Chevy 2500HD - Montana Owners Club

Travelling Three · 10-28-2016, 07:17 AM

We have a 2017 Montana 3661RL, 16,600 GVW but no truck yet. I was looking to purchase a Chevy 3500HD diesel but have found a 2013 2500HD diesel for a good price. The dealer says the brakes and cooling systems are the same for both vehicles, is this correct? The tow capacity for the 2500 is 17,300lb according to the dealer. I'm going to do some research before I do anything but I'm asking the forum for their thoughts. Thanks!

**Carl n Susan** · 10-28-2016, 07:42 AM

According to the 2013 Chevy PDF Clicky the 2500HD crew cab 4WD long bed has a fifth wheel towing capacity of 14,700 lbs. If you get the short bed the capacity jumps to 15,800.

mhs4771 · 10-28-2016, 08:33 AM

It's not so much what you can pull, BUT how much weight can it carry. The pin on that unit could be well over 3K and once you add passengers, a hitch and other misc items in the bed of the TV will most likey be well over your GVWR.

BB_TX · 10-28-2016, 09:40 AM

I agree with Michelle, you need to look closely at the payload rating for that truck. Look on the driver side door post for a sticker saying something like tire and loading chart and a statement not to exceed xxxx lbs. That floorplan is starting out with an empty pin weight of 2,625 lbs. Add in a passengers, hitch, clothes, food, water, and all the gear you will be traveling with and that weight on the truck will go up quickly. That doesn't include a washer/dryer if that is in your plans.

mlh · 10-28-2016, 01:27 PM

The 2500 and 3500 SRW trucks are exactly the same. The frame the engine transmission every thing except the rear springs the emblem and possibly the rear axle ratio. The 3500 is rated to carry more because it has heavier springs. Do a Google search for Tow ratings pass the sniff test. That will explain tow ratings.
Lynwood

navybanker · 10-28-2016, 02:25 PM

If springs are the only limiting factor, I "think" you can remedy that. However, if I were considering purchasing a new truck, I would go with the 3500. If it is an issue or concern, go 3500!

PeteandJoan · 10-28-2016, 03:57 PM

You should seriously consider a dually. You will be overloaded on SRW 2500 or SRW 3500. You will be glad you have the dually. IMO.

**Rondo** · 10-28-2016, 04:29 PM

I agree with several of the other posters here. If you are going to buy new and like the Chevy/GMC go for the 3500 Duramax/Allison and you'll get that warranty also. Lynnwood is correct about the difference between the 2500 and the 3500 in the way of springs. The 3500 has two extra leaf springs. If I'm not mistaken the 3500 also has a set of heavier brakes which is nice if you are towing a fiver. The 3661 has a dry weight of 13140 and a capacity of 3485. The hitch weight is 2650. The total weight for the unit is 16625. This is without counting any possible water in the fresh water tank and the water in the 10-12 gallon water heater. Remember water weighs approx. 8.5# per gallon which is added to your weight if you fill your tank that is some extra weight also. It is all your choice but remember the older unit was traded in for some reason so think about that also.

1retired06 · 10-28-2016, 04:33 PM

Go with the heavier truck, my honest opinion.

twindman · 10-28-2016, 07:55 PM

I disagree with the comment above about needing duallies. The SW 3500 has a 1500 lb weight capacity increase over the 2500. My 2500 pin weight is around 2400. Not to incriminate myself, I MAY be 400 lb over my limit, so with a 3500 I would have plenty of capacity.

TLightning · 10-29-2016, 02:39 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by PeteandJoan

You should seriously consider a dually. You will be overloaded on SRW 2500 or SRW 3500. You will be glad you have the dually. IMO.

