Talk to me about the Keystone Sprinter

[AH64ID]

The wife and I are thinking about a 5th wheel to replace our TT.

Based on how we camp, lots of rough dirt road miles, we want to be particular about the brands we are shopping... which normally is anything in the Nash family (Arctic Fox, Nash, Fox Mountain, Outdoors RV, etc), and not much else.

Today on craigslist I found a 2014 Keystone Sprinter 275FWBHS that has a great floorplan for our family. It's in great shape and has lived in a RV garage it's entire life.

How is the construction on these models? Are the frames/axles oversized like many of the Nash Family products?

It appears like the axles are flipped at the factory, and it looks well built but that's brochure stuff. Not a lot of negative comments, thou many cheaper Keystones are cheap from what I read.

It has an insulated/enclosed underbelly and thermal package, thou I am not sure they are considered 4 season. It looks to have just as much insulation as my 26BKS does thou.

Back to the frames, one thing we will need to do when we get a 5er is put a hitch on it and tow 2 ATV's behind the 5er. Are they tough enough for that?

Any input is appreciated.

I'll likely drive out there and take a peek at it tonight or tomrrow.

 

[Wiredawg]

Howdy brother: Someone may chime in and giver you a first hand experience, meanwhile, I'm recommending google the make, model and year. You can see reviews, but also see prices on used ones. And if you hit pay dirt, it's a model trailer life might have done a writeup on.

Here are specs on 2014 Unit:

2014 Keystone Sprinter (Copper Canyon Edition) 275FWBHS Specifications
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Wheels & Tires:
Wheels Composition Aluminum
Rear Wheel Width (in) 6
Number Of Axles 2
Rear Tire (Full Spec) 225/75R 15D
Spare Tire Location Exterior Mounted
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Brakes:
Front Brake Type Not Applicable
Rear Brake Type Electric Drum
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Technical Specifications:
Length (ft/m) 31 / 9.4
Width (in/mm) 96 / 2438.4
Height (in/mm) 144 / 3657.6
Length (ft/ft) 31
Length (ft/in) 0
Dry Weight (lbs/kg) 8030 / 3642.4
Payload Capacity (lbs/kgs) 2485 / 1127.2
GVWR (lbs/kgs) 10515 / 4769.6
Hitch Weight (lbs/kgs) 1715 / 777.9
Capacities Standard
Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks 1
Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity (gal/l) 45 / 170.3
Number Of Gray Water Holding Tanks 1
Total Gray Water Tank Capacity (gal/l) 64 / 242.3
Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks 1
Total Black Water Tank Capacity (gal/l) 32 / 121.1
Propane Tank (s) Standard
Number Of Propane Tanks 2
Total Propane Tank Capacity (gal/lbs) 14.2 / 60
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Exterior:
Body Material Aluminum
Sidewall Construction Fiberglass
Number of Doors 1
Sliding Glass Door No
Number of Slideouts 1
Power Retractable Slideout Yes
Number of Awnings 1
Power Retractable Awning Yes
Screened Room No
Leveling Jack Type Front Power / Rear Manual
Sky Light Standard
Roof Vents Standard
Exterior Ladder Standard
Exterior Shower Standard
Pass-Thru Storage Standard
Rear Bumper Drain Hose Carrier Standard
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Instrumentation:
Voltage Meter Standard
Fresh Water Holding Tank Gauge Standard
Gray Water Holding Tank Gauge Standard
Black Water Holding Tank Gauge Standard
Water Pump Power Display Standard
Propane Tank Gauge Standard
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Identification:
Generic Type (Primary) Fifth Wheel
Manufacturer Country USA
Introduction Year 2013
Regional Availability All Regions
Display Name Sprinter (Copper Canyon Edition) 275FWBHS
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Electrical:
Battery Power Converter Yes
Battery Converter Amps 55
Air Conditioning Prewiring Yes
Cable Prewiring Yes
Phone Prewiring No
Heat Prewiring Yes
TV Antenna Prewiring Yes
Satellite Prewiring Yes
Washer / Dryer Prewiring No
Exterior Plugs Standard
Ground Fault Plugs Standard
#ad
Heater & Cooler:
Air Conditioning Type Automatic
Heater Type Automatic
Water Heater Tank Capacity (g/l) 6 / 22.7
Water Heater Pump Power Mode Electrical / Propane
Water Heater Tank Bypass Yes
#ad
Other:
Smoke Detector Standard
Carbon Monoxide Detector Standard
Propane Alarm Standard
Emergency Exit (s) Standard
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Interior:
Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type Carpet / Vinyl
Kitchen Table Configuration Bench Seats
Kitchen Location Center
Living Area Location Center
Number Of Oven Burners 3
Oven Depth (in/mm) 17 / 431.8
Overhead Fan Yes
Layout Oven / Stove
Microwave Oven Standard
Refrigerator Size Mid-Size
Refrigerator Power Mode Electric / Propane
Number Of Sofas 1
Sofa Material Cloth
Number Of Recliner / Rockers 0
Max Sleeping Count 9
Number Of Bunk Beds 3
Number Of Double Beds 0
Number Of Full Size Beds 0
Number Of Queen Size Beds 1
Number Of King Size Beds 0
Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds 2
Master Bedroom Flooring Type Carpet
Master Bedroom Door Style Conventional Door
Full Size Master Bedroom Closet Yes
Master Bedroom Mirror Doors Yes
Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains Yes
Master Bedroom Location Front / Rear
Bunkhouse Yes
Bed Spreads Standard
Number Of Bathrooms 1
Bathroom Flooring Type Vinyl
Bathroom Location Center
Toilet Type Porcelain
Door Type Plastic / Glass
Bathroom Sink Standard
Bathroom Medicine Cabinet Standard
Bathroom Mirror Standard
Bathroom Vent / Fan System Standard
Sink / Faucet Standard
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Audio & Communication:
Satellite No
Number Of Radios 1
Speaker Location (s) Interior / Exterior
Surround Sound Yes
Number Of Discs 1
DVD Player Standard
Number Of Televisions 1
Retractable Roof Antenna Standard
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Lights:
Hitch Lights Standard
Exterior Flood Lights Standard
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Paint & Finish:
Paint Standard
Wallpaper Yes
Interior Wood Finish Yes
Curtains / Shades Standard
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Warranty:
Structure Warranty (Months) 12
Roof Warranty (Years) 12
Basic Warranty (Months) 12

