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Old 07-23-2014, 06:09 AM   #1
carolwain
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Courtenay
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M.O.C. #14518
New Member from BC

Hey there everyone.

Hubby and I are "just about" to buy a 2012 Montana as our first step in location independence.

We had never considered full-timing in a RV before we saw this beauty and now we're making plans to buy it this week.

Here's the scary part -- we've never owned a trailer before. In fact, in all our years together we've only slept in a tent once. So we are about as green as you could get.

What should we be looking for when we talk to the sellers?

What was you first big "aha" moment when you first started?

What was your first big "oops"?

All advice is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!
Carol and Steve
 
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:04 AM   #2
DQDick
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First of all welcome to this wonderful group it is the place to get info on Montana's. ! On the opening member page there are some links to PDI's which are lists of things to look for when you pick up a new rig. Use those as checklists. Also look for other things, ours came new with a cracked landing gear. If possible, have the new rig hooked up and check that everything works. Since we full time, our first big aha moment was when neither of us knew what day of the week it was because it really didn't matter at the time. Can't remember the first big oops moment as there have been several, but they mostly happen when you're setting up or taking down and you get off your regular routine due to someone wanting to talk to you or you interrupting the routine for some reason you thought was good at the time. If you tell us what model Montana you're looking at someone will come along soon that owns one and can tell you even more about that particular model. Hopes this helps and maybe we'll meet down the road.
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:21 AM   #3
Bill-N-Donna
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Welcome aboard! Good advice DQDick.

One thing you have available by being a member of this forum is that you can review older discussions. There are so many things that when you have a question or an issue someone may have already discussed it. You may try and search for it under the search feature but if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask someone on here more than likely will have an answer for it.

I will say that when towing a fifth wheel be careful with the turns, they require lots of room.
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:54 AM   #4
CORattler
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Welcome to the MOC!
My 1st recommendation is that you have a trusted professional RV mechanic perform a thorough inspection of the unit you are buying (I'm assuming this is a used RV).
If you are satisfied with the results of the inspection, then purchase the right tow vehicle (TV) to pull your new Montana.
Check the weights of the RV and buy a truck with plenty of capability to tow it with, THEN buy the RV.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:37 AM   #5
DQDick
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First of all welcome to this wonderful group it is the place to get info on Montana's. ! On the opening member page there are some links to PDI's which are lists of things to look for when you pick up a new rig. Use those as checklists. Also look for other things, ours came new with a cracked landing gear. If possible, have the new rig hooked up and check that everything works. Since we full time, our first big aha moment was when neither of us knew what day of the week it was because it really didn't matter at the time. Can't remember the first big oops moment as there have been several, but they mostly happen when you're setting up or taking down and you get off your regular routine due to someone wanting to talk to you or you interrupting the routine for some reason you thought was good at the time. If you tell us what model Montana you're looking at someone will come along soon that owns one and can tell you even more about that particular model. Hopes this helps and maybe we'll meet down the road.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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Old 07-23-2014, 11:00 AM   #6
DarMar
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Welcome to this great MOC family Carol & Steve. More than one of us has experienced just about every oops you could possibly think of. You will find an enormous amount of knowledge here along with friendship as well. Enjoy!!!
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:53 PM   #7
carolwain
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Thank you... the model we're looking at is a 2012 KEYSTONE Montana Big Sky 3885 SA and I can't find anything online about it, except for the ad itself, which is a bit weird.



Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Bill-N-Donna


Welcome aboard! Good advice DQDick.

One thing you have available by being a member of this forum is that you can review older discussions. There are so many things that when you have a question or an issue someone may have already discussed it. You may try and search for it under the search feature but if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask someone on here more than likely will have an answer for it.

I will say that when towing a fifth wheel be careful with the turns, they require lots of room.
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:56 PM   #8
carolwain
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Thanks very much. We'd be buying the TV with the RV. It's a 2010 Silverado with a Duramax and an Alison Transmission and he said it tows like a charm. (Can you tell how new I am to this, I may as well be speaking Greek )


Quote:
quote:Originally posted by CORattler

Welcome to the MOC!
My 1st recommendation is that you have a trusted professional RV mechanic perform a thorough inspection of the unit you are buying (I'm assuming this is a used RV).
If you are satisfied with the results of the inspection, then purchase the right tow vehicle (TV) to pull your new Montana.
Check the weights of the RV and buy a truck with plenty of capability to tow it with, THEN buy the RV.
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Old 07-24-2014, 08:57 AM   #9
commish
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Welcome to the forum from Washington State.
So many questions in what seams like so little time.
Is the TV a half ton, three quarter, or one ton?
Check the model number on the unit. I did a serch and only found one 3885SA and it was in BC. Use the heck out of this forum and there are no questions that are not important.
Happy camping and enjoy the RV life.
Mike & Karol.
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