new owner with a bunch of questions

[kiwi2000]

I am picking up my new Montana 285rld soon, I cant wait.

I have a few questions for now like how do you keep the BBQ propane tank upright when it is being transported? Is there a holder of some sort for this?

Is there a card you can apply for that gets you half price on camping?

What is the best bike holder to attach to the back bumper of the fifth wheel?
Same question for the tri pod stand that attaches to the hitch, I want the locking type.

Any practical tips for the maiden voyage to help it go smoothly?

[geo]

Kiwi2000 -

On the propane tank - there's a "tank foot" that CW sells. I put my tank in the corner of the pickup bed in a foot and attach it to the tie-downs with a bungee. Haven't had any problems. Some use old milk crates, etc. I'm sure you will find something that works for you.

There are several "RV Clubs" that offer various "percentage off" camping fees. Again, as above, find the one(s) you like the best: Good Sam, Escapees, Passport, Camp Club, RV America, etc. Personally, we are members of Good Sam and Escapees. I know there are a lot of Passport members out there who can give better details on it.

As an Alpine owner, I am not familiar whether your model of a Montana has a back bumper or not. Many of Keystone's fifth wheels have a rear cap with no bumper. There is presently an interesting thread in the forum discussing adding a hitch to the bumperless fifth wheel. Where we store our Alpine, our neighbor has a very nice looking hitch on his bumperless Carriage Ultralight. For our bikes, we got the ladder bike carrier from CW and attached it to our ladder.

When we bought our fifth wheel, our dealer insisted we needed a tripod stand. The Alpine is fairly well built and we wasted our money - we don't need a tripod stand. We did get a fifth wheel lock from CW, but I found one at Love's I like better. If you really want a tripod, drop past north Texas and I'll make you a deal you can't refuse!

As far as "maiden voyage tips" . . . wow, that could take a while. Just browse the forum - it's brimming with tips and information to think about on that "first journey".

And, welcome to the Forum!

Ron

[f6bits]

Welcome!

Some people make a wood platform for the BBQ tank. The platform has a big circle cut out on the bottom to fit the tank.

Passport America gets you a 50% discount at some places. AAA and GoodSam save you 10% at many places.

Back bumpers aren’t strong enough for a bike holder. You’ll be better off getting a special one that’s mounted to the frame.

[SAABDOCTOR]

HI MY 20LB PROPANE TANK GOES INTO A MILK CRATE AND IS SECURELY FASHIONED TO THE BED OF MY TRUCK AS I DI NOT WANT TO PUT IT IN THE CAMPER. THERE ARE A BUCH OF THREADS ABOUT THE BIKES AND THE REAR BUMBER. AND ALMOST ALL SAY DON'T DO IT. MY 5ER HAS NO REAR BUMPER SO THAT SOLVES THAT. THERE ARE SOME GREAT SUGESTIONS IN THESE THREADS ON MODS TO MAKE IT WORK. AS FAR AS YOUR FIRST TRIP. I DO A WALK AROUND LIKE A PILOT DOES WITH AN AIRPLANE. I MADE A CHECK LIST FOR PRE TRIP SET UP AND CLOSE UP. BE GOOD ABOUT TIRE PRESSURE AND LUG NUT TORQUE. EVERYTHING IS SCURED IN THE TRAILER? I WOULD GO SIT IN THE TRAILER WITH A NOTE PAD AND GO OVER EVERY THING IN YOUR HEAD AND WRIGHT IT DOWN AS IT COMES TO YOU. IE ANTENA HITCH CABINETS WATER IN THE POTTY DRAINED OUT SHOWER DOOR LOCKED ETC THEN WHEN IT IS ALL WRITTEN DOWN REWRITE IT IN A LOGICAL ORDER AND YOU HAVE A GOOD CHECK LIST AND IF YOUR SLOW LIKE ME IT WILL BE SPRING AND YOUR READY TO GO. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AWAY TO CHANGE A FLAT. MOST TRAILERS DO NOTHAVE A JACK OR A LUG WRENCH. ONE OF MY FIRST ONES HAD NO WAY TO LOWER THE SPARE!!!!! HAVE FUN GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY AS HANK WOULD SAY JUST MY 2CENTS WORTH.

