ratfink09
NYS
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Joined: 03/13/2009
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Well, we bought a left over `09 Montana 3400RL from my local dealer about two months ago. We were going to wait until next year but the deal was too good. Used it once and it went well. Due to defects in the rims, Keystone agreed to replace the entire wheel assemblies on both axles. Great customer service. Made an appointment to have the new ones installed. The morning of the appointment the landing gear would not work. Had to talk with the service manger over the phone to talk me through looking for fuse and how to use manual crank. Got it dealer and they replaced the rims. On the way home I had one of the wheels separate from the hub and cross over three lanes of traffic luckily not hitting any one! Ruined the wheel and body damage as you might expect. Dealer was good and replaced every thing free of charge. They had it for three weeks and we had to cancel a weekend of camping. Got it back a couple of days ago and while washing it to store for the winter, I noticed one of the valve stems leaking air. All tires aired up to 80#, this one down to 58#. Called dealer and he picked up the tire at my home and had it repaired and reinstalled it in the same day. Now I know these things are labor and maintainece intensive, but I am disgusted with my 5er and I have owned it for two months and used it once. On the positive side no one was hurt, great service from dealer and I do not have to use the friggin` thing until next year! My wife and I will put our cover on it this afternoon. Hope I do not fall off it! Thanks for letting me blow off some steam!
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BruceStarkey
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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Well, you've had your trial by fire but I want to assure you, you are not alone with your experience generated in a short term of ownership.
While you may be presidposed to give your dealer the benefit of the doubt because he has been accommmodating, I'd reserve my judgment based on why; after a change of rims to correct a known defect, the new rim separates from it's center disc or did it lose it's nuts, either way that's poor repair quality! Why did they not check the wheels valve stems for leakage before mounting the wheels back on the rig. And why, although within limits, they're still using those stupid rubber stems when better quality steel variety are available. Dealer may score high for being accommodating but for dotting "i's" and crossing "t's" I'd be inclined to give him a "C" rating at best.
Take heart the worst may be behind you, or, this may be just the beginning! Haaaar!
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
'04' International 4400 LoPro 310Hp/950FtLbs 10Spd Harley/RV Toter
'05' Mobile Suites 38RL3
'01' Harley Ultra in the bike barn.
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btd35
Spokane, WA
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I had to go back and read your original post again.
I to would wonder about how well the wheel was secured. Glad nobody was hurt. As far as the landing gear problem, I would wonder about the motor being bad, or a wire shorted somewhere. Possibly a screw through a wire or something. This is common in new RV's. As far as the valve stems, make sure they put on metal valve stems. I have them on mine and never had a problem.
It does sound like your dealer is responsive, and that is great, BUT, make sure you don't let things go like little things not working. You want them fixed on warranty, and if it goes wrong now, it's much cheaper than later. If that fuse blows again on the landing gear, get it in and have it looked at. Just replacing a fuse doesn't fix the problem. Dealers will do that over and over unless you make some noise to get them to fix it.
* This post was
edited 11/07/09 10:26am by btd35 *
Tom & Beth
05,Grand Junction 35TMS
99, Dodge 3500 Dually.
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ratfink09
NYS
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Oh, I forgot to add that the dealer had to replace the 7 pin plug because they backed over it while moving my 5er in the lot! I am surprised they even told me about that! I did check the valve stems, they are metal ones. Thank God the camping season is over here in upstate NY!
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ricklord2001
Woodstock, Ga
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Joined: 03/23/2007
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Yeah I would love to take a trip where all i did was drive there setup and enjoy the campground. But it seems there is always something that needs attention. This isn't working or alarm is going off or something.
Rving is a lot of work before during and after. Good luck and glad no one was hurt. Still love it though!!
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richfaa
Ohio
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Joined: 04/24/2005
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You are having your share. The location of the landing gear fuse is a well kept secret. You need to mark the up and down limits on the landing gear so as not to blow that fuse.It is a common problem. The OEM valve stems (rubber) are known to leak and most of us have replaced them., That is also a common problem and not only on Montana's. If you do not belong to www.montanaowners.com you may want to take a look. Lots of good information and help there. Sounds like the dealer made a mistake in installing the new rims causing the separation. There have been problems with leaking/defective OEM rims in many brands.
We had leaking OEM valve stems. We have not had rim problems. We were warned about the landing gear fuse location and blowing the fuse on the Montana forum so we have not had that problem. Yes RV's are labor and maint intensive and it will not slack off. We spent the entire morning all over our 06 3400 checking, replacing weather stripping, lubricating seals, checking tire pressure and we developed a squeak in the floor we can not find???? it never ends...
Oh..see you have the metal stems...Check the nut on the outside and make sure it is tight.When I had a tire changed the dealer did NOT tighten the stem and it did leak.
06 Montana 3400. 08 Ford F-350 6.4L
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bobofthenorth
Somewhere in North America
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If its any consolation they tend to get a little better with age. At some point stuff starts wearing out because it was underspecced for the job it is being asked to do. In between fixing the OEM defects and the time when things start falling off from age or poor quality there is a hiatus where you will get to enjoy your rig with relatively little interruption. This is one of the reasons why knowledgeable buyers look for gently used RVs. The other reason is to avoid the wicked whack you are currently getting from depreciation.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Hummm...wasn't it the "dealer" who installed the new running gear that failed on the way home? Wasn't it the dealer who prepped your trailer that had the failed landing gear? I'm not sure I"d call that a "good dealer" at least based on the experience with him so far. Hope your luck improves because you're already had more problems than you'd expect in a year. Probably due for a very GOOD stretch next spring (lets hope).
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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WV Coalminer
West Virginia
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Joined: 02/22/2009
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Our motorhome was new when we bought it this year. It had been on a dealers lot for over a year and a half, we knew it would have some problems. Last month, after going over it and writing down all the things we found wrong, we took it to Newmar and left it for the winter. Its still under warranty so it's time to get everything fixed. Check your systems out really good before the warranty is dead and they won't fix it.
Bill & Julie
2008 Newmar Grandstar 3750, FRED Chassis, Cummins 6.7 liter 340 HP
2008 Smart Car
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fordsooperdooty
Orange Kounty Kalifornia
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Since New York has a very wimpy lemon law regarding recreational vehicles, make sure to keep dates and incidents in writing. And please contact and file a on line report on the wheel incidence with the NHTSA, as this will be of interest to them, as they track items that can pose risk of accident or death to other people. They may issue a cautionary recall of that brand of wheel. NHTSA
A Jayco is not just an RV, it's a life choice! 
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