Keystone is a strong feature of the RV industry. They are a renowned RV manufacturer with a vast array of RV models, which its loyal customer base has greatly appreciated.
A more contemporary offering is their Hideout range which has taken the market by storm. It has a huge variety of features, layouts and components available.
However, this hugely popular product range has been subject to a lot of customer criticism due to a variety of common and fundamental problems. Therefore, this article has been constructed to highlight all of the most common issues and the best course of action to rectify the problems.
Keystone Hideout Problems and Their Solutions
1. Poor Quality Interiors
RV trailers are a huge investment as they are designed and purchased to be reliable and comfortable mobile homes.
Therefore, it is crucial that these beloved RVs are of at least a similar standard to traditional homes. However, this is one of the pivotal issues associated with the Keystone Hideout RVs.
Firstly, it is frequently suggested by the owner that the interior fixtures are sub-par standard. Effectively it has been suggested that the material used in the many layouts available is not as robust as many similarly priced competitors.
Particular emphasis has been placed on interior trim pieces and kitchen cabinets. Owners have noted that they are easily damaged, misaligned or simply fall apart well before their time.
The poor quality materials utilized by Keystone are extended to the appliances they fit as standard too. Almost an endless list of component and layout combinations is available through the manufacturer.
However, despite the seemingly endless list of additional factor components, there has been an ongoing discussion about the general lack of quality.
RVs put their components through the most challenging operating conditions compared to a traditional home. Therefore it is generally expected that the ethos behind RV manufacturers is to provide a robust, long-lasting and easily maintained variety of components and appliances.
The most effective means of dealing with these issues is to have a professional fitter examine, repair and reinforce interior features to ensure they last as long as the RV.
Moreover, there is an ongoing discussion regarding the tendency for factory appliances to fail prematurely and without warning.
Everything from the AC unit to the onboard oven is renowned for its poor quality. Effectively these oversights have created an expectation for the owner to have their essential appliances break down at the worst possible moments during the RV vacations.
This is the last thing anyone wants to worry about when they are trying to relax. To rectify this, it is crucial to address any issues with appliances as they arise and ensure they are securely fixed in place to prevent damage from vehicle movement.
This is one of the most significant drawbacks associated with the Keystone Hideout series. Particularly for new customers who are being increasingly influenced by the experiences of current owners.
The investment involved in purchasing these large-scale mobile homes should be seriously weighed up against the inferior interior quality.
2. Leaking Issues
Keystone Hideouts pack a huge amount of functional versatility into a small space. They have been designed to incorporate as many traditional home and practical camping features into a reasonably tight space.
In doing so, it has integrated a number of components that require a variety of fluids to operate. This includes everything from tap water to toilet black water tanks. These fluids play an integral role in the modern convenience expected in luxury RVs.
However, Keystone Hideouts are renowned for fluid leaks over a variety of their components which has seriously unsettled owners.
The AC unit is a commonly associated point of fluid leaks. This is because the unit requires a cooling agent that is a particular chemical compound designed to work harmoniously with the intricate system. However, should this fluid leak, it will quickly render the unit useless.
More than that, there are instances where the lack of fluid has led to permanent damage to the unit. This is a costly and needless fault which could be easily rectified with a simple upgrade of the fluid pipes and rubber seals.
Many of the Keystone permutations include a large-scale private bathroom facility for showering and a fully integrated toilet system. These systems are reliant on sealed freshwater storage as well as their counterpart, the black water or wastewater storage tank.
A leak in either of these tanks is both hazardous and concerning. Over time they will compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity or expose hazardous organic material to the entire RV.
Unfortunately, leaking from both of these tanks has become increasingly common over time which is cause for great concern for owners and potential buyers alike. There does not appear to be a clear solution other than to replace the tanks, hoses and seals throughout the vehicle.
Unfortunately, this is an enormous job that is likely to require professional assistance. In addition, the tanks are often integrated within the structure or underslung, which makes it a challenging task.
Although there are several onboard fluid leaks associated with the Keystone Hideout, there is also a more typical leaking issue becoming apparent. Some of the Hideout models incorporate a slide-out to provide additional living space when the RV is parked.
These expandable sections protrude from the existing structure of the RV and, therefore, include their own additional roof. However, these roofs have been associated with inconsistent construction standards, which inevitably lead to leaking in these sections.
Water ingress is like cancer to an RV. It must be dealt with at the source and rectified as soon as possible. Otherwise, the leak will inevitably cause mold and rotting of the interior structure. Sadly, this is the case for many owners who only begin to see symptoms after it is too late.
Like many of the problems associated with the Hideout, it is crucial that issues are inspected and addressed as soon as possible. Beyond this, it is critical to seek out forming problems once informed of common issues.
For example, knowing the slide-out is a course of leakage; the condition of the roof must be inspected regularly. When holes and gaps appear, use strong RV sealants to fill these holes to prevent any opportunity for water ingress.
3. Electrical Concerns
Electricity is the cornerstone of modern society. This has been extended into the world of RVs, which have electrical systems incorporated into their design to meet these modern demands.
However, issues around this system have created speculation about the underlying safety of the Keystone product.
Firstly, not only are the appliances known to be of low quality. To add insult to injury, they are also renowned for being improperly installed. Customers have a range of problems ranging from loose connections to missing fuses.
Often these issues are noticeable directly or shortly after first purchasing the RV. Also, be mindful of the alarmingly common occurrence of poorly wired devices that cause a burning smell.
When issues occur, inspect all of the connections of the appliance and ensure that there are fuses installed and haven’t blown and are appropriately rated.
4. Post-Purchase Service
As mentioned, purchasing an RV is one of the largest investments a lucky owner can make in their lifetime. These are cherished travel companions that will be the source of numerous priceless memories for many.
This is an appreciated aspect of ownership for RV manufacturers, which is why they often focus on the highest quality of pre and post-customer service. Surprisingly, this appears to be lacking in the Keystone offers.
Considering the number of fundamental issues mentioned above, one would imagine that the least Keystone could do is provide excellent service.
Sadly, a number of customers have noted that their helplines are poorly staffed and are generally reluctant to offer satisfactory advice. This inferiority is combined with a web page which is notoriously difficult to navigate.
Ultimately this has led to a plethora of issues and complaints from many loyal customers. Fortunately, there have been developments on Keystones part to improve these services and allow for more efficient problem resolutions.
Conclusion
Evidently, there are a host of concerns and issues with the Hideout range. It comes as a great disappointment to owners who have generally associated Keystone with quality and dependability.
However, some of these fundamental issues have come as a great shock to the RV community, which puts the brand’s authenticity into question. Reading this article will highlight the crucial and most concerning issues that a concerned and diligent owner should address.
Alternatively, to potential buyers, it should highlight all of the potential issues that will have to be addressed during ownership.
I have a newer hideout camper. The ac keeps tripping the circuit breaker. Just prior to it tripping there’s a sound like a card hitting the fan. The fan slows down and shortly after the breaker trips. And ideas.