Lack of quality

[phillyg]

I don't think the past three years caused more build issues. I've had many RVs, and their build quality sucked before, too. I have the skills and can fix most anything, but I piss and moan the whole time while I'm fixing errors.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

If you believe all of the RV complaint sites for all of the brands over all of these many years then you realize that anyone can be the victim of a problem RV. For the most part…pre covid…the odds were against it and most buyers got a decent unit while some ended up with multiple problems. It’s not a new story and over the years, Keystone (Montana in particular) had a higher percentage of successes than the other brands. Since covid all bets are off and the percentage of problem trailers has gone up significantly. It’s definitely a buyer-beware market. And while it always sucks to be one who ended up with a problem trailer it’s always been a possibility. We all roll the dice, buy our rigs, do a thorough PDI, and hope for the best. A good dealer makes a world of difference.

Since covid it’s still possible to end up with a good trailer but the odds are much higher of getting a problem. The warnings are out there and plentiful. Any research at all should make any potential buyer think twice. If you do buy you assume the higher risk. I feel badly for anyone who spends all of that inflated price and ends up with big problems. It sucks. But you can’t say you weren’t warned. I hope you have a very good dealer.

All true! I've learned that it's better to find a solution then complain about it. And I've said it 100 times. It's all about the dealership and the relationship you make with them. They know me so well every time I walk in they greet me by name and ask me why I'm late to work.



As far as covid/pre-covid. I had a 2018 cougar that had more problems then I can count. It took me 4 years to get it to par. Then I sold it to upgrade. So far I've been very happy with the 2022 Monty! Much less issues and the issues that it does have my dealership has fixed.

[ScaryPapa]

We just picked up our new 2022 Montana last Wednesday. When it arrived at the dealer I gave them a three page checklist to go thru. I agree with what is being said here but so far everything works in our RV. The quality issues are mostly cosmetic, like nailgun pressure too high on trim, raw wood edges not being sanded and a few fit issues on cabinets and doors. I had the dealer fix some of these issues. I am going to fix the rest. We have a good relationship with our dealer since this is our second RV thru them. There is a tiny flaw in the material on the recliners. Our dealer is talking to Keystone about that.

My biggest issues currently are 1) tv's aren't wifi capable; 2) the wifi equipment is only 4G capable for mobile; and 3) we didn't get disc brakes due to supply issues. Ultimately I will likely replace them all. When you pay this much these are not things to be expected.

Our maiden trip is in two weeks. I will update after that.

[dfb]

Last weekend we went to the Dealer we purchased out 2015 Montana 3611rl legacy..I have said it many times we are not happy with the constant issues. Mostly slide outs.. The place we bought ours from is now Camping World. I told them Im looking for a used that is not made by Thor. We found a 2017 Mobile Suites 40kssb4.. We thought Mobile Suites was a very high quality Coach.. The thing weighs 17000 lbs empty.. All Wood inside.. However, outside was a Cable driven slide for the bedroom and the Hydraulic slide for the larger one.. Hmmm.. 'looks Familiar"... Come to find out, Thor took over DRV Mobile suites in 2015.. Oh well... We passed..

[432bartman]

I'm surprised there are no Keystone or Montana reps on this site.........which is sorely needed. If they don't read about all these problems, nothing will ever get resolved. Very sorry to read about people getting brand new rigs that would not pass a 3rd graders inspection.

[AZ Traveler]

Robert,

There is a least one MT employee on the forum that helps out folks from time to time. I assume he also passes info into the company. That said the primary purpose of the forum is to share info between owners.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

I'm surprised there are no Keystone or Montana reps on this site.........which is sorely needed. If they don't read about all these problems, nothing will ever get resolved. Very sorry to read about people getting brand new rigs that would not pass a 3rd graders inspection.

As AZ stated there are Montana reps on this site. One helped me with a situation. They have to pick their battles and unfortunately cant read every post or help every customer but I'm sure they pass on our complaints and do their best to correct the problems.

[edmck]

I’m visiting friends in Tucson and they have been kind enough to let me stay in their seldom used 2020 Montana 3854BR for a few weeks. As a previous 2009 model Montana owner, I was really looking forward to this experience. But after only a week I must say I’m quite shocked at the poor build quality on display at almost every turn. What has happened to this once-highly regarded brand? No more real wood doors and trim, the absolute cheapest hardware, no-name components (never heard of Airxcel AC units), peeling wall coverings, no fiberglass rear cap, sloppy fit and finish everywhere — this is really shocking to me as a previously happy Montana owner. I’m sure it isn’t only Montana that has suffered such a decline in recent years, it just came as such a surprise since I always thought of Montana as a premium coach. Not trying to start a flame war or offend any Montana owners, just expressing my thoughts.

[Mikendebbie]

Poor quality has been discussed at length in this forum and many others. Forum members talk about “pre- and post- Covid units” in all RV brands for motorhomes, fifth wheel and travel trailers. Airexcell is the holding company that owns brands such as Suburban and Coleman Mach plus many others.

The worst continuing offense in my unit (manf Nov 2017) is the peeling paper veneered doors. DW points out the peeling everytime she touches one of the doors…CANT YOU FIX THIS??? I have tried to re-glue the paper many times with no success. My peeling pleather theater chairs went in the trash last month.

[Foldbak]

Definitely nothing new. It's with every brand and manufacture out there all the way to class A's. Brinkly is supposedly trying to build a quality rig but so far I understand it still uses the exact same components. Maybe better quality control? Time will tell. At the end of the day, as long as we continue to buy crap they will continue to build crap. Don't get me wrong I love my rig now that I've fixed the factory F ups. It's just a fact that I have to live with that things will need to be repaired along the way. I'm ok with that. 2.5 years and 40 plus trips and lots of upgrades.

[RKassl]

Quality is actually a joke anytime you mention it regarding an RV. I would never buy another RV for what they cost vs what you get its almost highway robbery. Ours is a 2015, I can't imagine how the new ones are built, its amazing you can get it off the dealers lots with out any problems!!

[dfb]

Here is what I believe is the Problem.. There are Basically only 2 rv manufacturers who bought up all the brands of rvs on the market.. One is Forest River and the other is Thor.. My Keystone Montana is under the THOR name... When there is little to no competition these companies have no incentive other than to make as much money on the products they can.. Beside raising prices the other way to increase profit is to find the cheapest parts possible, hire the cheapest labor, slap them together and get them out... They let the Dealers fix everything that should have happened under Quality Control. The manufacturers are mostly located in Indiana. There is a stipulation when buying a new RV at the Dealer in the Contract we sign ... It states that Lawsuits must be done in Indiana and not the State that the unit is purchased in..I strongly believe this is the case so the courts in Indiana protect the Rv makers..Without Competiton this is what the public is left with.. If anything the Government can do to help is to break up Thor and Forest River brands... Get rid of the Courts only in Indiana and hold the industry accountable for what they make ... Even a lemon Law will help..