Keystone...Would you buy from them again?

[dksd39]

Have to say I love my 2012 Outback 260FL... This is my 4th camper and I purchased this model because it fit my needs perfectly. I have leaned from each camper and suspect this one will be with me for many years. I have had a couple minor issues but my dealer (camping world) has been 100% helpful and takes care of me as I would expect.

[travelbugger]

I voted yes!
Keystone has some really great features and I love their french roast couch and chairs. Almost looks modern, which I like.
I believe that any camper you buy will potentially have problems. They really are cheap products and they could always be built better or have "more", but these Alpines do give you a good bang for your buck. Everything I had a major problem with was on products made by someone else (like the water heater and microwave). Warranty covered these issues and they all have been fixed. No issues from Keystone approving.

There were some other issues with the camper that were small, but easily fixed and didn't stop me from using the camper. I do wish that they insulated better, but insulation is not very good on most campers anyway.

If there is another camper that trumps their features and has a reasonable price I would consider it if we were looking for another camper- but this one we plan on keeping 'till IT falls apart, or until WE do.

[trucker LOU]

Hey folks, I have 25k miles on my 2010 springdale 242frlss ? just minor fixes done myself. would do it again fits my needs very well.hope to do another 10k trip 2 1/2 mos this summer.----LOU

[Beachlife4us]

I definitely would bye another Keystone. We love our 2008 Cougar 276RLS 5th wheel!

[hsmunoz]

my warranty ran out on my 2011 Alpine 3500re last month, haven't needed it much.
very happy with the purchase, only had a couple things go bad, microwave and rear jack motor. Both replaced by yours truely with parts sent by Keystone.

now I just have to screen the vents to keep the bloody moths out and I am golden!

[fla-gypsy]

My Keystone Hornet is almost 7 years old and it has been a good camper. I will consider another Keystone.

[conroys cougar]

Maby IF we had a posted list of the {{ GO TO HELL !! }}Dealers that won't work on an RV they didn't sell then a buyer might think twice about them . I know that turned ME OFF with a local dealer . I went 125 mls away to a C. W. to buy my 2012 24 RLS reather then across the lake from me !

[Danny3135]

I would have to say NO. This is our third camper (Hobbi Toy Hauler) and the delam problem and the lack of help from Keystone tells me that I do not want to go that route again. Lots of options out there; don't need to be bitten twice.

[2011 keystone]

Originally Posted by Danny3135

I would have to say NO. This is our third camper (Hobbi Toy Hauler) and the delam problem and the lack of help from Keystone tells me that I do not want to go that route again. Lots of options out there; don't need to be bitten twice.

Tell us more. like what year is your TT, HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR tt AND WHAT DID THE DEALER YOU BOUGHT FROM HAVE TO SAY?

[phillyg]

I think yes. When we bought our used Cougar last year our intent was to see if we really wanted to get back into rv'ing, so we bought a smaller unit that we could pull with our existing truck. Our thinking was to upgrade both FW and truck if we decided to stay in.

I did not expect a lot from a 2002 Cougar, but have been very pleased with what I consider to be a very basic unit. I have to say the interior fabrics seem better than other RVs we've looked into, and nothing is falling apart, including the Lippert frame that gets many complaints on RV websites. My rear bumper isn't tearing off at the welds with our two bicycles attached, and it has no leaks or lamination problems. The unit is tight.

While I think there are higher quality manufacturers out there, I would not rule out another Keystone product if we can find the right floorplan and amenities and true 4-season ability.

[fred1609]

DW and I were sitting in our 327 RES 5er and boy....is it nice..we feel the same way as the day we picked it up.....theres more with fancier stuff in it but ours has everything we need.

[boytimme]

This is rather long but I think needs to be said. Some is dealer problem, some is Keystone's:
Our day to pick up our new Bullet 248RKS trailer was not the pleasant experience we expected. We were called on Tuesday, June 11 by Jason, our salesman and notified that our trailer was in. We scheduled pick-up for noon on Friday, June 15. I asked if that was enough time to have the slide out cover we ordered, installed. In Jason’s words, “no problem, see you Friday”.
We arrived at noon, asked for Jason and were greeted with: “Huh? Friday is Jason’s day off.” Okay, I was told, someone else would help us. I asked if the slide out cover had been installed. “Uh, no but we can install it while you do the paperwork”. I normally don’t like paying for something before I inspect it but I agreed.
Did the paperwork and that went fine. Then we went to inspect the trailer.
As we approached I could see that some items promised at time of order were missing.

(some background: When we initially visited the dealer we looked at a 2012 248RKS that was in stock. It was perfect, just what we were looking for, except my wife did not like the upholstery. Included was a “comfort package” free of charge which included a power tongue jack, battery switch, picnic table, gas grill, motion detector light, switch panel, porcelain toilet and black water flush system. In order to get the interior upholstery we wanted we agreed to pay more for a 2013 model ordered from Keystone. Part of the agreement was inclusion of all items in the “comfort package”. My exact words at the time of the deal were: “I want an identical trailer to the one we looked at today except with different upholstery” NO PROBLEM, I was told, both by Jason and Todd, who apparently actually ordered the trailer.)

