Montana Newbie

[Akuhn]

Hello everyone!

Wife and I just purchased a 2021 376FL from a local dealer. After plenty of negotiating I feel we received a pretty darn good deal. Do any of you have any recommendations on things to look for when we pick it up? Common screw ups from the dealer or anything? This is replacing a 2016 Jayco TT so we are looking forward to a fifth wheel! Already planning trips, it is also used as a full time camp for us.

[AZ Traveler]

Andrew,

First, welcome to the forum!

Take lots of time on your PDI - 3 or 4 hours. Its good to have more than 1 set of eyes. Take good notes. Have them run everything to make sure it works and you understand it. Don't pay or take it if there is a large problem till its fixed.

Search the forum for PDI checklist.

[rames14]

In the files section are sample PDI’s to use as a template. Good luck with your new Montana.

[Akuhn]

PDI checklist is a great idea! Thank you!

[Carl n Susan]

One of the better PDI checklists is in the following Thread. It is Post #3 byphillyg

[Akuhn]

Which thread?

[1retired06]

Congrats on your new rig. You will likely find issues to be resolved before you take possession, hopefully all minor. Safe travels.

[rames14]

I sent you a PM. Several of us worked on updating the PDI with some of the newer features. I should get it to the files but with traveling we haven’t had the time. I can email it to you if you check your messages. Good luck. It is always best to finish the PDI, get the items fixed and then sign the paperwork. RVing is very dealer dependent on your satisfaction.

[Akuhn]

Just sent you my email, you'll have to take the spaces out. It would not allow me to send my email because I am a new user.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Akuhn

Which thread?

Sorry - brain fade. I forgot to post the link. It is Post #3 in this Thread
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=72800

[DutchmenSport]

We have the 375FL. Our first trip out (2 days after we took delivery), we drove about 200 miles to our previously reserved campsite we'd made months before. We had no intention of trading at that time.

Well, when we reached our destination (first trip mind you, and the roads were not even that rough) ... the entire closet shelf broke loose from the wall and collapsed. Our hanging clothes were a pile under a fallen shelf.

I strongly advise, before you hit the road fully loaded, you build supports under that shelf from the floor of the closet up and add a support in the middle of the cloths bar. Keystone puts about 6 screws in to hold all that weight up, and those screws are NOT hitting any studs. Styrofoam walls covered with 3/8 inch paneling does not support a hundred pounds of clothing hanging, not to mention everything you might put on the top shelf.

This was our first disappointment and the start of many repairs that first year.

I built supports from 1x8 boards from the floor to the bottom of the shelf support. I wedged them in tight and then added many more screws into the wall. Later I added the support in the middle that supports the clothing bar and the middle of the shelf. Between liquid nails and a some choice screws, placed in the right position using a stud finder, we've been able to haul an entire closet full of clothing hanging, plus stacks of stuff on the shelf.

The end of that trailer extends WAY out there from the axles. It will bounce up and down, and that closet will collapse if you don't prepare it first.

Best of luck.

[rames14]

Please keep us posted on how your PDI goes. Best of luck.

[Akuhn]

Will do. It is Wednesday at noon. I'll be dropping my TV off tomorrow to have them install the 5th wheel hitch.

[rames14]

Just a couple of other items that I found on mine. The RV fridge has a flapper between the two doors. If you have a residential fridge, it won’t apply, but our flapper wasn’t closing. Check that. Also, if you have legacy package, have them check the brake fittings. I lost my brake fluid and had no trailer brakes.

[GreG L.]

I let the dealer know in advance what I would be checking (sent them the PDI list), everything on the list was fine when I arrived. I took sockets, torque wrench and creeper with me. I did a through inspection under the rig (checked all bolts on the suspension from wheels to shackles) as well as everything on the roof. I didn't take their word for it, as soon as I got it home I greased everything in the suspension.

[Akuhn]

Well, it looks like picking up this new Montana is going to be another week.. supposedly we are waiting on the fifth wheel hitch to come in.

[GreG L.]

Good opportunity to send your sales person a copy of your PDI list. They are going to want to get you in and out within reason as quickly as possible. If you let them know you want to do the PDI before you sign anything, fixing things before you get there will be to their benefit. Ours took 3 weeks after it arrived before I could pick it up.

[Akuhn]

Originally Posted by GreG L.

Good opportunity to send your sales person a copy of your PDI list. They are going to want to get you in and out within reason as quickly as possible. If you let them know you want to do the PDI before you sign anything, fixing things before you get there will be to their benefit. Ours took 3 weeks after it arrived before I could pick it up.

I took your advice and sent them a copy of my PDI request, which I was pretty impressed he send me their PDI form as well. Also got him to throw in the screen guards for the door for making me wait another week. Small request when the wife is upset But even with the delays, this dealer has been very good to me so far. They also offer RV Warranty Forever. Have you guys ever heard of it? It is included at 'no cost' I know the cost is always there somewhere. But if you bring it in for its annual inspection the warranty covers all of the major components of the RV for life. Here is a link to the coverage details:

https://www.alpinhausrv.com/rv-warranty-forever/

[Hit The Road]

Originally Posted by Akuhn

Hello everyone!

Wife and I just purchased a 2021 376FL from a local dealer. After plenty of negotiating I feel we received a pretty darn good deal. Do any of you have any recommendations on things to look for when we pick it up? Common screw ups from the dealer or anything? This is replacing a 2016 Jayco TT so we are looking forward to a fifth wheel! Already planning trips, it is also used as a full time camp for us.

Congratulations on your new coach! We ordered our 3121RL in Dec 2020 and received it April 2021. We spent hours on the outside. Solar questions, generator questions, jacks, manual operation, the basement, the utility cabinet ,however, we didn't spend so much time inside the unit. We have been inside these coaches for a very long time and just felt comfortable. Sure we checked the stove, microwave, tv and connections. Spent time with the In-Command center too. After we took it home we found one recliner completely broken, a dent in the fridge door that you can only see at a certain angle and a scratch on the 50" tv. Seems they put felt on the retaining buckle but turned the buckle inside out so the felt was on the outside allowing the buckle to scratch the tv during transportation. I have had a few moldings come loose which I tacked back in place with glue and my nail gun. Long story short, give equal time inside and out and use your PDI checklist.

[GreG L.]

Have never dealt with a Warranty for Ever but have read about them. I assume the money is in the mandatory inspections (they have to grease the hubs not you for example). I have read several comments on them here, some have said that if you miss an inspection by a day the warranty is void. Every dealer being different I would get the documents that outline the requirements, costs and what's covered.