Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MONTANA OWNERS CLUB COMMUNITY > New Member Introductions
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-25-2017, 03:08 AM   #1
jeffba
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
The adventure before the adventure--warning a long one

Well after a few extended trips in our TT, the Boss declares she wants a washer and dryer in the camper. Our last trip with it entailed several repairs during vacation. So I was okay with looking around. It was safe. We had less than a year to payoff the house so I thought it was safe to just look. We made our list of Must haves and Nice to haves. Took the list to Dealer when we picked up out TT that was having repairs too big form me to fix. I was leaning towards something in the HC 305RL or 310RE range since we had 2014 Chevy 3/4 duramax with the 6.5' bed. It has a 3000 pound carrying capacity, so pin weight was an issue. The Boss declared they and other manufacturers in that size were too cramped. Ummm it is a camper cramped it is supposed to be, I thought. Well the last one we looked at was the HC379RD. Did not have the money for a big boy Montana. The Boss loved it, but hey I was safe. Still had house payments to hide behind. We had just finished with paying our deductible for damage caused by Harvey. Well the finance manger said that because of Harvey folks were looking for used campers and they can offer top dollar on our trade. Oh did I mention the could use my trade-in to payoff the house and still have enough for a down payment? Well I thought we would be okay. I used the curb weight minus the GVWR and came up with 3600 pounds of carrying capacity. Turns out that is the not the way to figure it out. After our shakedown trip. I found the 3000 capacity number from GM. So 2400 pin wieght, 100 pound hitch, 200 pounds for washer and dryer, about 150 pounds in the basement, the dogs could legally ride in the truck but we could not. So now a new truck. (kept that short). Oh yeah, in Texas if the combined GVWRs of the camper and truck exceed 26001 pounds you need a Class A non-commercial License. That is a written and practical exam! When I ws 16 it took me 3 times to pass it. Oh did I mention parallel parking a 40' camper?

Long story short version:
Want Washer dryer-- end up with big honking 5th wheel.
Big honking 5th wheel -- new big honking truck
New big honking 5th wheel + New big honking truck == New license
New License == reliving my youth with having to take driving test

Likes so far:
Floor plan
TV is bigger than in the house
seat in shower (apparently it is useful when shaving legs.)((who packs a razor when camping?))
no kitchen island
kitchen sink and countertops
windows you can stand up and look out
slo roller shades
pivot door
LED accent lights (great nightlights)

Dislikes
lack of real wood--skylight shade pulled out from wall first time
When I am paying for repairs, 1 week turnaround. When factory is paying, one month.
semi-automatic leveling
have to stoop to operate semi- automatic leveling
Keystone removed rear rack mid-year
Do they even make a camper where the bed is easy to make?
whimpy sewer hose storage

Despises
WHO PUTS A DUMP VALVE UNDER A SLIDE!!! Really who came up with that
DUMB one?

Found out it was there after removing cap the first time to dump. Oh yeah the tech left it open. Surprise!!

Lessons learned:
do not take The Boss on camper scouting trips.
Folks who design campers never use them


Do not get me wrong we love our camper. just not the unpleasant surprises.
 
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
jeffba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 07:27 AM   #2
K0LCB
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Arroyo City
Posts: 3,110
M.O.C. #13395
Congratulations! Welcome to our group!
K0LCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 07:42 AM   #3
1retired06
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
Lots of new toys!
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
1retired06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 09:05 AM   #4
Lenny K
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
That was very informative and funny. Thanks for posting.
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake

Lenny K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 09:26 AM   #5
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
Welcome to the forum! Had the fulltime rig we wanted. Solar and all the goodies added. Then we took ours in for a minor repair. Now we have a new 2017. You are always in better shape if you stay away from dealers and shows.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 09:45 AM   #6
AZ Traveler
Site Team
 
AZ Traveler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,898
M.O.C. #20477
Enjoy the forum, this is a great place to learn and share. Your first share is great! Enjoy your new rig!
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL

"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
AZ Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 09:54 AM   #7
DarMar
Montana Master
 
DarMar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brandon
Posts: 3,944
M.O.C. #1034
Isn't life great. Congrats and enjoy!
__________________
Darwin & Maureen DeBackere
Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada
2011/3500/Silverado/4x4/DRW/Duramax
2017/3721RL/Legacy Pkg./Pressure-Pro
DarMar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2017, 10:59 AM   #8
mtlakejim
Montana Master
 
mtlakejim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
Congrats on your new rig. Welcome to the misery LOL. A little humor is great for the soul!


Oh since you have a camper now, instead of getting a new license just move to a state that does not require it. Arkansas is right next door LOL.....
mtlakejim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2017, 08:19 PM   #9
lilpeach
Established Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Westerville
Posts: 47
M.O.C. #19266
Welcome and thank you for that story. It made my day!
__________________
PEACHES
lilpeach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2017, 08:39 AM   #10
waynemoore
Montana Master
 
waynemoore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
Yep, we were helping a friend look for a new rig a few years ago and of course we came home with a new one ourselves.

Don't get me wrong I love the new rig and live in it at least 7 months a year. It has all the amenities I wanted but of course it required a truck upgrade. So now I have a truck payement and an RV payement, but the house is payed for so that helps. The truck is a short term loan and will be over soon. But the RV is another thing and will live on for a very long time. Better said I should live so long.
waynemoore is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.