Things you really like in new RVs?

[Artemus Gordon]

We have held on to our Montana longer than we initially planned. One reason is our Montana has been a great RV, is and looks like new. It's been a good rig, not completely trouble free, but compared to my RV buddies, it's been excellent. The only reasons we have not moved forward is major health issues, three back surgeries etc. that are finally resolving themselves. Why spend more money if I can't use the new rig? So before the end of the year we will order a new fiver. Montana is very high on the list, but so is DRV. My question for all you RV show attendees and close followers of what's new and exciting, tell me the next must haves! When our Montana was ordered, it came with every option. What new considerations should we investigate? Full size fridge is high on the list, but I know more things are available! Heated entry steps, auto sewer self dumping, hands free systems, lol Please share!

[K0LCB]

Auto hitch would be great, cause I can't teach that goat I drive to do it

[1retired06]

We like the six point leveling system and the quiet air

[richfaa]

We have the 2013 Big Sky with just about all the good stuff. The residential fridge would be a good addition for us and the next time this one fails we will get one.

Better workmanship and quality control would cause us to consider a newer RV since that will not happen we are done with new Rv's

[DarMar]

We would definitely 2nd the residential fridge option and of course the level up feature.

[rmthelen]

Montana features we like: Level up, quiet air, arched ceiling, hardwood cabinets. Mor-ride suspension and pin box, large basement, adequate number of electrical outlets.
Ours is a 2013 and we still enjoy it about 6 months a year, 4 in Florida and another 2-3 during the summer travelling around our home state of Michigan.
Not interested in a new one for the following reasons; area for commode is too small on side aisle bath models since incorporating a linen closet in the aisle, quality appears to have degraded in the newer ones, many of the "improvements" are eye candy only and do not add to the utility of the coach, ie; front cap lights, heated floor, awning lights, to name a few.

[GLS3950]

For us the must have was Level up.

We love the 18 cf. fridge, second awning and LED lighting.

I do miss the outdoor kitchen, use to get up and go out make coffee

[bigskyjimmy]

AS far as Quality My 2015 is just as good as my 2012 was, I myself do not get that folks say the Quality has gone down,the reason we traded for a 2015 is just that me and my wife wanted a different floorplan and I got tired of the white gel coat and no frameless window look, on the 2015 We do love the ducted whisper air A/C,"wood"floors less carpet WAY better furniture than our 2012 even better TV/surround sound Blu-ray (all Sony)better fridge,More pantry space(wife loves that),REAL doors to the bedroom and bathroom not Pocket doors which I always thought were cheesy,Open wide closet doors in the bedroom was a nice upgrade they did and on the new one's they have ALuminum 4 step entry,In command control system and even more powerfull A/C's and of course yes more "Bling" the LED under awning lights are nice to have at night and Cap lights (hey I'm a dude)

[FordMan1966]

2015 Montana 3611RL Legacy - We like the 6 pt leveling, residential refrigerator, large one piece shower, G Rated Tires, and the list could go on and on. Don't know how you can beat the Montana's. We switched for a short period of time to a Heartland Landmark Full Body Paint and it was a POS.

[Dam Worker]

Artemus in my mind I am interested in all the mechanical aspects of the units and my wife goes more for the looks. To me the DRV is a substantial step up from the Montana although I think Keystone now owns DRV. In the DVR's that we were looking at last year some of the things that stood out in mind were as follows. Wide body construction 101" with 31/4" walls, more room for insulation. 17.5" H rated tires withMor/Ryde suspension, axles that were at least 8K lb and came with disc brakes and oil bath hubs. Air ride pin box, 15" frame, 3" floors joists 14" OC with 5/8" T&G flooring, 1/2" plywood on the roof. 8' tall slides with straight roof. Bigger water tanks, fully ducted A/C system. As you can see I am impressed with them, especially their fit and finish.

Now for the bad part, you might have to get a bigger TV and the bank account gets smaller.
If money was not an issue this is what I would pull around.

Tom Marty
No

[richfaa]

2006 3400 from may 2005 to May 2012 traveled @ 75K miles lived in at least 9 months of every one of those years .Major problems 6 failed holding tanks 2 black,3 galley, 1 gray. Frame felx twice. Burst hydraulic line and fire. Shackle/spring failure shifted axle 3 ruined tires.

