7 Jun: Purchased our first Dutchmen, trading in our 2021 Montana. The 'Monty' floorplan just didn't work for us although we had had zero problems with the trailer itself. That made us a bit nervous, but with spending up to 5 months while snowbirding in Florida we needed something comfortable for us. We spend a lot of time this year looking, walking thru, more walking thru. Wanted some room separation but not at the cost of the kitchen...who thought it would be such a difficult ask. Well, we finally found the layout that worked for us while getting a somewhat reasonable price for our trade in. Finally bit the bullet and said 'YES'.
7 Jun Evening:
Completed the walkthru, had a few small items sorted out but have to wait (likely a month or two) for 2x new decals that need replacing as well as a basement door that needs replacing.
Got it home after a 1 1/2 hour drive, slides out, and some discussions on confirmation of some of the mods required. Mostly just some additional shelves in cabinets and some light switches. And then, while walking around outside something catches my eye. Why is there only 1 cable instead of 2 on the side of that slide?? Yep, that cable is snapped right off and must have snapped when the slides were brought in earlier as we closed it up to bring home. Sigh, here we go.
Completed the walkthru, had a few small items sorted out but have to wait (likely a month or two) for 2x new decals that need replacing as well as a basement door that needs replacing.
Got it home after a 1 1/2 hour drive, slides out, and some discussions on confirmation of some of the mods required. Mostly just some additional shelves in cabinets and some light switches. And then, while walking around outside something catches my eye. Why is there only 1 cable instead of 2 on the side of that slide?? Yep, that cable is snapped right off and must have snapped when the slides were brought in earlier as we closed it up to bring home. Sigh, here we go.
Kreilly
Advanced Member
Cable broke
We bought our denali 5th wheel in 2017 and had similar issue within 60 days.
We bought our denali 5th wheel in 2017 and had similar issue within 60 days.
14 Jun: Trailer was returned home the following day with the cable replacement complete. Now the mods commence.
First up: Kitchen drawer boxes rebuilt for an additional 3 1/2" in length to accommodate cutlery organizers and various kitchen tools. Luckily there appears to be no need to change the frame for the slides as there is already about 5" in space to the frame holding the drawer slides.
Second: Replace hinges on cupboard over kitchen sink to allow for the one door to open 170degrees so that you don't have to sit on the sink in order to reach around the cupboard door to access the cupboard.
Third: add shelving under kitchen and bathroom sinks and to the cupboard to the right of the stove.
Still to do: install Bauer Bluetooth/keypad door latch, install Hughes Power Watchdog Surge protector, install motion switch and strip lights in pantry and coat closet, install water 3-step filter system by Max Water, install MORyde Easy Reel for 50' 50amp cable. Also want to separate some of the lights and put on individual switches, sort basement storage, etc, etc. Seems the list just gets longer.
First up: Kitchen drawer boxes rebuilt for an additional 3 1/2" in length to accommodate cutlery organizers and various kitchen tools. Luckily there appears to be no need to change the frame for the slides as there is already about 5" in space to the frame holding the drawer slides.
Second: Replace hinges on cupboard over kitchen sink to allow for the one door to open 170degrees so that you don't have to sit on the sink in order to reach around the cupboard door to access the cupboard.
Third: add shelving under kitchen and bathroom sinks and to the cupboard to the right of the stove.
Still to do: install Bauer Bluetooth/keypad door latch, install Hughes Power Watchdog Surge protector, install motion switch and strip lights in pantry and coat closet, install water 3-step filter system by Max Water, install MORyde Easy Reel for 50' 50amp cable. Also want to separate some of the lights and put on individual switches, sort basement storage, etc, etc. Seems the list just gets longer.
Last edited:
30 June:
Have made a bit of headway but it's slow-going. Heat and humidity along with smoke from the forest fires up north are taking a beating on me.
Completed the install of Hughes 50 am Hardwired Power Watchdog. Ended up mounting behind the circuit breakers. I was hoping to mount in a location that I would be able to also see the error screen from the basement, but that would have put it directly behind the water heater...not a good idea when there is a leak. Easy install otherwise although not a lot of room to work when securing it to the framing.
In the process of preparing for the install, I disconnected the battery and took this time for the first hard look at the battery in the battery box. I have been trying to sort out the electrical system as I discovered that the 12v switch does not actually disconnect all of the 12v used in the trailer. OK, haven't taken the (who knows how long) to actually figure out what it does disconnect because to date I have not found anything it disconnects. Anyway, turns out one of the cells in the battery (year 04/23) was bone-dry! Add that to the list for replacement when the trailer goes in for some other repairs found during the initial walk-thru.
Completed the over-sink glass pendant-light shade replacement. I did end up breaking one of the old ones when my wrench slipped. Seems they started using thread lock, but otherwise went well.
Today I'll finish the half-shelf above the fridge as well as changing the bedroom clothes hamper-think-a-majiggy into an opening cabinet door with shelf.
After that it's into the basement and installing Fusion rear camera (factory prepped) with side marker/cameras (not factory prepped).
Still much to do, but very happy overall. Pics to follow...
Have made a bit of headway but it's slow-going. Heat and humidity along with smoke from the forest fires up north are taking a beating on me.
Completed the install of Hughes 50 am Hardwired Power Watchdog. Ended up mounting behind the circuit breakers. I was hoping to mount in a location that I would be able to also see the error screen from the basement, but that would have put it directly behind the water heater...not a good idea when there is a leak. Easy install otherwise although not a lot of room to work when securing it to the framing.
In the process of preparing for the install, I disconnected the battery and took this time for the first hard look at the battery in the battery box. I have been trying to sort out the electrical system as I discovered that the 12v switch does not actually disconnect all of the 12v used in the trailer. OK, haven't taken the (who knows how long) to actually figure out what it does disconnect because to date I have not found anything it disconnects. Anyway, turns out one of the cells in the battery (year 04/23) was bone-dry! Add that to the list for replacement when the trailer goes in for some other repairs found during the initial walk-thru.
