Great Big Sky experiences

[Verle and Sue]

What a great "weekend" we had. This past Thursday, we went to Goshen to see the Big Sky Plant. Due to a problem with our mapping program and timing we actually missed the formal tour. However, the folks at Keystone were fantastic. We called ahead to tell them we would be about 15 minutes late, then after a return call from Darrell in the service dept, realized that where our map program had us going was incorrect and we were going to be closer to 30-45 minutes late. Darrell said, come anyway and they would work something out. When we got there, Darrell called someone to come get us and take us over to the Big Sky Plant. The East Coast Sales Rep (Mark somebody, didn't catch his last name) came and got us. When we got to the Big Sky plant (after a great sight seeing explaination of all the Keystone buildings we were seeing) he asked if somebody was supposed to be meeting us, we explained the situation and jokingly told him "he got the hot potatoes". He laughed, made a phone call and told us he was at our disposal and took us inside, turned on all the lights, and explained how it all worked. They were working on the 360's last week. Actually this turned out better for us, because what we REALLY wanted to do was poke around in a 360 and take some measurements, etc. (which we probably wouldn't have been able to do, if the workers had been there working). Mark said, "knock yourselves out, and take your time". He answered any questions we had etc. We were trying to determine whether the 360 or 340 would work better for our needs. The desk on the 360 was fantastic, much larger and deeper than the 340 and the entertainment center top cabinet was much larger, and the TV pull out, rotating shelf was much better (pulled out farther and rotated farther, and so could be seen from any position). However, when moving the 2 recliners to the slide by the kitchen, they also moved the "big picture window". Since the slide is shorter, in height, than the back end of the rig, by moving that window, it knocked out the set of 6 wall cabinets above the recliners/window. After lots of measuring, comparing, and discussion, we decided the loss of 6 cabinets (as well as the ones above the table from the 3400 to the 340) was just too much lost storage space for our needs. So our trip served the purpose of helping us make a decision between the 340 and the 360.

So, we spent the night in Elkhart and headed south on Friday to visit Walnut Ridge RV in New Castle, IN. On the advice of MOC members and our own inclination, earlier this month we requested closed bids on a Big Sky with the options we had chosen. Of the 5 bids requested, one dealer in MO declined to participate, one was good, one was nowhere near the ballpark (and they really didn't want to do it our way, they wanted us to get the lowest price and come talk to them so they could try to "beat" that price. We politely explained that closed bids don't work that way, etc.). 3 minutes later they called back with a lower bid, but still weren't in the ballpark of what we were willing to spend. The fourth dealer didn't get the bid to us in a timely manner, and so missed out. The Fifth dealer, Walnut Ridge RV, gave us a great out the door bid on a new, ordered 2008 Big Sky. We ordered the 340 Big Sky 340 RLQ, with the 3 "Mandatory option packages", 18" Metal slide Tray, Hi-Back Desk Chair, 2nd Fantastic Fan at Shower/hallway, Generator Prep and 5.5kw Onan LP Generator, RVIA Seal, and 4 slide awnings. Plus Dealer Installed Options: 25K Air Safe Hitch with Rails, 13.5 K btu Low Profile A/C with Heat strip for bedroom, 1 Fan Mate 800 (Maxx-Air) for kitchen fan, and 50 Amp Surge Protector. We were told it could be here anytime from 2 weeks to 8 weeks. Our price was in the range of 35% below MSRP, overall and was lower than we had anticipated, so we were very pleased. Walnut Ridge was a fantastic place to work with and they gave us a tour of the facility, including their service area where an employee was doing a PDI. I asked what their PDI consisted of and he showed me the form they use. . . VERY TINY PRINT, at least 100 (possibly 200), items and he said on the Big Sky, Mobile Suites, etc. they usually do a 6-8 hour PDI before the customer even gets there. They also offer 2 nights free stay at their campground so you can experience and check out your rig and they are right there to answer any questions you might have.

So, we now have our Tow Vehicle, and are finally waiting for our first Fifth Wheel. We are excited and a little overwhelmed and after working towards this for about 5 years, can't quite believe we've finally done it. Thank you to all you great MOC members for your assistance, encouragement, and information. I'm sure we'll still have plenty of questions, but at least we're finally getting it all started. Thanks, again, Sue and Verle C