Durability - Montana Owners Club

KiwiRVer · 09-25-2010, 04:25 PM

The Montana-Mountaineer website includes a video of a Mountaineer being run over a rough track and claims they are built to take that sort of handling. Well after 5 months travelling in our Mountaineer it is clear that this unit is not built for the conditions found on most American roads. Several of the floor fasteners have started to come loose under the carpet with bumps appearing in several spots and the floor now creaks when you walk on it which it didn't when new, clearly indicating the flooring has come loose from the frame. The stairs are about to fall apart and several cupboard doors are now sticking. The mouldings around all the door frames are "fraying" at the bottoms (seem to made of cardboard, not timber).

Spots are starting to appear on the ceiling which seems to indicate moisture inside the ceiling space.

The "cladding" on the underbelly around the king pin has come loose from the frame.

The suspension makes an awful noise when slowly driving into campgrounds and "clicks" when levelling (can't think of a better way to describe the way it jerks every few seconds when levelling)
I hate to think what the suspension bolts look like when I pull them out at the end of the season to replace them with wet bolts.

I must admit we have driven on a lot of rough roads (they are called freeways) but it is clear that these units are made to be driven a few miles to a campground and left there forever, not for long term RVing.

We are worried about whether this rig is going to last 12 months let alone the several years we hoped it would last. It was new in March this year.

Craig

exav8tr · 09-25-2010, 05:25 PM

Sounds like you need to get it back to the dealer for instant repairs. We own the Montana and have had it over three years of full timing and 44 states and have not had any of these problems, different ones yes, but not these. Don't let the dealer tell you that is normal wear and tear also, as it is NOT!!!!!! Good luck and let us know the outcome. We found that once we got the few problems fixed we have had good luck since then........

Trailer Trash 2 · 09-25-2010, 05:35 PM

I agree to the dealer before the 1 year warintee goes south.

bigmurf · 09-25-2010, 05:54 PM

You need to slow down for the jetta bars/

**Rondo** · 09-25-2010, 07:06 PM

Craig-- Where are you at in the US right now? I would suggest you head back to your dealer you bought it from OR head here to Goshen and check it into the Keystone Service Center here. Give them a call and see if they can get you in for service. You'd be surprised just how they can take care of things. We've been here at the Rally now for about five days now and numerous units have been into the Service Center both prior to and during the Rally. Some are scheduled to head in after the Rally also. I'll send you a PM about what happened on our way here and how the Service Center took care of things for them. It will be tomarrow however since I'm incharge of the pancake breakfast in the morning and have to hit the rack right now.

Ron

KiwiRVer · 09-26-2010, 03:56 AM

Thanks everyone for the advice. Unfortunately we are currently in Massachusets and our dealer is in Los Angeles so it is a bit far for us to take it back to either the dealer or the factory. I am going to contact the factory and see if they can get me into a dealer in Atlanta which is where we will be storing this year.

sreigle · 10-01-2010, 04:44 PM

Craig & Susanne, I hope you can get this taken care of soon. I don't think it's at all typical but I'm sure it's very frustrating. Our Montana recently turned 30,000 miles, per my log. We've slowed down our mileage a lot. Our prior Montana had around 75,000 miles or so when we traded it for this one. I didn't keep a log in those days, though. Good luck getting it fixed.

**Rondo** · 10-01-2010, 06:07 PM

Craig-- Get ahold of Customer Service here in Goshen and see if you can bring it in here! The service department is number one in working with all Montana owners and I'll bet they will work out something with you if you can get it here! I hate saying this but a lot of dealers that did not sell you the unit will put you way back on the list for any repairs and etc over their customers that purchased from them. The service center here at the Montana factory here in Goshen is outstanding and will go the extra mile for you if they can! Keep us informed on your situation!

billhoover · 10-02-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Trailer Trash 2

I agree to the dealer before the 1 year warintee goes south.

And whatever you do, don't let them tell you it is normal wear and tear.

simonsrf · 10-02-2010, 08:30 AM

Craig,

We have been full-timing for 4 years in our Montana; and our lifestyle takes us to lots of remote rough places. We have no evidence of anything other than normal-wear-and-tear. Yes, there are repairs that need to be kept up....but, sorry, I don't agree, our Montana is built well...after all, it IS a box on wheels that needs tending.

Our suggestion is to stay close to this forum and get as much help as possible to remedy your problems. Most problems if taken care of early, or having the knowledge of how to fix...can be invaluable.

Good luck in getting your investment fixed.

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