2012 Keystone Montana Mountaineer 375 FLF Review
What if you never had to leave your home when you left your abode for extended periods of time? Let’s just say you wanted to travel and explore the country, but you didn’t want to shell out for expensive hotel rooms – or on the flip side, you didn’t want to sleep in a tent to save some cash. It would be great to bring a home away from home along with you… and with the 2012 Keystone Montana Mountaineer Fifth Wheel, you can do just that.
With 10 floorplans to choose from, the Keystone Montana Mountaineer has a model for every lifestyle. We were able to take a tour of the 375 FLF, a new double slide out model in the line and great for couples (what makes it great for couples is that it doesn’t have any bunks, which means no kids allowed). It has a shipping weight of 11,880 lbs, a hitch weight of 2,120 lbs and a carrying capacity of 3,740 lbs, and it measures in with a length of 38′ 4”, a width of 8′ and height of 12′ 9”. For water capacity, it has a fresh water capacity of 64 gallons, a waste water capacity of 50 gallons and a gray water capacity of 93 gallons.
Built using a patent pending integrated frame and cap design, the Montana Mountaineer features the new Max Turn technology front cap. This cap uses aviation-style shape to dramatically reduce drag and improve fuel economy. As well, this fifth wheel comes equipped with technology that allows it to make a 79-degree turn.
The 373 FLF is built right, from the ground up. Construction features of note include three-inch welded aluminum floor joists, a one-piece EPDM rubber roof with a 12-year warranty, laminated fiberglass side walls and fiberglass insulation.
The ride to your next adventure will be a smooth one, as the Montana Mountaineer rides on the Equa Flex suspension system and heavy duty eight-lug wheels with easy lube axles. Hooking up and taking off is much easier, thanks to an extended hitch pin and lighted hitch vision that gives you a good viewing angle while backing your tow vehicle to the hitch. And once you get to your destination, set up is a cinch with electric rear jacks.
Another perk that comes standard with the 2012 Keystone Montana Mountaineer fifth wheel is its easy set remote control system. This includes the front and rear jacks, electric awning, hydraulic slide outs and patio security lights – all of which can be remotely controlled.
One of the downsides of the 2012 Montana Mountaineer is that the exterior storage available is not quite as big as we would have hoped. This means you have to store some of those bulker items inside or leave them behind at home.
Some other exterior features that will make your time in the great outdoors much more enjoyable include exterior speakers, an outdoor entertainment center and an electric patio awning.
We found the interior of the Montana Mountaineer 375 FLF inviting and comfortable, with the right amount of elegant touches. Features like a high ceiling, residential carpeting and upholstery, deluxe oiled bronze decorative lighting, solid hardwood slide out fascia, deep overhead cabinets with etched glass decorative door inserts and deluxe crown molding give this fifth wheel a homey feel.
Offering you a step-up when it comes to design, the 375 FLF comes with stairs that lead you into the living area. The addition of the stairs gives the Montana Mountaineer a modern and residential feel. In the living area, we were greeted by a flatscreen TV and fireplace combo, which takes relaxing to a whole new level. There was no shortage of places to sit – this model comes with two couches and a rocking lounge chair.
Onto the kitchen, which some would say is the most important room in any home… even one with wheels. For easier clean up, the floors are covered by residential Beauflor linoleum, and for looks, the kitchen impresses with a molded backsplash. Stock up on supplies with the pullout pantry, and both of you can prepare meals together, thanks to all the available counter space. It also comes with the usual appliances – a built-in stove, a wood-panel eight-cu.-ft. fridge and an overhead microwave. Small touches like granite covers for over the sink, a garbage can and silverware tray complete the functionality of the room.
You wouldn’t miss a good night’s sleep in the Montana Mountaineer. Its king-sized bed is adorned with a quilted bedspread and two pillows with shams. If you need a little entertainment before you fall asleep, there’s a small TV over the wardrobe. For your storage needs, there’s under-bed storage with lift-assist struts, a three-drawer bedroom dresser with full extension drawer guides and a closet with full-width sliding mirror doors. Other bedroom features include a solid panel bedroom door with oil rubbed bronze handles.
We ended our tour of the 2012 Montana Mountaineer 375 FLF with the bathroom. You get everything you need to keep you away from the outhouse – a foot flush toilet, a residential-sized bath sink, and a tub/shower combo with oil-rubbed bronze glass enclosure. Added bonuses include a medicine cabinet with a large mirrored door, an oiled bronze bath sink faucet and vanity light, full linoleum bath flooring, solid panel doors with oiled bronze handles, a deluxe wood grain towel holder, and prep for a washer/dryer hookup.
The 2012 Keystone Montana Mountaineer 375 FLF Fifth Wheel we took a tour of had a price tag of $49,955. For more information, visit http://www.keystone-mountaineer.com/.
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