It’s always feels fantastic whenever we hear from a customer’s positive experience at Pete’s RV Center.  In this account, Karen drove all the way from Jacksonville, Florida to pick up her 2012 Montana High Country 313RE Fifth Wheel from our Schererville, Indiana location. Now that’s a hike!

Karen found her dream RV on our website and was helped throughout the sales process by RV Lifestyle Consultant Scott Ourednik.  As you will read, she was blown away by our customer service!

Amazing job Scott!  You can read more feedback on the Pete’s RV testimonial page as well as recommendations on our Facebook page.

Coming off a successful 2011, Pete’s RV Center kicked off the new year as exhibitors at the 2012 Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show held January 12th -16th.  As first timers to this popular event at the mammoth McCormick Place convention center, it took a boatload (no pun intended) of planning and a sizable staff to work the five-day show.

“Consumer shows always involve intense preparation, but the Chicago RV Show was unique because it required us to combine personnel and resources from our Indiana and Vermont dealerships,” said Vice President of Sales Todd McGinnis.  “It’s a large show in an even larger metropolitan area, goes on for five days, and has long hours.  Therefore, it’s critical that we have plenty of new RVs on display and enough staff to represent them.”

Pete’s RV had fifteen recreation vehicles in their display manned by a dozen or so staff members.  Overall, McGinnis felt the show kicked off the year on a positive note.

“Even though the show is boat-heavy and only about thirty-five percent of the displays are RV dealers, the foot traffic was solid enough to keep us busy throughout the five days.  It provided excellent exposure for our dealership in nearby Schererville, Indiana, we sold some units, and met some great folks.”

Among all of positive feedback on new campers from Keystone RV Company, Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Joe Vartuli pointed out a few of the attention-getters:  “People really liked the Montana High Country 343RL’s rear-living room, the Passport 3220BH’s bunkhouse and outdoor kitchen, and ultra-light Passport 190EXP expandable trailer.  We received lots of good feedback on the new Montana 3402RL fifth wheel floorplan, and especially the Airstream-like Vantage travel trailer line that was just launched by Keystone RV.”

Pictures and comments can be found on the Pete’s RV 2012 Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show Facebook Photo Album.

North America’s number one selling fifth wheel for more than a decade, Montana believes the right inspiration leads you to achieve greatness whether you are vacationing, adventuring or just relaxing. See and you shall believe that Montana fifth wheels truly enable you to achieve all three–in luxurious fashion!  From their beautiful exterior lines and graphics to interior designs that floor all who enter, it’s no surprise why Montana Fifth Wheels continue to reign over the competition!

The proof is in the quality of construction and ingenuity this Keystone RV Company brand puts into each and every floorplan.

To help showcase Montana’s excellence, Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Chad Shepard hosts a two-part video on Montana Fifth Wheel Features (using a Montana 3400RL for his demo) with resident expert Joe Vartuli. Both segments are available on the Pete’s RV YouTube Channel.

Chad and Joe highlight many of the following Montana Fifth Wheel features and options:

• Hickory cabinet doors and drawers
• Hickory stiles, end panels and crown molding
• Two high back recliners
• 35,000 BTU furnace with auto ignition and high capacity
  in-floor ducting
• Arctic Insulation Package
• Radiant technology roof, slide-out roof and front cap insulation
  (R-38 total)
• Arched stamped steel roof rafters
• Welded, aluminum framed walls, floors and slide-outs
• Extended Grab Handle
• High back desk chair with fold over step ladder
• Electric Fireplace
  
• Central vacuum
• Residential fixtures and accents
  

Other notable options that come standard in most of the Montana floorplans we carry at Pete’s RV:

In addition to complete features and specifications on all available Montana floorplans at PetesRV.com, be sure to take a look at Keystone RV’s equally impressive Montana High Country Fifth Wheels and Mountaineer Fifth Wheels!

Pete’s RV Info Blog Editor’s Note:  We received this very nice recap of the September 2011 Montana Owners Club (MOC) Fall Rally in Elkhart, IN.  If you are not familiar with MOC, I highly recommend checking out their website and becoming a registered member.  Dedicated to Montana, Montana High Country and Mountaineer fifth wheel owners, they have an incredibly active member forum and excellent RV resource sections!

As reported by Rich and Pat Labbe from Westford, MA:

We just attended the last event of the annual 2011 Montana Owners Club (MOC) Fall Rally–the ice cream social–hosted by the wagon masters.  For twenty-nine couples, it was their first national rally. There were ninety-three rigs in attendance–a new MOC record!   The weather brought lots of rain but that didn’t dampen attendee spirits at all.

As usual, Keystone Montana was very involved in the planning and execution of MOC events. They ran a driving school women and once again, no trucks or Montanas were damaged! Three new RVs were hooked up and the women drove, backed-up, hitched and unhitched the fifth wheels.  While the driving school was being held, factory tours were also being conducted.  There was lots of positive feedback on the new Montana 3402RL.

Seminars were held by RV vendors Norcold, Dexter Axel, Lippert, Dometic, Tredit, and MorRyde.  They provided a bunch of information, Rally Specials, and “good will” items.

