Looking at 340RK

[jeb182]

Wondering if anyone has a 340RK and can tell me how it's been. We are looking at buying and really like the floor plan. By reading the forums it looks like they have great support from the manufacturer.

[Glidedriver2]

Jeb182,

We took delivery of ours in March. We love the floor plan and the open feeling. Other than the same issues that everyone else has been dealing with we love it.
It's nice when the kids are here and this crazy weather goes south on us, we can all be inside and not stepping on each other.
Lots of good people and info here to help you along the way.

Good luck.

[ssharry]

We've had our 340RK for 4 weeks now and like you we really like the floor plan. The functional aspect of this layout is great. Everyone we show is impressed. What they don't understand is all the little quality issues. This is our first camper so I don't have a reference point but it doesn't seem like it would take much more effort to solve these quality issues. If they could get the build quality up this would be a home run. Would I buy it again? Yes. Would I spend a lot more time on a PDI? Absolutely.

[Glidedriver2]

ssharry,
I agree. For $60+k you would think there wouldn't be as many nagging issues. I know its all about the money and they have to crank them out, but if the attention to detail had taken care of the problems they would blow all the other guys out of the water.

[jeb182]

Thanks for the replays. We are really looking forward to getting a 5th wheel on order soon if we can't find one that we want on the lot. However, we are taking our time and will get all that we want. The bad thing is we just sold our travel trailer and now we're without a camper all summer. There goes all of our plans for a few months.

[BuckeyeChuck]

Are the Columbus and Sabre built at the same plant? There seems to be a lot of build quality issues with the Columbus that I'm not seeing in my Sabre. Not trying to start something, just wondering.

-BC-

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeChuck

Are the Columbus and Sabre built at the same plant? There seems to be a lot of build quality issues with the Columbus that I'm not seeing in my Sabre. Not trying to start something, just wondering.

-BC-

different....sabre goshen ....Columbus middleburry

[SYE]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeChuck

Are the Columbus and Sabre built at the same plant? There seems to be a lot of build quality issues with the Columbus that I'm not seeing in my Sabre. Not trying to start something, just wondering.

-BC-

Nope, the Columbus are built in Middlebury, and the Sabre is built in Goshen.

[Paul M]

This is our first season with the 340 RK. We like the unit. sometimes it's just the wife and I and then we may have the grandson and his dad and my other son. We also let my son and his family borrow it. The only thing I have changed is the middle island. I made it so we could roll it in when there are more of us to create a REALLY open floor plan. Some have discussed the viewing of the TV from the theater seats being a pain, but we really don't spend that much time sitting inside watching TV. The only issue I may have the dealer look at at the end of the season is the door fit. It looks like the factory hyper extended the lower hinge in order to get a somewhat proper fit.

Paul

[TopGunz]

Originally Posted by Paul M

This is our first season with the 340 RK. We like the unit. sometimes it's just the wife and I and then we may have the grandson and his dad and my other son. We also let my son and his family borrow it. The only thing I have changed is the middle island. I made it so we could roll it in when there are more of us to create a REALLY open floor plan. Some have discussed the viewing of the TV from the theater seats being a pain, but we really don't spend that much time sitting inside watching TV. The only issue I may have the dealer look at at the end of the season is the door fit. It looks like the factory hyper extended the lower hinge in order to get a somewhat proper fit.

Paul

Paul M, I like the idea of making the middle island able to roll in. What did you do to accomplish that?

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by TopGunz

Paul M, I like the idea of making the middle island able to roll in. What did you do to accomplish that?

The hardest part was getting the 8 inch screws they put in to hold it down on the outside end out. Then I put two wood tracks on the floor in the compartment where it slides, then put some rollers on both ends. You may need to cut off the trim on the outside end. It is still a work in progress, but so far has worked when we need more room. Also added good quality door stops to the sides on the outer end to help give it some support. Once you remove the screws that hold it in it is loose as a goose. I still have a plan to help firm it up , just havnt' had time.

[bikendan]

i suggested to Chris Columbus, some time ago, that they should make the island a rolling one.
he replied that the techs there said it wasn't feasible. but the 320RS has one and Jayco's rear kitchen 343RKS has one also and it's a very similar floorplan.

the DW and i said that it would be a definite winner for us, if that was a rolling island. but the extension simply takes up usable living room space.

that's great that you found a way to make it a rolling one.

[Paul M]

I have noticed on my 2013 340 RK that when the two living room slides are open that it appears they are actually pushing the stationary walls on the end out. This is espicially noticible in the kitchen area where the wall seperates from the cabinet and counter top on the right side of the stove top. At least a 1/8 to 3/16 inch gap. The passenger side also has a gap between the counter top and wall with slide extended. When slide are in the gaps close up. I was instructed to open the slides until I heard the gears ratchet. Is this correct. Do you think I should slide out until ratchet then back in a touch (water leaks ?) Has anyone else noticed this.
Thanks !

[Harneymaki]

I have the same problem by the stovetop. I was assuming that the wall was out of square or just poor installation. I'll have to run the slide in and take a look. The opposite side looks fine though.

[TopGunz]

Paul M., I was instructed to open my slides the same way. So far, I don't have any separation by the stove but my island counter top is starting to separate from the wall by the couch. It's noticeable only when the slide is retracted. Another oddity that I noticed is if the bedroom TV is on we lose all reception whenever the bedroom light gets turned on. It's at the dealer now for these issues. Hope they get it figured out.

[Glidedriver2]

Top Gunz,

Please post what they find with the TV. Ours has the same issues. Any lights up front that get turned on kill all reception.

Thanks!

[TopGunz]

Glidedriver2,

Will do.

[Paul M]

Top Gun, Let us know what dealer says about wall seperation. I have not had any eletrical issues with my unit. Biggest concern is walls flexing when slides are out. It seems the slides hit the top first then continue to roll out until mechanism makes the ratchet sound. Must be putting too much pressure on top and somehow flexing wall. Will be taking back to dealer at end of season and before warr. is expired. At least it will be on record as an issue should further problems (leaks) pop up.

[Harneymaki]

Here is a 340rk observation I recently made. The front gray and black dump valves are inside the underbelly so relatively insulated. The rear galley gray tank dump valve is below the underbelly so not insulated at all. Are all of yours that way? It will be a concern for us as we are planning to be in our rig until late November and we are in northern Minnesota. Thanks!

[amxpress]

My 320RS is that way. The tanks have heaters and the basement is heated so you shouldn't have a problem in MN.