Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-25-2019, 06:17 PM   #1
Castner's
Established Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: New Ringgold
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #19693
Bracket for Refrigerator

My wife and I have a 2017 3791RD Montana. Since day one, we have had the unit back to the dealer four times regarding the re-attachment of the bracket that keeps the refrigerator secure against the slide out wall. Every time they tighten up the screws, and you travel for a while, they come loose and the refrigerator is up against the island. Is anyone else having this problem and if so, how did you keep the screws from backing out? I do not believe they are screwed into the stud. It is a residential refrigerator amd the bracket goes around the refrigerator between the two upright doors at the bottom and between the chest freezer. Contact me at feety1@verizon.net
 
Castner's is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2022, 03:14 PM   #2
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
Castner, were you able to solve your fridge problem? Our bracket also came out and I'm looking for ways to fix it. Thanks
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2022, 06:39 PM   #3
Mikendebbie
Montana Master
 
Mikendebbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,390
M.O.C. #21044
J Darwin - I do not have this problem - yet - and I have never seen what it looks like behind the residential fridge. Just thinking out loud…I might try to install a piece of skinny plywood - say 3/8” x maybe 30” tall x the width of the fridge cubby. Home Depot or Lowes will cut the plywood to your dimensions in case you don’t have a mobile wood shop with you. Attach the skinny plywood with 1” (maybe 3/4” screws?) screws 6” oc along each stud…maybe even add some construction adhesive on the back side of the plywood. Then attach the bracket to the plywood. I have not seen the bracket but if there was a way to add more screws across the width of plywood - rather than just hitting the same screw holes in the studs as before. The more screws spread across the plywood the better IMHO. I have no idea how much clearance there is between face of bracket and rear wall/back side of the fridge. I assume it is tight however. But if this works - your fridge will sit 3/8” more forward than it did out of the factory, which won’t hurt a thing in our unit. The fridge is accessible during travel with the slides in! So what if it is 3/8" forward? No big deal.
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
Mikendebbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2022, 07:58 PM   #4
jcurtis934
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
It can't move forward if you install a triangle shaped block of wood in front of each front roller...held in place by a long screw angled into the plywood base the fridge sits on. Just looking at the way keystone designed the fridge enclosure when you bought the unit should have told you that it was lacking. The walls of the Montana are aluminum studs of very thin metal. And they should have bonded a plate on the rear wall, not used screws driven straight into a stud, IF they even hit a stud.
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
jcurtis934 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2022, 06:48 AM   #5
Castner's
Established Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: New Ringgold
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #19693
We contacted Keystone RV and informed them about the problem. They sent the fix to the dealer and they fixed it finally after many tries. Also, on your bathroom door roller, go to a three roller system with the rod that does not move. It will hold your door with no problem!
Castner's is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2022, 06:49 AM   #6
Castner's
Established Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: New Ringgold
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #19693
Keystone has a fix for this problem with the strap! Your dealer needs to contact them about it! We have had no further problem since!
Castner's is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2022, 07:20 AM   #7
Mikendebbie
Montana Master
 
Mikendebbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,390
M.O.C. #21044
Dealer fix will be expensive and take a very long time for 2019 model like jdarwin's (or my unit is a 2018) which are out of warranty. Even the OP was out of warranty when he posted the question in 2019. The fix I suggested would be maybe $50 and a saturday afternoon.

Again - I have not actually installed my suggested fix - just throwing an idea out for discussion.
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
Mikendebbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2022, 09:14 AM   #8
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
MikeandDebbie, I like the idea of bonding plywood to the wall. I can also use a piece of 1x2 screwed into the floor in front of the casters to prevent it from rolling. I’ll take pics as I do the repair to help others.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Castner's View Post
on your bathroom door roller, go to a three roller system with the rod that does not move. It will hold your door with no problem!
I drilled out the roller and cut a 1/4” microwave screw to 2 1/2” and installed so the screw rotated in the roller. I also had to install extra screws to hold the pivot hing as Keystone thinks only 2 was enough. It works great now.

