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Old 02-26-2016, 11:35 AM   #1
MNTraveler
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Dualies or no Dualies

Hi newbie here. We are in the process of purchasing a 2014 Montana High Country 343RL. Now we're looking at a truck to pull it. We are going with diesel. Now I'm trying to figure out if we need a one ton with dualies or a 3/4 ton without.

The brochure lists a dry weight of 10385 and a hitch wight of 2225. The previous owners did have several upgrades that add to the weight such as double pane windows and a 10 gal water heater.

I hear on other message boards that the ride with dual tires is more stable and better on grades. But is it necessary for a trailer this light? I know we still need to factor in the weight of our personal stuff.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 
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Old 02-26-2016, 11:46 AM   #2
bethandkevin
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This is a hot topic much debated (weight related). From looking at the GVWR of your coach, you're probably ok with most 3/4 ton trucks in my opinion, but depending on how frequently you tow, you might be more comfortable stepping up to a 1 ton SRW or even a dually. I'm towing a bit more than you and I am comfortable with my 2500HD.
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Old 02-26-2016, 11:46 AM   #3
chris199
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Im a GMC guy. A 1 ton diesel crew cab long bed should have pleany of payload capacity of a dry wgt of 2225 +stuff but ALWAYS check with actual load at VAT scale.

Also...I was shopping for a 3/4 ton and bought the 1 ton. Am always glad to have the extra capacity. Who knows...you go to an RV show and voila....a heavier RV is on your mind.
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:14 PM   #4
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I have a 323 RL HC. I pull it with an 08 F250 with the 20 inch wheels. It's all I need.
If you haven't chose a truck yet I would be careful buying a Ram. They are fine trucks but FCA is hanging on by a thread and most likely will not survive in its present form. Ram WILL survive the parent company that may be a problem.
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:21 PM   #5
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Will be fun to see the opinions posted again! My Monty has a GVWR of 14,040 and an actual weight of 12,760. I bought the truck before we even thought of a fifth wheel - 2015 F-350 6.7 diesel. Wonderful truck pulling our vintage canned ham. Then the DW finds our future home (aka the Monty) and we pull it on several outings with the F-250. Diesel will pull 10 of those at the same time, but the rear feels squishy and wind and semis suck the truck from side to side. I do some more research on GVWR and see who is pulling what with what, then start researching prices, and find a '16 F-350 DRW identical options to the F-250. Bit the bullet and took a little hit on the trade, but actual purchase price of the F-350 was less than the -250. Have never regretted the trade for as many miles/years we plan on pulling a 5er, Lord willing. It's also a LB where the previous was SB. The SRW is a much nicer daily driver but if you learn to back into parking spaces the DRW is not bad. I really enjoy the confidence of the DRW, but you will find many many other opinions..
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:31 PM   #6
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Dually....no question....won't regret it....love minel
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:34 PM   #7
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by sola123

Dually....no question....won't regret it....love minel
x2 and you won't have to buy yet another truck in the future when you upgrade again.
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:40 PM   #8
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Why even consider a 3/4 ton when the cost of a 1 ton is just a little more,for the High Country a SRW 1 ton is just right and a Dually even better,
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:55 PM   #9
pkbridges77
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by pkbridges77

Will be fun to see the opinions posted again! My Monty has a GVWR of 14,040 and an actual weight of 12,760. I bought the truck before we even thought of a fifth wheel - 2015 F-250 6.7 diesel. Wonderful truck pulling our vintage canned ham. Then the DW finds our future home (aka the Monty) and we pull it on several outings with the F-250. Diesel will pull 10 of those at the same time, but the rear feels squishy and wind and semis suck the truck from side to side. I do some more research on GVWR and see who is pulling what with what, then start researching prices, and find a '16 F-350 DRW identical options to the F-250. Bit the bullet and took a little hit on the trade, but actual purchase price of the F-350 was less than the -250. Have never regretted the trade for as many miles/years we plan on pulling a 5er, Lord willing. It's also a LB where the previous was SB. The SRW is a much nicer daily driver but if you learn to back into parking spaces the DRW is not bad. I really enjoy the confidence of the DRW, but you will find many many other opinions..
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Old 02-26-2016, 12:57 PM   #10
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by pkbridges77

