Ordering new 3400RL - Montana Owners Club

Journeyon · 07-25-2007, 05:41 PM

We are excited we are going to order a new 3400RL next week . We need some suggesttions when ordering, we like the bedroom to be very cool when sleeping, Should we order the second AC or wait to see if we will need it. I know a lot of you already have the 3400RL does the one unit cool enough in the bedroom? Any other suggestions will be helpful. Does anyone pull with a V- 10?

Stan & Glinda
Virginia Beach, VA

2006 Ford F250 Super Duty
King Ranch short bed crew cab
4 wheel drive V-10

sailer · 07-25-2007, 06:20 PM

Hi stan well we bought a new 3000rk after we had a 06 nissan and a 06 puma trailer 8 months old but traded it all on a new f250 diesel and a new montana the v 10 will pull it but no power as i am told but try it for a year and if the mph is below 10 towing on the computer get rid of it as i have my diesel up to 17.8 not pulling and 11,1 to 11.6 towing as its finaly broke in i think i have a king ranch short bed with a pull-rite hitch so i never get out to move the slide we just turn john

**Carl n Susan** · 07-25-2007, 06:26 PM

RichFAA will be along shortly. He has a 3400 and pulls it with a V10. While he is envious of the diesel owners, he will be the first to tell you the V10 pulls fine (and he gets mileage very close to what a diesel gets).

Carl (& Susan) Youngren

bsmeaton · 07-25-2007, 07:25 PM

Stan,

The 2nd AC was cheaper from the factory than it was for the Dealer install.

We opted for the factory 2nd AC in our 3400, just because of total size. We are traveling now in 90-100 degree weather, and when it's time to cool that rig down after being on the road, I am very glad we have the 2nd AC. It shortens cool down to about 30 minutes.

Once outside temps hit 90, the one AC cannot keep up on ours. At 90, we have to start the 2nd AC and set the living room AC to quick cool (open damper).

Hemlockusa · 07-26-2007, 02:21 AM

Hello Journeyon
Many MOCer in the north find that they can get along without the 2nd AC, However when traveling in the Southern area's the 2nd ac is VERY DESIREABLE. If you don't deside to get it factory installed, you should at least have your unit prewired for the 2nd ac, so when your ready it will be much easier to install. If you are a do it yourselfer, I would shop around for a decent price, call your brother over like I did and put it in - Took me two hours and I was really a slow installer...I think the Dometic Penquin is the Low Profile for up front and has a three year warranty. Hope this helps. BRANSON IS GREAT IN 2008 John

richfaa · 07-26-2007, 02:22 AM

Good choice of campers. In our experience the 2nd A/c in the 3400 is a good choice as the 3400 is a large camper. Be aware that the bedroom A/C is a bit noisy for sleeping as it is right above the bed, We have the 05 V-10 and have pulled it all over the country including some very long a steep grades.The V-10 will do the job however you will NOT pull the steep grades like the diesel. In our experience there is really no difference between the V-10 and the diesel @85% of the time. It is on the long steep pulls that the diesel shines. The MPG between the V-10 and the NEW diesels is not all that different. Here at the lower altitudes of the east (Ohio) we do 8.5/9.0 on the gently rolling terrain. Out West and South West in the higher altitudes we did 10's and 11's on a regular basis (this is all towing MPG). Since you are in the same part of the country as us I would expect you will get similar MPG. Since you have the truck see how it works for you. Having said that..If I did not have a truck we would purchase one of the NEW diesels to pull the 3400 for its all over better performance. In our opinion MPG alone is NOT a big factor.We are considering a new Ford Diesel(if the price is right) but if we don't get one we will be OK.

bncinwv · 07-26-2007, 02:24 AM

After spending 2 1/2 weeks at Myrtle in 90-95 degree heat, I can firmly say that you definitely should invest in the second AC at purchase. We would close the bedroom door, close all the blinds, open quick dump, run ceiling fan (we tried every possible combination) and manage to keep the Monty around the 78 - 80 degree range during the heat of the day. Brad is correct on the factory install, go for it now and save what you can. I assure you there is no need to wait and see if the first AC will keep up, particularly if you enter and exit the Monty any at all during the day. If you can manage to stay inside, keep the doors shut, close all blinds, then one AC may do fine. We are having second AC installed this winter and have no second thoughts about it. We need it. As always the above represents my opinion based on my experience and should be treated as such.
Bingo

snfexpress · 07-26-2007, 03:33 PM

We went with the Carrier V, which is 2 inches shorter than the Dometic Penquin. We have found that when we think we need the 2nd AC, we are happy that we have it.

Currently, we are in the UP of Michigan and with the cold front coming through, we only need one AC. However, last month in Indiana, we needed both units. I guess it is up to your own personal preference.

mustang92 · 07-26-2007, 03:51 PM

We have the 2 AC in our '07 3400. It's a low profile and we are very happy we have it. One side benefit is that with it running at night, it drowns out all outside noise that is normally heard such as trains, traffic, dogs etc.

Mudchief · 07-26-2007, 05:04 PM

I would recommend you get it. You won't regret it.

Journeyon · 07-27-2007, 01:06 AM

Thanks to everyone who responded to our questions and concerns on the new 3400rl we are getting ready to order. It was a lot of help and we have decided after hearing your opinions on the second AC, that we will include it with our order next week. Can't wait to get our new trailer and go camping. Maybe we will see some of you. Always look for Montey people when we're camping. Like this forum, it's very helpful and educational from true campers with true experiences.

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