Oldest Montana? - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

vabluebird · 08-15-2006, 04:28 AM

Dave, Don't feel bad, I'm still trying to figure out these forum code. How do you guys put the home place with time and weather on?

We have a 2nd hand 2000, used it two months, love it. The only problem we have found is that when one of the slides comes in, it leaves a streak on the carpet. Something underneath has worn off and we can't figuer out what to do about it. We also had the carpetsand upholstery clean and it looks like a new trailer.

Salle & Samuel
South Central Virginia
2000 Montana 35'
1998 Chev 3500

lightningjack11 · 08-15-2006, 04:31 AM

This is a new one on me. I know they were built in 98 but I thought the first release was as 99 models. Mine was built the last part of 99. Bought mine used and it has been a good one. Still fills most of my needs. Lost track of the miles I put on her. Never missed a camping trip due to malfunction.

Didn't see any 98 Montanas in NADA.

Tom and Betty
1997 F250 PSD/AutoTranny
DIY Exaust Brake w/TC lockup
AutoMeter Tranny/EGT Gage
Translife Tranny Cooler
Superchips Towsafe
16K Draw-tite Slider
2000 Montana 2850RK

VanMan · 08-15-2006, 06:17 AM

Salle & Samuel, the entry in the signature line is like this: http://banners.wunderground.com/banner/gizmotimetempbig
/US/TX/Weatherford.gif but put a [ img ] before it and a [ /img ]after it. That tells the script to go to the http site in between them and show what's there as an image I had to remove the [ img ]s to fool it into NOT showing it here. Change the state and city to match yours (or the closest that works). That "img" and "/img" inside the brackets must have no spaces (I had to put them in again to fool this thing). Put the finished string in your signature from your profile page. The FAQ (link at the top) tells you how.

Edit - I've edited this several times but the "http" address turns into a link but only to the end of the line - the entire string from "http" through ".gif" goes between the bracketed "img's".

1999 F250 SD/SC V-10 Lariat
2000 Montana Mountaineer TT 305FKS
'92 GMC Conversion Van - 350TBI
Weatherford, TX

vabluebird · 08-15-2006, 12:23 PM

Just seeing if this works

Salle & Samuel
South Central Virginia
2000 Montana 35'
1998 Chev 3500

[img]/US/VA/Penhook.gif[/img]

Back to the drawing board

vabluebird · 08-15-2006, 12:40 PM

Thanks Van Man, but I'm just not as smart as I thought I was. I'll leave this feature to the experts.

Salle & Samuel
South Central Virginia
2000 Montana 35'
1998 Chev 3500

[img]/US/VA/Penhook.gif[/img]

Glenn and Lorraine · 08-15-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by vabluebird

Dave, Don't feel bad, I'm still trying to figure out these forum code. How do you guys put the home place with time and weather on?

To better assist you and others and not hijack this thread I simplified the instructions and made a web page just for the Weather Gizmo.

CLICK HERE

snowbunny · 08-20-2006, 04:37 AM

Well if having a picture is the criterion we are in your picture list and ours is an early 1999 3350RS. This year is our fourth with it and we have had no problems (knock on wood) at all except a small crack at the lower corner of the bedroom slide that doesn't seem to change. In fact, after reading all the problems people are having with the newer units we are afraid to upgrade to a 3400RL!

At the 1st national in Goshen we saw a Montana that was older than ours with what appeared to be an aluminum front cap with a single horizontal crease instead of the fibreglass front cap we have. I have no idea who owned it. It was on the right side of the second row towards the end looking west. Anyone have photos?

Jim & Diane McGill
MOC 409
Chev 2500HD D/A 4x4 Ext Cab
Montana 3350RS
Reese 16k slider, Prodigy

[img] http://members.toast.net/mcgills/pho...tana/mont2.jpg [/img]

virgil47 · 08-20-2006, 06:11 AM

I am happy to see this thread on older Montanas. Ours is a 1999 3555RL and we "broke" the suspension on our return trip down the Alcan.(it's a long boring story) I've been feeling kinda down about it and thinking about a replacement quicker that we originally planned but reading this thread made me feel some better. I'm thinking maybe we can make it another year or so with this old 1999.

