[mtlakejim]

My usual two cents worth is:


I understand that some folks can't afford to be trading in their current truck just to get one that is truly suitable for towing their 5th wheel. Sometimes you have to run with what you brought to the track. And sometimes your circumstances require that you do something other than the recommended practice. Everyone on here gets that.


But if your in a situation where you are about to trade or buy a new truck and particularly if your NEW to towing a large trailer then here are my suggestions:


Do our homework! As you already have get the real life weight details on your camper and the tow ratings on the truck you plan to tow with. Sounds like the OP is already well on his way in that category.


Strongly consider how you will use your camper and truck (IE: will you be towing daily or just once every 6 months. Is your tow vehicle your only transportation or do you have a second vehicle etc....).


IF you have friends with similar campers and trucks like you are considering try to get a little time behind the wheel with different setups. I can tell you from experience that the difference for ME between a 3/4 ton SRW and a 1 ton Dually was very dramatic! But YOU may not feel the same way.


Take into consideration that you may well move up to a larger camper before your ready for a new truck. I know the vast majority (I didn't say EVERYONE just the vast majority) of folks start off with a smaller unit and end up with the biggest one on they can afford. This seems to be particularly true of folks just starting out. Heck we started with a slide in camper on a 1/2 ton and are on our 4th unit in only 6 years (each one larger than the previous).


I don't think I will get much argument that Diesel is the only way to go. I think it is safe to say that at least 90% of the folks on here would agree with that even if they are not driving one. The engine brake alone is worth the difference in cost.


Where a lot of folks will part company is when it comes down to your original question "Do I have ENOUGH truck" based on towing/weight capacity? My thoughts has always look at all the numbers and answers to the questions above and if there is nothing to stop you buy the NEXT size larger than you need. If you only need a 1/2 ton buy a 3/4 ton, if you need a 3/4 buy a 1 ton SRW and if a 1 ton SRW barely gets you past the weight recommended weight capacity go with a 1 ton dually. That way your towing with full confidence. At the very least run don't walk away from anyone that suggests towing overloaded. They don't have YOUR best interest in mind! ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS err on the side of safety!!!


There are going to be lots of folks on here that will rail against a dually and I get that. They are not for everyone. But a lot of folks do buy them and it isn't because they prefer to drive around a wide &^% ended truck!! Folks can say what they will but a 1 ton Dually is the best truck for towing a larger Montana 5th wheel if that is all you are doing with it. You will be well within safety margins with any current Montana model with a 1 ton dually (as far as I am aware).


Good luck and best wishes. I will now sit back with my popcorn and enjoy the show.