Montana still quality? - Montana Owners Club

artfuldodger · 02-11-2015, 07:43 AM

We own and love our 2008 3605 and our MOC connection. We are currently in Casa Grande RV Resort(on a recommendation from this forum). We were in Quarzite last month and got "the bug" while looking through the new units there. However we are starting to wonder if the new Montanas are "all show and no go" after the abundant negative comments about quality, dealer service, and manufacturer service we have read of late. Before we spend mega dollars on a new or late model rig, we want to be assured that the quality we have found in our '08 is still built in to the new line of Montanas. Please, if you have a recent unit and are totally satisfied, tell us about it. All new units, regardless of make and model, are going to have kinks to be worked out, but we don't want to be considering lawyers and lemon laws in 6-12 months' time.

bncinwv · 02-11-2015, 07:54 AM

We have related many times that we are on our third Montana. The current one is a 2014 3850FL Big Sky model that we have had a couple of minor problems with, but as with the other three, we have never regretted the decision to purchase any of them. We traded for floor plan reasons alone. Keep in mind that you will always read about the problems on the forum, not the successes. Bottom line, we are very happy with the current rig and have been happy with the previous ones. With all that said, knowing that these things are mobile houses subjected to all kinds of road conditions, we have always purchased an extended service plan, just in case something major does happen to go wrong. I think in the last eight years, we have had to use the extended service plan once and that was on out original Montana, and then the underlying fault was ours. A flip-flop beneath a slide-out managed to burn up the motor on the hydraulic pump! Our warranty items have been few and far between and each rig went to dealer about two times after purchase for warranty items that were primarily minor things. We have seen good quality, good dealerships and to date have had good success with the manufacturer. That is our story, and with all that said I must add the caveat that we are weekend and vacation campers and on average are in the rig about 40-45 days a year.
Bingo

grayghost03 · 02-11-2015, 08:29 AM

We have had almost zero problems with our HC or the new Mountaineer. And if reading this forum you would assume they are junk, which IS NOT the case with ours. Even some of the dealers, say this forum is more about dragging the brand through the mud, then anything else. When you go to other forums, you will see many references to this forum for examples of poor quality. Really a shame because most don't have the problems that the 25 people that post regularly complain about. All brands have issues, I don't think the Montana line is any different. As far as dealers go, find a good one and continue to business with them. I know it is not always possible.

Bigboomer · 02-11-2015, 08:48 AM

We are on our second Montana and love it. There will always be a few minor things that happen....these are still all built by hand by man and things happen. Some worse than others but they will happen.
We did not like some of the newer models but mainly because of esthetics and what we want for function. All the brands have their good and not so good aspects so when we look at each one we like to take notes and see how they change from year to year.

Don't be discouraged by some of the posts here as over all you will still not get a better price point than the Montana even with some of the quirks.

bigskyjimmy · 02-11-2015, 09:26 AM

We are on our 3rd Monty a 2003,a 2012 and our new 2015, All have been Great 5ers with minimal problems,the 2012 had 1 bad toilet that I replaced myself with another brand as a matter of fact when we traded in our 2012 for the new one we got a $1800.00 refund from the Extended Warranty Company because we never used it

The 6 month old 2015 has had only 2 minor things the toilet not holding water(Again)

and the under Awning LED strip lighting is dim ,Pretty good quality record Especially since we live in ours So yeah we are Really happy with Our Montana's

scott-pati · 02-11-2015, 09:27 AM

Montana is the "Bang for your Buck" 5th wheel!!!!

We are on our 2nd Montana and would by a 3rd when needed.