Well as soon as I saw the trailer, it was obvious some things were missing. No power tongue jack, no battery switch, no motion detector light, plastic toilet instead of porcelain, no picnic table. Also, floor plan is different! 2012 RKS has a single street-side slide-out with a fold out air bed sofa and a cabinet with a pantry and double door wardrobe with three drawers at the bottom. Keystone’s web site shows this as the same floor plan for the 2013 model, including photos of this cabinet.
The 2013 version delivered to us has the pantry but only a single width wardrobe and 2 doors at the base instead of three drawers. The slide-out is 18” shorter than the 2012 model.

The dealer’s response is: “those options included in the comfort package were provided by Keystone and apparently some have been discontinued”, forgetting that they were promised to me at the time of order. The dealer grudgingly agreed to add a power tongue jack, and picnic table. Also, at my demand, agreed to a $100 rebate to cover missing battery switch, porcelain toilet and motion detector light. Regarding the floor plan change, his response is: “we were unaware of this change and nothing can be done about it”

A call to Keystone resulted in the following response: “We’re sorry, the web site is not always updated in a timely manner and neither are the product brochures – Nothing can be done at this point” Basically, tough luck buddy, we’ve got your money. Too late now!

All in all, I AM happy with the trailer, but I just feel like I was taken advantage of and that I paid for things I did not receive. The manufacturer advertised one thing and delivered another. The dealer sold me one thing and then delivered another.

[rhagfo]

Wow, I must have been too busy enjoying our still new to us Copper Canyon 293FWSLS and voted yes and didn't post a response.
Just back from two weeks on the Oregon Coast with the DW and Beagles. We had a great time, weather was not the greatest, but the DW was testing out the rear kitchen (BIG) to the Max, Cakes, Cookies, Roasted Game Hens, Pork Roast, but no Pizza!
Found a few more small things, and have a small list of improvements to do.

[jcurryii]

We also voted yes,

Started with Springdale 266RLSSR, TT just upgraded to Montana 3455SA fiver, will pick up next week. Towing with 2500 Ram/Cummins

[Festus2]

Mike & Barb -
I've never had that kind of experience before but I can understand your disappointment and frustration with both the dealer and Keystone. A few other members have gone through similar, unfortunate situations assuming they were getting what they ordered only to be "surprised" when the unit finally arrived.
You would think that Keystone should be able to post updates of floorplans and any other model changes on their website without too much difficulty. I can see where there could be a problem with print material such as brochures but not on their website.
The consumer should get the features that they have ordered and paid for and to be told that there is "nothing that can be done about it" isn't right or acceptable.

I guess the solution is to hold back a percentage of the price until you have completed an inspection and you are satisfied with everything and everything works. Your example illustrates that what you see online and in the brochures is not necessarily what you will get. A lesson here for other potential buyers??

And did you get the upholstery that you wanted?

Despite not getting what you wanted, at least you seem to be pleased with the unit so the final outcome was more or less positive.

[boytimme]

Yes, we did get the upholstery we wanted! And, we are happy overall with the camper. Just spent our first week on it and everything went fine.
The reason I posted my long, sad story is to warn everyone thinking of buying a camper is, just as you said, DON'T PAY until you're completely satisfied! When thinking of buying and they're trying to sell it, promises fly around like crazy. Once you've paid, you pretty much have given up all your bargaining power and some of those promises get forgotten. Get as many of those promises as possible in writing!
Again, we still like the trailer and probably will buy another Keystone if we ever buy again. (MORE CAUTIOUSLY!)

[golfpro]

buying a good RV is every day stuff, a great RV is non-existent. As you may not know building a RV is not rocket science so they "throw these things together", you will have problems whether it's with the structure or just one of the appliances. AS some of you know I have worked in the RV industry and have see it all, Well almost all, that is why you want to do a complete and throughal PDI and use the TT every chance you get so you can find those trouble spots and get them fixed before the warranty runs out

[blackty]

Yes. My issue was with camping world, not Keystone. Love our 327...Jim

I'll tell you all what I did that saved a lot of aggrivation...Conveniently forget to bring your title at pick up time. You would be amazed at how fast things get resolved when someone wants to buy your old 5'er. I actually anticipated problems with the staff from camping world at the Hershey show. Typical shady salespeople. Keep the upper hand.

[happytrails]

We would definetly buy from Keystone again, but I will not be back to our dealer. Perhaps all dealers have their issues, but ours has not made me very happy. One of the first things they did, which I had not realized, was had us put a down payment on the trailer. That's usually okay, but they had not explained that it was non-refundable. It wasn't until after I got home that I really started reading the fine print that I found it was non-refundable. That was an oversight on MY part and I admit that, but if I had caught it or they would have just told me, I wouldn't have done it. It's just something I wanted others to be aware of. There were also check boxes on the backs of forms for things like holding liable, not taking them to court, etc. etc. that I was able to catch and make the appropriate selections. The only reason I caught those is because during the process their power went out from a huge storm and I got to take the paperwork home (but that was after I signed the one for the deposit). After I turned it all back in they found a "small" error on the forms and gave me a new set to sign without the appropriate check boxes marked again so I had to go back over those. I think they did this on purpose because I couldn't find the "small" error between the original and the new ones. My best advice is to shop around at RV Shows to narrow down what you want, make sure you can tow it, then go to the dealer. I would also suggest dry camping on the dealer lot and if they won't let you...don't buy from them. Watch everything closely!!!

[rudythegreat]

We are on our second Cougar. I'd post a photo, but I ain't figured that part out yet.