montana high country vs mountaineer

[AREBEE]

Are there any owners out there who can tell me differences between these two. Have been looking at high countries for lighter weight purposes. Just recently saw a mountaineer and really liked the looks. Which is better and why.

[gearhead]

Not much difference that I could tell. Comparing similar floor plans, my wife did not want the split bathroom of the Mountaineer because she lost the linen cabinet.
It seemed Mountaineer has just a bit more kingpin weight than High Country, comparing similar floor plans.
Oh.....now I remember...high country has "HELIUM TECHNOLOGY". Whatever that is. LOL

[therink]

In my opinion, whichever has a drop style 12" frame is better in my book. I have a 10" frame on my current rig and am somewhat skeptical on frame strength on a 37' fiver. I believe that heavier is better when it comes to fifth wheels. My next rig will have a drop frame (more basement storage) and 12".

[NotyetMHCowner]

Hey All,

We currently have a Rockwood 2603 TT that is for sale. We are wanting to upgrade to probably a Montana High Country 293RK. I talked to my local dealer a few days ago, he said one of the guys in the office just got back from Indiana at a show and told me the High Country and Mountaineer will merge for the 2016 model year. He said they will make 2015 until about the end of the year then they start making the new models.

We have fell in love with the 293RK but didn't plan on purchasing one until early spring or so but now are concerned the model we want wont be available then.

Have any of you heard anything about a merger of these two brands?

Thank You.

[JRTJH]

If you go to the Mountaineer website, you'll see that all of the floorplans are listed as "STOCK ONLY" meaning they are out of production, no more will be manufactured and what's available at the dealerships and remaining at the factory is all that are available. The Montana High Country only has one model that is listed "STOCK ONLY" so it does appear that their assembly line is still operational with the remaining models.

While the kind of information you're being told is pretty much kept "out of the public eye", there may be some truth to your rumors based on the Mountaineer floorplan stock situation.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, we're glad you joined.

[bsmith0404]

As already mentioned, if the floor plans are listed as stock only, what is available out there now is all there will ever be. The manufacturers are currently doing model year change over. They are doing dealer shows and taking orders for next year. Those will start rolling off the floors in Nov/Dec.

All of the RV shipping yards are pretty much empty at this point. I have friends who are transporters and they are out of work. The yards are full of guys sleeping in their trucks hoping to get a paying load to get them back home.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Luckily for us, the 293rk model is new for the 2014 year and is not showing stock only. We were just afraid that we spent all this time trying to find the near perfect floor plan to have it yanked out from under us before we were able to purchase. Looks like we will be fine.

Thanks

[RovingReiley]

Happy to hear that your floor plan appears to still be available! We just got our Mountaineer 310RET toward the end of summer. We LOVE it! Our floorplan isn't available in the High Country. So glad we already have it! Our previous 5th Wheel was a Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite. It just doesn't compare to the Mountaineer. May you have many happy travels ahead of you!

Paul and Donna
2014 Mountaineer 310RET
2014 F-350 4 x 4 Diesel

[gearhead]

In my many emails to our selling dealer I mentioned that I haven't seen any new High County's in their inventory. I asked if they were discontinuing the HC. He said no, that they had a lot of them on the way. Of course the salesman didn't volunteer that the Mountaineer was discontinued.
If you do get serious about the HC, you may ask the salesman about the shower door latch. Be curious if they will warranty those glass shower doors when the latch lets go and they shatter glass all over the bathroom. Also the left (highway side) bedroom closet door latch is poorly designed. The clear plastic latch/strap on the floor is angled wrong. I caught mine loose before the mirrors shattered.
A pool noodle or some wood trim in the tracks will keep both of them from letting go. I plan to question my dealer as to when they will have a "fix" for both issues.
I would advise you present the same question before you buy.

[gearhead]

If you plan to take delivery in early spring be aware that the trailer will likely be stored on a salted lot and when delivered may be towed on salted roads. The dealer is supposed to clean them but you may have to spend some time on it yourself.
Just me, I would either buy earlier or much later.