Click image for larger version

Name:	D3CE9A51-2AEB-4D87-87C2-8B81F8E07173.jpeg
Views:	38
Size:	116.5 KB
ID:	10944

Click image for larger version

Name:	ED727279-B2F1-4B53-9D3C-3A0DBD2E6F3C.jpeg
Views:	41
Size:	62.6 KB
ID:	10945
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 01:30 PM   #9
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
I finished the repair and thought I'd show what was done. This is a 2019 3931FB with the residential fridge. I appreciate everyone's input. It was helpful and a solid fix.


first we moved the fridge out.


Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0380.jpg
Views:	23
Size:	215.3 KB
ID:	10996


They used little #8 self tapping screws. I used #12 sheet metal screws to hold the plywood and 1/4" sheet metal screws for the brackets



Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3533.jpg
Views:	32
Size:	243.3 KB
ID:	10995


There was 4 1/2" of metal tubing on the left and 5 1/2" on the right. There was nothing in between.



Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0382.jpg
Views:	29
Size:	263.3 KB
ID:	10997


The bracket has a flange that prevents the fridge from moving backwards and providing for circulation. I had to drill out the opening where the bracket attaches to the wall to accommodate the 1/4" screws.



I used a 3/8" plywood 37 1/2 x 24" screwed into the tubing and liquid nails.



Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0387.jpg
Views:	35
Size:	212.1 KB
ID:	10998 th

Here's the finished piece. It extends about 3/8 inches into the kitchen from the original depth.


Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0390.jpg
Views:	33
Size:	190.9 KB
ID:	10999


If there are any questions, let me know.
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 03:35 PM   #10
Mikendebbie
Montana Master
 
Mikendebbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,390
M.O.C. #21044
Great blow-by-blow pics and explanation. Looks like you fixed it for good!
Did your materials cost exceed $50 ??

Also - what size boards did you use for the fridge runners? Looks like 1x6s...? And how long did you cut them? Looks like you bought a 8’ board and cut it in half...?
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
Mikendebbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 05:38 PM   #11
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
Great blow-by-blow pics and explanation. Looks like you fixed it for good!
Did your materials cost exceed $50 ??

Also - what size boards did you use for the fridge runners? Looks like 1x6s...? And how long did you cut them? Looks like you bought a 8’ board and cut it in half...?
It was less than $50. About $47 + change.

The boards are 1x6x8 cut in half. They are sitting on 2 jack pads. That raises the 1x6s about 1/2” above the trim at the bottom of the slide. We just tilted the fridge backwards and rolled it onto the boards.
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2022, 08:32 AM   #12
Todd & Mary
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: everywhere, USA
Posts: 276
M.O.C. #28634
Very nice presentation, solution

