New Montana inspection

[Moondragon]

Water pump

[greische]

Originally Posted by GreG L.

My experience was a little different. I had mine built instead of buying off the lot, added every option except paint. I sent the dealer a 3 page walk through a week before it came in letting them know that was what I was going to look at and needed 3 to 4 hours to do it. My walk through started underneath on a creeper I brought with me and ended on the roof. Not sure if they did anything before I picked it up but it took them 2 weeks to prep it for the walk through. I picked mine up in CA so it was on the road for several days bouncing around to get there.

Since I picked it up I had a TV issue I had to replace because they say 90 days warranty, wanted a 4K anyway, and they replaced and a leaky leveler, that's it in 9,000 miles in the last year. I expect more will go wrong but only time will tell. I did purchase an extended warranty and yes I know there are many opinions on that, but I look at it like insurance if I never have to use it, it was money well spent.

On a side note, this is not like buying a car, I have a list of things to check all the time, inside before I open or close the slides, tire pressure every time we leave and anything else I can think of or I see here on the forum, I add to the list.

I’m surprised they let you climb on the roof (insurance liability if you fall). It didn’t take them 2 weeks servicing it. If they did that they would only deliver 2 or 3 units a month. They did the normal 2 or 3 hours but that is how long it took them to get it into the schedule. They overbook their shop without taking into consideration for sales. Friend of mine had to wait 6 weeks for an appointment to have a fifth wheel hitch installed

[seadiverjoe]

We just picked up our 3121RL this last Thursday. The only thing we found so far was the electric tower to the left of the stove wasn’t plugged in. My husband and a friend took the drawers out and plug it in. Before we took delivery, the pantry door snd bathroom door needed adjusting, and the back tail lights were not screwed in correctly. The fender skirt on the back side was not screwed into the bracket.
Operator error has to be fixed when choosing which air to use. The front air is the bedroom air. Duh!!

[Woodworker]

We bought our 3811ms new in March 2018. Too cold for the AC to kick on during the PDI so we moved to the next item. 2 months later we fired up the AC for a South coast tour and the BR unit only blew hot air. So we went north instead. Took the dealers 6 months to replace the unit. By then it was cold again, November 2018. What a mess. We love the 5th wheel unit. But something is always breaking because of the bumpy roads.. Good thing I'm handy, and can fix about anything. But AC repair is way above my skill set.

[Clark Anklam]

Make sure there's water in the system, especially water heater, and make sure gas water heater starts. This was a mistake on our part and on our first trip from home, after driving 600 miles, we were in a park with no electricity. I really wanted a hot shower, but the gas function didn't work. Circuit board was faulty. Also ask them to show you the circuit board! To access ours one has to remove a panel in a cupboard, not handy!

[Flying Dutchman]

Congrats on taking the plunge. It’s a big commitment. Best way to ferret out any shortcomings is to go camping with it right away. Things will present themselves that you could never uncover in a walk through inspection. We have a 2014 3582RL and we love it. Issues we had ranged from fenders coming loose and some fasteners backing out, to drawers and closet doors opening up during travel. Also had my cable operated dump valves freeze up, but I replaced them myself. Pretty minor stuff really and totally to be expected when you start bouncing around across highways from coast to coast. Lol.

[KnA Adventures]

Originally Posted by Kcuddeback

Does anyone pay the dealer for what is called “Dealer Prep”? It’s $1900 from CW on a new Montana. Sounds like it’s the same thing as the PDI, if I’m going to spend 3-4 hours doing this myself why pay them?

I would piss and moan until they waive that.

[greische]

They won’t. It is their profit

[masterdrago]

Make sure to sniff or bubbles around all the LP fittings and both valves (switch-over on drivers side and regulator on curb side). Someone said crawl under... I found that the fresh water tank drain had no cap - in center behind rear axle. Look at how black paneling is fastened underneath. Check the brake wiring if electric - make sure they are not rubbing on frame, etc.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Kcuddeback

Does anyone pay the dealer for what is called “Dealer Prep”? It’s $1900 from CW on a new Montana. Sounds like it’s the same thing as the PDI, if I’m going to spend 3-4 hours doing this myself why pay them?

Sorry for the belated response.

I have bought several new trailers and negotiated bottom dollar deals around TX, NM and FL. I have never had a dealer add any fee, at all, for dealer prep. That's their job. The "dealer prep" I am assuming is the all the work they have to do to fix what was wrong when the trailer arrived at their location. They document that and Keystone pays for it...at warranty rates. I (you) come in to purchase the unit and do your walk through (pdi), point out the issues you want repaired, they take the unit and repair them....Keystone pays. You aren't on the hook for a single thing they have to fix prior to your purchase (or for a year after) NOR for them to check it out - it is their responsibility. Before purchase just tell them to remove it (the fee) but fix everything as it should be.....it's NEW. If a CW escalate directly to the GM, or above, if he won't resolve it. They won't stick with it.