hype
Tennessee
New Member
Joined: 06/30/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
After looking over our local options and doing quite a bit of haggling, we're pretty much set on closing a deal this coming weekend on a 2008 Keystone Challenger 33DBB.
When it was all said and done, it came out to be between $4k and $6k more than our other choices, but has a second A/C unit, a 1/2 bath for guests, a larger den/kitchen area, washer/dryer hookups, taller kitchen cabinets, more closet space for master and guest, and is pre-wired and prepped with a large area to add a generator later.
We like the fact that we're only a washer/dryer and generator away from being able to full time it with this one should we ever get the wild notion to do so. The ones for $4k to $6k less would cost more in the long run if we tried to get them to the same status so to speak.
Any good or bad experiences with Keystone products out there? Anything I should look for?
2008 Keystone Challenger 33DBB fifth wheel
2008 Chevy 3500HD Big Dooley Crew Cab Long Box LTZ 4x4
Duramax 6.6 liter diesel, Allison 6-speed automatic transmission
Draw-tite 16K full pivot, non-slider fifth wheel hitch
|
pritch272
Martinez, GA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/18/2006
View Profile
|
We've been happy with our Keystone- other than the tires. At least they recalled them, and gave us $ on them which allowed us to get what we wanted.
Retired US Army
2000 Ford F250 SD 7.3 PSD, Firestone Ride-Rite™ air springs
2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, Doran Pressure Pro and Metal Tire Valves, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower (Honda Clone), 4000/3500W Champion C46540
|
Randyl81
Illinois
Full Member
Joined: 04/25/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
We have a 2008 Keystone Challenger 34SAQ and love it...
|
The Weekenders
Harvey, North Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 12/10/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
We just traded our 05 Challenger 29 RKP this past weekend for a new Montana. We really loved our Challenger but could not pass up the low interest rate and Keystone incentives on the 08 Montana. You will love yours!
Every meal is a feast, everyday is a parade and every paycheck is a fortune!
Winter is not far off, the misery begins
Rick & Sheila's RVing Album
Rick's Facebook
2004 Ford F350 6.0PSD
2008 Keystone Montana 3585SA
|
hype
Tennessee
New Member
Joined: 06/30/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
pritch272 wrote:We've been happy with our Keystone- other than the tires. At least they recalled them, and gave us $ on them which allowed us to get what we wanted. What should I look for on tires to ensure I'm avoiding the issue you had?
|
|
|
SlickWillie
East Texas
Full Member
Joined: 12/01/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
hype wrote:pritch272 wrote:We've been happy with our Keystone- other than the tires. At least they recalled them, and gave us $ on them which allowed us to get what we wanted. What should I look for on tires to ensure I'm avoiding the issue you had?
"Made in the USA" should be the first thing. It will most likely have Chinese ST tires on it. Negotiate some American made LT's in the deal. IIRC, the Goodyear G614 is the only American made ST, and I can't see a dealer footing the bill for those. There are some LT tires that will fit the bill, so I would shoot for those.
Will
2004 GMC EXT/C D/A 2500HD 4X4
2006 Montana Mountaineer 303RLD
|
Humpty
Clayton, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/20/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Nice Choice! We love ours. It is the perfect floor plan for us. Our experience suggests:
• REPLACE THE TIRES (yep I’m yelling). Make it part of the deal or find a tire store on the way home. You need a good set of LT tires. I am running BFG Commercial T/A’s. If you have the $ go with Michelin XPS Ribs. One blow out costs us more that $3K.
• You definitely need the 2nd A/C. (we don’t have one yet).
• Have some spare fuses (30 amp) for the landing gear’s in-line fuse. The fuse is located in the battery compartment. We have to fully extend the gear to level in our driveway. It tends to pop a fuse near the top if I run it out all at once.
• The fresh tank can be a challenge to fill (vent issues?). You can fill it with out issue if you go really slowly. I use a ‘water thief’ in the end of the fill hose. The thick rubber sort of seals around the inside of the inlet. This lets me fill quickly.
• The Winterize valve and Water Heater Bypass valve in the Water Works center are often labeled incorrectly. Take a sharpie to the PDI. Have the tech confirm their position and mark them accordingly.
• You do not have a tank rinse for the ½ bath black tank. Consider having on installed before you use the unit. We haven’t done that, but use a wand or water from the sink to fill and rinse that black tank.
• After buying many parts and pieces to connect a Y-pipe and hoses to the 2 sewer outlets, I have abandoned the system and just move the hose to the rear when we need to dump the rear black tank.
• Watch out for the bunk room closet doors coming open and preventing the slides from opening. We had this happen a few times. With the slides in, you can’t get to the rear to see if they have popped open while traveling. I installed magnetic child locks to secure the doors.
Finally, one more piece of advice - REPLACE THE TIRES!
2007 Challenger 33DBB w/ Sidewinder
2002 Chevy 3500 CC DRW D/A
B&W Companion Hitch / Prodigy
|
jjfay03
Washington State
Full Member
Joined: 04/06/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
We have a 07 Challenger and we have not had anything major go wrong with it except a few minor things that were covered under warranty. I had the dealer adjust the cabinet doors, scrap some glue off the tile floor. I forgot to winterize the black water tank flush system, which was pretty easy to fix I did it. And yes get some American tires with metal valve stems, mine came with rubber stems. All in all I would recommend buying a Challenger product. John
John and Jeannine + 3 Boys 9, 6, and 4.
2007 Dodge 2500, 5.9 CTD LB, Husky Brake Controller,
Husky 20K Hitch, Linex, and Firestone Airbags, Pac Brake.
2007 Keystone Challenger 34' SBH 5er
I can't forget the puppy, Little Boy!
|
forte88
Hemet, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/17/2004
View Profile
|
No major problems here. We did have one A/C go on us which was the biggest problem we had to deal with. We really like our rig. My main complaint is the lack of insulation. You really can feel the cold or heat on the walls. We do love all the storage, and I really like the Waterworks station. One other complaint would be the remote thermostat. I'm not sure if they got rid of that, or fixed the problem in the new models.
2006 Keystone Challenger 32tkb
2001 Silverado 2500HD Vortec 8.1 ltr Allison Tranny
4.10 Mag Hytech diff
|
hype
Tennessee
New Member
Joined: 06/30/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Unfortunately it has Chinese made wheels, Mission tires, and rubber valve stems. They weren't willing to change them out at the price we negotiated. I'll switch them soon.
Had a Draw-tite 16K full pivot non-slider fifth wheel hitch installed in my 8 foot long box yesterday and closed all the paperwork on the RV.
Will do PDI and pick up this weekend.
|
|
|