[NotyetMHCowner]

We changed our minds after looking at our local dealer and ordered a Montana High Country 305RL from RV Wholesalers. Should pick it up around Christmas or New Years. Cant wait!

About the shower latch, the 2015 models have a little silver latch that holds the shower doors open. Is this the latch that breaks, or did the early models not have a latch at all?

Are you talking about the bedroom closet door with the little clear plastic strap with a snap on it to hold the door?

We will definitely watch for these two issues when picking it up. Thanks

[gearhead]

We changed our minds after looking at our local dealer and ordered a Montana High Country 305RL from RV Wholesalers. Should pick it up around Christmas or New Years. Cant wait!

About the shower latch, the 2015 models have a little silver latch that holds the shower doors open. Is this the latch that breaks, or did the early models not have a latch at all?

Are you talking about the bedroom closet door with the little clear plastic strap with a snap on it to hold the door?

We will definitely watch for these two issues when picking it up. Thanks

Congratulations! You should really enjoy the HC.
The shower latch: Yes the silver latch. Mine hasn't broken, it apparently just doesn't stay latched. I really don't know what happened but I found one of the shower doors shattered. Right now I'm using 1 inch wood corner trim (like angle iron) in the bottom door tracks to be sure the doors don't move if the latch fails. I'm assuming the latch failed, not that we didn't latch it.
The closet doors: I just discovered that both of my doors won't stay latched. I have a wooden dowel behind the right door to keep the left door in place. And now I have a piece of wood (surveyors stake) in front of the left door to keep the right door in place. I think the clear plastic straps need to be at more of an angle to secure the doors.
If I were you I would take some foam pipe insulation or pool noodles with you when you go to the dealer. Cut them to fit before you drive off. I would definitely talk to the dealer about warranty covering any damage if they do break. You may even get the service folks out there and look at the straps and see what they say.
Also, the under mounted spare tire is very low. I had to use some wooden boards to drive over to get the trailer up my driveway. I have since put the spare on the paper thin bumper. I had to fabricate my own spare bracket to get enough height to prevent that from bottoming out.
I have about 18 inches of clearance below the rear bumper.
'

[NotyetMHCowner]

How exactly would I use the pool noodles for the shower and closet doors? I will definitely get some before we go to pick it up just want to know what to do with them.

[gearhead]

Split the pool noodle or large pipe insulation and fit it over the bottom tracks of the shower door. You just want something to prevent the doors from slamming back and forth when the latch lets go.
The closet doors you may have to experiment with. Maybe small diameter pipe insulation cut to fit in the tracks. You may have to put a towel over them to hold them in place.
I throw the bath mat over the wood in the shower tracks.
If anyone else has a suggestion I'm open.
I've talked to 2 other owners that this is happening to.

[glad2b]

We changed our minds after looking at our local dealer and ordered a Montana High Country 305RL from RV Wholesalers. Should pick it up around Christmas or New Years. Cant wait!

About the shower latch, the 2015 models have a little silver latch that holds the shower doors open. Is this the latch that breaks, or did the early models not have a latch at all?

Are you talking about the bedroom closet door with the little clear plastic strap with a snap on it to hold the door?

We will definitely watch for these two issues when picking it up. Thanks
Congratulations! We are full timers and plan to upgrade from our Cougar 278rks to either the High Country 293rk or 305rl. We also hope to make our purchase through an RV wholesaler after the first of the year. Curious as to why you decided on the 305rl over the 293rk? Any help in our decision-making process is much appreciated.

[gearhead]

My wife thought the 305 had more usable countertop than the 293rk. I liked the 293 specs better, but....

[skmct]

We really liked the 305 RL but couldn't get the price down to what we wanted on a unit that had to be ordered. They gave us a price on a new 2014 318 re that we couldn't turn down.