Completed the over-sink glass pendant-light shade replacement. I did end up breaking one of the old ones when my wrench slipped. Seems they started using thread lock, but otherwise went well.
Today I'll finish the half-shelf above the fridge as well as changing the bedroom clothes hamper-think-a-majiggy into an opening cabinet door with shelf.
After that it's into the basement and installing Fusion rear camera (factory prepped) with side marker/cameras (not factory prepped).
Still much to do, but very happy overall. Pics to follow...
Franktafl
Senior Member
:-tup:-apl
Here is the latest update, two weeks before our first practise run.
So to date I have completed:
- Turned bedroom clothes hamper into standard opening cabinet with shelf
- Replaced bed plywood platform with larger plywood to support complete mattress
- Installed Xantrex remote control for inverter
- Installed motion strip-lighting in both kitchen and bathroom pantry
- Placed the original pantry motion light into the coat closet at the door
- Installed Lippert toilet
- Replaced Fusion camera system with Haloview camera system that actually works
During the last (second) visit back at the dealership for warranty work they:
- replaced two decals that were pealing
- tightened cables from passenger slide
- Corrected the screen door stop that was screwed in too far and didn't 'stop'
- Corrected the 12v wiring to the power switch in the battery compartment
- Replaced the bed rear gas lift
- Corrected the unsupported bedroom TV mount so that more than just 1/4" board is holding the TV
- Still waiting for replacement basement door
...and then they pointed out something they found. Seems that the outside back wall has some buckling. So, the ENTIRE back wall of the trailer needs replacing! Sigh.
And when it goes, they will need to look at the fan in the shower area. We had it and the toilet fan replaced upon purchase with max fan so that air actually moved. It seems that it will now operate only on low, and any other setting stops after 2-3 seconds.
The good news is we still enjoy the layout so much better than our Montana.
I have to correct the format, so pics will follow.
So to date I have completed:
- Turned bedroom clothes hamper into standard opening cabinet with shelf
- Replaced bed plywood platform with larger plywood to support complete mattress
- Installed Xantrex remote control for inverter
- Installed motion strip-lighting in both kitchen and bathroom pantry
- Placed the original pantry motion light into the coat closet at the door
- Installed Lippert toilet
- Replaced Fusion camera system with Haloview camera system that actually works
During the last (second) visit back at the dealership for warranty work they:
- replaced two decals that were pealing
- tightened cables from passenger slide
- Corrected the screen door stop that was screwed in too far and didn't 'stop'
- Corrected the 12v wiring to the power switch in the battery compartment
- Replaced the bed rear gas lift
- Corrected the unsupported bedroom TV mount so that more than just 1/4" board is holding the TV
- Still waiting for replacement basement door
...and then they pointed out something they found. Seems that the outside back wall has some buckling. So, the ENTIRE back wall of the trailer needs replacing! Sigh.
And when it goes, they will need to look at the fan in the shower area. We had it and the toilet fan replaced upon purchase with max fan so that air actually moved. It seems that it will now operate only on low, and any other setting stops after 2-3 seconds.
The good news is we still enjoy the layout so much better than our Montana.
I have to correct the format, so pics will follow.
Hotdog-DUTCH
New Member
New 399ML Owner
I'm really looking forward to seeing the upgrades you made to your Rv. I'm new to RV ownership and want to address similar things. Cheers!
I'm really looking forward to seeing the upgrades you made to your Rv. I'm new to RV ownership and want to address similar things. Cheers!
Dutchman 399ml
New Member
Hello. New to this group. I bought a 2022 Yukon Dutchman 399ml 2 yrs ago. When I went to pick it up the guy running the forklift hit the front cap with it , plus had deep scratches on propane door. Got inside wine racks were loose, shower head had a bent pipe on it. All got replaced. Then take it out for 1st time & kitchen table lid is warped like no other. Then a month ago I saw my slide was hanging out a bit on passenger side. Stopped to look. 2 cables broke on the way up. Took it to a RV shop & now it's still up there been there a month. All 4 cables broke, put 4 new on. Put slide out & back in 2 more cables broke. Replaced those did same thing & 1 cable broke. So got all new cables, gear shaft, motor & now I found out that the aluminum wall is bowed cause the manufacturer only put 1 1" weld on the whole wall. So now they got a guy coming into weld that wall now. So makes me wonder what's the other 2 slides like. Plus the J wrap on outside of slide had a big air bubble on it. Had that replaced. One thing thank God for extended warranty. But yea I get it back it's gone.
Franktafl
Senior Member
Wow, who’s your dealer ? Sorry to hear about your issues, I believe you have the prize for the worst RV on this site.
Dutchman 399ml
New Member
Bish in Lincoln, Ne.
Dutchman 399ml
New Member
Well the place that is working on my camper just called me to say can't get a guy to take on the challenge of welding this wall back up. So they've got it reinforced & screwed in best they can. They mentioned it needs to go back to the manufacturer & possibly be under manufacture warranty. I'm like well crap. Who's to say they will even weld it right when it's out there or even look at it.
Hotdog-DUTCH
New Member
Well…I can tell you that st some point every plumbing point of connection is going to leak. Get some plumbers tape now. Slideouts blow fuses weekly. You’ll need to rebuild every drawer in the bedroom. Replace the 1/4 inch screws in all the hinges throughout…it’s a living lame horse and requires constant attention. There’s more, but you don’t need to be told.
Upside, it’s pretty well insulated for summer and winter.
Upside, it’s pretty well insulated for summer and winter.
Franktafl
Senior Member
Let them send it to the factory!
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