Brought the new 3400RL home from Las Vegas - Montana Owners Club

jpf · 05-16-2005, 06:15 PM

Thank you to all who have posted valuable information about your experiences with the Montana product and RV'ing in general. We selected the 3400RL for us and are pleased with the 5er even though we have some warranty issues with the remote A/C & furnace controller.

We had planned just a down and back, Sacramento-Las Vegas-Sacramento but thought better of a 600 mile drive each way and opted to take two days down and two back. We did take the two days to get to Vegas, earning enough at the NV casino's on 95 to pay for lunch, and arrived to do the PDI, have the hitch installed (Husky 16K), on thursday the 5th. After a four hour PDI (information overload, but we video taped the PDI) we headed to Sam's Town 10 minutes away for the night. City traffic wasn't to bad. Got a pull thru site and set up was fresh in my mind and went easy (although I was apprehensive and checked our list at least three times for each item).
Next morning, feeling as though we had mastered the art of RV'ing, we headed up 160 to Pahrump NV to Terrible's Lakeside RV Park some folks had told us about. The pull up the long hill was "different", as I mentioned, I had never towed anything before, but we were able to maintain 50 and allow folks to pass.
One night turned into three as we relaxed by the lake (the food was great, plentiful, and inexpensive) and met some new friends who were curious about the Montana (and probably amused at the guy who took forever to get backed into his site).
Instead of heading north toward Reno, we returned to Vegas to have the AC controller looked at by the dealer, wouldn't you know it, it worked fine when they tested it. (We really did read the manual, and reviewed the video). Spent the nite at Singleton's RV Park and Casino just off I 15, so we could get an early start on the freeway. Decided to go across 15, Hwy 58, & I 5 up through the central Calif Valley.
Both being retired, enjoying the new RV experience, having nothing pressing back in Sacramento till baby girl graduates Sacramento State toward the end of May, and having a 15 day NV registration trip ticket, we decided to take our time getting back.
We have the FP to take the chill off the morning and the 2nd bedroom air option cooled the 5er pretty well as the temps were moderate.

Well, the planned four day trip lasted 11 days and was great, we liked setting camp early and having time to relax. We decided our ideal day would be on the road at 0900, and off the road by 1:30 or 2:00, about 180 to 200 miles would be our max, less as campgrounds and sidetrips dictated.

Once home, we made the obligatory trip to Camping World for all the anticipated and unanticipated items, i.e., tripod, lock & chock, front lawn carpet, baskets, doodads, and clear sewer adapters and extra hoses.

We are very anxious to get out on our next shakedown cruise and are planning where to go, as well as looking at options when we fulltime in October. We know were heading toward the TX and Gulf states to meander across toward Florida by March '06, sifting thru paper and web sites to generalize a direction (sort of a loose plan).

Thanks again for your insights and see you on the road....!!!

jp

Montana Sky · 05-16-2005, 07:02 PM

Congrats on your new coach. Your excitement is coming through loud and clear. How I can remember the day I brought my 3400RL home last April. I am pretty sure to this day I still have that same smile on my face. I wish you both many more happy miles ahead as you get ready for fulltiming. Enjoy your new coach.

jrgwdenner · 05-17-2005, 12:53 AM

Aaaah, the addictions are setting in. The addiction to being in the Montana comes first but the one to Camping World is a close second. Sounds like you've got the bug. You might try a program like Microsoft's Streets and Trips for your trip planning, $22.00 at Sam's, I think. I've enjoyed using it along with campground ratings on the internet and ratings in a campground book to plan our trips.

stiles watson · 05-17-2005, 02:33 AM

It's great that you have had the extended time to get acquainted with Monty. We always use a check list to set up and hook up. It doesn't take but a few seconds to tear up an antenna or rip off a forgotten sewer connection, but it takes a lot longer to get these little errors fixed. Sounds like you are on your way to a great adventure.

