2011 Keystone Alpine 3500RE Review

Keystone’s line up of Alpine fifth wheels is designed to follow you just about wherever you want to go. With six floor plans to choose from, there’s a size to fit your family’s lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look at the 3500RE, which falls in the middle range of the model line up.

The 3500RE measures in with a length of 39’2, a width of 8’ and a height of 12’8. It has a hitch weight of 2,235 lbs, while its fresh water tank has a capacity of 66 gallons, a gray water tank capacity of 82 gallons and black water tank capacity of 50 gallons.

Outfitted with MaxTurn Technology, Keystone says its front cap aerodynamic shape reduces turning radius by up to 30 percent compared to other front caps. Made with a high-gloss fiberglass front cap and rear, its design boasts 18 percent better drag efficiency.

Built on 12” powder coated beams with Z-frame technology, the Alpine keeps on truckin’ thanks to 16” E-load radial tires with eight wheel lugs, heavy duty 7,000 lb axles and easy lube axles. Outfitted with high gloss exterior sidewalls, baggage doors, and entry door, this fifth wheel should stand up to yellowing and fading over time. Backing it up are dual 1/8” luan backers with staggered seams, high density block foam insulation, metal backing strips for added support and 2” welded aluminum sidewall studs.

The Alpine also features the fully enclosed All-In-One “Waterworks” exterior utility center. This compartment houses the dump valves, low point drains, exterior shower, black tank flush hookup, quick winterization kit, city water hookups, and a soap dispenser.

The roads can get pretty bumpy, especially those less traveled. It’s a good thing the Alpine comes with the Equa Flex Suspension system. Keystone says this system offers improved impact absorption and axle equalization for better towability. Finishing off the handling package are radial tires, aluminium wheels, greasable “wet” bolts, long lasting 1/2” steel shackle plates and bronze bushings.

The Alpine is full of surprises. In particular we like the hydraulic selector valves for slideouts. This handy feature lets you individually control each slide out room. Another great bonus is the Class A style baggage doors that look better, give you a better seal and lock more securely. And when you finally get to your destination, the work is minimal – the power front landing jacks and electric rear stabilizer jacks with 8” diameter all-terrain landing pads make set up simple. Speaking of simple, the Hitch Assist backup mirror with docking lights makes hitching this bad boy up a one-person job. Other great features include the “No Sweat” vented attic system, gutters with rain spouts, One-Touch electric awning package with adjustable arms and tinted 80 percent safety-glass windows.

Do you have a lot of stuff to bring along with you? It’s a good thing the Alpine’s basement pass-through storage can hold over 170 cubic feet. And your stuff won’t slide all over the place while you’re driving because it has non-skid rubber diamond plate flooring and metal D-rings to secure everything. Plus, as part of the Alpine’s standard Thermashield tank and storage insulation, there is ducted heat to the storage area as well.

Getting in and out of the Alpine is easy, as it measures in over 6’3” tall and 3’ wide, and it’s safely light up by interior and exterior automatic threshold lighting. When the door opens, the bright recessed lighting comes on – that’s a pretty handy feature. As well, the floor level light switches just inside the entry door to make it easy to flip on interior lights so you don’t bang into anything in the dark.

Available in three decors – Royale Onyx, French Roast and Botanical – the Alpine is enhanced by lambrequins and valances that are color-coordinated to add a touch of elegance to its interior. Cabinet doors, drawers, fascia and stiles are made from real hardwood Cherry, so not only do they look great, they’re extremely durable.

In the living area, the extra-tall 6’ 5” main slide height adds extra spaciousness to this generous room. Providing the room with plenty of light are large windows, and its deep tint glass and day/night window shades give you lots of privacy. A Sleep and Store sofa offers you a place to sit and an extra sleeping spot, as well as extra storage beneath. When its time to eat, take your place at the residential dinette with wide base, hidden leaf and center storage and four high back dinette chairs with built in storage.

Onto the kitchen, full of features that help it stand up to the one you left at home. For your cooking pleasure, the Alpine upgraded appliance package features a stainless steel stove, range, and micro/convection, a 30” convection oven/microwave and a sealed burner range with 22” oven. You’ll also find Corian everywhere in the kitchen, like on the countertops, the flush mounted range cover and sink cover. Other features in the kitchen include a stainless steel extra deep sink with dual bowls, a high rise, single lever kitchen faucet, maximized kitchen storage with more drawers and pantry space, heavy duty residential ball bearing drawer guides and extra deep, fully extendable drawers.

Keeping your living environment comfortable is a 42,000BTU furnace, a 12 gallon DSI 2-way water heater, digital “Smart” thermostat with dual zone capability, a ceiling fan with upgraded lighting fixtures and a 15,000 BTU air conditioner with cold air return vents.

When it’s time to turn in, head to the single level master bedroom suite, where you’ll find a residential 70”x80” king bed, a Cloud Nine pillow top mattress and a residential style headboard. Also in the bedroom are a walk-in closet, cedar lined drawers, a sitting area, upgraded flush overhead lighting and prep for a stackable washer and dryer.

A fully functional bathroom makes the trip much more enjoyable. There’s a spacious 38” shower with molded seat, a translucent glass shower door and enclosure, a hand held massaging shower head and a skylight over shower. It also comes complete with a porcelain toilet and a vanity sink.

To learn more about the 2011 Keystone Alpine 3500RE Fifth Wheel, visit Keystone-Alpine.com.

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