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by pkbridges77

Will be fun to see the opinions posted again! My Monty has a GVWR of 14,040 and an actual weight of 12,760. I bought the truck before we even thought of a fifth wheel - 2015 F-250 6.7 diesel. Wonderful truck pulling our vintage canned ham. Then the DW finds our future home (aka the Monty) and we pull it on several outings with the F-250. Diesel will pull 10 of those at the same time, but the rear feels squishy and wind and semis suck the truck from side to side. I do some more research on GVWR and see who is pulling what with what, then start researching prices, and find a '16 F-350 DRW identical options to the F-250. Bit the bullet and took a little hit on the trade, but actual purchase price of the F-350 was less than the -250. Have never regretted the trade for as many miles/years we plan on pulling a 5er, Lord willing. It's also a LB where the previous was SB. The SRW is a much nicer daily driver but if you learn to back into parking spaces the DRW is not bad. I really enjoy the confidence of the DRW, but you will find many many other opinions..
Sorry for double post. Noticed a typo in original. The 2015 was an F-250.
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Old 02-26-2016, 01:07 PM   #11
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Agree with DarMar Dually then you won't have to go through this again when you upgrade
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Old 02-26-2016, 01:23 PM   #12
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Your weights don't call for the dually, but like was mentioned above, if you upgrade to a heavier trailer, you'll avoid another truck decision. There are considerations when owning a dually, like ATM's and other drive-thrus. Also parking in the next zip code when going to the mall to avoid door dingers. It's all worth it to me. There is also the "cool" factor which I believe most dually owners can relate to. :-)
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Old 02-26-2016, 01:24 PM   #13
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Dually is the way to go.
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Old 02-26-2016, 02:58 PM   #14
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I think your going to find that we will actively defend our choice. Since I have a SRW you know what I'm going to tell you without me saying it
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Old 02-26-2016, 03:18 PM   #15
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quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I think your going to find that we will actively defend our choice. Since I have a SRW you know what I'm going to tell you without me saying it
Well said Dick. We make the choice we make because at the time we believe it's the best decision. And then we have the experience that hopefully validates the decision.

I really appreciate these type discussions to hear and learn the rationale of the decision, long as we can keep the emotion out of it.
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Old 02-26-2016, 03:51 PM   #16
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Go with the dually
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Old 02-26-2016, 07:46 PM   #17
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Yeah but Dick you are hauling with a 3/4 ton SRW you know you are over weight Right???? if you had a 1 ton SRW cool but a 3/4 ton really???
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quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I think your going to find that we will actively defend our choice. Since I have a SRW you know what I'm going to tell you without me saying it
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Old 02-27-2016, 12:34 AM   #18
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If your concerns are towing...go dually. If you are concerned about a daily driver...go SRW. Both can tow but you will have a better stable platform with the dually. I've had 2 SRW F350's and my current truck is a F350 dually. I speak the truth.
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Old 02-27-2016, 01:22 AM   #19
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[quote]Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

Yeah but Dick you are hauling with a 3/4 ton SRW you know you are over weight Right???? if you had a 1 ton SRW cool but a 3/4 ton really??? [quote]Originally posted by DQDick

If you go back and look at past discussions on this you'll find out I'm well within weights on my truck. It's really not a 2500 even though the badge says that and you have to take the serial # to get what should be on the door. I don't have stickers (it was ordered special for someone to haul horses to shows and still have a maxi cab). My rig gets weighed, every two years by smart weigh, and it's always well under. Because the truck is weird I'll get into SRW discussions but never get into the 2500 discussions.
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:29 AM   #20
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MNTravler is pulling a camper that weighs a ton less than a Montana. Does he need a 350 DRW truck? No. If you wont one, fine. All you need is a 3/4 ton truck.
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