New to Montana, New to 5ers, and New to Forum

[USA-C2C]

New to Montana and also new to this forum. We just traded in our 2020 Flying Cloud Airstream for a new Montana Legacy 3121rl hoping to enjoy a little more space. We went to pick up the new Montana from the dealer last week only to find out after arriving that the bedroom slide was broken. Disappointing to have to leave it there for repair and hopefully it will not take months and months to get it fixed.

Pulling it with 2022 Ford F-350 SRW diesel, 6 3/4' bed and decided to try the Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck Mount hitch from the dealer.

I am sure that once we get our RV, we will tap all of you on this forum for lots of answers, suggestions, and comments.

[Foldbak]

Welcome! I'm new as well. Lots of good Montana info here! Not a bit surprised that there was something broken at delivery. It took us 2 weeks to get the PDI on our new unit but we love it. A big step up from our Cougar Half Ton!

[1wayhighway]

curious question...We just looked at a 3121 here in michigan that had an issue with the bedroom slide. To me, it appeared to have a gear that was skipping or not grabbing the track well which resulted in it not moving the slide out properly. What exactly was the problem with the slide you looked at?

We actually were going to purchase the unit anyway but the dealer had sold it so we ended up having to order one.

[USA-C2C]

Not exactly sure of the bedroom slide problem but the walk through technician showed us the rear bottom corner of the bedroom slide not fully retracting and thus that corner was poking out an inch or so, not lying flush when it was retracted. I am going back to the dealer next Monday for a more in depth review and status.

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard! I'm a bit surprised that the dealer would sell you the Andersen Hitch knowing that both Keystone and Lippert will deny any structural claims if you use it. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my Andersen but I'm grandfathered in to before the new warranty rules. You might look into it.

[Sparatacus]

Welcome to the forum and I hope it work out for you so you can tow it off but I will make sure that it get fix or when your come in after order it that issue is taken care of.

BTW: I see that you have a 2033 Ford F-350 diesel SRW or do you mean a 2022 in your signature? Lol.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Welcome aboard! I'm a bit surprised that the dealer would sell you the Andersen Hitch knowing that both Keystone and Lippert will deny any structural claims if you use it. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my Andersen but I'm grandfathered in to before the new warranty rules. You might look into it.

I was told the same thing about the Anderson. I don't know how true it is but the Service Manager told me it was political since Keystone or Lippert has some interest in Reese. I was really disappointed. I ended up with a 250 lb Demco. So much for having a pickup

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum! May your new rig bring you many years of wonderful memories.

[rames14]

Political or not, I would not want to be in the middle between Anderson and Lippert. We had the Pullrite equivalent of the Anderson. When we bought our new Montana we went with the Pullrite 3900. Mounts on a ball like the Anderson and Pullrite but with a conventional fifth wheel head. Head removes with two cotter pins. I can get to a clean bed in the field without needing a hoist or another person. Obviously, each one needs to make their own decision, but at least know what’s at stake. If the dealer told you and you still bought it, they did their job. If not, you should at least ask. Enjoy your new Montana and hope the repair is quick.

[USA-C2C]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Welcome aboard! I'm a bit surprised that the dealer would sell you the Andersen Hitch knowing that both Keystone and Lippert will deny any structural claims if you use it. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my Andersen but I'm grandfathered in to before the new warranty rules. You might look into it.

Thanks for your reply. I contacted the dealer general manager and was informed the warranty issues related to Andersen hitches have been resolved and that is why the dealer is selling both Andersen hitches and Keystone RVs.

[USA-C2C]

Originally Posted by Sparatacus

Welcome to the forum and I hope it work out for you so you can tow it off but I will make sure that it get fix or when your come in after order it that issue is taken care of.

BTW: I see that you have a 2033 Ford F-350 diesel SRW or do you mean a 2022 in your signature? Lol.

Oops - yeah, the Ford F-350 is a 2022 model, not 2033! Thanks, I fixed the signature.