[NotyetMHCowner]

We wanted the 293 because of the slides being only on one side and giving a bigger awning (20') to sit under. Also that it was the shortest one (32' 11"). But after stepping into the 305, the huge floor plan was nice. The doors are in the same place on both campers with the 293 have about 4 more feet of awning towards the back end. After looking at it, we realized we would not use that 4 feet of awning for much of anything. Also, the 293 is rear kitchen and while cooking outside, we would be walking through the living room and a lot further to bring things in and out. The 305 has the door right beside where the kitchen is. The 305 is also just 1 foot longer (33' 11").

We would have definitely bought the 293 that night that we ordered had we not drove to the nearest dealer to look at a 305. We almost made a big mistake. We would have loved the 293, but the things we thought were pros over the 305 for us, really were not.

[NotyetMHCowner]

We agree about the counter space as well. We thought the 293 had more space, but after looking at the 305, we felt that it has more usable space. For instance somewhere to put the coffee pot. The 293 would have to have it on the right of the sink which is the only place that has uninterrupted counter (the sink with covers in the middle and the stove with covers on the left). The 305 has counter space beside the pantry on the right after walking through the door. The website floor plan does not show it well, but there is pretty good counter space there, as well as the island and the stove area.

[NotyetMHCowner]

I got a message earlier today from RVWholesalers that said our unit would be coming off the line Mid March! And that it would have a King bed instead of the Queen.

I called them when I got home (that guy had already went home) and the guy I talked to said he didn't have any notes about my unit. He said mid March cant be right because they are only going out to about the first of January right now. About the King bed, he said they just made some mid year changes and it could very well have a King instead of a Queen. I was concerned about overall length changing as well. I will call back tomorrow morning and find out what is going on.

[glad2b]

Thanks for the input on the 293 vs 305. We agree on the usability of the kitchen. Since our Cougar rear kitchen has a lot of counter space, this has been a concern. Have been in touch with Lakeshore RV in MI and were told the mountaineer was being discontinued (which we already knew from this forum) and the 2016 High Country retooled...back to 96" width and optional king bed. But not sure how that will work. Also, they are deeply discounting current models. Since we'll be out of the country from early December till mid March, we're in even more of a quandary as we won't be able to see the new version before placing an order, yet like those changes. We have a call into Keystone to see if we can get more answers but would appreciate any input from forum.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Back to 96" width? That nice. He is supposed to call me back with the exact changes to the unit I am getting. I would rather have a 2015 model because I know what it looks like and we are ready for it. If it is totally changed, I am not sure we want it. I didn't really even want a fifth wheel this long (33' 11") but we decided we would deal with it. But to add a king bed and make it narrower, I am concerned it is longer.

[glad2b]

Finally spoke to rep. Confirmed narrower body and king bed option, but that's all he knew as engineers still working on design. We've pretty much decided on 305, but going to wait to see what info is available on new model, then make a decision. Especially as we have no idea what our timing will be for returning to states. And will keep an eye on this forum for further information.

[JRTJH]

glad2b,

Buying an RV can be a frustrating task. Trying to find the answers to your questions seems impossible. Nobody seems to know what the new ones will look like, the dealer is at the "mercy" of Keystone, the Keystone reps are at the "mercy" of the engineers and the engineers are at the "mercy" of the buyers, so it seems like nobody really knows for sure what the new model will look like until they finally roll off the assembly line, and by then all the "old models that were substiantially discounted are sold, or the few that are left aren't equipped with the options you wanted......

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that if you've found what you want, at a good discounted price, and you're unsure if the new ones will be equipped like you want, if you wait until you find out about the new ones (several months from now) you may have lost the "window of opportunity" to get the current model that you like for a good price. You may find that trying to get a new one equipped the same as what you can now buy will be substantially more expensive.

It's a "guessing game" at this point, but if the price is right and you're satisfied with what you see on the lot, you might want to consider if waiting will get you a better trailer? Certainly the cost for the current model is likely to be much less than a new one. Hard decisions, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[buckeyebobhockingcamper]

wish i had a king bed and a bigger shower in my 2014 montana high country343rl.the 2015 i saw had bigger one piece shower.extra bedroom air and level system.i could be in trouble with mama as this is our 3rd"last camper"!!! i know they wont divorce you if you refuse to put christmas lights up,but another camper OOOOOOh!!

