High Country 343RL

[N5PHT]

Hello,

We have the Montana High Country 343RL. We met someone (that uses this forum) and their names were Brad and Suzzane. I should have asked them to stay in touch but I forgot. If they are on here please email me.

Any other HC owners on this forum? It seems the High Country models are a bit different in some ways and would love to know of other HC owners?

[Rainer]

We've got a 2013 343RL HC which we purchased in April of this year.

Had a 1000 mile shakedown cruise from our home to Zion National Park in May.

In June we left on a 9000 mile two month long trip once around the U.S. We called it "Monte's 1st Big Adventure". Everything worked great except for three glitches, only one I blame on Keystone:

1) I tweaked the 5th wheel hitch head because it wasn't properly installed. Bent some metal, but had it repaired in Council Bluffs, Iowa by http://councilhitch.com/ a phenomenal company.
2) our Cummins-Onan 6500 generator blew a circuit board after just 14 hours of use. The folks at Cummins-Onan in Omaha, Nebraska http://www.cumminscentralpower.com/ were great in fixing replacing it. Plus they had free onsite full-hookup camping while we waited for overnight shipping on the replacement board.
3) just 300 miles from home, 32 miles outside of Kingman AZ one of the four trailer tires blew. Did $2K worth of damage. Switched to LT tires and now feel much better http://bit.ly/14VBXrA.

Every night we spent in the 343RL we had to pinch ourselves. We couldn't believe how great it was, sure beat our previous travel trailer - and at one time we thought that was the cat's nuts!

Things we did to the 343RL HC to make it our own:

* Onan Marquis Gold Generator 6500 Watts\LP Vapor, with remote start and hour meter
* Smartfold Folding 30" X 34" Coffee Table
* TireMinder TMG400C Tire Pressure Monitoring System 4pk
* replaced all 12v lightbulbs with LED's
* Blue Ox BedSaver Safety System
* Zenith Products Stainless Steel Over the Shower Caddy
* Progressive Surge Protector & Power Monitor Hardwire Type 50A/240V EMS-HW50C
* GiraffeG4 height aware system with magnetic mount
* articulating TV mounting bracket for larger (24") bedroom TV
* moved existing bedroom TV into the basement permanently
* 2- LCD Digital Thermometers for refrigerator and freezer
* MorRyde 5th wheel Pin Box Type
* Camco RV Screen Door Cross Bar
* Camco TastePURE RV Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector
* WiFi booster and USB extension cable
* Slide-out toppers for all 4 slide-outs
* 4 6-volt batteries
* solar system
* Winegard Trav'ler Traveler DirecTV Slimline KU/KA Satellite Dish

[DQDick]

I believe these are the folks you're looking for: subra1228 You can find folks by using the members button above and doing a search.

[dsprik]

What are the differences between stock Montana and stock High Country with similar floor plans? Just curious... (and without drifting off topic).

[N5PHT]

I am not sure of all differences but the following:

-lighter - under 10k dry.
-5200 lb 6 lug axle
-cable slides
-HC has 6point leveling option but I didn't get that option.

Probably cut the weight in some of the other materials but I don't know for sure.

We have traveled about 12k miles in 1.5 years and overall very happy.

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

What are the differences between stock Montana and stock High Country with similar floor plans? Just curious... (and without drifting off topic).

[okierver]

we have a 2011 high country 323rl and love it have about 6000 miles on it an no major problems with the coach, love the lay out.. did have a tire blow out and some damage but got money from tire co. and insurance and in the process of repairs, but thats just the china made junk tires. going to switch to good tires after the repair. love the layout/

[okierver]

we have a 2011 high country 323rl and love it have about 6000 miles on it an no major problems with the coach, love the lay out.. did have a tire blow out and some damage but got money from tire co. and insurance and in the process of repairs, but thats just the china made junk tires. going to switch to good tires after the repair. love the layout/

[grayghost03]

2012 343RL here, no problems, replaced tires at 10,000 miles to try to make sure we don't have problems. We really like the floor plan, 2 A/C's, and great furnace, double refrigerator. Did a few mods, added shelving, LED lights through out, sleep number bed, Inverter, and others.

[ctwebb]

2014 318RL here, Really enjoyed it the few time we have been out.

[subra1228]

quote:Originally posted by N5PHT

Hello,

We have the Montana High Country 343RL. We met someone (that uses this forum) and their names were Brad and Suzzane. I should have asked them to stay in touch but I forgot. If they are on here please email me.

Any other HC owners on this forum? It seems the High Country models are a bit different in some ways and would love to know of other HC owners?

Hey Gary & Karen,
Wow - You found us. We're in Yellowstone these days - how go your travels?

[Rainer]

Wow, for the time being is looks like I might be the 343RL HC mileage champion. 10,500 miles in four months.

[HOOK]

The biggest differences :
Weight, HCs all under 9875lbs.
Monty's are 11475 to 12935
Longest HC is 37.4
Monty 39.9
HC CRE 3000 Moryde with 5200lb axles, 6 lugs
M. LRE4000 Moryde with 7200lb axles, 8 lugs, wet bolts
M. 6ft plus ceiling height in slides
M. LED lighting
M. Quiet zone AC
HC 10 in frame
M. 12 in frame
M.much larger cabinets
M.++++++
May I suggest you visit Keystone Montana. Com or send me you address at my PM and I will send you brochures.

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by HOOK
The biggest differences :
Weight, HCs all under 9875lbs.
Monty's are 11475 to 12935
Longest HC is 37.4
Monty 39.9
HC CRE 3000 Moryde with 5200lb axles, 6 lugs
M. LRE4000 Moryde with 7200lb axles, 8 lugs, wet bolts
M. 6ft plus ceiling height in slides
M. LED lighting
M. Quiet zone AC
HC 10 in frame
M. 12 in frame
M.much larger cabinets
M.++++++
May I suggest you visit Keystone Montana. Com or send me you address at my PM and I will send you brochures.

Thanks, Larry! I take it the retail price reflects those differences? I really like the paint job on the HC.

[richfaa]

IMO these are great units for the some timers. We went to a Rv show here Sat and were impressed with the number of 5th wheels in the 9K to under 12K GVWR range. They were many brands, larger and towable with 3/4 ton trucks and some with 1/2 ton trucks.. The Cougar was impressive .Being long timers and high end users we need the larger and better built Montana line. It is good to see the manufacturers looking at the some time users. There was a nice Cougar 5th wheel large roomy ,all the goodies for a show price of 32K.

[Neil.M]

We have the 2014 318RE and really love it. Maybe it dosn't have some of the bells and whistles of the Montana but has everything we need. Have pulled it about 500 miles in the last month without any issues. I do plan on replacing the tires this week before we head to the rally. Our reasons for trading in our 07 2955RL was I need something around 34' because of the drive way and didn't want to give up my 3/4 ton truck. The floor plan was the big seller for us. We are retired and considering going full time and would not be afraid to live that way in our HC.

[subra1228]

I've said it before and I will say it again - we've fulltimed 2+ years in our HC and it still rides and looks great. Any differences between the traditional Montys and the HC Montys are simply that - differences. We wanted a lighter model and Keystone did a great job with the HCs.