We had our new 3761FL out on our 2nd trip, when I got home I noticed the frige was almost up against the island on the left side, looking into the space on that side i noticed the bracket was completely ripped off the wall. CW repaired it for me, just not sure if it will last as they moved the bracket up on the wall so as not to use the same holes and reattached it to the wall, what is the warranty solution that was mentioned? I may implement it myself.
__________________
2021 Montana 3761FL, 9 LIFPO4 batteries & 1700 watts of panels w/ Multiplus II 3K inverter and 30amp DC to DC charger from truck. 8k Dexter axles w/ Kodiak disc brakes.
2019 6.7 diesel F350 DRW with Banks derringer and 4"exhaust, airlift bags, 25k B & W Companion hitch, 45 gal. aux. diesel tank and 14k Winch, just in case!
Todd & Mary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2022, 10:13 AM   #13
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd & Mary View Post
We had our new 3761FL out on our 2nd trip, when I got home I noticed the frige was almost up against the island on the left side, looking into the space on that side i noticed the bracket was completely ripped off the wall. CW repaired it for me, just not sure if it will last as they moved the bracket up on the wall so as not to use the same holes and reattached it to the wall, what is the warranty solution that was mentioned? I may implement it myself.
Check the warranty page in the manual. If it’s brand new and your the original owner it should be covered.
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2022, 04:47 PM   #14
Atoka-Dave
Established Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Atoka
Posts: 10
M.O.C. #13477
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
J Darwin - I do not have this problem - yet - and I have never seen what it looks like behind the residential fridge. Just thinking out loud…I might try to install a piece of skinny plywood - say 3/8” x maybe 30” tall x the width of the fridge cubby. Home Depot or Lowes will cut the plywood to your dimensions in case you don’t have a mobile wood shop with you. Attach the skinny plywood with 1” (maybe 3/4” screws?) screws 6” oc along each stud…maybe even add some construction adhesive on the back side of the plywood. Then attach the bracket to the plywood. I have not seen the bracket but if there was a way to add more screws across the width of plywood - rather than just hitting the same screw holes in the studs as before. The more screws spread across the plywood the better IMHO. I have no idea how much clearance there is between face of bracket and rear wall/back side of the fridge. I assume it is tight however. But if this works - your fridge will sit 3/8” more forward than it did out of the factory, which won’t hurt a thing in our unit. The fridge is accessible during travel with the slides in! So what if it is 3/8" forward? No big deal.
JDarwin, we have the 2016 3721RL and our fridge front touches the island already. Are the brackets made so that the fridge can be 3/8" closer to the wall? I don't have 3/8" to give on the front.
Atoka-Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2022, 05:43 PM   #15
Mikendebbie
Montana Master
 
Mikendebbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,390
M.O.C. #21044
Jdarwin has a 3921FB - same model as mine. Compare the screen shot floor plans below and the refridgerators are in a similar location in both floor plans. I drew the 2 red lines to illustrate where the support boards Jdarwin used will fit.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	D562F31F-860E-495D-AE48-049A2A108FFE.jpg
Views:	25
Size:	190.9 KB
ID:	13008   Click image for larger version

Name:	68B8ADC4-4FD1-4EFD-BD01-056E908827A2.jpg
Views:	28
Size:	160.6 KB
ID:	13009  
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
Mikendebbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2022, 08:24 PM   #16
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
Quote:
Originally Posted by Atoka-Dave View Post
JDarwin, we have the 2016 3721RL and our fridge front touches the island already. Are the brackets made so that the fridge can be 3/8" closer to the wall? I don't have 3/8" to give on the front.
The short answer is no. If you review the pic of the bracket it’s designed to prevent the fridge from touching the wall and provide ventilation. That being said, you should have enough room to mount the plywood and still have clearance for the fridge to miss the island.
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2022, 01:45 PM   #17
PKW6180
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Shepherdsville
Posts: 59
M.O.C. #26256
Our refrigerator fell out twice. The first time was on our very first trip. Our dealer took care of the issue by mounting a piece of steel to the back wall and then attaching the bracket to that piece of steel. Since then we’ve had no issues. I must say they beefed it up well
PKW6180 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2022, 09:11 PM   #18
jcurtis934
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
Great work and the ply on the rear slide wall was the way to go for keystone's bracket solution. Self drilling screws into 1/8" ply or 1/8" ply and 1/16" aluminum...if a "stud" was hit during initial install would give me nightmares before a travel day. John
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
jcurtis934 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2022, 11:25 AM   #19
jdarwin
Montana Fan
 
jdarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
I made sure I hit studs. I had to punch a few small holes to make sure the screws were hitting them. I also used liquid nails on the plywood to reinforce the wall.
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
jdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2022, 10:38 PM   #20
Wisconsin Retiree
Montana Fan
 
Wisconsin Retiree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Coloma, Wisconsin
Posts: 200
M.O.C. #28036
I would also make sure you vacuum the refrigerator coils before putting the unit back in. They get very dusty and I found they do affect inside fridge temperature after being dirty for some time. I made a similar wood jig as in the previous pictures post #9 to roll my unit out by myself and clean it.
__________________
Chuck
2019 3121RL 35 ft., 2020 3500 Dodge Ram SRW, Cummins 6.7 HO, Air Bags - Air Lift BT Wireless Compressor, Coloma, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Retiree is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:17 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.