[NotyetMHCowner]

You don't understand. We have already ordered our unit from RV Wholesalers. We ordered a 2015 Keystone Montana High Country 305RL. We gave a non-refundable $1000 deposit. We were told 6 to 8 weeks from the time we ordered which was October 29. I did tell them that if someone else was really wanting there unit soon, then put us behind them because I still needed to sell our camper, boat, and buy a truck that would pull the new one. Of course I didn't think that meant wait 5 months.

The "new" model may be just fine for us, but we are very particular about layouts. We have look at literally EVERY brand and model made and usually found a thing or two we didn't like about each one. The 305rl had almost everything we were looking for (an outside kitchen would make it perfect). Going from 100" to 96" is not the end of the world, but to add 12" of width to the bed means the slideout has to be wider. That means the bedroom layout has to be different because there is not enough room to have that bed and still have the large front closet and the clothes closet adjoining the bathroom closet. So, I am concerned that there are more changed than just the bed and width.

I talked to the man today that left me the message yesterday and he did not have any information except the king bed and mid March time frame. He said he would try to find out from the Keystone rep and get back with me, but it didn't happen today. Maybe tomorrow.

Our local dealer has what we want except without the onan 5500 generator. I wish more dealers would get a model every now and then with a generator. I have never seen one advertised with any dealer.

We have an RV show at the first of the year that we plan on attending. We will probably see what we have ordered then, a few months before we get it.

[bsmith0404]

wish i had a king bed and a bigger shower in my 2014 montana high country343rl.the 2015 i saw had bigger one piece shower.extra bedroom air and level system.i could be in trouble with mama as this is our 3rd"last camper"!!! i know they wont divorce you if you refuse to put christmas lights up,but another camper OOOOOOh!!

We have the king bed in our Alpine and I wish I had the queen. The king is nice, but you lose the night stands. I wish I had some place to set a book, bottle of water, my CPAP....the little shelf above my head on the headboard just doesn't cut it. We got a great deal on one in stock, so decided to give up the night stands and not order one, they weren't worth the thousands difference we would have paid.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Unfortunately, the 305rl does not have night stands as well. The slide is only wide enough for the 60" by 80" queen bed. That is why I am concerned because the slide has to be 12" wider and that will not happen without some other changes.

I would much rather have a queen anyway. That is what we have had for 20 years at home, so it is good enough for the camper too. I don't want to give up the precious space in a camper for a bigger bed than we need.

Night stands would be fantastic though!

[NotyetMHCowner]

They confirmed today that the width is 96", you can get a king or a queen with night stands (which is the way I think we will go), the bathroom stays the same, and the length may be a little longer, ugghh. He said I can call him while he is at the Louisville show and he should know a lot more.

[gearhead]

If your dealer has one you like, couldn't they install the generator? Could you buy that one and pay them to store it on their back lot until you can get it?

[NotyetMHCowner]

We are considering that. We will wait until after the Louisville show and try to find out everything about our unit. I don't know how much they are going to know though, because apparently none of them have been built yet. We are real excited about waiting until March to see what they built for us! There are very particular thing we like about the 2015 305rl and don't want the whole camper changed.

Our dealer will probably still have that camper because of the time of year. If they would move some on the price, that will be a big possibility. I was getting the gen set from RV Wholesalers for $3500 installed. The cheapest one I can find online is $4100 just for the generator. Then I don't know how much the prep kit and wiring is. So we would probably go back to thee original plan B and just buy 2 Honda eu2000's and be done with it.