And: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...3DE3D859A85B6C32E8573DE3D859A85B&&FORM=VRDGAR

Good luck and hope it works out well for you.

Cheers, Ron

 

[jgillott]

Is that on a Lippert frame?

 

[AH64ID]

Is that on a Lippert frame?

One of the things I plan to take note of when I go look.

 

[jgillott]

One of the things I plan to take note of when I go look.

I don't remember the exact years, but there were some issues of frame separation in the pin box area if I remember correctly. It may have been fixed my 2014 but again I don't remember for sure.

 

[DHayden]

I have not owned a Keystone so take this for what its worth. I was looking at Keystone when we were going to buy a toy hauler, people generally loved the layouts and the looks but I was warned away from their quality. I hit the RV forums hard and pretty much got the same responses. Keystone is low-medium to medium quality as rated by those who know much more about RV's than I. Low easy use obviously yields better results, heavy or hard use you may be disappointed.

 

[AH64ID]

I have not owned a Keystone so take this for what its worth. I was looking at Keystone when we were going to buy a toy hauler, people generally loved the layouts and the looks but I was warned away from their quality. I hit the RV forums hard and pretty much got the same responses. Keystone is low-medium to medium quality as rated by those who know much more about RV's than I. Low easy use obviously yields better results, heavy or hard use you may be disappointed.

That's what I recall from years of reading... we use it hard, just based on the roads we travel.

Keystone does have some awesome floorplans thou!

 

[bigceltic]

We have had our Keystone Laredo for a few years now and many trips under our belts and it has been flawless. No issues at all. We love our floor plan, and it was one of the few trailers that had a real queen bed (I am a bit over 6' 3" and the RV queen definitely is too short!). We bought it used but it was in like new condition.

 

[jgillott]

Depending on the frame and axles, it may not be a bad unit. You really need to see it in person to know for sure. I was able to purchase my Jayco new with oversize axles, axle flip, etc. What they put under them in the standard packages are barely enough to get by with no margin.

I don't really pay too much attention to brand in RV's anymore. The vast majority of these newer units have the same components in them. Now that Lippert Industries has bought out so much of the RV supply industry, they are pretty much common across brands and lines with the exception of the already mentioned Arctic Fox, Nash, etc...