Kathi · 05-17-2005, 02:55 AM

Boy do I ever remember the day we brought Monty home. We are still like new RVers. Of course I guess that never does wear off if you enjoy it. The real thrill is Wal-Mart for me. I have gotten all my kitchen, bath, bedroom, and livingroom supplies there. Cheap but I have been through that store from front to back about 7 times. Each time I finish, there is something else that I have forgotten. The other day I went to Target and pruchased 2 loungers that were marked down from $70. to $34.99, They are just like the ones that are at camping world. What a find. I also got diningroom table placemats because the first time we placed our paper plates on the table the heat from the plate left a mark on it.
And don't forget the tape measure. It will really help to measure the site before you try to get in it. Measure so that you know that you can extend the slides all the way. We had this problem first time we went out. We also found out that our main TV only had 1 speaker. Have to take that back for a new one. We ordered the Majestic washer and dryer stackable. But as of yet it hasn't come in. Dealer said that it is on back order. So glad to hear that you are having so much fun. We are leaving for our 3rd long trip on June 20th. We are going to Whitefish Montana. It is just 60 miles from the Canadian Border. Probably will go there too. Then back down to Colorado Springs and all just to see our kids. Have to show the new Monty off you know. Wait till you start traveling and see the looks that you get. And all understandable. It is a beautiful 5ver. What are you towing it with?

vickster · 05-17-2005, 03:21 AM

Congratualtions on your new 3400! One of my favorite Montana's. Know you will have many happy trails and memories in your new Monty. We have had our Monty for one year now and still enjoy the anticipation of our next excursion and the excitment traveling down the road!!

sreigle · 05-17-2005, 03:32 AM

Thanks for the great post, jpf! Sounds like you folks are already getting "the hang" of relaxing and enjoying yourselves with your new Montana.

What is the "TCP" in the description of your Ford? I'm drawing a blank on that one (my fault). Thanks.

Sunshine · 05-17-2005, 04:49 AM

Congratulations on the new Montana. Sounds like you had a good first trip. I don't think the excitement ever wears off - I enjoy just going out to the Montana and spending time, right in the yard. Keep us posted on your adventures. Safe travels.

Kathi · 05-17-2005, 04:55 AM

Oh and another thing (In my opinion it is a must) we immediatly ran out to Walmart of course and got a set of walkie talkies. Cobra 22 channel, 8 mile range. That is a must when parking the Albatross. That way Paul can back up and I can be all the way in the rear of the Monty and we can communicate. They also came in real handy when we went to Laughlin, cuz in the casinos he goes one way and I go the other. We can communicate and find each other at once. That way if Paul is hungry he can let me know and we can go. There are so many uses for these things it is unreal. Never realized just how handy they are till we got them. They were only $34.00 at Walmart.

jpf · 05-17-2005, 04:56 AM

Steve,
TCP is the tow command package with the integrated brake control. I have seen posts and discussions on where to set the gain here and on the TL Forum, seems like they were up in the 7.5 & 8 range. The dealer tech recommended 3.5 to 4, seemed to slow me down very well on the downhills.
I should add a thanks for your posts on a variety of topics as they have helped us better understand the RV culture. We originally thought we would race across the country, park in Florida, and pull out of a central location. After reading various fulltime stories, journals, and posts, we came to the realization that were not in any particular hurry to get to a destination ( or to wear ourselves out). We think we will like traveling in the truck for 4 hours or so with stops and staying a few days (or longer) in nice parks. In one leg of our return we drove only 110 miles to stay at a park that looked interesting.
jp

fulltimedreamer · 05-17-2005, 05:04 AM

It sounds like you folks are off to a great start. Enjoy your new coach and your new adventure. You're living the dreams of many here on the MOC.