[hankaye]

kiwi2000, Howdy;

Welcome to the world of "What next ???"

Originally Posted by kiwi2000

I am picking up my new Montana 285rld soon, I cant wait.

I have a few questions for now like how do you keep the BBQ propane tank upright when it is being transported? Is there a holder of some sort for this?

Yes they make carriers for them, I however prefer to use a plastic (metal is better), milk crate. Gives a bigger foot print and if you have to it can be used for other things.

Is there a card you can apply for that gets you half price on camping?

AARP, Good Sam Club, National Park Service ALL offer some kind of discounts, I don't think any offer 50% off

What is the best bike holder to attach to the back bumper of the fifth wheel?

I'm no help here, I take the front wheel off of mind and put the whole thing behind the front seat (have super-cab, flip up the seat, never had a use for it anyway).

Same question for the tri pod stand that attaches to the hitch, I want the locking type.

Alot of folks are getting the steadyfast system, maybe ask the dealer to install before you sign on the dotted line....

Any practical tips for the maiden voyage to help it go smoothly?

Spend a night or 2 in the dealers lot if they have a set-up for that or find a near-by campground. That way if there are any problems you don't have to travel far to get it fixed...

These are only suggestions and work for me.....
your mileage may vary....

Good luck, hope your problems are few and far between.

hankaye

[Festus2]

Like others, I use a milk crate for the propane tank - keeps it vertical, in place and makes it fairly easy to pick up and move around.

The camping discount associations mentioned above are fairly common but note that many of them have some limitations on when and where they can be used - minimum stays, time of year, etc.

Check out the abundance of posts already on the forum regarding bumper bike holders. I think you will find that not many will advise you to attach bikes directly to the bumper without finding an alternate place for your spare tire as well as adding reinforcement to the bumper or adding a hitch receiver to the frame.

Many members have gone to the Steadyfast system instead of the pin tripod and have reported very good results with this and like Geo, now have their pod up for sale.

I am assuming that you have a PDI checklist all prepared and ready to take with you when you pick up your unit. "Don't leave home without it!!"

[kiwi2000]

Spend a night or 2 in the dealers lot if they have a set-up for that or find a near-by campground. That way if there are any problems you don't have to travel far to get it fixed...

Excellent idea.

steadyfast system,

Better than the tri pod, more expensive as well?

For our bikes, we got the ladder bike carrier from CW and attached it to our ladder.

Another excellent idea! No issues with the bikes banging around? I suppose there is some way to affix both the top and bottom of the carrier?

Thank you all for the input.

[f6bits]

Steadyfast is $300. It’s next on my list. Hopefully this month.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by sdayman

Steadyfast is $300. It’s next on my list. Hopefully this month.

Ordering our's the first of March! I'm going to get two extra foot pads so everything matches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tidwood]

Hi, KiWI. Did you get your 285RLD yet? We've had ours for about 2 months and haven't had any major problems(hung pixel in 19" tv in bedroom,etc), yet. We keep the BBQ tank in an old milk crate in the bed of the truck and have it tied off to the hold downs, no problems. Hope you enjoy your 28, we're getting ready for a 2 month + trip to the east coast an back. Next year, going north to Vancouver, making a right turn and going until it get really cold, then another right turn south.

[kiwi2000]

Hi
No we pick up ours in May. It will be the maiden voyage, we sure have a lot of questions.
How does your f250 do mileage wise when pulling and not? Is it diesel or gasser?

Did you return the TV or is that not a warrantable item?

Do you have the tripod or steady fast system? Do you think they are required?

Greg and Marg
2010 285 RLD Montana Mountaineer Hickory edition
2010 F 250 Diesel
and Cleo or mini Dachshund

[hankaye]

kiwi2000, Howdy;

Originally Posted by kiwi2000

Hi
No we pick up ours in May. It will be the maiden voyage, we sure have a lot of questions.
Congratulations !

How does your f250 do mileage wise when pulling and not? Is it diesel or gasser?
My mileage will vary from yours as we drive differently. I have a 2004 F-250 with a 6.0 deisel, has about 80,000 or so miles on it and gets near 18 mpg in regular usage, and from 11 -14 mpg while towing. Different terrian, weather, attitude all play a roll...

