Warranty Work

[Phil Eyler]

I have a question for you veteran Montana owners. I live about six hours from the dealer that sold me my unit. There is another dealer that is much closer. How willing are Montana dealers to do warranty work on units that they didn't sell? Another question: Can an Everst dealer do warranty work on a Montana? They are both made by Keystone.
The electric water heater doesn't work on my 3400. I hate to have to tow it six hours to get it fixed.

[Bob & Lee]

When I had my counter top repalced, I called Montana they told me I could take it to any Keystone dealer.

Bob

[greener]

You need to call the dealers and ask. Some will-- some won`t.

[bw2]

We went to a local Keystone dealer, Everest, and asked if they would work on a MOntana under warranty. They told us yes, they would need to call Montana and get the proper oks to do the work. Sure saved me money not hauling to where I purchased.

Montana worked with the dealer and I am not aware of any complaints by the dealer with Montana.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

You electric water heater is covered by Suburban, the manufacturer. You can have that warranty work done at nearly any RV dealer or RV service center and not just Montana or Keystone.
Having said that does not necessarily mean those other dealers will accommodate you or put you very high on their waiting list.

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

Some dealers, even Montana dealers, first service the RVs they sold and then work on others, although I've talked to several dealers who will put "vacationers on the road" emergencies up at the front of the line if a traveler has a problem far from home. It varies--call. You might also get some recommendations from MOC members about good service departments and not-so-good service departments, particularly now that the economy has forced so many layoffs everywhere. Not long ago we had a thread here with dealer recommendations made by MOC members who had actually used the dealer he/she was rating. Can't remember what the thread was called, but I bet someone here does. I thought the reviews and recommendations were very helpful.

Carolyn

[exav8tr]

Phil, I bought my Montana in Alaska and left within the month. I have had warranty work done on the road, but only after calling ahead and requesting an appointment. I only had to do this about three times but was never turned down. I think alot depends on how you ask, if you catch my drift!!!!

[CmdrDewey]

I agree with everything that has been said.

Just a guess, but do you know about the switch outside behind the cover for the heater? Maybe the heater is just turned off. Please don't take offense, many have missed that.

[Waynem]

Also agree, but in today's economy one must think that the dealer would welcome any work even if they get paid a little less because it is warranty work. My dealer is 20 minutes up the road and when I stop in there to say howdy, or whatever, they have a full stable of work going on with all types of RV's. If sales isn't doing to well, service can pick up some of the slack, and vice versa.

JMHO

[indy roadrunner]

I agree with CmdrDewey. Even after being told about the electrical switch and the water by-pass on the PDI, I had so much info running through my head I forgot about the switch until someone reminded me. And even the dealer never told me I could run the hot water heater on gas and electric at the same time - someone on MOC brought that up.

[Phil Eyler]

Thanks for all the information. Yes, I did check the outside switch. We stayed in the camper at the dealers for one night and the electric heater didn't work then. The service department checked it out and said they thought they had it fixed. I suspect it has a blown element. I'd fix it myself, but it's under warranty.

[alandaudrey]

Phill brought up a remark that I never thought about. Running the water heater on gas and electric at the same time.

My question is other than possibly heating the water faster why would you want to run on both?

[HamRad]

AlandAudrey,
The main reason you'd run both gas and electric on hwh would be to have a quicker recovery. That's about the only reason. And that is how we use it.

HamRad