Keystone History Question

[Scout179]

We recently bought a Keystone Challenger model 31RLB, ser. 403047. Since the Challenger is no longer shown on the Keystone site, I'm guessing it has been discontinued. Does anyone know why or when. Want to make sure there is not a a major problem with this model; or something I need to watch for or be aware of. We made our first "road trip" Thursday to see family and I haven't seen anything horrible.
Thanks ahead of time for everyone's input. I'll be Deer hunting today, so may not reply immediately.
Ed

[JRTJH]

Keystone introduced the Challenger series in about 2000 (as a 2001 model) and produced them through about 2010. That is about the time that the RV industry was going through a downsizing (economy and energy related). There was nothing "wrong" with the Challenger line, just as there was nothing "wrong" with "heavy-weight Cougar travel trailers". During the reorganization both Challenger and Cougar travel trailers were eliminated. The Challenger "void" was absorbed by increasing production of Sprinter and introduction of the Wide body concept in that line. Also, around that time the Montana High Country (light weight luxury fifth wheels) and Cougar High Country (luxury appointments in a mid priced line) were introduced. That led to the "light weight" fifth wheel lines from Cougar (XLite and Half Ton) and the demise of the "heavy-weight Cougar travel trailer" leaving only the fifth wheel in that brand. After that, the Cougar High Country lost its identity as a brand and became an option package on both the Cougar and the XLite, but that only lasted about 2 years and then disappeared as the Platinum option package came onboard. All of this is just "marketing adjustments" to try to counter the competition's improvements and reorganization.

The Keystone line continues to evolve, currently all Cougar fifth wheels are 36+ feet long and there are none without bedroom slides or washer/dryer space. Other brands are evolving to absorb the models that Cougar is discontinuing. I'm not sure what Keystone has in mind, but it looks like they are moving toward each brand providing a 'niche' for a specific need with less overlapping from brand to brand. Most other RV manufacturers are also moving toward that type of production line.

The "sad part" for consumers is that it seems after Keystone discontinues a brand, about a year later, the brochures for that brand seem to disappear from the "brochure archive" on their website. That "historical data" would be nice to have, but like the "real trailer", the "brochure info trail" also gets eliminated.

In short, no there was nothing "wrong" with the Challenger lineup. It just met the fate of corporate reorganization.

[Scout179]

Thanks for the great reply. It seems to be a great floor plan and a great model. It was hard to understand no longer being available. Your post covered it all.