Keystone Bullet - The Good, The Bad, The Upgrades - 5-Year Ownership Review

[@fightinginflipflops7731]

In 2015, bought a new 2014 Forest River 19 ft. Grey Wolf. Spent 3 months exploring from Fl. to Arizona. The fridge stopped working in Roswell. Camping World mechanic couldn't find anything wrong. Advised to just run it on propane.( FOREVER?? ) The urine smells in the bathroom drove us crazy. Again, the mechanic couldn't figure it out. Thanks to you- we found the problem and you showed how to replace our stinky toilet. Thanks to you- we replaced the fridge circuit board. So far, everything else is still working. Thanks to you, we may know how to fix the next breakdown. Figure it's safer to repair it than buy a new one. We'll always be watching you. Thanks John, you're helping more people than you know.

[@JohnMarucci]

Great to hear. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@Railfan62]

We bought a Coachman Apex 265RBSS in 2020, It has been a good solid camper. Although the fridge was bad from day one (Dometic). It was replaced under warranty in 2 weeks in March of 2021. We got really lucky. No other major issues so far. But we only use our camper 4 or times a year for 5 or 6 nights at a time. Great video sir!

[@JohnMarucci]

That is refreshing to hear that your trailer had been a good one. Thanks for sharing!

[@robertallen7186]

Thank you for another great video, John. I started following you because you also started with an rPod. We still have our (pre-COVID) 2020 176 and (knock on wood) have had very few issues with it, the lack of outriggers being the primary one. I liked your parting message....that regular maintenance MUST be performed on these trailers if you expect to have problem free / worry free RV'ing experiences.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing. I really like my 2017 R-Pod 179. I only wish they built the structure better. It really had potential to be a great trailer.

[@BUILDYBUNCH]

Thanks for the honest review

[@FrozenTundra1365]

Well you definitely have worked the bugs out. But Like you said they are not intended for that much use. Great video

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks 👍

[@peeceejay]

I bought the 243BHS 2021 model, and have followed your channel and ownership experience since. We don't use it anywhere as much as you have, but we have had our share of good, bad and upgrades too! The good - we also love the layout. A buddy has the 250bhs and I much prefer ours. Tows with a Ram 1500 with ease. No leaks, floor is the new hyperdeck, bigger basement than you have on the 2020. The bones are good. Roof, slide etc all good. The bad - Our rig came with a GE AC unit which shit the bed this summer - we just put in a new Dometic unit and fingers crossed. We have the Dometic 300 toilet, but so far, no odd smells. We have a GE fridge and waiting for it to die, so far, so good. Furnace, so far, so good. We just got the Dometic CT thermostat installed and I plan on upgrading. I've replaced the 30amp fuse on the front frame, and had some wiring problems early on - all sorted out by my dealer, or myself. The upgrades - We had a slide topper installed. A nice mattress! I put remote dimmers on all lights. Had a 120v power socket installed next to the slide too :) . Max Airr Fan in the kitchen. I wish I'd done the bathroom at the same time. Removed the top bunk for our teen, and used the second bunk matress on the bottom for him. Things I'm going to do from your video - new foam! I didn't even think of that. I definitely need better faucets. Would I buy it again? We also got it for under $25k, and for that, probably. More? Probably not. We too, plan on keeping it for a while, while budgeting for the inevitable problems!

[@JohnMarucci]

Great review, thanks for sharing!

[@peeceejay]

@@JohnMaruccias my next upgrade I think I’m getting the WiFi enabled thermostat from the soft start guys to replace the dometic one - $250 and easy to install myself. Looks slick!

[@JohnMarucci]

Please let me know how this goes. Thanks!

[@peeceejay]

@@JohnMarucci will do!

[@peeceejay]

@@JohnMarucci another big upgrade - we put an electric fireplace in place of that stupid cabinet under the TV - so nice on cool evenings!

[@ralphp3057]

Wow! I didn’t think that many things would go wrong in your RV. I’ve owned my Casita trailer for 4 years! Probably about 70 nights per year traveling. And using it in my yard while guests visit. I haven’t replaced anything on my unit yet ! Fingers crossed 🤞. Didn’t you own an Ember RV for a short time? Thanks for sharing and your review!👍😁

[@JohnMarucci]

Great to hear your Casita is working well for you and that you haven't had any issues. I did own an Ember for four months in 2022 and sold it. All the best.

[@MatthewSumi]

John, great videos. I have a similar trailer have you ever figured out the backup camera? It's wired but doesn't seem to work? Thx!

[@JohnMarucci]

Mine doesn’t have any issues working. You do have to go through the set up process and must have the headlights on for the camera to work.

[@frankquinn3196]

My 2015 bullet 243 BHS is going to be 10 years old and I must say it’s been a great camper. Just a heads up keep an eye on the leaf springs. John have you upgraded yours at all?

[@JohnMarucci]

I have not upgraded the leaf springs but I do lube the connection points regularly.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Great update John👍 The shitiest part of your camper was literally the crapper🤣. I to like the layout of that model. Cheers

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks 👍

[@horizon42q]

Excellent video John. Surprised about Dometic. Used to be a good company. My 2020 Winnebago Horizon 42 Q is now 4 yrs old. Built in July 2019. It was at the 2019 Hershey Pennsylvania Show. Wasn’t sold at the show. I bought it about 6 months after the show at a better price than the show price. It been very good with almost no repairs. Mostly it needed maintenance because it has 60,000 miles on it. We spent over 600 nights in it over 4 yrs. Lots of use. I think it’s better now than new. 4 winter trips to Florida & 3 summer trips out west.