[gearhead]

I think buying the one you can see and using the Honda gens would be your best deal. I'm not too crazy about having the gen right under the bedroom anyway. Being able to move the Honda's around sounds great. During the day put it up front, in evenings put it out back.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Just got off the phone with the Keystone Rep attending the Louisville Dealer only show. He said the 2016 Montana High Country 305rl will be 96" wide and 12" to 14" longer because of the 72" king bed slide. Or you can get a queen with night stands. It will also have a 32" tv in the bedroom instead of 24" along with a fold down window seat. 8 Lug 6000 pound axles instead of 5200. Backsplash in the kitchen, laminated counter in bathroom instead of solid surface. Solid surface stays in the kitchen (don't understand that one). An integrated Bluetooth sound bar system for the living room.

Everything sounds nice except the 12" to 14" length addition. That is getting more than we want. We really only wanted a 32' when we started, but settled on the 33' 11" of the 2015 model. Now this one is 34' 11" to 35' 1". That is really pushing it.

[Festus2]

Just got off the phone with the Keystone Rep attending the Louisville Dealer only show. He said the 2016 Montana High Country 305rl will be 96" wide and 12" to 14" longer because of the 72" king bed slide. Or you can get a queen with night stands.

Everything sounds nice except the 12" to 14" length addition. That is getting more than we want. We really only wanted a 32' when we started, but settled on the 33' 11" of the 2015 model. Now this one is 34' 11" to 35' 1". That is really pushing it.

If you were to get the Queen bed option rather than the King size, would that mean that the extra 12-14" in overall length "because of the 72" king bed slide" would "disappear" leaving you with a shorter and more acceptable unit?

[NotyetMHCowner]

No, because the slide is the same size. Either the king bed is crammed into the 72 inch slide or a queen with 6 inches on each side with night stands. There would be more room to walk around the queen though.

[gearhead]

I vote for the one on the lot and Honda gens.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Went to local dealer yesterday and made them an offer of basically them paying the taxes. They called back today and declined the offer and said their asking price was the best they could do. Very nice people, a pleasure to talk to, but we will be waiting on the 2016 model. Hopefully we will have it by the end of March, but you never know. In the end, it will be a great deal. And I cant wait to have the built in Onan generator!

[gearhead]

Keep us posted on how it all shakes out...

[JRTJH]

Went to local dealer yesterday and made them an offer of basically them paying the taxes. They called back today and declined the offer and said their asking price was the best they could do. Very nice people, a pleasure to talk to, but we will be waiting on the 2016 model. Hopefully we will have it by the end of March, but you never know. In the end, it will be a great deal. And I cant wait to have the built in Onan generator!

I had the same type of experience with CW when I was shopping for our current Cougar. They didn't have the trailer we wanted, but another CW did. They were at least $4000 higher (with me going to pick it up at the other CW) than another dealer about 50 miles away. It "irked me" that the other CW wouldn't even talk to me about pricing once they learned I was the "customer from CW up north"... Additionally, the "other CW's" advertised internet price was $3500 less than my local CW was quoting for the exact same trailer (by VIN).

The dealer you're working with may have another shopper that is interested in the RV, or after you left, they may have discussed your conversation and come to the conclusion that they "think" you're hooked and will buy if they hold out long enough..... It's hard to read dealerships, so do your comparison shopping (even if you don't intend to buy from a distant dealer) and be sure you're getting a realistic price. Good Luck !!!

[gearhead]

Just out of curiosity, how many watts is the Onan generator rated for that you want?

[NotyetMHCowner]

It is a Onan 5500 Marquis Gold that runs on propane. I have read several reviews about it because it is in some A Class rigs, and everyone has been really pleased and said it will run both AC's and then some. Being built in, and not having to carry gas with us, and worry about gummed up carburetor is the biggest reasons we wanted it. Also it is only $3500 installed. The cheapest I could find online for one is $3800 plus shipping and that wouldn't include the wiring and tray for it. I couldn't pass it up.

[gearhead]

Sounds like a great deal. So, you're having that installed in the 305 you have ordered? Factory install or dealer?
I always thought if I ever got a 5th wheel I would want a built in generator. But now I worry about exhaust. We only dry camp at auto races and there are gens running all around us. Only newer class A owners seem to use the high exhaust extensions.
Be careful.

