Tow Vehicle & 3400 - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

315RLS · 03-20-2006, 03:01 AM

I am considering buying a new Sierra 3500 Duramax™ Diesel
6600 V8, 4WD dualy. I notice there is a large difference between the towing capacity of almost 2 tons between the automatic trans (12,000lbs) and std trans (16,000lbs). I assume that there is a simular gap cross brands. Have most gone with std trans for this reason or is 12,000lbs capacity sufficient for hauling most rigs? Anything else I should consider that I would regret if overlooked in configuting this TV?
By default it steps down to the 3.73 RA for either tranny.
http://www.gmc.com/sierra/specsDimen...p?vehicle=3500

Bill Frisbee · 03-20-2006, 03:19 AM

The towing capacity on my Dodge 3500 Diesel w/automatic and 3.73 gears is 13,950 lbs ... which I consider to be borderline acceptable for hauling our 3400 (GVWR 13,975 lbs). Personally, I would not want a truck with less capacity. The towing capacity you state seems awfully low to me ... I am not a GM guy so speak from ignorance. Are you certain there is not a towing package that bumps the capacity up closer to 14,000 lbs???

315RLS · 03-20-2006, 05:19 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Bill Frisbee

The towing capacity on my Dodge 3500 Diesel w/automatic and 3.73 gears is 13,950 lbs ... which I consider to be borderline acceptable for hauling our 3400 (GVWR 13,975 lbs). Personally, I would not want a truck with less capacity. The towing capacity you state seems awfully low to me ... I am not a GM guy so speak from ignorance. Are you certain there is not a towing package that bumps the capacity up closer to 14,000 lbs???

Bill, I may be missing something but there is nothing I could see that pushes the automatic transmission capabilities for the Sierra 3500 Duramax™ Diesel 6600 V8, 4WD dually above 12,000lbs towing capability.
http://www.gmc.com/sierra/specsDimen...p?vehicle=3500

richfaa · 03-20-2006, 05:42 AM

Look at the fifth wheel towing chart..you were looking at the ball hitch towing chart.

315RLS · 03-20-2006, 06:11 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

Look at the fifth wheel towing chart..you were looking at the ball hitch towing chart.

You must have better eyes than me. Where do you see the 5th wheel towing chart? http://www.gmc.com/sierra/specsDimen...p?vehicle=3500

richfaa · 03-20-2006, 06:41 AM

Click on towing capacities and keep on scrolling to the very bottom of the page.

315RLS · 03-20-2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

Click on towing capacities and keep on scrolling to the very bottom of the page.

I see said the blind man.. thanks.

cs413 · 03-20-2006, 01:03 PM

I am very, very impressed with this F350. I would not tow with anything less.

Montana_2008 · 03-20-2006, 01:14 PM

I have a 400 and a 250 deisel. It does a great job, dont know it is even bach there. I put on an airaid and a 4 inch exhaust and it gets 11 miles to a gallon. I pull in the hills of WV and like I say no trouble.

Montana Sky · 03-20-2006, 02:08 PM

The biggest thing that changes the numbers on the GM duramax diesel between the standard tranny and the automatic is the ALLISON TRANSMISSION. That tranny is what allows the duramax to have so much power and torque and the large towing capacities. I have talked with a few guys over the past 3 years who had the manual vs the automatic. After they switch over to the Allison automatic you can almost always bet money on the following two phrases will come out of their mouth. 1). "I should have switched 3 years ago!" 2). "I will never go back to a manual."

Devildog · 03-21-2006, 07:51 AM

Manual on my 2500HD Sierra with Allison states 15,200 on fifth wheel with Gross at 22,500 lbs. Hitch weight on travel trailer not to exceed 12,000 lbs.