Virgil & Jo Allmond

1998 Volvo 610, VED12-425hp, 14 speed tranny

STICK HOUSE IS IN Suches, GA

TODAY WE ARE IN A 3555RL IN Whitehorse, YT, Canada

See Our blog at...
Virgil47's Blog

lightningjack11 · 08-20-2006, 07:07 AM

Virgil,

Usually when something like that happens it is because of the "Spring Hangers." The holes elongate and eventually break. Do a search and you can see pictures of these that have been elongated.

the spring hangers should be checked at the beginning, during and end of trip (every time). For less than a hundred bucks you can get a kit from dexter for the Alko system that are much stronger and have greese fittings. Plenty of info on this site about it. Not expensive.

The other thing is since you have an 8 inch frame like mine ensure Service Advisory 00-8 has been performed on the frame. This was a joint effort between Lippert and Keystone. The advisory upgrades the frame strength and has in the past been done free of charge regardless of the warranty period.

I may sound like a broken record but I urge everyone with 8 inch frames (99-01) to give their VIN to Keystone to insure your protected. They can tell you if it has been performed. This is a safty issue.

Also Virgil I see no reason for trading the Montana unless it is damaged beyond repair. Get the frame upgraded (00-8) and get the Dexter kit and have it installed on your springs.

Bottom line: inspect,inspect,inspect.

Tom and Betty
1997 F250 PSD/AutoTranny
DIY Exaust Brake w/TC lockup
AutoMeter Tranny/EGT Gage
Translife Tranny Cooler
Superchips Towsafe
16K Draw-tite Slider
2000 Montana 2850RK

virgil47 · 08-20-2006, 07:50 AM

Thanks Tom, I emailed Keystone just now re: Service Advisory 00-8 and will call on Monday morning. Sure appreciate your information.

Virgil & Jo Allmond

1998 Volvo 610, VED12-425hp, 14 speed tranny

STICK HOUSE IS IN Suches, GA

TODAY WE ARE IN A 3555RL IN Whitehorse, YT, Canada

See Our blog at...
Virgil47's Blog

sreigle · 08-20-2006, 09:22 AM

Virgil, Keystone is sometimes a bit slow about answering emails, or so it seems. The customer service phone number, if you need it, is (574) 535.2100 or (866) 425.4369 (Toll Free). Ask for customer service.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

lightningjack11 · 08-20-2006, 09:37 AM

Virgil,

I agree with Steve. e-mail is backup communicatlion. Servers have so many spam filters and virus stuff that sometimes they just delete stuff.

Call Keystone with your VIN number. That is the way they track it so they know which ones have been upgraded. Please keep the forum posted on this. Don't worry about warranty since this is a safety issue that I bet Keystone will still make good.

I feel my upgraded frame is stronger than most of newer ones. My labor charges were about 400 with about the same for parts. It is worth doing.

Good luck Virgil

Tom and Betty
1997 F250 PSD/AutoTranny
DIY Exaust Brake w/TC lockup
AutoMeter Tranny/EGT Gage
Translife Tranny Cooler
Superchips Towsafe
16K Draw-tite Slider
2000 Montana 2850RK

virgil47 · 08-20-2006, 12:30 PM

Thanks to both of you. We're 3 hours behind you here in Whitehorse, YT. I emailed so that m a y b e while I was sleeping in the morning, someone may be looking up the answer. Nevertheless, I'll call them when I get up and see what's what.
Thanks again for the information. I sure hope we can get this service advisory done while the fiver is here up on blocks.

Virgil & Jo Allmond

1998 Volvo 610, VED12-425hp, 14 speed tranny

STICK HOUSE IS IN Suches, GA

TODAY WE ARE IN A 3555RL IN Whitehorse, YT, Canada

See Our blog at...
Virgil47's Blog

Searchers · 08-20-2006, 07:16 PM

Virgil,

If Keystone can't help you with the information on the advisory, I have the installation instructions, including pictures, that came with the upgrade kit for all the 1999 models. I can scan and e-mail it to you if you like.