[JDDilly]

Originally Posted by rolandsnyder

Thanks for your reply. I contacted the dealer general manager and was informed the warranty issues related to Andersen hitches have been resolved and that is why the dealer is selling both Andersen hitches and Keystone RVs.

I would double check that directly with Keystone or Lippert. I would hate to see you go with the Andersen hitch only to find out later, you have no warranty.

[mhs4771]

At the bare minimum have the Dealer give it to you in writing, if you have problems thay will cover the cost of repairs. Might cause them to change their tune.

[USA-C2C]

Thanks for input on the Andersen Ultimate hitch and potential Keystone warranty issues. I have reached out to Keystone customer service directly to get clarification.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by rolandsnyder

Thanks for input on the Andersen Ultimate hitch and potential Keystone warranty issues. I have reached out to Keystone customer service directly to get clarification.

Good plan, I will look forward to what you find out. When the news of the change in warranty was first announced re: Andersen hitches and others like it, the news spread very quickly and was the subject of several conversations on probably all of the RV forums. I haven’t seen anything posted about that being resolved. I’m not saying it isn’t…just seems odd that it wouldn’t be out there.

[Rondo]

A sealer will tell you anything to make a sale. If I were you, I would be calling Keystone and Lippert/LCI and have them send you the memo or info they sent to ALL Keystone Montana dealers about the use of an Anderson hitch with a Montana. There are several posts here on the Forum that pertain to this subject and that the use of an Anderson system will void your frame warranty. Better be safe than sorry when it comes to warranty issues.

[USA-C2C]

I just wanted to circle back on the Keystone warranty as it relates to the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection hitch.

The applicable section of Keystone's warranty is noted below (page 4 of their online Warranty Guide under "What is Not Covered"). Damage or loss caused in whole or in part by the unauthorized attachments, modifications or alterations to the structure, body, pin box or frame of the RV including but not limited to trailer hitches for towing, or platforms for supporting cargo.

I talked to Keystone customer service yesterday and asked them what hitches are "authorized" for purposes of their warranty. Their response was Reese hitches are currently the only authorized hitch. Since they were quoting an internal document, the representative said they could not send me a copy.

Noting the above, the Montana dealer (Camping World) clarified that if Keystone denied a warranty claim based on properly using an Andersen Ultimate hitch, Andersen Hitches would step in and cover the damage. I validated this by reviewing the Andersen warranty. This warranty language is documented on Andersen Hitches website. Click on Warranty link at the top of their home page and then see the Warranty Details under the Ultimate Connection and then see the language specifically under the Expanded Warranty Section. See their summary below:

If your active trailer warranty from a trailer-frame manufacturer is denied due to the use of an Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection (Rail Mount or Gooseneck Mount), you are eligible for coverage under our expanded warranty.
Warranty Summary:

• Covers damage to the trailer, trailer-frame, and/or kingpin
• Claims should be submitted to our Customer Service Department at: customerservice@anderseninc.com
• During the claim process, be sure to include a written denial from the trailer-frame manufacturer regarding your active warranty, a copy of your warranty, & proof of purchase.

For those interested, I am attaching the complete Andersen Ultimate warranty

[USA-C2C]

Oops - here is the correctly labeled Andersen Ultimate hitch warranty and expanded warranty file dated July 2021. Same file but with correct file name.

[jsb5717]

We'd all like to think that Andersen would, in fact, cover frame damage that Keystone denies. I think most of us doubt it would be that simple. If an expensive investigation actually showed a broken weld, for instance, Keystone would blame that on the Andersen hitch and deny the claim. Andersen would claim it's a manufacturing defect and deny the claim. Who's left holding the bag?

It would be interesting to find out how many times that Andersen has actually covered a claim denied by an OEM.

[Sparatacus]

Originally Posted by rolandsnyder

Oops - yeah, the Ford F-350 is a 2022 model, not 2033! Thanks, I fixed the signature.

Lol, it's like back to the future.

Do you have any pics of your setup?