[@JohnMarucci]

Great to hear that your Winnebago has done well for you. Thanks for sharing!

[@pkash9929]

The cable tension slide out system... You need to look at Rigor RV Repair on his analysis on the cable tension slide out critique.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DAKOTANSHELBY]

Love Petoskey, MI. Stayed at a RV Resort there and used it as a base camp while exploring Lighthouses from Traverse City to Mackinaw City. I have a 2018 Keystone Outback 328RL. Only major failure I had was a China Bomb tire blowout on US 131 while headed North to the Soo Locks. The blowout did alot of damage that included severing the electric brake wiring, ripping off the black PCV gate valve, wheel well insulation damage and tearing off the cheap plastic fender skirt. The "Trailer King" tires were just previously check and adjusted for air prior to departure as my normal routine. They were only 3 years old at the time. I replaced all 4 plus the spare with Goodyear Endurances when I arrived home. As yet, knock on wood, no problems to-date with the Dometic or Furrion appliances. One complaint I have is with the Automatic leveling system. You must be near level already for the system to extend its jacks and complete the leveling. Else it sets a error code you cannot override. This model does not have enough cargo storage space. I have to load much of what I need in my truck on each trip. Wish I could have found the same model with the dinette set, not the table with seat cushion set. No electrical outlets at the table sitting area and no USB or electrical in the lounge chair pull out either. Thank you for your videos. Very helpful.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing!

[@fredturner3768]

Was really ]interested in this review as we looked at the exact same model in 2018. For reasons I won’t go into here, we ended up with the Passport 239 ML. We have had many of the same issues with components as you have had. Control board on the water heater, furnace sail switch, control board, and currently AC issues. Have had the “toilet issue” all along but didn’t find out until recently that there was an issue with the toilet, itself. The only thing we haven’t had an issue with is the refrigerator. As far as upgrades , I had to recover the dinette trim as the “leatherette”material was peeling and looked horrible. Turns out the covers are held on with screws. Popped the screw covers off and was able to recover them with some better quality material. We changed out our mattress pretty early on and replaced it with a sleep number mattress I picked up at an estate sale. If we decide to step up to a slightly bigger unit, I would like to find something with the same or similar layout as yours. Shame it is no longer offered.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing!

[@eugenewilliams-lf5mw]

Hello, thank you for all of your videos. I also have had the rpod and I am now as well looking at a bullet 1840rb. I’m just concerned about build quality. I know yours is probably a step up from mine but would you know anything about these?

[@JohnMarucci]

According to the Keystone site, it looks like a new floorpan and doesn't have specs. The layout looks nice, but I can't speak to build quality.

[@fasteddie51]

Excellent real world video. It’s my understanding that a travel trailer is used 23 nights a year. I have lived alone in my 2021 Nash 22h for 3 years and made many improvements to it but none were as a result of product failure. Lucky me and Northwood is a quality manufacturer. One thing that is important to understand about owning a travel trailer is that they are subjected to a major earthquake when they are moving. Now consider living in one for 3 years in my case. 3 years x 365 days a year = 1,095 days / 23 days average days = 47.6 years of normal use. If you are going to live your travel trailer get a good set of tools and learn how to fix stuff. Other than that it’s a great way to live.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Bronco2Cj]

@@JohnMarucci Why is keystone a azdel snob?

[@JohnMarucci]

I have no idea. It would seem an obvious fit to match their hyperdeck floor with a better solution for the walls. Likely a cost issue.

[@Bronco2Cj]

@@JohnMarucci True, but the floors don't mean shit if the walls are warped...

[@peterdement]

Wow! 600 nights in five years = 120 nights per year which is 6 time the median user: The median usage of RVs by current owners is 20 days per year.

[@JohnMarucci]

Yep, lots of winter escapes will do that!

[@theodorehile7921]

Excellent video with great explanations of your problems/solutions. I had the same Dometic 300 problem in my 2019 GeoPro 19FD, tried the silicone repair, but found it failed...silicones will not stick to the polypropylene material used to make the toilet. The design of the Dometic 300 flexes way too much, and that will defeat a lot of good sealant work. Recently switched to a SeaFlo unit, waiting to see how ell that performs. The 19FD has a lousy location for the toilet with very constrained dimensions for better fixtures--later GeoPros have a much more intelligent layout. I would trade-up, except for the lousy economics of doing-so, especially now with the industry approaching collapse.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@jeffreyfreeman1485]

I don't understand why you keep replacing the toilet with the same substandard toilet.I have the Dometic 310 in my 2023 Keystone Cougar 22MLS and other than replacing the bowl seal once it has been flawless. So far, I have had a very favorable impression of Keystone. Yes, some things could be improved on. But I have toured the assembly line, met the brand manager for Cougar along with several other managers and I can say, at least for the Cougar brand, they seem very committed to providing the best product they can given the constraints placed by their corporate overlords and retail dealers who also push for cost cutting. Thanks for your honest and fair reviews.

[@JohnMarucci]

My 243BHS Bullet doesn't have enough space behind the toilet to upgrade to the 310 or other larger/better options. I haven't explored other brands but likely will after my next replacement (I still have one more 300 model). As mentioned, my Keystone unit is solid from a structural perspective. They are, however, responsible for the components they choose to use within their trailers and mine have not been good, especially the Dometic products. To be fair, many other manufacturers do exactly the same thing and use less expensive components to keep costs down. So the criticism isn't only toward Keystone in this regard. Yet, I have seen an inordinate number of component failures, adding additional cost and stress during trips, and the fault needs to land with both the supplier and manufacturer. Thanks for weighing in!

[@parneypots]

👍👍