U-Tube Review - Montana Owners Club

bobsals · 08-29-2010, 01:51 PM

Greetings, I recently posted my video review of our new Mountaineer 324RLQ on U-Tube. Keystone made the mistake of sending me a questionaire about what we thought about our new unit so I told them. In a nutshell, what I wrote back to them is pretty much covered in the review which is in two parts. I had to break it up because it was too long for a single posting. It's in about two 10 minute segments. In addition to sending back the questionaire, I also e-mailed customer service with the links to my videos. The goal was to submit my findings to Keystone so hopefully they will heed some or all of the items and make better units down the road.

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-jGn1HqNsw

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiWTYkqhAk

CORattler · 08-29-2010, 02:55 PM

Well done! I like the idea of reusing the spare tire brackets. I installed a night light as well for our stairs. Thanks for the idea on the door latches for the storage bays. You're right, a 10 cent item improvement. Hopefully they show your video to the design staff for future models.

DonPd · 08-30-2010, 09:05 AM

I watched the video and noticed a filler piece of wood next to the refrigerator. Could that be removed and a side in pantry be put there?

Art-n-Marge · 08-30-2010, 09:32 AM

Great videos.... I have installed door latch/holders for the driver's side cargo doors. The front storage and the passenger side cargo door already had them - go figure. LOVE that the wind does not bother me any more when I am in that area for prolonged periods like setup and breakdown or tank draining. The right side swing away door would cover the water heater so I used a right angle door holder for that door. It holds the door open at about 100 degrees and does not cover the WH at all. Haven't done the propane doors, yet but these haven't been a problem.

I do need those noodles at the bed slide. I'm just having the darndest time picking out what color.

I have experienced removing that under chassis tire but haven't gone through the effort of relocating it. That was clever usage to create mudflaps from them, but I don't use my rig that often and don't experience the mud, debris and rain it minimizes. One of these days if I get flaps for my TV, then I'll install the RV ones too. Thanks for the ideas!

Keystone, are you listening?

bobsals · 08-30-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DonPd

I watched the video and noticed a filler piece of wood next to the refrigerator. Could that be removed and a side in pantry be put there?

The filler piece that appears to be in the video is the flange for the kitchen slide. It would be great if there was room to install a wire rack pantry. Thanks for the reply.

Bob

clutch · 08-30-2010, 04:46 PM

Thanks, lots of good ideas there.

exav8tr · 08-30-2010, 05:31 PM

Bob, You did a great job of documenting all this. I still envy you guys that are familiar with electrical mods. I can change out a light fixture but that's about it. I make sure ALL the electricity is OFF when ever I do something. BTW, I have been under my Montana several times getting the spare off. I carry a large rug for that. Don't think I would want a rear tire mount because I carry two bikes back there. I like your other mods and hopefully Keystone will get a look at your suggestions. We have found they are usually quite responsive to our suggestions, especially at the Fall Rally. Glad to hear you like your unit and many happy and safe travel days....

richfaa · 08-31-2010, 04:26 AM

Humm.. Video Posting your likes and dislikes on U tube... Verrryyyy interesting....

Longwell · 08-31-2010, 10:45 AM

Great job documenting problems and solutions.
I look forward to seeing some of the solutions in future models.
Larry

Trailer Trash 2 · 08-31-2010, 05:56 PM

Some real nice mods you did, and what a great idea useing youtube for a voice on steroids.

drsmart · 09-01-2010, 05:38 AM

Nice work on the upgrades Bob. The video was very well done in comentary and smooth easy to follow panning. I'm sure that Keystone having received your link to the videos has or will be presenting them in a managers meeting.

stevemc · 09-01-2010, 05:58 AM

Outstanding review Bob! Great upgrades and suggestions. The electric water heater switch has been a pet peeve of mine also. I've planned to relocate it for years but haven't got it done so far. Thanks for sharing all your ideas and improvements.

drsmart · 09-01-2010, 11:50 AM

Bob. Just a thought regarding the stairs. The unit we ordered recently will have the same issue. You are a pro at mods. What do think of some method of stopping the door in the open position at the point where the door is in line with the edge of the upper floor. This would allow ample room to enter and exit the bathroom but prevent the door from swinging wide open. Exiting this way and closing the door would put you 2 – 3 feet away from the stairs in a better position to approach the stairway. It would also prevent the door from swinging wide open at times and hitting the wall mounted controls. Especially if the door wasn’t properly latched during travel. Maybe a simple and fairly decorative cord with a short spring at the end to prevent an abrupt stop when opening.

bobsals · 09-01-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by drsmart

Bob. Just a thought regarding the stairs. The unit we ordered recently will have the same issue. You are a pro at mods. What do think of some method of stopping the door in the open position at the point where the door is in line with the edge of the upper floor. This would allow ample room to enter and exit the bathroom but prevent the door from swinging wide open. Exiting this way and closing the door would put you 2 – 3 feet away from the stairs in a better position to approach the stairway. It would also prevent the door from swinging wide open at times and hitting the wall mounted controls. Especially if the door wasn’t properly latched during travel. Maybe a simple and fairly decorative cord with a short spring at the end to prevent an abrupt stop when opening.

Sounds like a real possibility to me! I will look into it and post the results. Thanks for the tip.
Bob

footloose · 09-01-2010, 01:52 PM

Adding to drsmart's idea, how about just something attached to the ceiling that would stop the door. Your videos were great. We enjoyed watching them. Thanks for sharing.
Dick and Sharon

bobsals · 09-02-2010, 09:41 AM

footloose, looked into the possibility of installing some sort of a stop from the ceiling. There was no apparant roof joist in the vacinity that I could see to anchor it too, so had to go about it another way. drsmart suggested to put a door opening limiter of some sort on the door to keep it from swinging all the way open. What I ended up doing is taking a piece of nylon webbing, installed stainless steel snaps in each end and installed it to the upper door casing and the door. Seems like it will work good. The test will be when we are living in it for a week at the Thousand Islands.
Thanks guys for the ideas.

footloose · 09-02-2010, 09:48 AM

It's nice for us all to have a place to bounce around ideas. Glad you solved your safety problem.
Dick and Sharon

**Rondo** · 09-13-2010, 05:48 PM

Bob-- I guess I'm not familiar enough with the unit but would one of those door opening limiters that go on the hinge pin work on this? We have them all over the stick to limit the doors from swining back or open enough to let the door or doorknob from hitting the wall. and was wondering if they would work in the Mountaineer also?

simonsrf · 09-14-2010, 06:12 AM

Bob,

Very well done, thank you. I think you made your point very well, hope Keystone heard you.

bobsals · 09-15-2010, 02:07 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Rondo

Bob-- I guess I'm not familiar enough with the unit but would one of those door opening limiters that go on the hinge pin work on this? We have them all over the stick to limit the doors from swining back or open enough to let the door or doorknob from hitting the wall. and was wondering if they would work in the Mountaineer also?

Ron, the hinge limiter is a good idea. What stops that is two things. 1. The hinges that come on these units are different than what we use in a stick built house and are not designed to come apart to accept a limiter. 2. I don't think the door and the casing on these units would hold up to the torque that would be applied when the door was swung open and stress was applied.
Thanks for the idea Ron, I am always looking for suggestions. Currently, we are on day 5 of our 7 day outing with the unit and the limiter strap is working good so far.

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