Manuals for 3400 - Montana Owners Club

skyviewman · 06-03-2007, 05:41 PM

I am very disappointed with the manuals that came with our 3400. I have separate manuals for Al-Ko and they aren't even on our 3400. A lot of the other stuff is totally useless. I would have thought that the Keystone manual itself would have been a bit more comprehensive and applied more to my unit rather than just a generic manual that looks like it applies to every make under the sun that they manufacture. A case in point is the battery disconnect switch. I looked everywhere and thought I had looked in the service area where all the water connections are. I resorted to the manual and it doesn't even mention the switch. I started all over again today and there it was. Another item is the pull lever on the drivers side about in the middle of the coach. It looks like a grey water dump valve of some kind but I still have not figured out what it is for and I can't find a mention of it in the manual. I know I can ask and receive answers here on the forum but that is not the point. I am going to write a letter to Keystone suggesting that they provide better and more specific documentation with the Montana 5th wheels. I know, it will probably end up in the round file but it won't change unless unless we request it. Thats my rant for today and overall I am very pleased with our new Montana.

richfaa · 06-04-2007, 01:54 AM

That dump valve would be for the Galley tank.Except for the useless owners manual all the others are provided by the various vendors.We do find the individual vendor manuals, if you got all of them or any of them, to be ok. Our owners manual did come in handy..we used it as kindling to build a campfire.

Tom Gina 06 · 06-04-2007, 03:05 AM

Thanks Rich for getting me going I'm wide awake now.....LOL This reminds me about my complaint with the cheap plastic dump valve handles. Might as well send them without any so a person can put the metal ones on right away. Have replaced my galley already and looks like the grey water one is next. But then this is not a Montana/Keystone problem it is an industry wide problem. My late SOBs had the same problem just took a few more years.

About those manuals feel the same as above.

bncinwv · 06-04-2007, 05:00 AM

Don't need a manual anyway, got my on-line reference encyclopedia (MOC Forum).
Bingo

Cat320 · 06-04-2007, 02:59 PM

The manuals are lousy because we let the manufacturers get away with making lousy manuals. Can you imagine paying $60k for a luxury car, then open the glove box and find a generic manual printed two years before the car was built?

rogue · 10-12-2007, 06:58 PM

OK, I spent tonight going through all the manuals we received with our Montana. I have tryed to list them in alphabetic
order, with the manufacture, manual name, and Phone number(s) if listed both local and 800. I have this in a MS Word document, so if anyone wants a copy send me a PM. Also if you have any manuals that I may be missing, please let me know the name, manufacture and phone number.

Documents received with 2955RL Montana built Aug 2006

Awning
Dometic A&E Awning, Installation Instruction and Warranty 260-463-2191

Axle
Dexter Axel Operation Maintenance Service Manual 574-295-7888

Brakes
AL-KO Owners Manual and General Maintenance (574) 294-6651

Breakaway Switch
ESCO Instruction and testing
(574) 264-4156

Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Atwood By Kidde Users Guide model KN-COB-B and KN-COPP-B
1-800-654-9677

Ceiling Fan
Hugger Fans Owners Instruction Manual

Central RV Vacuum
Dometic model 9192100/9192200 Installation, Operating & Parts Manual
574-294-2511 800-544-4881

Cook Top/Range
RV Cooking Appliances Installation Instructions 1-800-544-5513
RV Cooking Appliance Use and Care 1-800-688-9900

Counter Top
Better Way Products Lite-Gran Matt Finish Solid Surface Counter Top Care and
Maintenance Instructions (574) 831-3340

Fire Extinguisher
Kitchen First Alert User’s Manual 1-800-323-9005

Flash Light Rechargeable
Installation and instruction manual
No Manufacture or phone number

Floor Panel
Dyna Span Warranty 1.800.288.3802

Lazy Susan
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Care & Cleaning Instructions
800.899.6535

Local Antenna
Winegard Sensar Antennas Installation/Operation Manual (800) 788-4417

LP Gas Detector
MTI Industries Model 20-441 Users Manual
800-383-0269

LP Regulators
Marshal Gas Controls Models 254-00 and 290-00
1(800) 877-2495 (512) 396-2257

Refrigerator
Dometic Models RM2351, RM2354, RM2451, RM2454, RM2551, RM2554,
RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862, RM3862, NDR1062,
NDR1292. Installation Manual/User Manual 574-294-2512 800-544-4881

