2014 models magically become 2015!

[BB_TX]

From previous posts you probably know I have been looking at new Montanas for the last few months. I have watched several dealer (within a couple hundred miles of me) web sites looking at the floor plans they have in stock and their pricing to see if I wanted to drive the few hours to see them in person. So far, I have not been to visit them. But I still check their web sites at least once a week as there are 4 of them that have some, but not all, models we are interested in.
But lo and behold. Those dealers that had 2014 models of those floorplans a week or so ago, now have the exact same floorplans, down to exact same descriptions, same pictures, and best I can tell same VIN numbers and they have suddenly become 2015 models. Is that typical of left over year models becoming new year models if they don't sell in their original model year?
I checked my trailer that is titled 2007 and was manufactured 3/2007. It has a tag with a manfacturering date but nothing that states model year. And the title is dated on the sales date, July 25, 2007. So I guess they can title them in whatever year they sell them.
Of note is that 3 of those dealers are independent dealers that have 2-3 locations, but one is a nationwide well known RV part/supplies/service/sales organization.

[Tom S.]

Look at the bright side: you can get a 2015 for 2014 prices!

[mlh]

It's pure magic.
Lynwood

[HOOK]

They come from the factory with a certificate of origin. It states the year model and can only be titled as same.

[BB_TX]

Interesting, Larry. There is no doubt in my mind that these are the same units that were previously listed as 2014 models as I have watched these dealers inventory closely for the last several weeks waiting for an opportunity to visit these dealers to tour the models in person. Wanting to make sure they were still available.

And even the 2014 3750FL and 2014 3850FL models previously shown on these dealer web sites (and noted on Keystone web site as 2014 "stock only"), have also become 2015 models on these dealer's web sites.

The change in year on these web sites took place within a couple days of Keystone putting the 2015 floorplans on their web site. The Keystone web site does not call the old front living 2015 models, but it does lump them in with the new floorplans and still labels them "stock only".

[1retired06]

Like Larry said, the certificate of origin clearly spells out the year. Our 3910 came off the line in 05/14, but the certificate of origin clearly documented VIN and year as a 2015 and that dictates the title specs. Because we always pay cash and do our own title/registration thru SD, we are given the certificate. Most folks never see it as registration is done by the selling dealer.

[DQDick]

The question would be, in this computer age, couldn't Keystone email new certificates to the dealer to replace the old ones?

[Virginia Young]

I have seen instances of dealers using the same pictures for different trailers, if they are identical. Ours is one of them. It is the new line Big Sky, but is titled as a 2014, even though it is IDENTICAL to the 2015. (It was built in January of 2014.) Right after we bought ours, but before we picked it up, the dealer got and identical unit that was a 2015. He used the pictures of our unit for the '15 model. I'm sure it was much easier than taking pictures and uploading them, when the ones that were already on the website were exactly the same. I knew they were pics of our unit, because you could see the model number on the hitch.

[grayghost03]

Ever wonder why when you call the factory, they could care less about the Year and Model, only the Vin. Number counts, because the 2015 are 2014. And then they change to 2016 in Feb, Mar, April of 2015.

[jlb27537]

Find enclosed is my MSO. The date of MFG was 5/8/13. It was documented as a 2014 model. On the decal on the side of the trailer it was noted as MO3150RL14 where it listed the GVWR and such.

The MSO will also show the year model. They can NOT make a '14 a '15 just cause.

[rames14]

Our local dealer will also advertise units on order, but not delivered yet. This is the more likely scenario.

[sola123]

the 10th digit in the VIN Number indicates the year model...

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by rames14

Our local dealer will also advertise units on order, but not delivered yet. This is the more likely scenario.

That would make sense in many cases. In fact, I have seen listings on dealer web sites noted as "on order". But these particular dealer listings were shown as 2014 models last week and 2015 models this week. Every item of description for each model including price and pictures is exactly the same, just the year change. And as I mentioned earlier, the date change occured a day or two after Keystone released its 2015 floorplans.

Having been checking these dealer's inventory once or twice a week for the last few weeks watching that inventory and pricing for changes I have no doubt they are the same listings.

Maybe they were actually built as 2015 models but could not be advertised as such until Keystone officially released the 2015 plans.

[hookman]

The new model year starts May 1st so anything made after April 30th would be the next years model.

[rames14]

Bill, have you called the dealer to ask what's going on? They can't just change the model year on paper. It could be a mistake on their part. As stated, 2015's came out May 1. Maybe they were 15's and mistakenly advertised as 14's? A phone call may clarify.

[BB_TX]

At this point we are still shopping floor plans. And I have been checking dealers within a reasonable drive to see which ones have floorplans we want to see in person. But I will quiz them about it when we go to visit.

It really doesn't matter one way or the other as to what we buy. Just struck me as strange they would change model years like that.

[grayghost03]

quote:Originally posted by hookman

The new model year starts May 1st so anything made after April 30th would be the next years model.

This in incorrect, my build day is April 11, 2014, And it is a 2015 model. On all paper work and side sticker. MR356TBF-15

[grayghost03]

quote:Originally posted by sola123

the 10th digit in the VIN Number indicates the year model...

That is right on the money, 10th digit is an "F", In 2010 They switched back to letters 2010=A, 2011=B, 2012=C, 2013=D, 2014=E, 2015=F.

[Irlpguy]

Personally I think there is some slight of hand going on with the dealers. My certificate of origin does "NOT" have a build date, if you read the small print you will see that the date listed on the Certificate is the date and invoice number on which the unit was transferred to the dealer.

Since the date on the sticker on my 3402RL shows the same date one might assume that was the build date as well as the date of transfer. If these units come off the assembly line and are immediately transferred to the ordering dealer, then it might very well also be the build date, only Keystone knows that. I suspect the stickers are the last thing to go on the units, they must properly reflect the GAWR depending on whether it is shipping with G614's or Marathons.

The decals on my SOB were incorrect when it left the factory, new ones were sent to me sometime after I purchased it new.

We bought our unit as a 2012 in Feb of 2012, if this unit had sat on the dealers lot until April or the "new" units were being listed as 2013's that certainly would not make mine a 2013, even though the dealer might be listing it as a 2013 on their literature or website.

Having never been to the Keystone factory I doubt new units off the assembly line sit on the lot in Goshen awaiting a dealer to order one, I suspect when they come off the assembly line they are destined to a particular dealer and the transfer is made on that date.

You cannot make "old" new again, and you cannot make a silk purse out of a pigs ear, as my daddy used to say.

[Irlpguy]

quote:Originally posted by sola123

the 10th digit in the VIN Number indicates the year model...

I am not sure how a "letter" indicates the year model. In my case the 10th letter is a "C" and it is a 2012. In the case of JIB27537 his is the letter "E". Now one would think if they were going to do it in this manner they would start with the letter "A", assigning a new number with each years build. Since 2012 was the first year that the 3402RL was produced this makes no sense at all.

I really don't think this 10th digit represents the "year model", however it may represent the year of manufacture unrelated to the model being produced, they have been known to do strange things in Goshen....