Good advice. Normally pin weight is 20% of the GVWR, that's 3,300# before you even add people, hitch etc. If that 2500 is a 4 x 4, your cargo capacity will be around 2300/2400#...do the numbers. Tow rating is not the issue, carrying the pin weight is.

mlh · 10-29-2016, 05:01 AM

If you believe the weight limits the manufacturers put on trucks you should feel perfectly safe pulling a 32500 pound goose neck with a property equipped 2017 Ford pickup. Truth is these weight limits have very little to do with the way we pull our campers and every thing to do with how they are tested, unless you only pull your camper on the Walmart parking lot.
Lynwood

Razrbk · 10-29-2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

It's not so much what you can pull, BUT how much weight can it carry. The pin on that unit could be well over 3K and once you add passengers, a hitch and other misc items in the bed of the TV will most likey be well over your GVWR.

Agree with above.

mazboy · 10-29-2016, 05:17 PM

A 2500HD would work fine. but, if you are looking to buy new, look at the one ton. Probably 60-70 percent of the tow vehicles are 3/4 ton.

If you are going to use the truck as a primary or even secondary, I would never get a dually...

bigskyjimmy · 10-29-2016, 08:47 PM

I do not understand why some some of you folks say a 2500 will be "just fine" quit Farting around and do it right and at LEAST get a 3500 SRW and to do it right AND if you really want to do get serious get a Dually and call it good to haul these newer heavier Monty's And that is all I use my truck for and we use our car for everything else

chris199 · 10-30-2016, 01:28 AM

You will definitely be over payload spec on a 2500. We tow a 3791RD with a 3500 long bed Duramax SRW. Just within the weight ratings. Now...if we added a washer/dryer to the front bedroom or a generator, we would need a dually for sure. I seriously advise against a 2500 for a big/heavy Montana.

mlh · 10-30-2016, 01:51 AM

He says he was looking at a 2013. Will it do the job? Certainly. Since I don't know his budget I will give him the facts and let him decide what he will do.
Lynwood

bullroc3 · 10-30-2016, 02:20 AM

Go with a 1 ton whatever brand. I speak from experience. PIN WEIGHT!!!

TLightning · 10-30-2016, 05:42 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

I do not understand why some some of you folks say a 2500 will be "just fine" quit Farting around and do it right and at LEAST get a 3500 SRW and to do it right AND if you really want to do get serious get a Dually and call it good to haul these newer heavier Monty's And that is all I use my truck for and we use our car for everything else

Agree, good advice.

These tow vehicle threads are just about worthless, and many do more harm than good. Normally the questions are asked by relatively new members looking for factually information that will help them make an informed and smart decision regarding a tow vehicle. Sure, they get some good information, but they are also bombarded with information that is incorrect and totally misleading. If somebody is using a 3/4 ton truck as a tow vehicle for a 16k 5th wheel, he/she is over weight....period. Yes, it will "pull" it, but the pin weight will be way over the capacity of the truck. Some of the justification used is absurd. If you don't want a dually, because it's your "daily driver," then get a smaller 5th wheel. I don't like my dually as a daily driver, but I got one because it was required to tow the Montana I have...which is lighter than 16k...and remain within limits.

My advice to members asking tow vehicle questions is to learn the numbers, then use them....GVWR, GCWR and find the cargo capacity for the truck on the Tire and Information Loading sticker on the driver side door post. A 16k Montana's pin weight alone will exceed the cargo capacity of any 4 x 4 250/2500 series diesel truck by about 1,000#.

I'm done with this thread.

JABURKHOLDER · 10-30-2016, 06:15 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bullroc3

Go with a 1 ton whatever brand. I speak from experience. PIN WEIGHT!!!

When I was new to RVing I had a '99 F150 2wd and had a sob TT. That combination was fine. I then stepped up to a sob 5th wheel with the same truck. That combination was not fine. As a "fix" I added a full leaf to the leaf springs. I then stepped up my TV to an '06 F250 4x4 with the same 5th wheel. That combination was perfect. Not being satisfied, I moved to my current Montana. Easily almost twice the weight of my previous 5th wheel. I kept the same F250. That combination was not fine. I was borderline on almost all weight ratings. My "fix" was airbags. Three months later I wiped the dust from my wallet got a '16 F350 4x4 dually. Now everything is as it should be. If I had done it right the first time, I would have saved money on tow vehicles and the associated "fixes".
Do it right. Get MORE truck than your RV needs. In the short and long term, it's safer and cheaper.

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