Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-22-2020, 06:39 PM   #1
ckellam@sympatico.ca
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Grand Valley
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #25682
Montana 376/377FL

Upper loft has no available fresh air as factory failed to install opening windows. That also means no means of a fire escape route. Any way to install opening windows as factory refuses to accept it's an issue.
ckellam@sympatico.ca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2020, 08:29 AM   #2
DutchmenSport
Montana Master
 
DutchmenSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #22835
I have the 375FL, almost identical to yours with no loft. I've admired the 376 and 377 since they came out. They didn't exist when I got my 375.

I never thought about there not being a window in the loft. Maybe the manufacturers figure with the back door right there by the bathroom and steps that go to the loft, a secondary escape from the loft is not necessary.

But really, I've never thought about that.

Actually, when thinking about it now, many campers that have a loft don't have windows in the loft. Maybe that's why they always give me a claustrophobic feeling. Great space for storage, but not so great for sleeping in my opinion.

If you want a window up there, first, is there enough height to put one.
Second, if you put a window up there, the frame around the window will have to be built to support the joists holding up the roof. That means the skin of the camper is probably going to have to be removed to rebuild a hole. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole and slapping in a window. That hole has to be re-inforced to support, not just the window, but the integrity of the rest of the trailer.

No, Keystone is NOT going to put a window up there. You are fighting a loosing battle. If you want a window, you're going to have to take an alternative path and do it yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. Either way, you'll but shelling your own money out.

But here's a suggestion? Rather than installing a window, why not cut a hole in the floor of the loft with a trap door. Open the trap door and the kids up there can fall down on the bed. If there loft stairway is blocked in such a way it can't be used, that back door is useless anyway. There's the window in the master bedroom. Cutting a hole in the loft floor can be done between the floor joists and not affect the integrity of the camper at all.

And while we're now talking about the master bedroom, I wonder why Keystone did not put a window in the slide out at the head of the bed? I would love to have a window there.

Edit:
I just looked at some photos of the 376 / 377 model on-line. There is a window up there, Even if it opened, is there enough space for anyone to actually crawl through it, and if they did, that's a LONG drop to the ground? To do it right, the entire window would have to be changed. The trap door may be a better solution.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
DutchmenSport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2020, 09:31 AM   #3
ckellam@sympatico.ca
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Grand Valley
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #25682
Yes the loft has 2 fixed windows. The bedroom below has a window on either side at the head of the bed.
ckellam@sympatico.ca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2020, 09:43 AM   #4
MARK A
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckellam@sympatico.ca View Post
Upper loft has no available fresh air as factory failed to install opening windows. That also means no means of a fire escape route. Any way to install opening windows as factory refuses to accept it's an issue.
It would be fairly easy to have someone put a roof vent up there, they make them as emergency exits as well.



Mark
MARK A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2020, 08:38 AM   #5
ckellam@sympatico.ca
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Grand Valley
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #25682
No. Not so easy. Both dealer and Montana refuse to allow a vent to be installed. Claim it will void any roof or structure warranties as it would need supports which aren't in place at time of the build.
ckellam@sympatico.ca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2020, 08:45 AM   #6
jsb5717
Montana Master
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,455
M.O.C. #23668
Anything you change will likely void the warranty. Warranties are fairly short so you could wait to change things. However, anything you do to the structure could compromise the rig and would be inadvisable in my book.

Personally I'd live with it and develop a good plan "In Case of Fire". Mount a fire extinguisher up there and plan an escape route.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 DRW / Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.