The last of the raffle prizes were won tonight. Many items were donated by dealers and MOC members. The winner of the Pete’s RV Parts and Accessories Store gift certificate was Bob S. of Holly Springs, NC.

Thanks again to Pete’s RV for your contribution.

With the introduction of Keystone RV Company’s Max-Turn Technology, there is no more worrying about backing up or turning with your fifth wheel.  Increased turning radius and ease of maneuverability is just another great innovation from North America’s leading fifth wheel manufacturer.  In a nutshell, Max-Turn Technology means that turning in the tightest of campsites with your Cougar, X-Lite, or Cougar High Country fifth wheel has never been easier (or less stressful!),

Key Max-Turn Technology Benefits:

• Integrated Frame and Front Cap Design

• 79 Degree Truck-to-Fifth Wheel Turning Radius

• 1 Piece Front Rail Design for Maximized Strength and Maneuverability

Along with Cougar fifth wheels, Max-Turn Technology is also available in Montana, Mountaineer, Montana High Country and other popular Keystone RV brands.  Watch an informative Max-Turn Technology video on the Pete’s RV YouTube Channel!

(Pete’s RV Info Blog Editor Note: The following press release was originally distributed by Keystone RV Company. Congratulations to Keystone and the Montana RV Division. We are proud to be selling your exceptional line of fifth wheels!)

GOSHEN, Ind. — For the 10th consecutive year, the Keystone Montana has been named the No. 1 retailing fifth wheel, according to Statistical Surveys, Inc. of Grand Rapids, Mich.

This is an accomplishment no other fifth wheel brand has ever achieved, said Aram Koltookian, Montana group general manager.

In a letter to Keystone, Tom Walworth, president of Statistical Surveys, Inc., wrote, “Statistical Surveys would like to congratulate the Keystone Montana Fifth Wheel for 10 years of maintaining the number one spot based on retail sales for 2010 year end. This is not a feat easily accomplished; we understand that in order to maintain this it is the result of a team effort.”

“The entire Montana team is looking forward to making it 11 straight in 2011,” said Koltookian. “We are grateful to our strong dealer network and loyal customers for Montana’s ongoing success.”

Koltookian said the Montana team is taking further steps to solidify the brand’s leadership, including:

* Introducing the industry’s first arched roof which runs the entire length of the coach and creates additional ceiling height and feeling of openness, especially in the bedroom.
* Giving customers the option of adding the Big Sky Package with full paint exterior to most Montana models.
* Continuing to innovate with new floorplans, like the 3625RE which features a convenient “breakfast bar” in the rear living room and the 3700RL with a full wall hallway/bedroom slide that is prepped for side-by-side washer and dryer.
* Ramping up production in their new plant which is significantly larger than the previous Montana production facility.

About Keystone RV Company

Keystone RV Company is one of the nation’s largest producer of travel trailers and fifth wheels, with manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Goshen, Ind., and Pendleton, Ore. Keystone is a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Jackson Center, Ohio, the world’s largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and a major builder of commercial buses.

A very enthusiastic Mike Mack from Keystone RV Company rolled into Pete’s RV for product training.  Why the enthusiasm, you ask?  Mike is a sales manager for Montana RV–the reigning number one fifth wheel for 10 consecutive years!

That said, he was pretty fired up to reinforce the many reasons why there’s more than 60,000 Montana Fifth Wheels on the road today!

A few of the noticeably impressive features for 2011 include:

• New vaulted ceiling profile with 5 inch non-tapered steel roof trusses
• 40 inch LCD HD televisions in most floorplans
• Visually pleasing AND functional 5100 BTU fireplaces
• Solid hickory hardwood cabinetry and residential grab handles
• Dupont Corian countertops with solid surface sinks and sink covers
• Remote control unit for slideouts, stabilizer jacks, awning and security lights
• Mor/Ryde suspension, Goodyear tires, Dexter EZ lube axles and Nev-R adjust brakes

Mike also pointed out several less obvious yet exceptional features such as:

• Certified zero degree cold weather insulation package
• 3 inch interior structure walls with no plastic mouldings
• Highly efficient straight-ducted heating system
• Vented attic to greatly reduce interior condensation and moisture buildup
• Swivel-top dinette table with extension and under seat storage chairs
• Even with all the fixings, it’s still the lightest high-line fifth wheel in its class

For an added touch of comfort and luxury, Pete’s RV includes leather furniture, a second A/C, dual-pane windows and side-by-side 12 cubic foot refrigerator options in most of our Montana fifth wheels.

Along with Montana, Mike provided feature overviews for Montana High Country and Mountaineer.  He stressed that both offer the same overall construction, durability and safety features as Montana.

Montana High Country’s biggest takeaway is Helium Technology.  On average, it is 2000 pounds lighter than other fifth wheels in its class.  Yet when looking at one, there’s certainly no sacrifice in upscale features or amenities (it’s smoked gray exterior is impressive as well!).

The key takeaway on Mountaineer is that it is unquestionably the best value for a high-line fifth wheel.  The space and comfort is all there along with a pretty spectacular package (we like the new graphics too!).

As the year progresses Pete’s RV will continue to highlight Montana RV features in more detail.  In the meantime, we welcome you to contact us with further inquiries on Montana, Montana High Country, and Mountaineer Fifth Wheels.