jpf · 05-17-2005, 05:34 AM

Paul & Kathi,
The TV is a '05 Ford F350 diesel dually LB.
Since my post was so long I eliminated some detail, but, we also made the WalMart trek in Pahrump. Since our original plan was a short trip to get the 3400, we only had plastic levelers and chocks with us, and a few supplies. WalMart added essentials to the inventory including the patio chairs, and the Cobra walkie talkies (read about them in some posts here). Were still working on our communication skills and translating 5er to truck parking directions.

jrgwdenner · 05-17-2005, 06:06 AM

Kathi, you are right about Walmart. Our list reads: unhook, setup, go to Walmart (simplified list, of course). We shop first at Walmart and Target, etc., then go to Camping World for the specialized items. We're thankful for all of them!

sreigle · 05-17-2005, 02:41 PM

Thanks, JP. I should have figured that one out since we also have the TCP on our Ford. If I read it correctly you are finding an IBC setting of 3.5 to 4 as plenty strong enough braking? I have ours set on 8.0 but now am wondering if that's too high. Have you done any panic stops, simulated or otherwise, with that setting? We pull out of here this Friday and I'm not sure I want to experiment with the traffic they have around here but would like to figure out if I have ours set too strong.
thanks.

Wordsmith · 05-17-2005, 04:04 PM

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! Marsha and I are still in the initial phase of learning our Montana, so we totally understand. We understand Camping World as well! We received a package in the mail yesterday!

Bill Hill · 05-17-2005, 04:37 PM

jpf,
Congratulations on your new rig! Like most everyone else here, we each still get a big smile when it's time to take the rig out. Good Luck and Enjoy!

jpf · 05-17-2005, 06:42 PM

Steve,
One never knows with the experience or expertise of techs, but he claimed to have delivered these rigs across the west.
We haven't done what I would call panic stops but have had a few yellow light change stops in city traffic that have caused me to stop faster than I would have, I'm generally moving pretty slow. Speed limit or under, especially since it was unfamiliar territory.
Going down the Pahrump/Las vegas grade, as an experiment, I did try squeezing the the manual braking and it slowed the 5er pretty well, I wasn't white knucles or anywhere near.
As far as braking, I used the Calif test guide, brake three seconds to 5 mph below target speed, and let it build up gradually. seemed to work on those hills.
When I mentioned the 7.5, 8 settings to this tech his comment was the Montana "locks ' brakes at that high a setting.
Obviously, I'm no expert so perhaps others will post their experiences so we can get a better picture of what is an appropriate setting

sreigle · 05-18-2005, 05:55 AM

Thanks, jpf. Mine doesn't lock the Montana's brakes at any setting I've tried so far. I think I'll leave it on 8.0 until I get somewhere with no traffic and then will try the lower settings. Thanks.

jpf · 05-24-2005, 04:10 PM

Just a quick note on the warranty repair on the non-communicating remote and sensor for the AC & furnace. Got an appointment at a local Dometic provider, (the Montana dealer refers all work to him), after a weeks wait. We feel fortunate given the upcoming holiday, warm weater, and the number of folks getting their rigs reaady for the summer.
Anyway, after he rebooted the AC unit, by seperating power from the unit wires and reconnected, it seemed as though it was working fine. After several minutes it shut down again, (I feel vindicated). Ended up changing the PC control circuit board in the overhead AC unit which also controls the furnace, ran both independantly for 10 minutes each, all seems well again.
Nice tech, at AAA Appliance, very helpful, clean, courteous, and in & out in two hours, thanks Rick.

Steve, if you see this, I went back to the TCP brake section of the Ford manual and they are recommending starting at 6, rather than the original 3.5 I was told at the RV dealership. I tried that and like the feel better. Seems to lessen the "bumping". I'll be doing more experimenting.
jp

sreigle · 05-24-2005, 04:24 PM

Jp, at 8.0 I get no bumping when stopping. Depending on slope and probably other factors, when I take off from a stop I sometimes get a small bump but I never get the bump when braking any more. Maybe that is how I tell when it is set correctly, along with it stopping well.

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