Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Keystone Alpine Avalanche Edition 390DS. I was tasked with looking at RVs that were going to be used as seasonal rigs, and one of the requests would offer the ability of two adult couples to camp together. One of the rigs I looked at was the Keystone Alpine Avalanche Edition 390DS.
What is the Keystone Alpine Avalanche Edition 390DS?
What you have here is a very large fifth wheel that has two complete bedrooms and a common or living area that would serve to keep those couples far enough apart and with their own space that they could hold very private conversations or even do private things without the other couple being aware of what’s going on.
At an inch shy of 43 feet in length and coming in at 100 inches wide, there’s plenty of space in this rig for those two bedrooms.
Further, this has what Keystone refers to as a “drop Z” frame, which means there’s the obvious raised portion in the front over the king pin but then a drop frame in the back as well.
Two bedrooms
One of the things about this is that each of the bedrooms is fully featured.
Starting up over the king pin, the upper deck bedroom features a king-sized bed. There is a closet across the nose of the RV and provisions for a washer and dryer there.
The bathroom, too, is large, with a nice shower and plenty of space to do what you want to do.
But before you decide to take this bedroom, let’s talk about the downstairs bedroom.
This one features a queen-sized bed and it also has a full bathroom with a shower. Not quite as fancy as the upstairs unit, but it is nicer than the main bathroom in some RVs.
That second bathroom also has its own outside entrance. So, if you’re camping where it can be dirty, this would be the one to direct the kidlets to.
Above the back bedroom is a loft that has a rather nice 33” height, so you could sit up straight. There are three sleeping pads (Teddy Bear mattresses) up there, so you could arguably have three adults up there. But I think this might be more for the wee ones than the ones writing the checks and driving the car.
Also, know that the folks up here in the loft would either have to go through the back bedroom to get to that bathroom or go to the main bathroom on the second level but at least they’re not traipsing through your bedroom at night.
Talk dirty to me
I watched this video from Keystone about this unit and it was almost as if it were trailer porn for Tony when they got to the suspension. So many RVs have the absolute cheapest suspensions, and this one does not.
What you have here is a Road Armor™ suspension that features half-inch steel shackles with grease-able bronze bushings and 7,000-pound axles that feature six inches of travel. If this is like speaking some foreign language, just know that these are good specs.
You’d want good specs in a rig this heavy and large, but it’s nice to see Keystone is not cheaping out.
While we’re talking about structural things I like, let’s look at Keystone’s Innovation Lab, which I find to be responsible for some nice features in Keystone products.
For example, they have designed Keystone’s products to have unified wiring colors. What this means is that the colors of the wires are intentionally chosen and implemented. I’ve found this makes diagnosing an issue much easier and the likelihood of having too much is reduced.
Many, many companies just have big spools of wires at the end of the line and the workers just pull wires as needed. Your RV might use a red wire for lighting while the next one uses a blue one. This unintentional wiring makes diagnosing an issue a real challenge, and a real challenge = big money when the problem is yours.
Blade Pure™ airflow (air conditioning) system
They also have what the company calls a Blade Pure™ airflow (air conditioning) system. This is simply a filtered system that employs residential air filters that you can replace at most home improvement stores.
We all travel to beautiful places and, oftentimes, those beautiful places have beautiful foliage that does a good job in the pollen-making department. It makes sense to actually have an air conditioner with a filter. But it makes even more sense to have a filter you can find out in those remote places you might be going.
Keystone also is one of only two companies that have a temperature chamber where they can actually test their products temperature-wise. They have certified this rig to be usable down to -4° F.
Now, if it gets anywhere close to that, I’m outie McOutsville. But some of you like that cold stuff. Meanwhile, I’ll be the one going inside when the temps drop below 50. Noooo thank you.
Things to consider
This RV has sleeping space for seven people, but there are only six places for bottoms to rest in the main living area. Yeah, yeah, you can bring in more portable chairs (we do it frequently). And I betcha that the littler campers are going to retreat to the upstairs once they’ve had their cheeks pinched by Grandma.
I’m not typically a fan of residential refrigerators in RVs only because they tend to not be hardened for the road. But I’m going to bet that something this huge is going to find a spot to stretch out for a season and only see wheel time when it’s going back into storage for winter. So, the residential fridge doesn’t bug me (much) here.
And Keystone offers a 12-volt RV fridge as a choice—so that’s good.
Lastly, I had some friends who had the same floor plan in a Sabre fifth wheel. They did say that, in some cases, the drop frame rear-end does reach down and say howdy to the pavement in some maneuvers, such as going into a filling station. So I wouldn’t think this would be such a great choice if boondocking is your thing, even if that boondocking is in places like Harvest Hosts. I would be intimidated by something of this size that sits that low to the ground, but you do you.
Conclusions
Otherwise, this RV has a lot of really great features. I can easily see this serving families of multiple generations or couples who like to vacation together. Or it could just be a home away from home on some beautiful property.
I’m curious what your thoughts are on something of this size with two bedrooms and two baths. Would you travel extensively? It certainly has the suspension to accommodate that. Or would this make more sense as a seasonal unit?
I always appreciate your comments.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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Sleeping for seven but ‘theatre seating’ for two. And eating for four. Maybe wifey and I just travel differently, but the dual bedrooms make no sense to me. Tony has this right though – it’s probably going to go somewhere – and stop – for a long time. Maybe your friends or family fly in to visit and you provide the ‘motel’.
I can see someone buying one of those “vacation properties” and plopping this big momma on it and it just lives there. I do know someone who towed a similar model all over the place but I don’t think that’s typical.
You’ve GOT to be kidding!!!! Where do you keep the hang glider, the ATV’s, and the Harley’s? Can’t wait untill one of these parks next to me….blotting out the sun for me and the neighbors.
In profile this isn’t that much different than those large Class A diesel pushers and has a lot fewer carnival float swishes on the outside so there’s that.
When will the designers ever learn not to put mirrors on the sliding closet doors. I covered mine with privacy film used for windows.
Oh the inappropriate dances I do in front of large mirrors and, if I can get my wife to yell “stop that” I’ve won. Plus, eventually I get to come back inside and sleep.
I bet this unit will be a fun time while attempting to fuel up the tow vehicle.
My Keystone RV is a piece of junk. Multiple problems causing canceled trips. After 8 months new, I’m told I need a new roof, which Keystone won’t cover under warranty. NEVER buy a Keystone RV.
This is unfortunate and a surprise. I can’t imagine modern RV roofs needing replacement so soon – they’re typically TPO or PVC and carry long warranties. Speaking of which, Keystone was one of the best companies to work with for warranty service when I was at the dealership which is why I’m so enthusiastic about them.
I wonder if your dealership might be a bigger issue – the dealership you choose does make a substantial difference in your overall RV experience for so many reasons.
Another one of those “Let’s Take Our House Camping” trailers.
Can’t imagine hauling that big monstrosity anywhere!
Thank you, Tony! If we bought it, then we’d travel in it. It would not go someplace and sit for weeks (months?) on end. However, I don’t think we would buy something this long and expensive. You certainly did make a strong case for Keystone RVs, 🙂 but then Dana’s comment/experience undercut it. 🙁 So, I’m back where I was; no Keystone. Thank you for the review and safe travels! 🙂