I too am looking at the 3400RL and sell my 34ft travel trailer. Hitch weight and other weights are doable and will not exceed any of these restrictions (just have to watch the hitch weight).

mcgiver2 · 03-21-2006, 02:22 PM

Jerry . I have had both. I traded a 1997 F350 Crew Cab Dually in for a new F250 Crew Cab tho i would get a better ride, but the first time i pulled my rig i knew i did the wrong move so i went back and got a F350 Crew Cab Dually Long Bed with the 6.0 and the extra tires give way more stability, and the Difference in price is little in my opinion. Even my wife loves the Dually. Allen

2004 F 350 with Extra 90 Gal Fuel tank
2004 3295 RK / Washer/Dryer

Native Tex · 03-23-2006, 02:05 AM

Hey Guys as you can see have the Ford in question. We find that with the 3400 it is really a super pull vehicle. The only difference between the two in question is on course the added rear wheels that does add stability, but a necessity unless you pull everyday. The 350 has one added spring in the rear over th 250, other than this, all the running gear are the same. Keep in mind the additional cost of tire rotation and tire costs on the 350. This is my third such vehicle and find that most will do a good job. What I do like too about the 3400 is the center kitchen putting most of the weight on the axels. It pulls very good. Good luck!

We are looking at purchasing a new Montana fifth wheel and tow vehicle are looking at the model 3400 or 3475. The brochure shows the hitch weight of 2165 lbs. and 2150 lbs. for both models. We are considering purchasing a Ford F-250 SRW shortbed 4x2 with a 6.0 Powerstroke diesel and a super glider hitch. Our plans are to use our new RV for traveling.

I am wondering if the F-250 will have enough payload capacity (rated at 3000 lbs) or should we be looking at the F-350 4x2 to pull the RV we are looking at. If the F-350 is the better choice, we are considering the shortbed to allow us to get the truck in our garage, but I am concerned at the ride of the F-350 when not towing our trailer. I appreciate any feedback on which tow vehicle we should purchase for these model RV's and for use when we are not pulling the RV. Thank you.
[/quote]

sreigle · 03-26-2006, 12:22 PM

I'm towing more weight (both trailer weight and pinweight) than either of those models with a 2005 F250 crew cab shortbed 6.0L diesel and TorqShift automatic and am very happy with it. I don't know about the 3475 but we've had several reports here that the 3400 is the one model whose published pinweight is very close to actual pinweight. I don't think you'd have any trouble with either of those. You should easily be within payload, tow rating and GCWR with either model, in my opinion. We're about 150 miles shy of 50,000 miles on our 2005 F250 and it's starting to get broke in.

I know there are members who feel the dually gives them more stability but I've yet to have a stability problem so to me it's a solution to a problem that does not exist. However, if payload capacity were needed, then I would consider a dually. No offense intended to those who feel a dually is mandantory. We each have our opinions.

Ours is 4x4 and there have been times I've been glad we have the 4x4, both towing and when out sightseeing but we were just fine for years towing with a 4x2.

We've done a number of sightseeing trips that required 4x4 so for that reason alone it's worth it to us. We have been on some fascinating roads with amazing scenery we would have missed without 4x4. Here's a picture of the upper end of the Shafer Trail, which we did all 18 miles last week. There are 4 miles of these switchbacks, dropping you 2400 feet to the canyon floor. We averaged 6 mph on this "road." 4x4 required. I also would not do this very rough and narrow road with a dually. Shafer Trail is in the Moab, UT area.

Koalityman · 03-27-2006, 03:54 AM

Steve,
My wife, wants to know if you took your wife with you on the Moab Shafer Trail and what were you thinking (as Dr, Phil would say)?

What campground did you stay at Mount Rushmore?

Did you plan all your trips or just "wing it"?

Of all the place you visited, which did you enjoy the most?

