New MOC member - Montana Owners Club

arizbmac · 01-22-2016, 06:31 AM

Hello to the group. My name is Bob and my wife and I are currently living in the Phoenix area. I joined the group to research Montana's as we are considering purchasing a gently used, late model for full time living. We are not new to RV lifestyle and are currently living in a small RV. We are concerned about how the Montana will handle the summer heat of Phoenix. Would love to hear your opinion! Thanks, Bob

**DQDick** · 01-22-2016, 07:46 AM

Welcome to the forum! We full time in our Monty and spend every summer in the middle of Kansas, at least the last 5. Not as hot as Phoenix, but usually 100 or more with very high humidity so I think it's similar. We have two 15,000 btu AC units, slide toppers on all four slides and awnings on the windows on our long sides and see thru sun screens on our back windows. With those additions we stay pretty comfortable thru the hot summer months. A lot of people only see slide toppers as a way to keep the roof of the slide clean. We feel that stopping the sun above the slide roofs and letting breeze in under them helps a lot in keeping us cool. Whatever you choose, I hope your new rig brings you many years of wonderful memories.

1retired06 · 01-22-2016, 11:08 AM

Welcome, with two ACs, you will do as well as any other brands out there in my opinion

Mudchief · 01-22-2016, 06:10 PM

Like said above 2 AC units is a must.

jcurtis934 · 01-23-2016, 02:38 AM

Welcome to our world of montanas and rvs in general. Have slide toppers and agree with dick that they help keep it cooler. Also two acs and a self made solar screen over the back window, but no other coverings or window awnings. We stay comfortable in high humidity areas with high temps (florida in summer with 90%+ humidity and high 90's for temp) as well as we do in the southwest. Spent six months in new mexico and arizona in 2015 and it was all golden. Unless you buy one of the two manufacturers that have three plus inch thick walls with really good floor and ceiling insulation as well, most brands will be close if they are equipped the same...but just my opinion. Two airs are a must!!! I think slide toppers help as well and good rain covers over any ceiling vents help to keep those from being heat radiators in the ceiling. Montana with the two attic vents have to keep it cooler than those without the vents. John

pkbridges77 · 01-23-2016, 03:31 AM

Welcome to the forum! We can't provide too much help on warm weather endurance as we just purchased our used Montana in October. I can say that so far its insulation from the elements seems very healthy. We've had no problems with climate control - both warm and cold. Ours has the Arctic Package label on the side but it seems like they all do. So far we are very pleased with the quality and endurance of the Montana, and our decals are still in great shape.

DarMar · 01-23-2016, 03:54 AM

Welcome to the MOC forum. I am confident that any late model Montana will perform well for you in the extreme heat. We would highly recommend a solar screen as well for the large back window if you have one and you might look at doing the same for other windows. The advice above of 2 a/c units, slide toppers and awnings will all help to reduce the effects of extreme heat. Good luck!

arizbmac · 01-23-2016, 07:52 AM

Thanks to everyone for the great advice! We will definitely make sure that any coach we purchase will have 2 ACs. Slide toppers can be added later if not installed, I agree they would be great to have.

PackerFan · 01-23-2016, 10:40 AM

Welcome to the MOC. Seems you have already received some good info. If you have any other questions be sure to ask here and there will be many along with some good advice.

rmthelen · 01-24-2016, 08:54 AM

Welcome to the forum. There are many answers to questions you didn't even know you had......enjoy the rig.

Bill-N-Donna · 01-25-2016, 05:12 PM

Greetings from Kentucky
&
Welcome to the forum!

Part of the enjoyment of owning a Montana is this forum.
This is a great place to share and find information about your Montana.

jameswbarton · 06-04-2016, 08:32 AM

I just bought my 375FL for extensive travel in all the US. I intentionally did not want slide covers as these were constantly ruined by snow and ice on my old MH. Are any of the side toppers you have easily disabled for when the snow is coming. It is next to impossible to get a slide back in when the snow has made inches of ice and the topper fabric frozen in the ice block.

jcurtis934 · 06-04-2016, 09:34 AM

I have never seen a slide topper that can be disconnected from the slide out room or from the wall of the rv. If you are where snow is collecting on the rv, then you don't mind staying in winter weather and as such, you can always keep them cleaner so they don't ice up. You can also throw a piece of high mil plastic on top of the topper so that you can pull it off...snow, ice, and all. This what we used on windshields of vehicles in semi-remote military locations. John

Bill.vannuys · 06-11-2016, 07:24 PM

Welcome from Leavenworth, KS. We researched in campgrounds for 3 years with our first trailer before deciding on Montana. 2 ACs a must and we have slide toppers that seem to help with the heat. We intentionally got dual pane windows as we like hot and cold extremes. Opinions are split on dual pane windows, but we like ours and it was a must have for us. No inside frost in the winter and I'm sure it helps with the heat.

Hope to meet you at a Rally.

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