santa Cruz for 6 mos).
We havnt had any problems with our 3650RK, except for the eyebrow board on the fridge. It was replace immed. by the dealer b4 we left the state. (Reines RV, Manassas, VA).
The dvd/cd/whatever player refuses to output video, but the sound is OK..gonna junk this unit for a decent one once we're settled.

We love our rig, and wouldn't trade for anything else!! Enjoy yours, even with the modest issues!!!

[Montana_1424]

I have a 2004 3650 RK, and it only sways with a very strong crosswind, other than that, I have no sway at all, zip zero. As far as the shower, I experienced the same problem, dealer sealed where the tub and shower walls meet, and that fixed it right up. I had that same problem on my 03 Cougar, also made by Keystone, fixed it myself by sealing that seamn. The dealer told me that is a common problem, whihc I hope Keyastone will fix by sealing that joint. I consdier that minimal though, I have not had any other major problems. A wire was pinched in the manufacturing process, and needed replacement., pretty much it. All in all, a great unti, tows great, and I would naot have purchased anything else.

Montana's are great, but just like cars, when you buy a brand new one, there might be a few kinks that need to be worked out, but you will get that with any manufacturer.

[sreigle]

Ed, you didn't say which shower wall you caulked but the wall along the coach outside wall should not be caulked at the bottom. It is intentionally left open to allow moisture to escape. When caulked, that moisture has to find a way out and will work its way out the outside wall, causing bubbles on the fibreglass outside wall. We made this mistake on our first Montana and had the dealer caulk the seam. Fortunately, Keystone paid to fix the sidewall anyhow.

[Montana_1424]

That was actually the wall I was refering too. This time when I brought it in, the dealer caulked it, so if something happens, I will have to bring that to there attention. But, since they did tht, there have been no more leakes in the basement, so I would have to say that is a tiny design flaw.

[RC and Samantha]

We've never had any sway at all. Even in high winds and we've traveled in a bit of weather like that. Many times in rain storms. Now on our old Pop Up, yea we had quite a bit, especially on cement highways.

Patty

[Montana_3020]

we are currently looking at the 3650RK and was wondering if 47K is a good price for fully loaded unit?