Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Keystone Montana 3623EB. Someone at Keystone may have been watching me, as one of the biggest challenges I have as an RVer is where to put our eBikes. We have come up with a solution, for now, but Keystone has a much better idea than what we have. This new floor plan is designed specifically to address carting eBikes around.
In fact, I have a funny history with eBikes. We are currently using this bike rack, which I like quite a bit. It has worked well enough, but I am concerned that the cover on the bikes somewhat blocks the brake lights on my trailer. I base that conclusion on the fact that someone actually rear-ended our trailer, and the bikes and bike rack took the brunt of the impact. Ouch.
(No writers were injured in the destruction of our travel trailer).
Keystone has created a compartment in this Montana specifically for eBikes, plus they worked with the folks at MORryde to create a new bike rack that completes this idea.
From Keystone
“Our research revealed that two-thirds of fifth wheel owners were traveling with eBikes or intended to, but no manufacturer was offering a way to store, protect, secure, and charge this ubiquitous and relatively expensive equipment. Montana has built its reputation on being first to market with the right floor plans for RVers’ evolving needs, so we quickly got to work to develop a well-designed solution,” said Colin Dechant, who drove the initiative for the brand.
Keystone turned to the research and development team of MORryde International to help design a rail lift system that is both secure and easy to operate. Concurrently, the Montana design team delved into floorplan options that would accommodate interior eBike storage and leverage the space for additional functionality.
The result of the collaboration has been on display at the Florida RV Supershow. Montana’s new 3623EB adapts a customer-favorite rear living floorplan, separating what is traditionally one large kitchen and entertainment slide into separate kitchen and “bike garage” slide boxes. With access through a cargo door in the rear of the slide, bikes are loaded and secured onto a patent-pending rail system. Built-in struts make it easy to tilt the loaded rail up and stow bikes in the slide compartment, which also features power for charging.
The storage compartment can also be fully accessed from the inside of the coach and offers additional pantry storage.
Aside from the bicycle storage, this is the floor plan I recommend you always start with when comparing fifth wheels. Since this is a design that just about every RV maker builds, it’s a great way to see how one company differs from the rest.
Keystone features
If you haven’t read any of these reviews in the past, I should point out that Keystone has been working on truly differentiating their products even from other Thor products. Keystone has a team they call their Innovation Labs, and they truly have been doing things to make a difference. Like what?
There is their Blade Pure™ air conditioning system which uses a more efficient air handling system to deliver more chilled air throughout the RV. Further, there’s a high-efficiency filtration system that can filter out a lot of air particles to the MERV-9 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values) standard, but which uses easily found filters.
Keystone also has flooring called Dyna Span™, which is a wood product that comes in such large sheets that it only takes a single sheet to cover the floor of this large fifth wheel. It’s also guaranteed for a quarter of a century.
I also really like the suspension on this rig, which is a Road Armor™ system with wet bolts. Another nice feature is the tire pressure monitoring system, which includes the spare tire.
The company also uses wiring systems that are consistent from model to model. This might sound like a no-brainer, but remember it’s the RV industry. So this is a very unique feature to Keystone and means that more intentional wiring is more likely to function properly. But if it doesn’t, it’s also easier to diagnose and repair.
Solar
Another thing about Keystone products is their standard solar package. The base solar on all Keystone RVs is 220 watts, up 20 watts from previous years. You can then get a package with double the number of panels or even the big daddy rabbit, the 1200iL. There are also optional battery packages. Keystone has partnered with Battle Born Battery so that participating dealerships simply have their products in stock.
If you opt for one of these batteries or a bank of their batteries, the batteries themselves are covered by the RV warranty. That means you have one point of contact if you have any issues or questions. It really does democratize solar and lithium systems.
I think, more than any other RV company, Keystone has democratized solar.
My thoughts on the 2024 Keystone Montana 3623EB
I had a chance to speak with the GM of Montana, Colin Dechant, a while back on this podcast episode about some of the thinking behind the Montana brand. I thought it was interesting.
