New 2014 Big Sky starting January 2014

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

I've had conversations with two Keystone sales reps in the last mounth. Keystone is making big changes to the Big Sky starting in January 2014. These proposed changes are almost set in stone. I am reporting as accuratly as I can and with the information given to me. Keystone feels it has missed some of the market by not offering a higher end product. They only produced 66 Big Sky's in 2013. At the same time frame companies like Red Wood produced (guess) over 500 units.
The new Big Sky will only have a couple of options such as choise of three paint body colors, factory generator and interior decor and recliners or stadium seating. All of the new changes will come with a new price tag. All of the options that are now available now become standard. Except generator and 2nd ac.
Keystone introduced these new changes at the Louisville RV Dealer show in November and non attending dealers have been notified.

I am going to attempt to list proposed new changes:

1. 100 inches wide. This allows some furnature changes.
2. load range H tires
3. 8,000lb axles
4. disc brakes
5. power cord reel
6. adding a 3rd paint color (maroon)
7. changing the present paint sceme
8. higher end paint finish
9. raised letter badge and new decals(graphics)
10. 5 models only offered; exclusive to Big Sky only
11. led light in awning
12. dishwasher

Besides these changes new and upgraded cealing fan, cealing finish, lighting, wood finish (cabnets and trim), furnature, and fixtures.

Keystone will have one of these new Big Sky's at the upcoming Tampa RV Show. They will not have one at the Denver show. The sales reps are going to pass information along to me as things are finalized. Web site will be updated as changes are settled on by Keystone.

Thanks,

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

I am sure the new Big Sky will come with some of the problems some of you have expierenced and maybe a few new ones!!!!

[K0LCB]

Sounds nice!

[Jts140]

Thanks for the info, we are on the search for a 3625re, would of bought one already but haven't found it in a big sky version and hated the furniture and heard new furniture coming out the 1st of the year.. Hoping they keep the rear entertainment model.

[scott-pati]

Can't wait to see it.
Scott

[jlb27537]

They take a perfectly good model. Widen it, on a Lippert frame, put 8K axles under it with 17.5 tires and the salesmen will still tell a guy with a F250 SB, yea it will pull it.

Until Keystone gets their Customer Service/NOT up to speed, it will maybe sell a few, but when you call and the girl does not know the difference between a $20K travel trailer or a $100K Big Sky, yea they are chasing a market they are ill prepared for.

My neighbor has a $100K+ triple axle MS 43' rig. Yea it is nice, pulls it with a Volvo 630 with a Smart Car on the deck behind the cab. But when he calls, he can talk to someone who knows "come here from sicum"..about RV's

Keystone is just not ready for this kind of customer. If they set up a customer service section to deal with the upper end rigs that the owners are not first time buyers, maybe, but not now.

Jim

[DQDick]

Sounds like some good improvements. Bingo got them on the dishwasher.

[Montana Sky]

Sounds like Keystone has realized that the high end full timing market segment has passed them by with their current Big Sky. Good to see some of the changes they are putting into production. I think the biggest question will be; are they also updating the quality control on the production line to meet the expectations of those consumers who are spending $100,000 - $150,000 on a luxury fifth wheel.

[Hooker]

No mention of price...maybe they are scared to put put it in writing.

[jlb27537]

I relate this to what Cadillac did in the very early 80's. There was this company called Toyota that was building a "luxury" car. The Luxury car was new and folks tried it out. Found out that it rode good, handled great, had good paint, did not leak oil, the transmission was a good shifter, and the fit and finish was, well, just about perfect.

So Cadillac, started chasing this market that was escaping them. (remember the 8-6-4, the 4100 oil leaker, the 4sp that you needed 3 of to just get thru the first year) However, because of the quality of the Cadillac at the time, it could not compare to this "luxury" car from some overseas car maker.

Thus, Lexus became a success. We all know what happened to GM. If Keystone does not build quality into the new product, they only need to look back at history.

Jim

[richfaa]

Mike Mack talked about that at the Fall Rally so we knew it was coming .There will be folks who will be able to afford it. I will not be one of them but staying competitive is necessary in the Rv industry. They will need to improve build quality.

"They only produced 66 Big Sky's in 2013." I wish they had not produced mine.

[1retired06]

Keystone has a ways to go, if they want to compete in quality with Redwood.

[mhs4771]

Since Keystone and Redwood share the same Parent Company, RW has their share of Quality issues also, including some issues that were in the first production units and those same problems still exist in the 2014 models. One thing in Redwoods favor, at least not that has been reported is problems with the holding tanks (Sorry Rich, the Devil made me say that).

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

x2 I have been monitoring the Redwood site for a little while. They are having most of the same repair issues and a few different ones Montana doesn't have. Redwood made a lot of changes to their RV's for 2014. Michelle and Ann; it sounds like you know first hand about RW(now loaded SOB.)

[mhs4771]

Don't say that too loud.
We've been lucky or maybe just didn't have as high expectations as some, but we didn't have any problems with our Montana, and really have had minimal problems with the SOB. As Rich (richfaa) says, it's the stupid little things that shouldn't happen that get to you.
I've stayed a member of the MOC because I still think it's the best RV Forum on the Web. Some may agree to disagree on here, but I don't recall ever seeing any name calling or down right nasty remarks that you do find on some of the other forums.

[cdaniels]

Hopefully Rich and Helen will get all the fixes done and will be able to enjoy their rig. I feel their frustration and it was a huge purchase to turn out the way it has. I hope things will work out soon and the worst will be over.

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

I agree with you. The disagreements, discussions and opinions are respectful and tasteful. This forum is the best. We have considered SOB's but the comradery of this forum drew us back. It looks like my long wait to purchase a new RV is good timing.

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

Hooker, one of the reps said new model might be as much as $10k retail more. Price still to be determined.

[Montana Sky]

quote:Originally posted by Ramblin Roadrunners

x2 I have been monitoring the Redwood site for a little while. They are having most of the same repair issues and a few different ones Montana doesn't have. Redwood made a lot of changes to their RV's for 2014. Michelle and Ann; it sounds like you know first hand about RW(now loaded SOB.)

Redwood has not had anywhere near the issues of both build and quality control that has been seen within the Montana line up over the past two years. Yes, Redwood has had a few issues, but the overall comparison is not equal. The Montana is not in the same league as the Redwood or Mobile Suites, Estates, or Elite Suites. I am looking forward to seeing the new Big Sky in person at an upcoming show.

[Hooker]

quote:Originally posted by Ramblin Roadrunners

Hooker, one of the reps said new model might be as much as $10k retail more. Price still to be determined.

JMHO, but if 5th wheels keep getting more and more pricier, the manufacturers are going to drive some RVers, the ones on the fence, to leave that market and go to a MH. When you price what a new top of the line 5th wheel costs and add the cost of a new diesel dually, you can get a nice used diesel pusher MH and used tow car for the same amount. True, some will not be interested in going the MH route, but some will.