[NotyetMHCowner]

I think it is Keystone installed because they do offer it, but it could possibly be dealer installed. We will probably get an exhaust extension but I will wait until we get it to decide. I think the exhaust of the propane is not has harmful as gasoline. I have worked in various factories and they would only allow fork trucks and such with propane power because of the fumes. I am sure you wouldn't want to rap your lips around the exhaust pipe though! lol.

We have never boondocked, but wanted our next camper to be able to do so easily. Our last TT only had 25 gallon grey and black tanks, so it didn't take long to fill up. That is one thing we liked about the 305 is the 93 gallon grey tank. The generator will probably run more for regular maintenance than for supplying us with power, but it sure will be nice when we need it. Especially for longer trips (which is another reason we are trading up to this fifth wheel.

[WRDRAD]

I think it is Keystone installed because they do offer it, but it could possibly be dealer installed. We will probably get an exhaust extension but I will wait until we get it to decide. I think the exhaust of the propane is not has harmful as gasoline. I have worked in various factories and they would only allow fork trucks and such with propane power because of the fumes. I am sure you wouldn't want to rap your lips around the exhaust pipe though! lol.

We have never boondocked, but wanted our next camper to be able to do so easily. Our last TT only had 25 gallon grey and black tanks, so it didn't take long to fill up. That is one thing we liked about the 305 is the 93 gallon grey tank. The generator will probably run more for regular maintenance than for supplying us with power, but it sure will be nice when we need it. Especially for longer trips (which is another reason we are trading up to this fifth wheel.
NotyetMHCowner.
I sent you a message with a couple of additional questions on your decision to order the 2016 305rl vs the 2015. See private message on details. Thanks

[WRDRAD]

NotyetMHCowner
Do you know if the new 2016 305rl will still have cable sides, electric leveler vs hydraulic and the light grey gel coat?

[NotyetMHCowner]

I believe the 2016 will still have cable slides. It does come with the same auto leveling system the 2015 came with (if you get that option). I really hope it still comes with a light grey exterior because we bought a black truck that would match it great. haha.

The rep told me, besides the width going down 4 inches from 100" to 96", the changes are so they can offer a king bed. The 2015 only came with a 60"x80" queen and a slide to fit it. The 2016 will offer the same bed with night stands (which is what we ordered) or a 72"x80" king bed. The slide will have to be at least 12" wider to accommodate the larger bed so that is the reason for the added length. He said the Montana and Big Sky are on the same line and they are going to 96" width as well. With the added length of the bedroom, the opposite side of the bed will have a window seat (with a larger window) that can fold up out of the way. I imagine that will be where the little empty space is on the left side of the dresser of the 2015 model.

I would guess that they have had some feedback about campers over 96" wide being to wide and possibly getting some flack from law enforcement in different parts of the country. The maximum width on federal highways is 102". But when you add the awnings to the camper, you are actually wider than you should be. I would imagine that is a problem with a few law enforcement officers that don't have anything better to do.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Keystone has updated part of their website for the 2016 Montana High country models. The "Features" section has been updated to include the 8 lug wheels, soundbar, 32" TV in bedroom, prepped for washer and dryer combo OR separate (I don't know what that would mean), king bed, and residential fridge with bottom freezer and 1000 watt inverter (certain models).

Now I am ready for some pictures!! They told me they wont start manufacturing them until February.

Its just nice to see some changes on the website.

[dadnjesse]

exhaust fumes on propane in not as big as a problem as a gas run engine thats why you see propane fork lifts inside warehouses

[NotyetMHCowner]

They have updated the floorplan diagrams now and we don't like some of the changes. They took the linen closet that was adjacent to the sink and put it behind the toilet. We noticed several fifth wheels we looked at was like that and never could understand why they would put the linen closet behind the toilet and not have anywhere to put your tooth brushes!! lol.

