turbodog
06-21-2012, 02:31 AM
I would like to take this opportunity to provide some input or possibly some insight to Keystone regarding my Avalanche 290RL. This may be egotistical on my part to suggest I know more than the company that manufactured my Avalanche, but here goes.
I purchased my Avalanche 290RL in April. It is a 2011 unit that sat on the lot of another dealer for approximately 10 months prior to my purchase. First let me say that I am very happy with the Avalanche and really do not have any real complaints. I had an issue with the flooring being soft and squeaking in the rear of the unit but this was fixed under warranty with a couple of braces and it appears to be corrected at this time.
Here are my suggestions. Once again this is not meant to be a complaint, and I can live with all of these issues.
1. Camping World gave me slide toppers for all three slides on the Avalanche, along with installation. I was told that the topper for the slide (kitchen, refrigeration, television) cannot be added due to the placement of the awning. It would seem that Keystone would have allowed enough space between the slide and awning to put a slide topper on since the majority of fifth wheels have this accessory. I must admit I do like the size of the awning and this was a factor in not buying a Cougar. The awning on the Cougar is very small.
2. The Avalanche has a switch on the inside of the unit to turn the hot water on using propane, but does not have on to turn the hot water on or off for electric use. I could do this with my Cougar and Freedom Light, but not in a much more expensive unit as the Avalanche. I always have to go outside and flip the switch on the hot water heater on and off. I do not want to hook to the electric with the possibility of not having water in the hot water heater and the having the switch in the on position. An element would be gone in heartbeat. Seems like a simple thing to do to have a switch inside that controls the electric to the hot water heater.
3. To my knowledge all 5th. wheel hitches hook up and release from the passenger side of the truck. Why is the front landing gear switch on the opposite side of the Avalanche? It seems logical to have it on the same side as the mechanism that you use on the hitch to hook and release instead of having to walk around the truck to move the landing gear up or down. I have to admit I got very spoiled using the remote on the Cougar 276 I just got rid of for the Avalanche. A very convenient feature and I already miss it.
4. Spend a few dollars and add a plug in the kitchen vent to add a fantastic fan. It was an option on the Avalanche for 2011, but mine did not come with it and I am adding it. The fan in the kitchen is very convenient and certainly helps to vent hot air out of the unit when first setting up, and when I do something dumb in the kitchen and set off the smoke detector. The fan will clear the air quickly and is much appreciated when this happens.
5. Finally, add a battery cut off switch.
I am sure your first thought after reading this is for me to have bought an Alpine instead of an Avalanche and you may be correct. However, I am very satisfied with the Avalanche 290RL, but just shoot me, the wife has seen an Avalanche 343, and guess what? Not going to happen. Retirement in 252 days. Anyway I doubt if the F250 would tow it well. Too much hitch weight.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to using the Avalanche for many years to come.
I purchased my Avalanche 290RL in April. It is a 2011 unit that sat on the lot of another dealer for approximately 10 months prior to my purchase. First let me say that I am very happy with the Avalanche and really do not have any real complaints. I had an issue with the flooring being soft and squeaking in the rear of the unit but this was fixed under warranty with a couple of braces and it appears to be corrected at this time.
Here are my suggestions. Once again this is not meant to be a complaint, and I can live with all of these issues.
1. Camping World gave me slide toppers for all three slides on the Avalanche, along with installation. I was told that the topper for the slide (kitchen, refrigeration, television) cannot be added due to the placement of the awning. It would seem that Keystone would have allowed enough space between the slide and awning to put a slide topper on since the majority of fifth wheels have this accessory. I must admit I do like the size of the awning and this was a factor in not buying a Cougar. The awning on the Cougar is very small.
2. The Avalanche has a switch on the inside of the unit to turn the hot water on using propane, but does not have on to turn the hot water on or off for electric use. I could do this with my Cougar and Freedom Light, but not in a much more expensive unit as the Avalanche. I always have to go outside and flip the switch on the hot water heater on and off. I do not want to hook to the electric with the possibility of not having water in the hot water heater and the having the switch in the on position. An element would be gone in heartbeat. Seems like a simple thing to do to have a switch inside that controls the electric to the hot water heater.
3. To my knowledge all 5th. wheel hitches hook up and release from the passenger side of the truck. Why is the front landing gear switch on the opposite side of the Avalanche? It seems logical to have it on the same side as the mechanism that you use on the hitch to hook and release instead of having to walk around the truck to move the landing gear up or down. I have to admit I got very spoiled using the remote on the Cougar 276 I just got rid of for the Avalanche. A very convenient feature and I already miss it.
4. Spend a few dollars and add a plug in the kitchen vent to add a fantastic fan. It was an option on the Avalanche for 2011, but mine did not come with it and I am adding it. The fan in the kitchen is very convenient and certainly helps to vent hot air out of the unit when first setting up, and when I do something dumb in the kitchen and set off the smoke detector. The fan will clear the air quickly and is much appreciated when this happens.
5. Finally, add a battery cut off switch.
I am sure your first thought after reading this is for me to have bought an Alpine instead of an Avalanche and you may be correct. However, I am very satisfied with the Avalanche 290RL, but just shoot me, the wife has seen an Avalanche 343, and guess what? Not going to happen. Retirement in 252 days. Anyway I doubt if the F250 would tow it well. Too much hitch weight.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to using the Avalanche for many years to come.