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RV manufacturers have started thinking about what travelers want and need. We can tell because of the unique floorplans today compared to five years ago. You’ll find options with a dedicated office, ideal for remote workers. You’ll find options with both a rear bunkroom and a mid-bunk room, suitable for families with four or more kids.
Today, we’re looking at the Keystone Avalanche 390DS, which boasts two ensuites, two full bathrooms, and a lofted bunk area. This unique layout is an excellent option for some RVers. So, let’s discuss what it offers and who it might be good for. Let’s dive in!
Who Is Keystone?
Keystone RV is one of the leading brands in the RV industry. In 1996, Cole Davis founded Keystone. Since then, the company has become the number one manufacturer of towable RVs in North America. Over one million people own a Keystone RV. The company employs over 5,000 team members and has two manufacturing facilities: one in Goshen, Indiana and one in Pendleton, Oregon.
Thor Industries acquired Keystone RV in 2001 for $145 million. This RV empire owns 16 North American RV manufacturers, 12 other North American companies that supply many of the products used in RVs, and 21 European companies. Thor Industries owns popular brands like Airstream, Tiffin, Jayco, and Entegra Coach.
What Types Of RVs Does Keystone Manufacture?
Keystone RV has established itself as a leader in the towable RV industry. The company makes travel trailers, destination trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. Keystone doesn’t produce any motorized RVs.
We think Keystone offers an excellent selection of options for all types of travelers. You’ll find entry-level trailers and luxury fifth wheels. There are smaller 21-foot options and larger 45-foot options. Whether you’re a solo camper or a family of six, Keystone RV probably has an RV to suit your needs.
Is Keystone A Good Brand?
While there are no mainline brands that offer top-quality construction, we believe Keystone RV is one of the better companies for the typical traveler. If you’re hitting the road full-time, the upper-tier fifth wheels and toy haulers will serve you well and cost less than the better quality brands like DRV or Luxe.
If you’re a weekend warrior, many of the Keystone travel trailers, destination trailers, and fifth wheels will be affordable and provide the basic amenities you need for an enjoyable camping trip. But it’s important to remember that you’ll have issues with every RV brand. Almost every brand uses the same components from Lippert for their slides, appliances, leveling systems, and technology.
The basic construction is the same across the board when you compare similarly priced RVs from competitors like Grand Design or Jayco. We don’t suggest removing Keystone RV from your list, but we also want to ensure you know you’ll experience problems just like you will with any RV.
What Is the Keystone Alpine Fifth Wheel Line?
The Keystone Alpine fifth wheel is one of the luxury lines, offering a residential feel with high ceilings, tall slide-outs, and a wide-body construction. They’re also warrantied for full-time use. The Avalanche is a special edition series in the Keystone Alpine line. These fifth wheels are smaller than the Alpine units but still offer residential features.
How Many Keystone Avalanche Floorplans Are There?
There are nine Keystone Avalanche floorplans. Three are dealer stock only and two floorplans are brand new for 2024. They range from the 34-foot 9-inch Keystone Avalanche 302RS to the 42-foot 11-inch Keystone Avalanche 390DS. They sleep four to nine people and offer features like kitchen islands, front living spaces, and bunk rooms.
All About the Keystone Avalanche 390DS
Length: 42 feet 11 inches
Dry Weight: 14,258 pounds
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 2,242 pounds
Hitch Weight: 2,740 pounds
Sleeps: up to eight
MSRP: $102,128
What we like best about the Keystone Avalanche 390DS is the double suite layout. There’s a front bedroom that has a large closet, a washer and dryer hookup, a dresser, and a king bed. The rear bedroom has a queen bed, two small wardrobes, and a dresser.
The rear suite also has a loft with room for three more children on bunk mats. We wouldn’t suggest older kids taking this space because of the smaller amount of room, but elementary-age kids would enjoy having their own space in the loft.
In addition to the two bedrooms, the Keystone Avalanche 390DS also has two full baths. The rear bath has an entry door, which is nice to take off dirty shoes or wash hands before entering the rig. Having two bathrooms is a great perk for larger families or friends who travel together. Although you have to deal with potential problems with leaks or frozen pipes times two, we think the pros outweigh the cons.
The living space has a kitchen island, residential refrigerator, theater seating, electric fireplace, free-standing dinette, and storage hutch. We love the storage space in the kitchen. There’s ample countertop space and cabinets with the addition of the hutch. However, families will find the single-seating option problematic. It would be difficult to have family game nights or movie nights without a second sofa.
For people who like to boondock like us, the Keystone Avalanche 390DS is ready for dry camping. It has a 75-gallon freshwater tank, a 132-gallon gray tank, and a 98-gallon black tank. The SolarFlex Protect 220 package comes standard, which includes a 220-watt solar panel and a 30-amp 12-volt Victron SmartSolar MPPT controller. Although the inverter isn’t included, the rig is prepped to support seven 110-volt outlets.
Pro Tip: Is the Avalanche 390DS not for you? Read A Breakdown of the Keystone Fuzion to see if that’s a better fit!
Who Is the Keystone Avalanche 390DS Good For?
We think the Keystone Avalanche 390DS is a great rig for parents who travel with older children. The most significant drawback is the seating in the living space. But you could take out the theater seating and dinette and add a larger sofa to increase the lounge space. The storage is excellent for a larger family.
We also think this fifth wheel is suitable for two couples to travel together or friends who want to take a road trip. With two separate sleeping spaces plus the third loft, there is more privacy in this RV than in most others. While there is no outdoor kitchen, there’s plenty of room for two or more people to meal prep inside.
The Double Suite Layout Of the Keystone Avalanche 390DS Is A Game-Changer For Some Travelers
If you’re looking for a double suite option, the Keystone Avalanche 390DS might be the perfect fit. Even with the sacrifices Keystone made to create these two suites, we think it’s an excellent layout. Two entry doors, two full bathrooms, and two bedrooms with plenty of storage provide the privacy many RVers long for on the road.
Is the Keystone Avalanche 390DS right for you?
