340RK questions

[eddhuy]

My wife and I saw the 340RK at an RV show and really liked the open space, the width is awesome, and just about everything else about it. I have a couple of questions before making the purchase.

A couple of others we liked were the Keystone Alpine and the Heartland Bighorn but this is our favorite of the lot. I have owned a Keystone Trailer and currently have a Heartland Prowler 5er but have never owned a Forest River product before so just thought I'd get the opinion of those that have purchased one in the past.

Does the factory support warranty issues pretty well or are they slow and hard to get them to support the product?

We are thinking of full timing in this 5th wheel, are the Columbus products built well enough to handle full timing?

The factory rep said that any new 340RKs would be shipping with 4 steps vice 3 on the entry, has anyone else heard this?

[debtramm]

EddhuyWe take delivery next Sat of our 340 RK
Looked extensively before deciding on 340. It came down to 340 and Bighorn but we thought 340 was better constructed and better priced
I can't comment on other concerns about warranty but sure hope our service is good. Deb

[Patrickdana]

We have been living in our 325RL since August 2012 love it and have had no real issues.

[eddhuy]

Thank you for the replies. The factory rep was very nice and answered most of our questions for us. The price seems good and the quality seems to be there as well. This is still our first choice and am certain we will go for it this summer, no hurry at the moment. Want to upgrade our 2004 F350 for probably for a 2012 F350 as well. Will definitely let you know when we do upgrade to the Columbus, take care.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by eddhuy

My wife and I saw the 340RK at an RV show and really liked the open space, the width is awesome, and just about everything else about it. I have a couple of questions before making the purchase.

A couple of others we liked were the Keystone Alpine and the Heartland Bighorn but this is our favorite of the lot. I have owned a Keystone Trailer and currently have a Heartland Prowler 5er but have never owned a Forest River product before so just thought I'd get the opinion of those that have purchased one in the past.

Does the factory support warranty issues pretty well or are they slow and hard to get them to support the product?

We are thinking of full timing in this 5th wheel, are the Columbus products built well enough to handle full timing?

The factory rep said that any new 340RKs would be shipping with 4 steps vice 3 on the entry, has anyone else heard this?

THe only part I can answer is that FR people are great with anything, It's not FR it is the some "so called dealers" that you can have a problem with. I know that a phone call to the factory and you do get results. I'm very pleased with this company. They will bend over backwards if you have a problem. You also have the rep who monitors this web site to help you out. I wish my Rockwood/Flagstaff brand had the same rep. All the Columbus people seem to be pretty happy with their choice, but you normally only hear about little problems that you are going to get on any forum. The good news it seems is that Chris (Columbus Rep) seems to get them taken care of from what I read. I would rate it up with the FR Cardinal and I do not think you can get better then that...... and I am not a salesman.....

[jthomp58]

I can answer your last question, but as our 340RK has just arrived, can't speak from experience on factory support or full timing. I have read many positive comments and the positive feedback on F.R. was definitely what clinched it for us.

Our 340RK arrived yesterday and yes, it does now have the 4 steps, along with the new LED outside strip lights, located under the awning. The lights are a recently added standard feature to all of the new Columbus models. I say "go for it".

[astro56]

Originally Posted by eddhuy

My wife and I saw the 340RK at an RV show and really liked the open space, the width is awesome, and just about everything else about it. I have a couple of questions before making the purchase.

A couple of others we liked were the Keystone Alpine and the Heartland Bighorn but this is our favorite of the lot. I have owned a Keystone Trailer and currently have a Heartland Prowler 5er but have never owned a Forest River product before so just thought I'd get the opinion of those that have purchased one in the past.

Does the factory support warranty issues pretty well or are they slow and hard to get them to support the product?

We are thinking of full timing in this 5th wheel, are the Columbus products built well enough to handle full timing?

The factory rep said that any new 340RKs would be shipping with 4 steps vice 3 on the entry, has anyone else heard this?

eddhuy, I have a 2013 340RK, There have been some small issues. Leak in a gutter seam (I will silicone myself). The basement radio will not play a CD and the aux jack will not recognize my mp3. One of the arm brackets on the window came bent. We also have not received enough info from them to get my bedroom TV to work as labeled. Forest River said they will send out a new radio and a new set of brackets for me to have installed or do it myself. They also have not given our rep any info on the 2nd TV setup but that may be my reps fault. They are a bit slow but seem to cover the issues. I had a Keystone and they seemed about the same slow pace. I am going through the dealer where I made the purchase so I have not had to deal with Forest River directly. I am in my RV 1/2 the year and have been in this 340RK for 2 weeks with below freezing temps. So far so good. With a rear kitchen you have 2 gray tanks so sanitation requires a wye. The waste tanks are heated but all on 1 switch so you need to have some gray water in each tank and black tank to use it. Overall I like the 340RK. I wish the manuals were not so generic and Forest River don't seem to train there dealers well enough to answer the tough questions.

Good luck on your decision.

[jthomp58]

Also eddhuy, FR offers a 2nd year warranty for a few hundred dollars, and most people feel it is worthwhile. Added assurance maybe?

[jthomp58]

Question Astro. When you refer to the 2 gray tanks, what is wye that you are speaking of? We are awaiting the delivery of our RK, our first 5th wheel and we have a lot to learn. Thanks.

[Witch Doctor]

You can pick up a wye at CW or any RV outlet. It allows you to hook up both tanks to one drain line (sewer Hose) but you will need to short pieces to hook to the drain valves and then to the wye. I use to 12" sections form my RV to wye and then hook up your single pipe to the park drain. I'm not sure how far yours are apart, but mine are about 12" apart. you would need to measure. More then likely if your dealer has an RV parts section he would carry them.

[jthomp58]

Oh, okay. Thanks for the info. on the wye. I had no idea that there were two gray drains. Like I said, we have a lot to learn now that we've made the step up to a larger unit.