Trim/Quality Level

[204Jordan]

We're 5er "newbies". Prior to the purchase of our Springdale, someone said Keystone manufactured 4 lines with varying levels of overall quality. (I believe 2 others were Cougar and Montana.) Can anyone enlighten me on the 4 "brands" and their corresponding "quality" rankings?

[JRTJH]

That's an easy one to answer. Go to http://www.keystonerv.com/#

Click on "Travel Trailers", "Fifth Wheels", "Light Weight", "Toy Haulers", or "Destination Trailers" along the top bar (just under the Keystone logo).

When you select the "RV Type" a dropdown box will appear. In that box will be categories. For TT, the categories are: Standard, Select, Premium. For FW, they are: Standard, Select, Premium, Luxury. For LW: Standard, Select, Luxury. For TH: Standard, Select, Premium and for DT: only Select. Remember, the brand names in each category are alphabetically arranged, not level of quality arranged.

If you look at the brand names of RV's within each category, you can pretty well see some differences in types of end caps, sidewall material, etc. If you go on to compare the features listed within each brand, you can begin to compare construction, materials, optional vs standard components and when you study the photographs carefully, you can begin to see some differences in basic quality of materials as well as placement of components within each brand.

Keep in mind, the "descriptors" that Keystone uses, Standard, Select, Premium, Luxury are "their choice of marketing tools" not necessarily an "honest interpretation" of the brand name. It might be more accurate to use, "Cheapest", "Cheap", "Not so cheap" and "OK" You may find other descriptors" that fit your interpretation more accurately.

[BirchyBoy]

Related to this question, why are there different floorplans for the East/West regions? Are some built on the left coast instead of in Indiana?

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

Related to this question, why are there different floorplans for the East/West regions? Are some built on the left coast instead of in Indiana?

Keystone was formed in about 1996. In 2009 they "moved west" and opened an assembly plant in Oregon. The reason was stated, "To better meet the needs of our local buyers and provide them with the products they want and need" in "reality" it was to expand the business and move away from the "totally saturated" Elkhart/Goshen Indiana market.

I think (my opinion) that it was a way to "breathe new ideas and new people" into the process of building RV's for the US and Canada.

There are some distinctions in the way RV's are built, some subtle floorplan changes of the "same model" and some significant differences in tank sizes.

The Cougar XLite and Cougar Half Ton are a prime example of those differences. Both are essentially the same RV, but from floorplan differences, tank sizes and even availability of options, they are distinct and different from each other. Other Keystone brands are also built with two different concepts of the final product. This year (2014) there are some "test options" like dual pane windows, full underbelly skirting, improved polar package, etc that are being tested within Cougar and available only on the XLite or the Half Ton, but not available on both. Next year, the successful tests will likely appear on both brands.

Fortunately, there is some "bleed over' as to where the "east coast/west coast" lines start and end. Dealerships can usually get either model, although some won't work with a customer as it's more "work" for the dealership and they lose some of their "quantity discounts" if they don't keep all the orders from one factory.

In reality, the ability to offer multiple floorplans with minor changes is a marketing plus for Keystone because it gives them the capability to market to different needs of buyers and "fine tune" the availability of subtle changes in model differences to meet those needs.

[BirchyBoy]

Thanks for all the info.

[fla-gypsy]

Don't get hung up to much on so called quality ratings and buy what looks best to you and fits your budget.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

....Keep in mind, the "descriptors" that Keystone uses, Standard, Select, Premium, Luxury are "their choice of marketing tools" not necessarily an "honest interpretation" of the brand name. It might be more accurate to use, "Cheapest", "Cheap", "Not so cheap" and "OK" You may find other descriptors" that fit your interpretation more accurately.

I like!

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by SAD

I like!

HA HA I wasn't sure if you or Barney would be the one to catch that... I should have bet on you

[canesfan]

It might be more accurate to use, "Cheapest", "Cheap", "Not so cheap" and "OK" You may find other descriptors" that fit your interpretation more accurately.

I had to laugh at this, and sorry, I've been trying to be good but I have to add my .02. Not directed at any particular brand and the name of my last rig shall go unnamed for this purpose (it was NOT a Keystone), but "other descriptors" may also include "junk" "cr@p" "garbage" "trash".

Keep in mind for the most part that all the stuff in these things comes from the same few companies, it's how they put them all together, along with various bells and whistles and plushness, that really make them different.

[limey]

We found that the best way to evaluate "quality" was to go and look! A show is a good start, but then find a selection of large dealers and go take a look. Things that we noticed were quality of cabinetry (especially doors), counter tops, mattresses, bathrooms and general "fit and finish".

We ended up buying a Montana because we thought it was the best combination of floorplan/space, utility and quality for the price. We did find another brand of similar size that was actually more money and we liked it a lot - until we opened a cabinet door - it flexed before it sprung open the latch!

We all have different tastes, price limits and use requirements - so go and look, you will soon figure out what works best for you.

Oh, and find a dealer you like! It is hard to find honest salesmen, but if you find one who will answer questions honestly, and not simply try to sell the one they make the most money on, stick with him/her!

[Pmedic4]

Originally Posted by limey

Oh, and find a dealer you like! It is hard to find honest salesmen, but if you find one who will answer questions honestly, and not simply try to sell the one they make the most money on, stick with him/her!

The last comment that Limey had may be more important than the quality level of the RV. As you go through and read the posts, and see all the members here on this forum, It doesn't take long to notice how many different models, brands, and types of RV's that many of the members have owned previously. We haven't listed ours, but what I remember more about our purchases have been how the dealer responded to problems and issues. Dealers know the quality levels of RV's and how they are built, because they deal with it on a daily basis. When you get a good dealer, you don't have to worry so much about the build quality.

[SAABDOCTOR]

I was gonna but I figured i have caused too much misschef all ready!