They also took out the large pantry next to the hutch and made a bigger hutch. That less room for food in the pantry.

They also moved the bedroom window over to where it is really off set and made it narrower (even so the rep told me it is taller).

My wife is freaking out over these few changes. It would have been better to not have seen the 2015 model first. These changes seem small, but we have "mentally" moved in and don't like some of the things we see. We are already spending more than we originally planned, so we don't want to start out not liking things. There is a local RV show this weekend that we have been looking forward to for months, but I don't think we will learn anything new.

[gearhead]

My wife has a fixation about linen storage. When we built our house a few years ago, she wedged linen closets in everywhere. Cabinetmaker and myself were quite entertained.
Anyway...the linen is why she wanted the High Country . That and the larger refrigerator is mostly what got us away from the Reflection. With all the issues we had with the H.C. refrigerator and soaring pin weight, I sometimes wonder.

[NotyetMHCowner]

What problems did you have with the fridge? Is it the 12cu ft 4 door? The problem is, we have looked at every other Keystone, and Forest River fifth wheel, and cant find an alternative that we like even as good as the 2015 305RL. I myself like the bigger axles and 8 lug wheels with the 2016. Especially the built in Onan gen set we ordered with it. But if Momma aint happy, aint nobody happy!!

[gearhead]

Oh the fridge. It's the standard one...8cu.ft.? 4 door. First trip in July we go to the casino in Louisiana that is 2 hours from home, for the shakedown cruise. The 2nd day there we discover the fridge isn't very cool. It was pouring rain so we decided to call it done and go home. Get home and try running the fridge...not cooling. Take it across Houston to the dealer to repair. They called later and said it'd fixed. What did you do? Reset a thermal switch. Show me. Our Personal Service Advisor couldn't find it. Forget it. Got home and the fridge didn't work. Called the dealer...bring it back and we'll put our best certified fridge tech on it. So me and Jack went all over it in the service bay. He decided the sheet metal that forces the fan exhaust out the top vent needed re-positioned. Declared it fixed. Took it home. It didn't work. OK, time for me to look at it some more. Discovered that the plastic "hook" that the door latches hook into was broken and the doors didn't stay latched. Ordered a new latch from Dometic. About $50. Installed that. Discovered that the doors were so out of level (high/low) that they wouldn't stay latched. Eventually got circlips from the hardware store and used them to shim the doors up. Fridge still wouldn't work. I called a different location for my same dealer...2-3 week wait. Then remembered a RV parts/repair shop that I used many years ago. Called them...yes they were Dometic authorized warranty repair. Praise God. Took it there. They diagnosed chemical decomposition in the cooling system. Dometic approved and sent parts. Wrong parts. Dometic sent parts. Parts damaged in shipping. Dometic sent parts. Looked used, shop refused to install. Dometic sent parts. All OK, shop installed. Fridge fixed.
I think the fridge overworked/overheated itself because the doors never sealed shut.
I should have seen it at PDI, dealer tech should have seen it at PDI, first trip repair tech should have caught it, Jack the crackerjack should have caught it. Old gearhead the knuckle draggin refinery redneck had to catch it.
So.... check if your doors latch.
Ahhh....I feel better....I don't think I ever told the whole story on here before.
Now...that don't include the dinette light that wouldn't turn off. The infamous dealer 's tech removed the switch and ordered the finial (nut) that holds the globe on. Genius. I bought a switch from my new best friends forever independent shop and installed myself. Fixed.
In all fairness it didn't help that our "Personal Service Advisor" was incompetent and was fired in the middle of all this. And it don't help that I said I'd never grace their shop again, and sent some ugly emails to all involved plus the service manger, plus the parts manager, plus the make ready lady, plus the salesman that we liked, sorta. Of course they have 2 other facilities in the Houston area I can use. Just hope none of those guys transferred and recognize me!! LOL
edit...we really like the trailer, no other issues except the shower doors that don't stay latched and the front closet doors that don't stay latched. I added a 5thAirborne hitch because it shook my truck pretty bad. Changed the tires to Maxxis after the first trip. I'm pushing 2800 pounds pin weight. We just need to get this 6 month old trailer on the road. When you add the generator be aware of pin weight. I see you say your truck is a dually so you should be good. Go for it.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Wow, that's quite an experience with a dealer. I know the 12 cu ft fridge is 4 door, but I think the 8 cu ft is 2 door. The difference is the 8 cu ft fridge leaves room for a narrow pantry beside it as the 12 cu ft does not.

