2016 Keystone Hideout

[GunandBible]

I have had three 5th wheels and just sold mine today. I have spotted me a 2016 Keystone Hideout for $26,000. I then was flooded with all negatives about the Hideout and Keystone in general. I see a lot of Keystone and everyone seems happy with them.

My question is if the Hideout is the bottom of the barrel so to speak and should I spend money I don't have for say a Montana? I am not a small guy so I need good quality so I am not tearing things up with my "not so tiny" frame.

What say the experts?

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by GunandBible

I have had three 5th wheels and just sold mine today. I have spotted me a 2016 Keystone Hideout for $26,000. I then was flooded with all negatives about the Hideout and Keystone in general. I see a lot of Keystone and everyone seems happy with them.

My question is if the Hideout is the bottom of the barrel so to speak and should I spend money I don't have for say a Montana? I am not a small guy so I need good quality so I am not tearing things up with my "not so tiny" frame.

What say the experts?

If you check the Keystone site you will see Hideout is above Bullet on TTs but no Bullet 5ers. I am not familiar with the Hideout. My preference was a Montana but the 3/4 ton truck I had when looking last year would have been too far under payload to make me happy so we bought a Cougar 5er and really like it. I bought a new F350 so will move in a couple years. Doubt I'll return to FR in the future. Cougar seems to be middle of the line along with a few others. Avalanche and Montana High Country are listed as 'premium' and Alpine and Montana as luxury. We are probably 2 years away but are looking at the Avalanche 380 FL as the front living room caught our eye.

[mtofell]

I was skeptical for the same reasons but my wife loved the floor plan of our Hideout so I got it. So far it's been virtually trouble free and I'm pleasantly surprised at the creature comforts and features that come with an entry level trailer.

I've always wondered if the higher end model lines from a given brand actually get more time and attention or if it's just more and nicer stuff. My experience with the Hideout leads me to think it's the latter but my sample size of 1 is hardly statistically significant. For the money I paid I'm extremely happy.... so far

[Pigeons101]

Originally Posted by GunandBible

I have had three 5th wheels and just sold mine today. I have spotted me a 2016 Keystone Hideout for $26,000. I then was flooded with all negatives about the Hideout and Keystone in general. I see a lot of Keystone and everyone seems happy with them.

My question is if the Hideout is the bottom of the barrel so to speak and should I spend money I don't have for say a Montana? I am not a small guy so I need good quality so I am not tearing things up with my "not so tiny" frame.

What say the experts?

Plan on getting a hideout 308bhds, I have spent days researching what I could and looked at almost every floor plan in person, the price does raise some questions. It's built just like the Cougars, being we don't need a really nice camper and only need the basics the hideout is our pick.

Now as far as the build its built good (just like a cougar), it has a lower price point bc it's missing what all the expensive fifth wheels have. The ceiling is lower, not a lot of extras, you know "basic".

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Pigeons101

Plan on getting a hideout 308bhds, I have spent days researching what I could and looked at almost every floor plan in person, the price does raise some questions. It's built just like the Cougars, being we don't need a really nice camper and only need the basics the hideout is our pick.

Now as far as the build its built good (just like a cougar), it has a lower price point bc it's missing what all the expensive fifth wheels have. The ceiling is lower, not a lot of extras, you know "basic".

You need to take a look at the Cougars,,

[Pigeons101]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

You need to take a look at the Cougars,,

At what part? fifth wheel bud not tt. Most all the keystone 5ers bones are built the same.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Pigeons101

Plan on getting a hideout 308bhds, I have spent days researching what I could and looked at almost every floor plan in person, the price does raise some questions. It's built just like the Cougars, being we don't need a really nice camper and only need the basics the hideout is our pick.

Now as far as the build its built good (just like a cougar), it has a lower price point bc it's missing what all the expensive fifth wheels have. The ceiling is lower, not a lot of extras, you know "basic".

There are some significant differences in the way the Hideout and the Cougar are built. The biggest difference is the material used in framing. Hideout is constructed with poplar and spruce (wood frame) while the Cougar is welded aluminum construction. While wood frame trailers are not "inferior" they do have some issues that you won't find in aluminum frame construction. Which is "better" ?? Neither is "better" but they are "different"... As far as "quality" is concerned, both are built on similar RV assembly lines by workers that receive similar training, use similar appliances and install components using similar techniques and materials. So, they are "similar" but they also are "very different".

Of course there are other significant differences between the Hideout and the Cougar, but with that said, neither is "better" or "worse", and both fill a need in the RV price lineup.

[Pigeons101]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

There are some significant differences in the way the Hideout and the Cougar are built. The biggest difference is the material used in framing. Hideout is constructed with poplar and spruce (wood frame) while the Cougar is welded aluminum construction. While wood frame trailers are not "inferior" they do have some issues that you won't find in aluminum frame construction. Which is "better" ?? Neither is "better" but they are "different"... As far as "quality" is concerned, both are built on similar RV assembly lines by workers that receive similar training, use similar appliances and install components using similar techniques and materials. So, they are "similar" but they also are "very different".

Of course there are other significant differences between the Hideout and the Cougar, but with that said, neither is "better" or "worse", and both fill a need in the RV price lineup.

Yes the tt is wood framed, but the rv in question is the fifth whell, which is aluminum framed.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Pigeons101

Yes the tt is wood framed, but the rv in question is the fifth whell, which is aluminum framed.

No, it is NOT aluminum framed. The SIDEWALLS (laminated construction) is aluminum framed. The floor is constructed of 2x3 spruce joists, the front and rear structure are constructed of 1x2 and 2x2 spruce components and the roof "rafters" are wooden. The only part of the Hideout fifth wheel that is constructed with aluminum is the lamination parts which is the sidewalls. Otherwise, it's a "wooden framed fifth wheel trailer.

ADDED: Don't get me wrong, the Hideout fifth wheel is a "well built Keystone fifth wheel" (built with essentially the same "quality" as all the other brands) produced by Keystone, but there are some significant differences that extend beyond the "different upholstery, cushions and appliances. Open the front storage compartment on a Cougar, look up at the construction above your head, then open the front compartment on a Hideout and compare what you'll see. Either one is a "good trailer", but not built with the same framing materials.

[therink]

Keep in mind that models like Montana, Alpine, etc. are an entirely different animal and price point. These upper level trailers have 12" drop frames and are considered full profile fifth wheels. They are generally built better, have heavier frames and suspension. The higher the gvwr of the model, the better the trailer and more truck is required to handle it.
My next rig will certainly have a 12" frame and 7k axles, G rated tires, etc. The foundation is what is important.