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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Keystone Montana vs Montana HC Helium Package
Post Info TOPIC: Keystone Montana vs Montana HC Helium Package
Neil and Connie


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Keystone Montana vs Montana HC Helium Package
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Starting research into what 5er to buy . . .although this is specifically a Keystone question it probably applies to most brands.

Looking at the Montana 3455SA for example . . it's listed as 37'4" long and shipping weight of 12187. I'm assuming that shipping weight means dry weight . . .and obviously the weight will change a bit if you add options . . .but that delta isn't important to this question.

Comparing that to the Montana High Country 344RL which is 37'11" and weight of 9670.

While we're do detailed research before buying anything of course . . .I'm just looking for some idea of why one would pay the extra bucks for the Helium?

The site doesn't have a real easy to compare one to another, and the listed specs pages are pretty slim on the number of actual specifications listed. We're planning on getting the comparison/review DVD for analysis before we buy but that's down the road a bit.

From an over all look it looks like the High Country might have a little better furnishings, standard features, etc . . .and obviously more expensive usually means better construction. However, lighter construction normally means lower quality construction or thinner walls/room or whatever unless they're just using lighter but more expensive materials.

Does anyone have an opinion (unlikely I know since very few forum members anywhere have an opinionsmile.gif regarding going for the 12000 pound rig vs the more expensive 1000 pound rig? I could easily see that 2000 pounds could come in partially in lighter materials, but the engineer in me wonders if lighter materials alone make that much difference or if there are other quality shortcuts in the lighter/expensive models like thinner roof/walls, less beefy chassis components, lighter/less durable leveling mechanisms, etc. While I'm not an expert on RV construction 2000 pounds just due to lighter materials but with same thicknesses, strength, stiffness, etc seems to be a lot and that there are other shortcuts as well.

For a fulltimer, those shortcuts would not be worth the weight saving. It might need you need a smaller truck to tow but in the great scheme of things that's not a lot of money extra and what you save in truck price you eat up in higher rig price.

My gut tells me that the lighter model isn't as suitable for fulltiming . . .just looking for some confirmation or opinions on that.



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Luvglass


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It's hard to make a real comparison, because the manufacturers are pretty shady about divulging real detail on their models. In general though, I think you are safe in thinking that the heavier rigs are better made and will probably last longer.

There are a number of brands marketed for full timing and you would be wise to look at them carefully if your budget permits.

Good luck,


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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Vern And Verna


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We have not purchased our full time rig as of now, however as with you we have been convinced on the Montana. However this last weekend we were looking into Cedar Creeks, Auto leveling real gel-coats, and then we noticed how many Montana's are for sale cant find a used Cedar creek Makes you wonder why.

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Racerguy


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We have been full time in our Cedar Creek for a year now without a problem. Saw many in Florida this winter and heard very few complaints when talking to the owners.



-- Edited by Racerguy on Wednesday 27th of April 2011 08:08:23 AM

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eagleshea


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Vern And Verna wrote:

We have not purchased our full time rig as of now, however as with you we have been convinced on the Montana. However this last weekend we were looking into Cedar Creeks, Auto leveling real gel-coats, and then we noticed how many Montana's are for sale cant find a used Cedar creek Makes you wonder why.

 One reason for the amount of Montana's for sale is because they have been the #1 Fifth wheel for years and are very popular.  There is not as many Cedar Creeks out there.  Not that they are bad units either.  We are very happy with our Montana and yes we even looked at the Cedar creeks as well as many other makes.

 



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Paul and Jo


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We bought a 2011 Model 3455SA last year for full-timing and are very happy with it. We love the layout. We looked at a ton of models and manufacturers but kept on coming back to the 3455SA.

One of the others that we kept on going back to was the High Country you mentioned. However, every time we went back to it we left pretty soon. Yes, we liked the layout but there were two things that turned us off. One might seem kinda silly but, to us, it was something that would drive us nuts. That was the two-tone cabinetry. We thought it was awful. The other thing was the feel of the beast. Nope, that's the wrong word, it's not a beast at all, more like a delicate gazelle. The materials might be lighter but go and check it out, push on it, waggle it around, feel it, imagine it rattling around while driving down the road or on-site on a windy day.

It actually scared us!

We would not touch that thing for full-timing. But, that's just our opinion :)

Paul



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Paul and Jo
Fulltiming since September, 2010. Visit us at http://mlordandmlady.blogspot.com/
2011 Keystone Montana 3455SA 5th Wheeler / 2010 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Lariat 4X2 SWB
Our geocaching name at http://www.geocaching.com/ is M'Lord and m'lady
2fortheroad


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 I agree with Fred (Luvglass), most all manufactures can be a little shady. You might go to rv-comparison.com they seem to have good reviews as far as having an unbiased opinion. It may be well worth the $60 dollar investment they are advertising.

We are happy with our Jayco Designer 35 RLTS no major issues yet, "Knock On Wood". There are currently two upgrades we are looking at, convection microwave for her, and auto levelers for me.



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