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Old 07-28-2006, 01:07 PM   #1
Cat320
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Hitches

I started a thread about 5er hitches a while back...well, still looking and checking them out.

Just got a CW catalog, and they have one that seems almost too inexpensive..."New Reese Pro Series 15K"...tow capacity of 15000, pw capacity of 3750, four way pivoting head, includes rail/mounting kit, three year warranty...all for $379 plus shipping.

Anybody use this one? Why so inexpensive?

(We've decided to start without one of the air pins or hitches).
 
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Old 07-29-2006, 04:40 AM   #2
8.1al
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We have had one of these for 9 years with no complaints, Reese makes good products so I wouldn't let the price scare me. By the way, I just checked online and CW has this on sale now for $299 for President club members and it has a 5 year warranty. The Reese hitch has a handle that you pull out to unhitch. When you are hitched this rod is in and there is a latch that swings down into a notch in the rod. This prevents the rod from coming out and your fifth wheel unhitching. There is also a place for a padlock. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THIS LATCH IS DOWN AND PADLOCKED.
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Old 07-29-2006, 05:41 AM   #3
richfaa
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BTW..The Reese and the Draw-Tite are copies of one another and share the same parent company.
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Old 07-29-2006, 05:46 AM   #4
Ozz
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Hi,
We had our Montana delivered to our side yard-parking area. I am still running some service work, so my big toolbox is being used. I had, in the deal, a slider Husky hitch. After reading not only this Forum, but Good Sam-Trailer Life-so on...'s Forum, I decided it would be prudent to pay the extra for the Husky hitch with Two Firestone bags, an air ride hitch.
My dealer-Naylor RV in Kansas City, by the sports complex, had to order it.
So, I am one of the few with a Montana and no hitch. I have it all dis-assembled, so we weren't going anywhere soon, anyway.
We ordered the Blue Ox Bedsaver as well, knowing the dangers, I think a wise move.
Cat 320, you might research that type of air ride hitch, made good sense to me.
Ozz
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Old 07-29-2006, 08:39 AM   #5
Cat320
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richfaa: "BTW..The Reese and the Draw-Tite are copies of one another and share the same parent company."

As Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story:

Same company makes: Reese, Drawtite and Hidden.
Same company makes: Super 5th and Pull rite.
Same company makes: Valley and Husky. (Valley makes both).
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Old 08-08-2006, 04:28 PM   #6
Garin1
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My last hitch was a 14000 Draw-tite slider. Used it for three years without a problem. I would use the padlock hole to secure my brake cable with a carabiner.
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Old 08-08-2006, 04:46 PM   #7
ols1932
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You might consider investing a little more in an air ride hitch like the Trailersaver. Prevents all the bouncing we notice normally. Go to www.trailersaver.com

Orv
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Old 08-09-2006, 04:23 AM   #8
RLVoumard
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While on the topic of HITCHES....I have SLIDER..(shortbed CCAB F250 )I assume the only the this feature is used is for parking in TIGHT AREAS ?? New to the world of 5th wheels. Montana on order.

Thanks
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Old 08-09-2006, 06:30 AM   #9
Broome101
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15K Reese, non slider, hass pin weight of 3,500 lbs.

Broome101
2005 F350 PSD,SRW,CC,LB, King Ranch, 4x4
2005 3685FL
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Old 08-09-2006, 08:14 AM   #10
Montana Sky
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RLVoumard,
With the new front end cap I would say the need for a sliding hitch will be reduced. I am waiting for Steve's new 3400RL to come in as he tows w/ a shortbed Ford and has a manual sliding hitch. His truck will be the real test for turing radius w/ the front end cap. I have the Superglide which is an automatic sliding hitch, every corner, every time. I chose that hitch as I did not want to deal with moving the sliding hitch everytime I get off the freeway. Keep us updated when your coach comes in. =)


2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL
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Old 08-09-2006, 09:44 AM   #11
sreigle
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We've used a Reese 15K Classic 4-way pivot for several years and have been perfectly happy with it. I don't know if there's any difference between mine and the newer Pro Series. Reese is a big name in hitches. I suspect the pricing is just because it's a sale and/or CW is overstocked and we're nearing the end of camping season. If I were in the market for a new hitch I'd be very interested.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

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Old 08-09-2006, 02:21 PM   #12
rickfox
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Montana Sky,

It used to be that the Ford short bed was several inches shorter than the Chevy.

