Big Sky--prices, availability--& photos

[richfaa]

Looks very much like the 06 3400 We are sitting in with upgraded features and a real shower..

[exav8tr]

That's what I was thinking Rich.

[MIMF2]

Emmel, I'll bet a weeks worth of my wages that I know what will happen. (he he) You're going to end up with one!!

[adelmoll]

Dear Santa,
Please, Please bring me one of these for Christmas.

Helen

[Glenn and Lorraine]

DEAR HELEN,
SORRY BUT,THE BIG SKYs
DON'T GO INTO PRODUCTION
UNTIL THE 1ST OF THE YEAR
IF YOU WANNA WAIT MAYBE I CAN GET YOU ONE NEXT CHRISTMAS
YOUR FRIEND,
SAINT NICK

[David and Jo-Anna]

Rich--In addition to the upgraded features and nice shower, those 7,000# axles boost the cargo carrying capacity up to 3750#. Given my hangup on staying within the GVWR even when fulltiming with a full water tank, that is a nice cushion to have. Also, I asssume that the heavier axles come with bigger brakes, which would seem to provide an extra safety margin.

[bsmeaton]

At full capacity - it's too fat for a 16K hitch. Would need to upgrade to an 18K.

Brad

[richfaa]

I would perhaps be tempeted if we did not just buy a 3400.. we decided to stay with the 06 3400 and hope for a Diesel truck in the next year or so.

[rldriver]

How will the "Montana" and "Big Sky" insulation compare? Heard anything? Is all the "upgrades" listed on the two page brochure standard or extra cost items? Looks very interesting.

[Cat320]

quote:Originally posted by David and Jo-Anna

Rich--In addition to the upgraded features and nice shower, those 7,000# axles boost the cargo carrying capacity up to 3750#. Given my hangup on staying within the GVWR even when fulltiming with a full water tank, that is a nice cushion to have. Also, I asssume that the heavier axles come with bigger brakes, which would seem to provide an extra safety margin.

What does that do to the GVWR and pin weight?

[David and Jo-Anna]

Bert--The Big Sky 340 RLQ's pin weight climbs to 2,105#, which gives it a GVWR of 16,105#. With a dry/shipping weight of 12,355#, that's how it gets a gross carrying capacity of 3,750#. Not sure what in particular causes the 130# increase in pin weight, but it's only a fraction of the 555# difference in overall shipping weight between the 340 and the 3400.

Brad--I agree that at full capacity, one would be slightly over the capacity of a 16K hitch. However, I suspect that a more limiting factor for most of us would be towing capacity. With my F350, I only have a towing capacity of around 15,500# once I deduct the actual weight of my truck, occupants, fuel, hitch, etc. If I go with the Big Sky, it certainly would be my intent and expectation to stay at least 500# below the Big Sky's max GVWR of 16,105#, which should make a 16K hitch doable.

I haven't heard anything about any upgrades to the insulation in the Big Sky, so my guess is that the Big Sky has the same insulation package as the Montana 3400--I don't see the PR people leaving out any upgrades from the two page brochure they have put on the website.

Rich--It certainly makes sense to me that you'd stay with your 3400 for now and wait to see how the Big Sky works out. For myself, the bump up in GVWR--and the associated increase in braking capacity--are powerful arguments for me in favor of the Big Sky, with the other upgrades a bonus (albeit, a bonus to be paid for in a bigger price tag). Haven't fully decided yet, but we're certainly leaning strongly toward the Big Sky. Anxious to see what it actually looks like inside and to see just what appliances are in it--they only describe the frig and microwave as "residential"--hope that means they are big enough that Montana didn't have to stay with the Apollo oven. LOL!!!!!!

[Montana Sky]

David,
From what I have been told, brakes are 2 3/4". They did not go to a 3" brake due to Canada's requirements and restrictions.

The fridge is a 12 cu ft 4 door fridge. The standard in a Montana is 8 cu ft. If you happen to have a Camping World in your area, you could stop in there and take a look at the fridge. The one in Chicago had the 4 door fridge when I was there over Thanksgiving weekend. I was pretty impressed with the size of the new fridge.

[adelmoll]

Is the washer and dryer included in the price too like they are showing in the brochure?

Helen

[HomeOnTheRoad]

There are more pictures at http://www.keystone-bigsky.com/index.html?page=gallery

[David and Jo-Anna]

Helen--sorry to disappoint you, but the washer and dryer are an expensive option, not part of the base price--the MSRP for the combo washer/dryer is $1,860, and the stacked washer/dryer lists at $2,475.

Dave--I plead ignorance when it comes to braking power. How does the braking power of 2 3/4" brakes on the Big Sky compare to the current braking power of the 3400?

[Connorsmom]

This looks a lot like my 2007 3475RL, but man....that shower is awesome!!!

Jan

[rldriver]

Is the Big Sky a step up or down from the Montana? We are a little confused here. We had looked at trading in out 2980RL for a 3400 but am now going to wait and see the Big Sky as it looks like it has more goodies than the Montana. We are (like a lot others) going to go full time and have decided that the 2980RL is a bit small for us.
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R to all.

[bsmeaton]

Dick and Jackie,

The Big Sky is an upgrade to the Montana line. The Big Sky was produced for several years and stopped somewhere in 2004 when Keystone introduced the Cambridge (a premium luxury line). As of 2006 the Cambridge line was dropped as well. The Big Sky is the base Montana models with a whole bunch of additional goodies not available on the Montana. Several of these goodies came from the Cambridge model, such as the shower, fixtures, etc.

Nice features of the Big Sky that would interest me as a full timer would be the larger refrigerator, larger hot water tank, larger TV, heavier axles, and the complete hi-gloss gel coat. These features are not available on the Montana.

Again, if we were full timers, it would already be on order for me! Note, based on the GVRW, you will need an 18K hitch.

Brad

[rldriver]

Thanks Brad for your quick reply. I think I have to have one and I think my wife feels the same. The Cambridge was a out of our price range but if I can get the dealer down to a little over 50K we can find a way to spring for it. Now we have to find out what the options are and how much they cost.

Thanks again and happy camping

quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

Dick and Jackie,

The Big Sky is an upgrade to the Montana line. The Big Sky was produced for several years and stopped somewhere in 2004 when Keystone introduced the Cambridge (a premium luxury line). As of 2006 the Cambridge line was dropped as well. The Big Sky is the base Montana models with a whole bunch of additional goodies not available on the Montana. Several of these goodies came from the Cambridge model, such as the shower, fixtures, etc.

Nice features of the Big Sky that would interest me as a full timer would be the larger refrigerator, larger hot water tank, larger TV, heavier axles, and the complete hi-gloss gel coat. These features are not available on the Montana.

Again, if we were full timers, it would already be on order for me! Note, based on the GVRW, you will need an 18K hitch.

Brad

[bsmeaton]

Dick and Jackie,

Good luck - I'm envious! Our Dealer is receiving one Big Sky at the end of January, about a week after ours arrives. We have the opportunity to leave our 3400 in inventory and deal on the Big Sky, and it sure is tempting. We are just part timers though.

Not sure there are a whole lot of options on the Big Sky. I think the general packages are actually mandatory for the order. The only thing left might be the washer/dryer, 2nd AC, generator, etc. Other than that it is well equipped!

Brad