Don

Don & Claudia
MOC 1685
1999 2850RK
1995 F250 Ext.Cab 4x4 7.3 PSD

virgil47 · 08-23-2006, 06:53 AM

Since I've totally highjacked this thread and don't know what to do to fix that... Here is what Montana said, some in an email and some on the phone.
Denny in Customer Service told me on the phone that Service Advisory 00-8 "did not apply to a 1999 model 3555RL". He told the authorized Montana service center who is repairing my coach...."After we reviewed the pictures this is not a service advisory #008 situation so this can not be covered under warranty and Mr Allmond is the second owner. WARRANTY IS DENIED."

As soon as I have the list of all the things being repaired, I'll post them with total costs.

Thanks for all the assistance.

Virgil & Jo Allmond

1998 Volvo 610, VED12-425hp, 14 speed tranny

STICK HOUSE IS IN Suches, GA

TODAY WE ARE IN A 3555RL IN Whitehorse, YT, Canada

See Our blog at...
Virgil47's Blog

snowbunny · 08-24-2006, 02:08 AM

Well, in 2003 Service advisory 00-8 did apply to our 1999 3350RS and we were the second owners. To my understanding, Service advisory 00-8 applies to any Montana built on an 8" frame.

Sometimes I think the bean counters have taken over Montana and are eating away at it's heart.

Jim & Diane McGill
MOC 409
Chev 2500HD D/A 4x4 Ext Cab
Montana 3350RS
Reese 16k slider, Prodigy

[img] http://members.toast.net/mcgills/pho...tana/mont2.jpg [/img]

lightningjack11 · 08-24-2006, 03:45 AM

If it is the same Denny he is not that good of a rep. However, my 00-8 was processed through Denny the Florida rep as second owner. I had to push hard. This was before the MOC. Sometimes things have to be pushed. Ultimately Jeff Rank had to get involved. But just in case go out and measure your frame to make sure it is 8 inches.

I would try to bypass him and send a registered letter with VIN to Keystone customer service asking them point blank if your model is safe to use without the 00-8 Safety Advisory. Never threaten a lawsuit in intial communications. Threats of lawsuits always close the door to communications. You might also send a registered copy to Lippert components (LCI) I had to do some battle with both Lippert and Keystone. But everything finally turned out alright. I never asked for the service advisory. I only asked for an Official letter that the model was safe to use. I planned to send the response to my insurance company. They chose to perform the advisory rather than give me a letter. I was very satisfied with the response and would buy another Montana because of it.

Tom and Betty
1997 F250 PSD/AutoTranny
DIY Exaust Brake w/TC lockup
AutoMeter Tranny/EGT Gage
Translife Tranny Cooler
Superchips Towsafe
16K Draw-tite Slider
2000 Montana 2850RK

virgil47 · 08-24-2006, 04:10 AM

Wow Tom, that is a lot of effort to force them to fix something they had admitted was sub par in a Service Advisory.

As you suggested I measured and I have a 10 inch frame so it appears as though Denny was right in my case.

Thanks again for your help.

Virgil & Jo Allmond

STICK HOUSE IS IN Suches, GA

TODAY WE ARE IN A 3555RL IN Whitehorse, YT, Canada

See Our blog at...
Virgil47's Blog

Random Line · 08-24-2006, 04:12 AM

[quote]Originally posted by Dave Anderson

Hey Bruce; I('m sure we're not the oldest out there, but I havent seen any on the forum to match our "old lady" . we have a '98--2850RK and we love it!!!!!
--------------

Congratulations Dave. Arctic Circle to interior Mexico WOW! Some major voyages! A good ship and a good crew!

Random Line
Jim and Fredrica Kastner
Aberdeen, SD
"At Home Away From Home In the Middle Of A Montana"
2002 F350 7.3 PSD,
2003 Montana, 3255RL, LOBO, 59+ lb Keeshond lap dog

Dave Anderson · 08-25-2006, 08:08 PM

Thanks Jim, for the kind words. Hope we can get together in goshen and swap tales . We love this "old lady" but maybe I can get a new TV to pull her there. We've got some new "complications" that may kill our trip,but hope to resolve them in the next week or so. We would hate to miss the oppertunity to put faces with names. really hope to see you there----------Dave

Dave and Kelly Anderson
99 F250 4/4 7.2 diesel
98 Montana 2850 RK
little rocker/prodigy Mor/Ryde suspension,w/ neverlube axles,Total solar,Kevlar bedliner,eu300 genset w/ 40 Amp. chgr.Bedsaver

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