Im going to use the Andersen Ultimate fifth wheel hitch. I have heard great things about it so hopefully it works good. It has been sitting in my garage for about 2 months, I haven't got to use it.

I started out just wanting a F250, but I realized I would probably get beyond the payload capacity, plus I would be spending money on air bags. Then I thought of a single wheel F350, but everyone I work with highly suggested a dually because of better stability. Then after considering 290 pounds of generator up front, and a washer and dryer all the way up front, I figured my pin weight would be getting up there, so we went with a dually. Plus I wont have to worry about payload and just throw what I want in the bed (with what room I have left since it is a short bed).

I have read quite a bit about the Tow Max tires and I don't know which direction I will go. I hate to think that after spending $50k on a fifth wheel, you have to run out and purchase the tires that should have come on it to start with! That's ridiculous. Did you have a problem with the tires, or just change because of the horror stories?

[gearhead]

No, I didn't have any tire problems. I changed the tires on our Cougar and on the Montana. Sold both sets of tires for $240 per set, so I recovered some of the bucks. If you don't change them you will be worrying about it. If you have a bad blowout you will be kicking yourself. I don't think Maxxis are the best that could ever be, but they are the best rated ST that are available. I just feel better knowing I have mitigated the tire issue to my best ability.
I went to the Houston Boat Show today. Dang if my "infamous dealer" wasn't there. I looked around to see if I recognized any of the sales folks. Nope. So I eased into their display area and peeked in a new Montana. They have the same cheesy lock on the glass shower doors. But...they have a new latch on the front closet doors!! The plastic straps are gone. They have a black iron gate latch on the doors to hold them together. Looks just like what you would find down at the hardware store! I'll be shopping tomorrow.

[NotyetMHCowner]

Went to the Sevierville Tennessee show this past weekend and got to compare a 2015 Montana High Country 305RL and a Montana 3791RD that appears to have the same bedroom and bathroom as the 2016 305RL. The floorplan diagrams are identical.

The linen closet in the 2015 is beside the sink and accessible from the bedroom as well for restocking towels and things after laundry. The 2016 has the linen closet behind the toilet. It is hard to get to. You have to sit on the toilet or prop your foot on it to get to the shelves. They added a medicine cabinet above the sink also. That was the single biggest gripe I had with our last TT was bumping my head on the medicine cabinet every single time I brushed my teeth. That medicine cabinet will be coming off!!

The 2016 front closet has the washer against the wall on the right and the dryer against the wall on the left. The problem is that they open to the center of the closet! And they are elevated a little, so you have to slide your hanging clothes to the side to gain access to the washer then slide them the other way to get to the dryer. They also got rid of the vanity (that the DW was looking forward to) and added a window seat with a hamper below it.

The pantry on the front wall of the living area in the 2015 is gone and replaced with a longer hutch that runs the length of the wall. More storage space lost.

The pluses, for us, are 6k axles, 8 lugs wheels, generator already installed, and "newer" year model. If we were to buy a local 2015, it would be 2 years old as soon as we hooked up and pulled away. The Montana did have really nice night stands with receptacles on each one and a few cubbies on each as well. We hope that is the same as the 2016 305RL.

It just seems like they are going backwards a little instead of improving.

I am wondering if I could request, before my unit is built, if I could just have them NOT install the medicine cabinet and instead just leave it in the floor or something? I would rather not have the holes put into the wall. I may try to recess it or just put something else up that is really narrow.