Did you return the TV or is that not a warrantable item?


Do you have the tripod or steady fast system? Do you think they are required?
Yes, I have a tripod, it "creats a huge vacuum" (sux),
Think the Steady Fast system should come as OEM...might ask if the dealer will install for you before you sign on the dotted line.

Greg and Marg
2010 285 RLD Montana Mountaineer Hickory edition
2010 F 250 Diesel
and Cleo or mini Dachshund

hankaye

[tidwood]

Sorry for such a lag in replying, KIWI. As for the , underlying reason for not being on here lately, it is being repaired after suffering the "FORD" 6.0 illness of blowing a head gasket. So much white smoke could have hidden the 5er in it, <sigh> what the heck is $5k anyway As for the T.V. it was/is under warranty with Jensen and has been replace through the dealer. Hope you are still looking forward to getting you 285! May see you next year, we're planning to come up U.S.1 hit Vancouver and head East until it snows.

[kiwi2000]

I now have the 5th wheel and have some more questions.

The border crossing was not too bad and the RIV inspection was simple and fast.

On the return trip the display on the f250 kept alternating between the message, "trailer connected and trailer disconnected". It would also chime as well whenever the display changed. This is very distracting. I have had the wiring checked out by two ford dealers and they say there is nothing wrong. One dealer did say there is a tech bulletin stating not enough voltage on the ford tow command module that is causing the fault.

Any one experience this and is there a fix?

AND the rear end of the truck is sagging when conected to the trailer even though it is no where near the load rating.

Is there a service bulletin from ford regarding this issue as well?

[JRTJH]

I had the "trailer disconnected" warning and chimes a couple of times last summer. I crawled around under the back of my truck trying to find something that didn't look right. Finally, I unplugged the connecter at the very back of the bumper. It connects to the 7way/4way plug from under and behind. It was only partly plugged in, not fully seated in the plug and only one side of the lock was engaged. When I got home, I took it back apart, put a "goop-load" of di-electric grease inside that plug and reconnected it. Since then no problems with the warning or the chimes at unexpected times.

[rhagfo]

What is the load rating and pin weight, you have weighed the pin haven't you?

[fla-gypsy]

Originally Posted by kiwi2000

I am picking up my new Montana 285rld soon, I cant wait.

I have a few questions for now like how do you keep the BBQ propane tank upright when it is being transported? Is there a holder of some sort for this?

Is there a card you can apply for that gets you half price on camping?

What is the best bike holder to attach to the back bumper of the fifth wheel?
Same question for the tri pod stand that attaches to the hitch, I want the locking type.

Any practical tips for the maiden voyage to help it go smoothly?

1. Yes buy the tank foot at many places but will be cheaper if you get one at Home Depot or Lowes, etc.

2. There are many discounters but you need to weigh what type of camping you do to determine if it is a good value. As an example I do only State park, COE, and NFS site camping and those discounters have no value at those and frankly they are all very reasonable anyway.

3. I am not a fan of bike racks on rear bumpers because of the stress that the bouncing has on the bumper. They will break and are generally only rated for 200 lbs. The tripods are waning in popularity and a properly constructed 5th wheel shouldn't need one.

4. Don't sweat the small stuff, be prepared for something to go wrong and laugh at yourself, remember to do things safely, camping is supposed to be fun not tragic, and don't get in a hurry, just relax. Oh and be prepared to spend $$ on the things you forgot to bring! LOL

[Jorme]

Originally Posted by geo

Kiwi2000 -

If you really want a tripod, drop past north Texas and I'll make you a deal you can't refuse!



Ron

Or So Cal

[hankaye]

Kiwi2000, Howdy;
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by geo
Kiwi2000 -

If you really want a tripod, drop past north Texas and I'll make you a deal you can't refuse!



Ron

Or So Cal
__________________

Or Central Utah...

hankaye

[SAABDOCTOR]

OR Connecticut! mine is free to a good home! i figure my pin weighs about 3 pounds not attached to the box lol! enjoy the adventure