RV Keystone
Owners Manual 80 Pages (574) 534-9430

Slide
Lippert Components Hydrolic Slideout and Hydrolic Landing Gear (HLG)
System Operation and Service Manual

Smoke Alarm
Safe T Alarm Owners Manual 800-383-0269

Sound System, CD Player, Radio
Quest QR3000 Operation Manual

Steps
Hickory Springs, General Care and Maintenance (800) 643-2102

Thermostat
Dometic, Duo-Therm, CCC (Comfort Control Center) Part NO. 3109228.001 Operating Instructions and Warranty.
(219) 463-4858 800-544-4881

Toilet
Dometic/Sealand Traveler Lite Fine China Toilet Owner’s Manual
1-800-321-9886 330-496-3211

TV
Zenith Model C2H26B Series A, Operating Guide/Warranty 1-888-865-3026
Toshiba Model 13A26/19A26, Owner’s Manual

Upper Oven
Apollo ½ Time, Convection, Complete Meal, Microwave Oven
Built-In Oven Installation Procedure/guide 1-(800) 330-9707
Use and Care Manual
Operation Card

Ozz · 10-13-2007, 01:12 AM

Thanks, Bob and Ellen, very helpful, I printed it out.

bncinwv · 10-13-2007, 01:56 AM

Wonder who we call when the MOC Forum is down. Panic mode would definitely set in for me!!
Bingo

Exnavydiver · 10-15-2007, 12:00 PM

I wonder if the Manuals for the Big Sky are as bad? Will know in the next 48 hours.... Dave and Betsy

Ronnelly · 10-15-2007, 02:58 PM

The manual that came with our Montana is very poorly assembled, I would rate it a possible C minus. We bought a Alpenlite truck camper and that Manual rates an A plus. We love our Montana, but are not happy with the way the manual looks. I may just have to get a big 3 ring folder and reorganize it and try to make it look more professional.

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by skyviewman

I am very disappointed with the manuals that came with our 3400. I have separate manuals for Al-Ko and they aren't even on our 3400. A lot of the other stuff is totally useless. I would have thought that the Keystone manual itself would have been a bit more comprehensive and applied more to my unit rather than just a generic manual that looks like it applies to every make under the sun that they manufacture. A case in point is the battery disconnect switch. I looked everywhere and thought I had looked in the service area where all the water connections are. I resorted to the manual and it doesn't even mention the switch. I started all over again today and there it was. Another item is the pull lever on the drivers side about in the middle of the coach. It looks like a grey water dump valve of some kind but I still have not figured out what it is for and I can't find a mention of it in the manual. I know I can ask and receive answers here on the forum but that is not the point. I am going to write a letter to Keystone suggesting that they provide better and more specific documentation with the Montana 5th wheels. I know, it will probably end up in the round file but it won't change unless unless we request it. Thats my rant for today and overall I am very pleased with our new Montana.

sreigle · 10-17-2007, 08:47 AM

When we bought our new 2001 Montana, there were only a few manuals from vendors. Nothing from Keystone except a list of appliances with serial numbers.

When we bought our new 2003 Montana it was pretty much the same. After discussion on this forum Keystone put together the current manual, which is much, much better than we had before, despite it not being too comprehensive.

When we bought our new 2007 Montana we got this current manual.

I agree there should be a better description of the dump valve locations. I realize the location of the galley tank dump valve varies by model but it wouldn't be hard to say it will be in one of the listed locations, then specify those locations. They also should explain there are two gray tanks. If I recall, it just shows total gray tank capacity As witnessed on this forum, many people get away from their dealer with their new Montana without being aware there are separate tanks for galley and bath areas and a third dump valve. This should be explained in the manual.

I'm sure there are more things. Maybe others could post a list of what they think should be in the manuals. Maybe Keystone will see it and consider making those changes to the manuals. We can hope, anyhow.

I'd also like to say for the manuals they should consult with those who frequently use their Montanas. What better than this forum?

richfaa · 10-17-2007, 03:13 PM

Hummm. I wonder how the auto manufacturers do it. My Ford manual is pretty comprehensive..Is it magic??? The simple answer is as follows... It would cost.....Money...it would cut into the ..profit margin...Most everything the rv industry does is archaic..why would they do a ..manual..

Army Guy · 10-18-2007, 02:38 AM

the best research is available here. I don't use the manuals anymore. I go direct to the source. With todays technology available, I am surprised the manuals are so worthless.

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