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Old 02-13-2020, 09:37 PM   #1
Bulldog
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Best Years for Montana's

This is my first Montana. Which years seem to be the better built years. Seems like a lot of complaints from 2018-2020.
 
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Old 02-14-2020, 08:12 AM   #2
richfaa
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There are complaints about every year every model there is no best years.
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:09 AM   #3
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Best years for us ended with our 2010.
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:34 AM   #4
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we have had no problems with our 2017, very happy with it
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Old 02-14-2020, 10:14 AM   #5
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Seems like you can find lemons in every model year. Those who end up with the lemons are pretty vocal on forums like this. That's understandable, what a frustrating thing to deal with. I can imagine that someone who has a newer 5er, that has next to no problems with it, might fondly remember that rig as the last of the good ones when they trade it in 10 years from now.

Perhaps one advantage of a well cared for used rig is that most of the bugs are likely already worked out. Who knows. Owning one of these rigs is always a bit of a crap shoot and you should always be prepared to fix something or find someone who can.
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Old 02-14-2020, 11:26 AM   #6
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There are things we liked better on our 2010 and there are some we like better on our 2017 but overall we wouldn't want to trade back so I don't believe the old ones are better than the new ones.
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Old 02-14-2020, 11:56 AM   #7
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I think which years are best depends on which models and how they fare with use by the owners and which ones were well sold and which ones were "losers" in the market. Certainly a subjective opinion.
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Old 02-14-2020, 12:03 PM   #8
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Personally I think the quality shifts were all often related to weight. manufactures as they try to make larger and lighter RV's (without increasing cost) quality is often then compromised. In 2016 when many of the 5er manufactures started to make the 13'5" high rigs that was available because they were able to use newer, lighter less durable materials. From vinyl wrapped cabinets to plastic plumbing fixtures, furniture with marginal frame construction and paper thing upholstery and countless other lower quality finishes. It is more about cutting cost then delivering a quality RV. Imagine in this day and age that Drum brakes are still standard when from a safety perspective Disc brakes are 10 folds better, that is the manufacture putting cost before quality and safety.

Having recently switched from a 2017 Class A Fleetwood Bounder to the 2019 Montana I can say the trailer industry quality is no where near the motorhome quality especially in the fit and finishes. That is the one major dissipointment we have since moving from Class A to Montana.

And now I have 28 warranty items our 5er has been at the dealer going on our 4th month now (since early Nov) held up because Keystone is slow on delivering parts needed to do the warranty work. And it looks like it will still be there til sometime in March.
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Old 02-14-2020, 12:26 PM   #9
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You can hear the good, the bad, and the in-between from any owner of about any brand on the various brand specific websites. Unless it's been a total lemon, any owner is going to boast proud ownership of his current model. All that being said, coming from one that has spun wenches on several Montanas, FR products, and Jayco products ... the good days peaked in the 2010 - 2014 time frame. Yes there is more "bling" on current models and that will continue as that is what draws many buyers in today's markets. Quality of the basic structure and sub components has slid in recent years, but many RV owners keep their units only 3-5 years then trade. It's the people that buy those used RV's that really experience the short life cycle of many of those components. We live in a throw away world ... 20 years ago, if your weed eater or chainsaw's carb need a kit ... you went and bought one. Today manufacturers just push you to buy a new carb as kits are becoming just something to tell the grand kids about.
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Old 02-14-2020, 02:20 PM   #10
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The best year is the one you have and enjoy.
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Old 02-15-2020, 08:23 PM   #11
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The best year is the one you have and enjoy.
I couldn't agree more!
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Old 02-16-2020, 08:08 AM   #12
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I have a 03 3280 RL
It is the first RV I've owned. Still going strong. I have had to fix a few things do some maintenance. Replaced some parts and figured some stuff out. She has been a good RV for us. We got her slightly used and in great shape. We took her coast to coast twice. We have been to the north of Michigan, Portland Maine, Virginia beach, Disney World in Florida, Galveston Texas and back to Livermore Ca. All in all over 35,000 miles and we are going to Waco Texas and back to visit some friends in Indiana before heading home. After that it may be time to retire her.
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Old 02-19-2020, 02:27 PM   #13
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And sharp looking paint!!
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Old 02-19-2020, 03:48 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Bulldog View Post
This is my first Montana. Which years seem to be the better built years. Seems like a lot of complaints from 2018-2020.
We bought a 2011 and the thing fell apart I mean one thing after another. before we had a 2004 mobil scout put a million miles on it an had no trouble.
going to trade this thing off and get something else
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Old 02-19-2020, 04:19 PM   #15
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We have a 2020 Montana 3120 RL. We’ve been traveling since mid Nov 2019. It’s been a great unit so far!
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Old 02-19-2020, 04:26 PM   #16
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The industry in general suffered quality issues when the supply line was being back-filled after recessionary years. Demand over-taxed normal production capabilities and companies had trouble manning their operations. Lack of experience translated into quality issues which simply leaked into the inventory. I think we owners can take some solace in the fact that Keystone has a dedicated plant for the Montana and has managed to maintain a work force with a good level of seniority. This helps the quality of the process which in turn helps the quality of the product.
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Old 02-19-2020, 06:16 PM   #17
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I think that years of manufacture are not as important as adeptness of owners to the 'project' of owning and being able to tweak and correct problems without panicking and condemning the manufacturers. I have owned RVs since 1979. The skilled Amish crafts-people building our campers are limited of the talent that they can incorporate into these campers by demand for maximum production in minimum time.

Without writing 27 pages explaining it; The more you pay for an RV, the better quality you will end up with. ...
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Old 02-19-2020, 06:19 PM   #18
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Don’t be concerned.

Just think about it. You’re getting the complaints of the newer models—people who are breaking in their new trailer. After two years the bugs have, more or less, been worked out. If you were to post the concern in any year I would not be surprised if you always had the two previous years as the most complained about. Just saying.
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Old 02-22-2020, 09:41 PM   #19
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Had the good fortune to purchase used, well maintained, 2003 3295RK several years ago. Looked for better part of 5 years to find the right rig. Other than the normal fix and repair items it has been a very good unit. Just got it out of shop for annual roof inspection and chalk repair, it passed inspection with flying colors.
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Old 02-23-2020, 09:14 AM   #20
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Our previous 2004 Everest and 2014 Montana High Country had no warranty items, The only issues we had on the High Country was pull out pantry cme off its track and its thin molding easily popped off during transit. Both were repaired by a carpenter to secure it.

We are very impressed with the quality and operability of our 2020 Montana 3780RL fifth wheel. This one does not have a pull out pantry and thin molding. Their quality just gets better and better!!
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