Montana_5560 · 03-27-2006, 12:48 PM

Thanks to all of you who replied to my posting. I agree that the Montana owners website is most helpful! I really appreciate all the feedback as it will be valuable in making our decision. The one thing we know for sure, is that we want to join y'all as Montana owners and look forward to meeting some of you down the road sometime. Thank you,
Jerry

Montana_5614 · 03-31-2006, 03:25 AM

I'm new so do not know if this is the proper place to post this - I just bought a 2006 F250SC LB 4x2 6.0 with tow command. I own a 2002 294 Bobcat that I was pulling with an F150 5.4 3:51 rear. The reason I bought the 250 is to get a Montana 3400RL within the next year. Anyway, here's my problem we are lemon law'ing the F250 today after owning it less than three months. The reason is a vibration at around 42-48Mph and also around 52-55Mph either accelerating or decellerating, towing or not towing. The dealer replaced a left front tire, then the drive shaft and lastly all four tires to no avail. Anyone ever had a similar problem?
Wayne and Judy
Orange City, Fl.

richfaa · 03-31-2006, 04:49 AM

Since you are lemon lawing the F 250 You might want at to take a closer look at the weight limits on the F250 and the 3400RL to make sure you are within legal limits if that is of concern to you.

steves · 03-31-2006, 05:42 AM

See my signature for my TV. I have pulled my 3400 with a 2001 F350 7.3 SRW and now have a 2006 6.0 F350 SRW. The new vehicle handles the 3400 with absolutely no problem and no modification needed to springs, suspension, etc. Works great just as it comes. I pulled the mountains in NC and Virgina in cruise control and on the down side did not even have to use my brakes as the trans controlled my decent. I think you can use an F250 / F350 and you would be satisfied. Similarly, I think you would also be happy with a GMC and or Dodge in the same ratings. It come down to personal choice.

sreigle · 03-31-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by 2inamonty

My wife and I are fairly new to 5th. wheeling but we went through a similar quandry as you are when we started out. So for what it is worth from a couple of neophytes this was our experience.
We purchased our 3255RL before our new F-350 short box 4X4 diesel dually had arrived at the dealer. A friend loaned us his F-250 diesel SRW 4X4 to travel to Iowa to pick up the Montana. Our trip back to Ontario was not that comfortable. In fact half way back we were making plans to sell the Montana and buy a motorhome. The ride, stability and comfort I was accustomed to while towing our 30 foot boat just wasn't there. It seemed to be a constant struggle to maintain control and the freeway hop and wandering were simply awful. When we got back to Ontario my Ford dealer gave me his personal F-350 dually to try for a day of travelling some of the same roads we had been on with the F-250 and the difference was amazing. Same engine in both vehicles so power was never an issue. The torque of the 6.0 PSD is terrific. But the increased stability and control while towing with the F-350 compared to the F-250 was like night and day. And whether it was perception or reality it felt like the trailer was controlling the smaller F-250 while the F-350 was controlling the trailer. We have just returned from a 4500 mile trip to Florida and back without a concern over the tow package. At times on the interstate you had to look in the mirrors to know the Monty was still there. Short box, long box, slider hitch air ride, all those things will probably be the same whether you buy a 3/4 or one ton. And there are a great group of experienced people on this forum that can answer those questions better than me. But from this newbie's experience we are very happy we went with the bigger diesel powered TV. Good luck with your choices and welcome to what we have found to be the most helpful RV forum.
Ron.

Something was clearly wrong with the setup with that Montana and F250. If properly set up that truck will prove an excellent tow vehicle for any Montana on the road. Ours weighs 14,360 on a certified scale. This F250 has 50k miles on it in 17 months and has towed this Montana with absolute control, stability, and comfort throughout the country. We previously towed this same Montana with a 1999 F350 and a 2003 F350 and this F250 rates right there with those two. In fact, it has considerably higher ratings than those.

So please do not dismiss an F250 because of one experience that obviously was caused because something was not set up correctly. I've put far too many miles towing with this F250 to agree with that conclusion. You related your experience and I will not fault that. But I will say something was clearly out of whack and other F250's or 3/4 tons of other brands do just fine towing Montanas. Stability is definitely NOT an issue. I don't mean to be offensive, I just want to point out your experience is unfortunate in that it is not representative of the experience I've had.

I'm not sure who posted about the F350 having one more leaf (an overload leaf) in the springs than the F250. That's partially true. It is true in the standard configuration. Add the Camper Package to the F250 and you have the same springs with the same overload leaf and the same rear stabilizer bar that the F350 comes standard with.

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