The Keystone Montana High Country 295RL is the ultimate luxury fifth wheel trailer. It has a huge rear living space for get-togethers, a large center island for meal prep, and a standard king bed. The three large slides expand the living and sleeping areas to create even more space for you and your family or partner.
If you’re wondering what improvements can be made to this fully loaded fifth wheel, check out our eight must-have Keystone Montana High Country 295RL upgrades for your next trip.
Technician Tip: If you have trouble installing any of these upgrades, you can always contact one of our local Camping World Service Centers for help.
Backup Camera
The first upgrade I recommend for any trailer is a backup camera. Most RVs, like the Keystone Montana, are prepped for a camera, so there’s no excuse not to have one. Even for the most experienced haulers, a backup camera provides an extra security measure so that you can get your family to the campground safely.
I recommend the Trailer Life Pathway 7″ Wireless Backup Camera System. The Trailer Life Pathway comes with a large 7” monitor that gives you great visibility without taking up too much space on the dash or windshield. It also captures audio to see and hear what is behind your trailer. Remember, although these are called backup cameras, they work anytime you have your running lights on so that they can be used for much more.
Technician Tip: There is a cover plate on the rear of the trailer at the top, held in place with two screws. Once removed, you’ll have two exposed wires, one for power and one for ground. Attach these wires to the plug that comes with the camera kit, then simply attach the plug to the camera and mount the camera to the trailer.
Other Backup Cameras to Consider
Portable RV Generator
The second upgrade I recommend for this rear living fifth wheel is a portable generator. A generator grants you freedom away from crowded campgrounds, so you can get out in nature and enjoy all its beauty. There will be a time you want to venture away from the campground. You need a generator to do so and still power your fifth wheel’s most power-hungry appliances.
The generator that I recommend for a 295RL is the Cummins Onan P4500i Inverter Portable Generator. The Cummins Onan puts out an impressive 4,500 watts and has wheels for greater mobility. Please note that you will also need the 30 Amp to 50 Amp Power Grip Adapter to use this generator with your existing power cord.
If you need more power, you can hook up two in parallel using the Cummins 50A Parallel Kit for Onan P4500i Inverter Generator.
Other Generators to Consider
Slide Topper Awnings
If you have ever owned a fifth wheel with slide-outs, you know you need to clean the top of the slides before retracting them. If you don’t, you risk pushing debris past the seals into the camper, creating the potential for leaks. It sounds easy, but you may not always remember to do this each time or simply don’t want to bother with the hassle of getting onto the roof to do it right.
This is why I recommend installing a slide-topper awning on each slide. The Lippert Solera Sliders are our favorite option for this. They offer an easy installation and come in many sizes and colors to match your exact needs.
Technician Tip: To choose the correct slide topper awning for your camper, you’ll need to measure each slide’s flange width (outside to outside).
Mattress
I love having a king-size bed in a camper, you’re not crowded if the dogs or kids want to crawl in with you, and there’s plenty of room to sprawl out and stretch your arms and legs. However, the mattress that comes in the 295RL leaves a lot to be desired as it lacks comfort and support.
If you agree, upgrade to the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress. The Aurora has built-in cooling technology that helps shed any excess body heat during the night and zoned coils that offer support where you need it most.
Technician Tip: The bedroom mattress comes standard as an RV king, which measures 72” wide x 80” long, but there is also an option for a queen, which measures 60” wide x 80” long.
Other Mattresses to Consider
Stabilization
If you have kids or pets, you’ve likely noticed some excess movement inside the camper while parked. This is common for many RVs, but a solution exists to help fix this. That solution is the JT Strong Arm Jack Stabilizer System which mounts to the frame and landing gear, stiffening the connection and reducing movement.
The Strong Arms are also great because they don’t require a complex setup each time you park. Simply extend the landing gear, tighten the t-handles on the arms, and you’re all set.
Other Stabilizers to Consider
Surge Protector
Without a surge protector, it wouldn’t be a complete list of must-have Keystone Montana High Country 295RL upgrades. This is a must-have accessory for anyone with a trailer, not just the 295RL. However, you have much more to lose with the 295RLS due to the amount of expensive electronics and appliances inside that you risk damaging if not protected.
A surge protector provides protection from issues at the campground’s power pedestal. It can detect issues before plugging the trailer in and protect your trailer from power spikes and surges. I recommend the Progressive Industries Portable RV 50-Amp EMS with Surge Protection, which has a rugged pull handle for ease of use, a weather shield to keep out elements, and an easy-to-read digital display.
Other Surge Protectors to Consider
Bike Rack
I have a mountain bike and love to take it camping with me, even if it’s just for riding around the campground. The only issue is that it’s a pain to haul because it’s big and bulky. If you enjoy riding bikes, I’m sure you have shared my same complaint.
The 295RL has a rear-mounted trailer hitch receiver, which can be used for a bike rack. This is an excellent way to take your bikes camping. It keeps them out of the way but is easy to access when you need to use them.
The only thing you’ll need is an RV-approved bike rack. I recommend the Swagman Trailhead 4 Bike Rack, which holds up to four bikes. It also has folding arms for compact storage and an anti-rattle hitch pin to keep the rack secure.
Other Bike Racks to Consider
Washer/Dryer
If you plan to spend more than a few days camping, you might consider adding a washer and dryer to avoid the campground facilities. I never liked using the campground’s laundry facilities, but I hated scrounging quarters together. These are all past problems with the Splendide WDC7200XCD Combo Washer/Dryer.
The Splendide Combo is a great option for the 295RL. It’s a combo unit, so that you won’t waste any precious interior storage space. The 295RL is prepped for a washer and dryer, making installation very easy. The hookups are already present, so you’ll simply need to connect a few hoses and plug it in.
Technician Tip: To confirm the fit of a washer and dryer, you need to measure the space you have available and compare this to the dimensions of the unit you’re considering.
The desire to upgrade comes to everyone at one point or another. I love campers because you’re never locked into a particular look or style. You can customize them as you see fit to make your experience more enjoyable. Here are a few more RV renovation & modification resources you might find useful:
Let us know in the comments below what upgrades you have made to your Keystone Montana High Country 295RL.