Remember to keep at mind is that, forums are often used to vent or drag there issues through the mud at times.

waynemoore · 02-11-2015, 09:37 AM

We are on out third Montana well two Mountaineers and the new 2015 3582RL. We had a problem with the fridg that the dealer replaced and the black tank valve handle that our local dealer fixed. That's it for all three rigs. Yes some minor problem that I fixed with help from folks here on the site.
So just go and buy one you will love it.

bethandkevin · 02-11-2015, 10:00 AM

It's our first, but very happy with it to date.

boat391 · 02-11-2015, 11:01 AM

We are on our second Montana 2014 3725 and love it have had a few problems but we also had a few with the old Monty as well. this one is a bit larger heavier but I knew this going in and all ready have a drw 1 ton Chevy puller. The upgrades on this one where the only reason we went newer the level up is killer. Two a/c's awesome. I have done many mods. Because we boondock so much a full inverter system extra shelves in places that needed shelves. Added a third propane tank for the bbq or for spare if needed and 4 6 volt golf cart batteries. I shopped online for ours picking it up in Las Vegas Camping World got a smoking deal and great service from them. I have 0 regrets and would do it again if the need arises. Hope this helps you if you decide to take the plung. Happy camping

1retired06 · 02-11-2015, 12:37 PM

Our 4th montana. More problems than the previous three with our 2015 , which I blame on lesser quality control on the production line. Still better than complaints I hear from SOBs.

mlh · 02-11-2015, 12:39 PM

People who don't have problems don't post to tell you about not having problems. It is just the ones who have problems who tell you about it. Most of us me included have had no problems. Montana is as good as any camper. Perfect, no.
Lynwood

bethandkevin · 02-11-2015, 12:59 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by mlh

People who don't have problems don't post to tell you about not having problems. It is just the ones who have problems who tell you about it. Most of us me included have had no problems. Montana is as good as any camper. Perfect, no.
Lynwood

I could not possibly agree more with this statement!

BB_TX · 02-11-2015, 01:06 PM

If there were a few new threads every week about a Montana problem, it would appear there were a lot of problems. But considering the thousands sold it would actually be a very small percentage. And often the posts are about appliances and such that are not really a direct Montana issue.

Posting about how good a person's Monte had been would soon get to be very boring reading.

jlb27537 · 02-11-2015, 01:23 PM

We have a '14 mfg. 4/13. We use it a lot, and had the normal new rig stuff happen. I have fixed the normal minor stuff that either was never tightened, designed wrong and never worked.

It is probably the best bang for the buck, but sales only sells the first one, service sells the second one.

Because of the lack of Customer Service, I will not be buying another Thor or Lippert product.

WeBeFulltime · 02-11-2015, 01:40 PM

We are fulltimers and are on our second Monty (2008 3400RL & 2012 3585SA) and are VERY pleased.

1retired06 · 02-11-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

We have a '14 mfg. 4/13. We use it a lot, and had the normal new rig stuff happen. I have fixed the normal minor stuff that either was never tightened, designed wrong and never worked.

It is probably the best bang for the buck, but sales only sells the first one, service sells the second one.

Because of the lack of Customer Service, I will not be buying another Thor or Lippert product.

Tough shopping. Lippert and Thor have a large market share. And I have had great experiences both in reliability and customer service from Lippert.

grayghost03 · 02-11-2015, 03:33 PM

Again Dealer, is the key. We have never had to deal with Keystone or Lippert, dealer ALWAYS handles our problems, we are really glad to have a great dealer. As I said, I know its not always possible but a good dealer is the key. They can help you on the road, also, they can recommend other GOOD dealers and can put in a call to them to let them know that YOU are a great customer, had it happen.

Jimmer · 02-11-2015, 04:04 PM

We have had 4 5th wheel trailers and for the most part are very happy with our 2014 3582RL. We have had some minor problems and now we have discovered the staple problem in the roof but we are still under basic warranty so I am sure our dealer will take care of us. I agree with the previous comments. Good Bang for the Buck. We really love our Montana.

Phil P · 02-11-2015, 11:48 PM

I will never own another Thro product!

Phil P

Samiterry · 02-12-2015, 01:47 AM

I'm really not sure what your question should be. I don't think your question should be about the quality of the Montana, but more so about the quality of the many manufactures that comprise the Montana. Most of the negatives I read about have been more related to Lippert (frame, Levelup, slides), Mor-Ryde (suspension, pin box), Marathon tires, Dexter axles, etc.

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