This 13 3402 is pretty much the same floor plan with the extra 1/2 bath.Things that are better in the 3402 Better insulation,slides fit better with the double seals.The 3400 leaked like a sieve. Fit and finish no better. Full body paint is crap and chips easy spent 800$$ for tuff coat on the front bottom panel to repair and prevent chips. 4 failed holding tanks thus far 2 black,2 galley. Have used this 3402 less than the 06 3400 thus far about 10K miles since May 2012.Lived in it @ the same amount of time. Oh forgot about the gel coat pulling away from the aluminum framing Keystone did the longer screw trick at the fall rally.

We had the Mor Ryde IS on the 3400.Could have put on the G614's and the level up system.New graphics. In retrospect we would have been better off doing upgrades to the 06 3400.

Now that is not a complaint or a bash this is our 2nd Montana and as we have said many times IF we thought there was a better brand in the price range we would have it.

[Artemus Gordon]

Why have you not posted this before? ! Wow. How I would have never posted this if I imagined Rich had problems with his Montana!

[richfaa]

I talk about them in the hope it may help others and always have.
We have had 6 Rv's over the years and had problems with all of them

We have used our two Montana's far more than the previous 4 and had More problems.I had once or twice posted that we did more miles on the 06 3400 on the first trip we took in it than the previous 4 combined.

[Razrbk]

I appreciate your candor, Rich. I have a new 2015 unit that has been in "warranty repair" for 6 of the 7 1/2 months that I've owned it. It's my last "new" one.

[WeBeFulltime]

We love our Montana and it has been almost trouble free! Having said that.....I would go with the DRV since you already have a capable truck. Just offering my .02 worth.

[Dam Worker]

After reading David's post and then looking at your signature I quickly came to the conclusion that you would not need to upgrade your TV. . That thing should be a pleasure driving while towing your Montana. We have a couple of 550's at work, with the cab and chassis style with flat beds. Man you can load them up and they perform great. Our older one has a 10' foot box and has quite a stiff ride. We loaded this one up with two small turbines, shafts and I think a couple of rotors from a small hydro ditch plant. Might of been a bit over weight but the laborer that drove it back to our main shop said it performed great. The newer one has a longer wheelbase and more weight capacity, rides nicer and is a pleasure to drive. The chassis package with the narrower frame sure makes them have a super tight turning diameter.

Tom Marty

[Artemus Gordon]

Thanks it is a great tow rig. 172 wheelbase. Tom funny you mention Turning Radius, that's the real reason to buy the F 450. The front wheels are kicked out enough to nearly half the turn radius of the F250 or F350. I can turn RV and Truck in nearly impossible situations. That along with ability to haul more weight and more fun options ! Lol

[bigskyjimmy]

I thought you were joking about Rich not posting about his lemons Artemus But i guess not, Rich's page after page of nightmare problems over the years here is legendary I think Rich is about the most Jinxed Rv owner I have ever heard of and I have been around Rving folks for a LONG time, I feel bad for his crappy luck and I am surprised Rich has not given up on Rving yet and just buy a Park model in Florida somewhere and call it good ,I don't think Park models have holding tanks so he would be Golden

quote:Originally posted by Artemus Gordon

Why have you not posted this before? ! Wow. How I would have never posted this if I imagined Rich had problems with his Montana!

[sambam]

Yep, I feel for Rich also. I'd probably be out on a ledge somewhere if all that happened to me. Holiday Inn would be on my speed-dial. Good for you, Rich, hanging in there like you have. There is a good reason for buying slightly used. My '10 which I bought in '13, though not perfect, sure had the annoying little things addressed already.

[Artemus Gordon]

I apologize if I offended Rich or anyone else. I have read his list many, many, many, times before. My sarcasm was an over reaction to hearing the same post, once too often. The thread was meant to be informative and light hearted, not another thinly vailed opening to talk about how awful "Montana RVs" are built. Especially since it's been posted numerous times. I told Rich before he should sell his rig and stop wasting so much energy on it. Trying to end on a "it's no better than any other RV" is not what lingers with the reader. I asked many Montana owners to visit the MOC and few have remained. The feedback was too much negativity and one dear friend told me he would have never bought his 3750, if he had visited before buying. That friend constantly contacts me thinking his Montana is falling apart, when in fact his RV has been relatively problem free. This is a great group of people, I even sent Rich a note once about being impressed with advice he gave. I respect all of you, and did not mean to let out my frustrations. I apologize for my remarks!