 

[AH64ID]

They really do build them for just about everyone.

I'll probably go look at it. That way I know about them if nothing else.

 

[GAmes]

They are built in Pendleton, OR, not far from you. I suggest you do a factory tour for a quality assessment. I'm sure they are on Lippert frames which will not hold up to anything except highway driving. The one I had in an Oregon built McKenzie 5th wheel didn't even hold up to that. The main reason I bought a North Wood trailer (Nash, Arctic Fox, etc) is because of their superior frames. I've only hauled a few Keystones. Not impressed in the slightest.

Edit; Missed the second trailer question. North Wood offers a receiver as an option (which I have and use to pull a 2500 lb boat). I'd bet even money that Keystone does not.

 

[AH64ID]

They are built in Pendleton, OR, not far from you. I suggest you do a factory tour for a quality assessment. I'm sure they are on Lippert frames which will not hold up to anything except highway driving. The one I had in an Oregon built McKenzie 5th wheel didn't even hold up to that. The main reason I bought a North Wood trailer (Nash, Arctic Fox, etc) is because of their superior frames. I've only hauled a few Keystones. Not impressed in the slightest.

Edit; Missed the second trailer question. North Wood offers a receiver as an option (which I have and use to pull a 2500 lb boat). I'd bet even money that Keystone does not.

Seems I’m back at my original plan of Nash Family trailers. Love the frame on my 26BKS.

They really need to get it together on their floor plans. Catered for back roads, but not for families.

 

[GAmes]

Now that Lippert Industries has bought out so much of the RV supply industry, they are pretty much common across brands and lines with the exception of the already mentioned Arctic Fox, Nash, etc...

No Exceptions for NW. The hitch on my Fox Mountain is Lippert and other parts I'm sure.

 

[DHayden]

They are built in Pendleton, OR, not far from you.

Off topic, but Ironically I lived in Pendleton Oregon when I joined this forum back in 1998.

 

[jgillott]

No Exceptions for NW. The hitch on my Fox Mountain is Lippert and other parts I'm sure.

I'm sure that you are correct.

 

[bigceltic]

I put this hitch https://www.amazon.com/CURT-13703-A...0033WNJV4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 on my trailer to help with carrying the kids bikes (yes, it was overkill but works well, and I ended up buying the worlds heaviest bike rack!). ;-)

Hitch bolts to the frame (was a bugger to drill the holes) and is rated for 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight

 

[AH64ID]

I haven’t seen it as an option on the Keystones.

I have had my local weld shop make hitches for both of the TT’s I’ve owned.

My biggest concern is that I know my use is very hard on frames/axles. Some of the campsites we go to are 50+ miles of forest service roads one-way, with sections that’s are 10-15 mph limited based on road conditions. We also load heavy on long trips.

With my 26BKS I’ve been as much as 2K over GVWR, but well under axle ratings and the frame is matched to axles.

 

[wyosteve]

I read recently that Ron Nash is gone from Northwoods and quality has suffered. I have an '06 Arctic Fox that is very well built and was considering something newer. Reading reviews of newer Arctic Fox units revealed lots of complaints of problems and build quality. I haven't personally looked at a newer AF, so take this for what it's worth.

 

[GAmes]

The company I lease to pulls Forest River, Keystone, North Wood and had a contract with Alpenlite before they went under. My money went to NW in '16. Before their demise I saw a serious decline in Alpenlite quality. Forest River has improved some but they also use Lippert frames. Nothing shook loose when we went to AK with the Fox Mountain a couple of years ago. It has also survived the OK highways. I did ditch the 15" wheels and GY tires and installed 16" wheels and use the same size/type Michelins that I use on my truck.

 

[RVTRKN]

Thats what I would have suggested (Nash/AF) before I got to the end of your first post, but its disturbing if they changed to Liebert. What sold me on my 05 34' Arctic Fox, in 2009, was the frame. If your going to be on rough dirt roads, no mater what you purchase, I'd beef up the suspension, if there is a aftermarket manufacture for that. They don't make standard RV's to survive that rough of a road. Even though my frame would most likely survive a rough road, the suspension would be toast.

Seems I’m back at my original plan of Nash Family trailers. Love the frame on my 26BKS.

They really need to get it together on their floor plans. Catered for back roads, but not for families.