entry steps rusting off.

[richfaa]

This is a 2013 3402 Big Sky build date May 2012 so it is 4 years old this month. It has never seen ice, snow, road salt. Except for 2 or 3 days at a time it has not been within 60 miles of a ocean

Our entry steps although not on the recall list had failed and sheared off some bolts. We were in the process of purchasing some quality replacement steps. Helen noted that the steps "sagged" when she was on then she weighs like 100 lbs. On inspection looking at the steps from the outside the left side of the "Box" the steps are mounted to is rusting away about 3 inches has broken away from the steps .There is also rust on the other side same place. I do not think the metal is sturdy enough for a wield at that point so here goes another few hundred $$ to put this thing back together again.

[BB_TX]

Wow! And my 2007 steps are still solid. Although we are only occasional users.

[bigskyjimmy]

Sounds like you got more than normal ,we live ON the Ocean 7 months a year and get some surface rust on the stairs (and the frame and pin box) but I just spray anti-rust paint on them and all's good ,I think the new Monty's have 4 step Aluminum now but that does not do you any good, MAN you have had issue's with that thing Yikes! I know you are almost fulltimers in that thing but I have lived in both my 2012 and 2015 and have had 1/4 of your issue's I still think you got a Lemon OR I am just dang Lucky

[richfaa]

If the problems we have had with both out Montana's are a indicator we have had two pieces of crap.

[bigskyjimmy]

Yep.....................How did the rust get that bad??? Anytime I see just a Little rust I spray it with anti- rust before it gets bad

[pkbridges77]

Rich, with the issues you seem to continue to have with your Montana's, why do you stick with them? Not trying to bash Montana, and maybe other brands have the same types of problems, but curious why you've remained loyal to the brand. Or maybe it just seems like loyalty. You certainly have a wealth of experience that has helped many people along the journey.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

Yep.....................How did the rust get that bad??? Anytime I see just a Little rust I spray it with anti- rust before it gets bad

That would be because I do not spend a lot of time on my hands and knees looking up at the bottom of the steps.

[richfaa]

Paul...We are not brand loyal to any brand car, truck, RV . We have been Rv'ing for @ 25 years and not counting tents or Pop ups this is our 6th Rv and second Montana.The previous 4 were all different brands. Helen and I sold Rv's at large RV shows for several years. We toured our first factory in 1994 (Hi Low).We have toured about every brand factory in the Goshen, Elkhart, Middlebury area. We have toured the Montana plant 12 times. So we have sold many different brands and as I have said many times IF we thought there was a better brand in the price range we would have it. IMO Keystone has perhaps the best customer service in the industry and their Goshen service center is second to none. We need great customer service as often as our Montana's break. Also IMO other Montana owners many on this forum have the same issues we have had but just do not want to talk about it.We knew what we were getting into when we purchased these Montana's for long term use..no surprises ..that does not mane I have to like it

[bigskyjimmy]

I just see the surface rust when I fold up my stairs,Plus I know from experience the places that have a tendency to rust and I check them now and again and take care of it

[richfaa]

Jimmy..Pull your steps down.Facinge steps drop down on your knees and look at the top left handcorner were the steps are attached to the RV. There are two large screws on the left hand side and a large bolt and nut protruding down from the frame.Look at the top left corner were the steps are attached to the frame work that supports the steps push down on the steps and see if there is any give at the very top left corner.When down pressure is applied to the step it seperates at the top left corner and rust is visable were it has seperated if no down pressure rust can not be seen.It is not the step that has rusted it is the structure that the step is attached to.

[rmthelen]

Rich, I also have a 2013 and had an issue with the area you are eluding to. The bracket actually split and had a crack in it about 3 inches long, I had it welded at the service center this past fall rally and so far has held up real well.

[bigskyjimmy]

O.K. Rich I just went outside and checked that on both sets of stairs and nope A O.K. very little give to my 220 lbs and just a little surface rust so I sprayed that but I will keep a eye on it..Thanx,also I have used stair supports for years now and that helps relieve the stress on them

[mlh]

Rich is correct all of these campers are about the same. Keystone doesn't buy second rate products for their units. Everybody gets the same junk. I've been hanging out at a little dealer. I haven't seen one camper from several manufactures that didn't have several things if not dozens of things that haft to be fixed. One keystone product came in so bad they sent it back. If Rich's steps are rusted out you can bet your &$$ there are a lot more that is rusted out. He didn't get the only steps that didn't get enough paint.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by rmthelen

Rich, I also have a 2013 and had an issue with the area you are eluding to. The bracket actually split and had a crack in it about 3 inches long, I had it welded at the service center this past fall rally and so far has held up real well.

If two had exactly the same problem there are more.Good to hear that it can be welded i can have that done locally.

[richfaa]

I am gonna good set of steps.

[Artemus Gordon]

Both of mine look great. No rust. I got a good one!

[WeBeFulltime]

No rust on our 2012.

[richfaa]

Maybe they did not rust away maybe they just separated and there is rust at the separation point. Check and put pressure on the bottom step then look for separation at the top left corner bracket looking at the step from the outside. If there is no pressure on the step you will see nothing. We only see rust at the edges of the separation.The step will also sag a bit when pressure is applied I would say the separation is at least 1/8 inch.

[1retired06]

Nothing but minor surface rust on any of our fiver steps. With the exception of our 2015 which had significant issues, and took a year to resolve, (and a year of trouble free use since) our other three Montana units were great and a pleasure to own and use. I do see a degradation of overall quality in the RV world, including the Montana line.

[rmthelen]

The crack in mine was not on the steps but on the bracket that the steps mount to. That is the part that the service center welded.