The 16K Draw-Tite I use has a slider mechanism but I had never used it in the past. As mentioned in other threads, the 2006 and later 3400's no longer come with the extended pin box. Boy was this a suprise when my 3400 showed up! I had to be very careful!

When I installed the Glide-Ryde, I installed the extended version and now have almost 6" more clearance.

Cat320, hitches also come in several heights, in addition to having a height adjustment. I would check with someone who has your TV and confirm the hitch you purchase can be adjusted vertically to ensure the Monty will ride level. I have heard from a number in our group that they had difficulties adjusting things to get the front on the Monty down to level. I have not heard from anyone that they had difficulty getting the Monty front up to level.

Rick & Wanda
2003 2500HD Crew Cab
Duramax with Allison Trans.
Firestone Airbags
Glide-Ride Pinbox - It's Great!
2006 3400RL - We Love The Trailer!

Montana Customer Service?
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Old 08-09-2006, 02:57 PM   #13
Wrenchtraveller
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Rickfox says

It used to be that the Ford short bed was several inches shorter than the Chevy.

My 05 brochures show the lengths of the Dodge short bed at 76", The Chev SB at 78" and the Ford Superduties at 82.4"




Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic
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Old 08-09-2006, 04:05 PM   #14
Montana Sky
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Yet again someone has not provided the entire truth, and comes out with the intent of attacking others. While the proper length of the bed has been provided, there was failure to mention that the distance one needs to be concerned with is the distance from the rear of the cab to the center of the axle. It does not matter how much length is behind the axle as no hitch is mounted back there. Quoted directly from the Superglide rep it goes in the following order,

1. Chevy/GMC
2. Ford
3. Dodge

This order is from longest to shortest distance from the back window to center of the rear axle!

But then again if memory serves me right, anyone towing with a shortbed 3/4 truck is "unsafe", "overweight", "should have bought at least a 1 ton" and the list goes on and on and on.... What ever happened to this group being about learning and sharing experiences with other MONTANA owners??? It seems that many of the "core" members are posting less and less. We are tired of the "know it all, my truck is better than your truck, you can’t possibly tow a 3400RL with a 3/4 ton truck" attitudes that have been taking over here this past summer. GROW UP! You are acting like such a child!





2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL
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Old 08-09-2006, 05:43 PM   #15
Parrothead
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Way to go Montana Sky!!!!
Happy trails.........................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL
2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed
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Old 08-09-2006, 05:47 PM   #16
Wrenchtraveller
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I merely stated the length of the SB trucks as stated in the 05 brochures. Nothing else. No personal attacks even though what you through at me would certainly fall under that category.

Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
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Old 08-10-2006, 12:19 PM   #17
rickfox
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Hello All,

The real meat of my comment was that in the past Montana has made changes "on the fly" that have effected the height of the pin box. As such, some of us have had difficulties getting the 3400 level. Because I was one of those, I had a number of conversations with Keystone Customer Service and their engineering personnel. Since Montana delivers their product with the pin box at its highest position adjustment, the only option is to lower the TV hitch if the trailer front is running high. If what you have will not adjust low enough, you're out of luck - buy another hitch or another TV (according to Montana). Since Cat320 does not yet have the hitch, now is the time to make sure the right one is purchased. And of course, the best way is to measure first, and buy second.

My 3400 has the new Mission ST tires, but the the old suspension. I have been told that the new Mor-Ryde RS suspension yeilds a different height. I do not know if the situation is now better or worse.

Rick & Wanda
2003 2500HD Crew Cab
Duramax with Allison Trans.
Firestone Airbags
Glide-Ride Pinbox - It's Great!
2006 3400RL - We Love The Trailer!

Montana Customer Service?
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Old 08-10-2006, 02:02 PM   #18
Cat320
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I'm going to take rickfox's idea about asking somebody with a similiar truck, what hitch works. But I'm going to do it in a new thread. IMHO, Montana Sky's post was unwarranted.
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Old 08-10-2006, 05:35 PM   #19
ols1932
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Let's all remain friendly. I believe Montana Sky was merely quoting statistics that he was given and he meant no disrespect to anyone.

Orv
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Old 08-11-2006, 06:44 AM   #20
sreigle
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Yes, let's keep it friendly. I am interested in comments on pinheight of the new 3400 with the Mor/Ryde so I have an idea whether I need to adjust my hitch.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

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