This is an interesting floor plan, indeed, and one that addresses a need more and more of us RVers have—how to store our eBikes. Funny thing, two years ago we were at an FMCA Convention and rode our Lectric XP™ 2.0 eBikes around. People constantly stopped us and asked questions about the bikes. The following year, it was almost as much an eBike convention as one for RVers. These electric bicycles were everywhere.
You do have to extend the slide room where the bikes are stowed to gain access to them from outside the RV, but that’s not a bad situation.
Overall I can see this feature appealing to a lot of RVers. But will it make a big enough difference to get someone to upgrade their RV? That I don’t know. I do know we are, once again, shopping for a new travel trailer and the ability to accommodate our Lectric XP™ 3.0 bikes is a strong consideration in the shopping process for us.
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 life long 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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$130K is a lot of money to carry E bikes.
That was my thought exactly. I am hoping other manufactures take note & something similar is offered in a smaller TT or 5th wheel.
Tony must have lots of money to afford E bikes and has to remove the target on the back of his TT. Seems like always has an accident and looking for a new TT. Good luck.
We’ve been “toy hauler curious” for years now even though we don’t have a motorcycles, a UTV, or kayaks. Toy haulers end up with smaller kitchens and living areas as compared to similar sized fivers. Having a bonus room with an easy way to load the ebikes INSIDE without sacrificing living space is awesome.
No slides to end my trip on a toy hauler.
The yeoman work of Keystone’s Innovation Lab is evidenced by the rote plagiarism of manufacturers. Grand Design, Alliance, and other RV builders of the same ilk would be stuck assembling rigs from the 80’s and 90’s were it not for the Lab. Keystone’s real automotive, mechanical, electrical and structural engineers and designers are tasked with improving its products. It’s deplorable that YouTube talking heads evade attribution not just for famous quotations, but also for original advancements and refinements of the Innovation Lab. Keystone tries to increase sales by building a better product. Others rely on partisan vloggers to push tin through puffery. BTW, I don’t work for Keystone.
If one already has an RV with bumper with factory installed Class III hitch, a bike rack with ample security and bike cover is the ticket. Finding an RV with a factory installed class III hitch is a plus in my book as it implies the RV’s frame was built to withstand additional stress.
Some even come with brake and tail lights mounted high to lessen the chance of getting covered by bikes and covers.
Very nice review on a fabulous looking unit but without a CCC rating, seems a little dodgy.
Know that this was a pre-production unit so I don’t think Keystone has the details buttoned up just yet.
Buy a toy hauler – BOOM! problem solved! 🙂
And when the toys are out I had the nicest floor space around, even compared with those with and without slides. (none on the hauler).
…and I think toy haulers have also become even nicer than they have traditionally been plus you also get a ramp door/patio.
It Looks like you would lose your ability to access the kitchen/bathroom area, at a rest stop along the way, without unloading the bikes first.
Not at all. The ebike slide is on the driver side. Looking at the floor plan, it looks like everything one would need at a quick stop would be fully accessible.
Start with 2 folding step thru ebikes. Step thru accommodates you when your youth diminishes to the point where you can no longer swing your leg over.
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Fold the 2 bikes and put in 2 45 gal.Rubbermaid tubs. The handle bars folded will hang outside tub. One bike goes on backseat of my truck. Other goes beside dining table in 5th wheel. Table would accommodate 2 bikes if chairs removed.
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2 bikes would go in Ford Escape. The tubs keep pedals etc from damaging upholstery etc. When camped chain bikes to trailer. Tubs make bike pedals etc easier to handle going through doors.
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For a rear bike rack I wired a removable running, stop, turn light to an added plug on trailer light.
Sorry, Steve. I just found your comment sitting in our Spam folder. I have no idea why our sometimes-overzealous filter does that.🤔 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I doubt that the builder has fireproofed the compartment. Considering the issues with LI batteries catching fire I would hope that people don’t try charging the batteries while the bikes are in the compartment.
I purchased a new 2022 Keystone Cougar in January 2023. My TT is a piece of junk. Nothing but problems resulting in cancelled camping trips. In August 2023 I was told I need a new roof. Keystone is arguing about replacing the roof under warranty. NEVER buy a Keystone RV.