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03-08-2005, 03:16 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Holly
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #3334
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3400RL Cargo Weight
HI!
After an exhaustive search of fifth wheels both my wife and I have settled on the 3400RL Montana as the rig we would like to go full timing in for the next few years (or more). If we enjoy it and don't drive each other crazy in our first years of retirement.
My only real concern is the limited cargo carrying capacity of the 3400RL model. If any one who has information on this model could allieve my concerns in this area I would be very grateful.
Thanks Kathy & Ian
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03-08-2005, 06:14 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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I'm not sure what you're looking for so don't know if this will help.
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03-08-2005, 07:01 AM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: farmingdale
Posts: 298
M.O.C. #1351
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Hi Personal opinion is you have picked a good one. We do 9 months of the year in ours. I guess we are 3/4 timers. 6 months of that time on the road. We are currantly in Georgia with over 9000 miles under our belts on this trip. Should be around 12 to 15 b4 we are home in April. We seem to do well having all the things we need with us. Haven't weighed it and don't really want to know as every thing is working fine. There are plenty of nooks and crannys in the 3400 to take all you need. We have room to spare-not much but some. Hope one outlook helps. Dan
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03-08-2005, 08:58 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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Welcome to the MOC Forum. You have chosen a nice unit. Everything is a trade off on these RV's. We are addressing the same concerns. What do we need? What do we do with the rest? Somehow four bedrooms with a two car garage and an eight by twelve storage shed just won't fit into the Monty. Much paring and parting must take place. The kids get an early inheritance and I plan to spend the rest.
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03-08-2005, 07:55 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
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I use my 3400RL almost 7 months a year down at the river. This coach is pretty well loaded with everything one could imgaine and I have yet to hit my max GVWR on the coach. You have made a good choice on the 3400RL. I have to agree with the above postings, you will find many places to put things in this coach. Lots and lots of storage. Enjoy your new rig.
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03-09-2005, 02:05 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: New Market
Posts: 831
M.O.C. #375
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We have used ours since last October. We have loaded pretty full and still have a lot of room left for storage. I think you will find that the layout with the kitchen weight over the axels, it will pull very, very well on all roads. Enjoy the new rig and congratulations! Happy trails!
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03-09-2005, 02:34 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Monominto
Posts: 731
M.O.C. #657
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Maxed out the 3670 in the first 6 months... fulltiming adds up quick...Of course if you have no tools, no toys, no bike, no dishes, no washer, ... well... you get the picture....
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03-09-2005, 03:22 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Glendale
Posts: 1,219
M.O.C. #635
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We have the 3295RKBig Sky and sort of fell in love with the 3400 or, alternatively, the Cambridge. So far, we are holding off a decision due to some health issues. However, I know we were overloaded on the present unit. Never weighed it cause some things you just don't want to know (right Foggyb). Now, I wish I had so I would know if I have a problem moving to the 3400. My guess is the (first) limiting factor is the axles. My Big Sky has 6000 pound axles for 12000 ponds total leaving 2400 for the pin weight budget.. So, if you load a little more forward, the truck gets the overload on the pin. Same with the Cambridge. They spec 7000 pounds axles for a total of 14,000 pounds. Gross is 16,900 so the Pin load has to be 2,900 pounds. Again if you overload, do it to the front of the coach to keep the excess off the coach axles.
As to the 3400, I would avoid carrying a lot of fluids(black, fresh, grey, and galley), not worry too much about weight in the cargo bay as it rests (largely) on the pin, load dense stuff like books forward (in the bedroom) AND THEN weigh it and see if you have any thing to worry about.. I am comfortable with the allowance i the 3295 Big Sky. Think I would do some sort of broad brush calculations for the 3400.
For what it is worth from an old aerospace engineer.
Dave
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03-12-2005, 12:50 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 470
M.O.C. #447
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We have only done one trip of about 5000 miles in our 3400 but are planning to be about 20 weeks on the road in 2005. We have recently put the rig "on a diet" as we were carrying around a lot of stuff that was never used. Lots of "maybe needed" stuff! You have to be tough! I had to be tough as Diana wanted the washer/dryer combo so needed to find weight and space, it is surprising just how much you can reduce if the mind is focused (and you are promised a large scotch, or 2, as a reward)
The 3400 is a wonderful rig & layout is perfect for our requirments - Ian you will love it! Keep coming back to this forum for more support - just great friendly folk here!
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03-12-2005, 12:59 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Malta
Posts: 3,075
M.O.C. #607
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it's a nice unit...as said above. it's all a trade off. there is no perfect unit for all. ours has some nice interior features, but has very limited storage. it's practical for us, but we're not full time. just being seasonal, we run out of room at times. at least with a seasonal, we have a couple of sheds!
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03-13-2005, 12:42 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Riverside
Posts: 223
M.O.C. #3237
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My only real concern is the limited cargo carrying capacity of the 3400RL model. If any one who has information on this model could allieve my concerns in this area I would be very grateful.
Thanks Kathy & Ian
[/quote]
Kathy & Ian,
I also bought a 3400 RL. I had estimated (in my head, dangerous!) that we would have around 1000lbs of gear.
When we unpacked our TT to transfer it to the new Montana, I had my wife weigh it all.
I was very surprised that it totaled just under 300lbs. I guess we travel very light. Personally I can’t imagine ever using up the 2390lbs of carry capacity.
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