Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Tow Vehicles & Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-28-2004, 01:27 PM   #1
Montana_2755
New Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #2755
Tow Vehicles

I have a 2003, 3670RL Montana Big Sky, I would like some input on what tow vehicle to purchase to best match my unit. I prefer a Dodge 4X4 short bed quad cab but need to know if a 2500 or a 3500 is a best fit, and what engine, trans and axle ratio to get. I've been told a 2500 will be fine with the Diesel engine and the 3500 will ride a lot rougher when not towing the trailer. I appreciate all your input.
Bobby A
 
Montana_2755 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2004, 01:53 PM   #2
harleyrider
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Drexel Hill
Posts: 897
M.O.C. #627
Hi Bobby

I have the 3500 short bed-quad cab.the 2500 will probably do you fine.But you can never have to much truck.I myself really didn`t notice the difference in the ride from the 2500 to the 3500.But if your hearts set on the 2500 then go for it.This is my first diesel and I love it.will never go back to a gasser again.Any way good luck in your decision.If you have some extra money laying around,consider the Pull Rite super glide hitch-its fully automatic,no need to get out and slide the hitch.
harleyrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2004, 02:27 PM   #3
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
Ours is a 3/4 ton, diesel, 3.73 axle, automatic transmission. Prior truck was 1 ton, same engine, axle, and transmission. We're towing just short of 14,000 lbs. of trailer, fully loaded for fulltiming, with full fresh water tank.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2004, 04:00 PM   #4
Bill Hill
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Prescott
Posts: 505
M.O.C. #1344
We have the 3/4 ton Chevy with the diesel, short box. Pulls great, and we also have the PullRite SuperGlide, well worth the investment.
Bill Hill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2004, 04:31 PM   #5
Montana_74
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lafayette
Posts: 187
M.O.C. #74
Bobby A

I agree with Harley Rider, the 2500 handles most loads thrown at it and is what I pulled with previously. We moved up to the 3500 to ensure that we had enough truck for the pin weight. Dodge, Ford or
Chevy/GMC I feel is a personal choice thing. All are good.

Travel Safe
Montana_74 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2004, 04:38 PM   #6
OntMont
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Haldimand County
Posts: 2,413
M.O.C. #122
We pull a 3670RL with a Chev. 2500HD diesel short box with no problem.
OntMont is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 02:56 AM   #7
Bill and Ann
Montana Master
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Napanee
Posts: 3,440
M.O.C. #1493
Like John and Donna (OntMont) we also have a 3670RL with a GMC 2500HD diesel, short box. The only upgrade I would suggest would be to put 265/ tires on instead of the stock 245's. They will give you the extra tire load you need to pull the rig safely. I would also suggest the Prodogy brake controller as a must have.
Bill and Ann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 04:29 AM   #8
Chester
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Carlisle
Posts: 402
M.O.C. #908
Bobby A, I had a Montana 2750RK which I have pulled with a 99 Ram 2500 Cummins short bed, then a 01 Ram 2500 Cummins HO long box and now a 03 Ram 3500 Cummins HO long box. The 2500's did a great job but I bought the 3500 dually with moving to a larger trailer in mind. Despite the fact that the 2500s handled my 2750 very well there was still an improvement noticed when I went to the 3500. There was nothing wrong before but it all felt better on the new truck.

I did not notice any great difference in the ride between the 2500 and 3500. The initial spring rates are very similar and it only becomes a 3500 when the initial springs are compressed and then the heavier springs take over.

For me I prefer the long box (keep bicycles in front of the hitch) and I do believe there is increased straight line stability. I also prefer the dual wheels for the additional margin of safety in the payload capacity.

I'm lucky since my garage on my stick house is big enough that my truck fits in. If space is an issue for you then you may want to consider a short box and single wheel.

You can get both a 3.73 and 4.10 rear end ratios. My 99 Ram only had a 3.55 and it was not enough. My lats 2 have both had 4.10s and I like this ratio although the 3.73 would certainly do the job. I don't think my fuel economy has suffered much at all.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more info.
Chester is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 04:35 AM   #9
Chester
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Carlisle
Posts: 402
M.O.C. #908
I should have mentioned that my 01 Ram 2500 was a 6 speed manual and my 03 Ram 3500 is an automatic. While I prefer manual transmissions there were times when I cursed it in my 01. Times like backing into tight spots would certainly heat the clutch up. Times like sitting in traffic for 2 hours where my left leg started to look like Popeyes and times like when I was stopped at a traffic light on a steep uphill road. The auto has certainly worked out nicer for me in those same situations. Without the fiver these issues would not have been a big deal but with the additional weight of the fiver they were to me.
Chester is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 06:21 AM   #10
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
We have to be careful when we start comparing bed length with stability. I think what we're really saying is the longer the wheelbase the greater the stability. Bed length is just one factor. For example, my crew cab shortbox has a longer wheelbase than the standard cab longbox to the tune of being 19.2 inches longer wheelbase. The supercab longbox has a wheelbase longer than mine by 1.8 inches, which is insignificant. The only other model with longer wheelbase is the crewcab longbed. So when considering length for stability purposes, look at wheelbase, not bed length. Both bed length and cab configuration are factors. Just wanted to make sure there's no confusion about that.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 08:38 AM   #11
Chester
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Carlisle
Posts: 402
M.O.C. #908
You're right Steve, it is wheelbase that makes the difference. Bobby A is talking about Dodge and in the Dodge extended (quad) cab the long box has a longer wheelbase than a short box extended (quad) cab. The same would hold true if we were comparing a short box vs long box in the regular cab. Also true that an extended cab Dodge shortbox will have a longer wheelbase than a regular cab long box. Dodge does not have the 3 cab lengths as is offered with Ford.
Chester is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 10:35 AM   #12
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
Yes, Chester, it does get a little tricky. The only number I know to tell people to look at is wheelbase.

Bobby A, don't assume a 1 ton will ride harder than a 3/4 ton. We had a 1 ton truck prior to this one. I test drove both the 3/4 ton and 1 ton and couldn't tell a difference in ride. Neither was a dually so I'm not sure if that would affect the ride or not. We went 3/4 ton this time just because that was what the dealer had with all the amenities we wanted plus the new 3/4 ton Fords have higher ratings than last year's 1 ton so we actually stepped up in ratings capability for whatever that is worth. If a 1 ton is the only one that otherwise meets your needs, test drive it and see what you think about the ride. Good luck, let us know what you end up getting.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2004, 08:35 PM   #13
Montana Sky
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
I am towing the 3400RL with my Chevy 2500HD shortbed, Crewcab, 4x4 with the Duramax and Allison tranny. I have not had any trouble with this combo and would recommend it to anyone. I also am using the PullRite Superglide hitch and in my opinion is well worth the money hands down. I think which truck to buy is up to you. Both will tow the Montana without any problems. Make a day of it and go test drive the 2500 and the 3500 Ram and see what you think.
Montana Sky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2004, 02:25 AM   #14
kdeiss
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
Just be carefull when you are talking GM Chev/GMC their is a 3/4 Ton 2500 8,600 GVWR and a 2500 HD 9,200 GVWR and the 1 Ton 3500 11,400 GVWR.

The 2500 the largest motor you can get is the 6.0 the HD the 8.1 and the Duramax Diesel.
kdeiss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2004, 10:41 AM   #15
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by kdeiss

Just be carefull when you are talking GM Chev/GMC their is a 3/4 Ton 2500 8,600 GVWR and a 2500 HD 9,200 GVWR and the 1 Ton 3500 11,400 GVWR.

The 2500 the largest motor you can get is the 6.0 the HD the 8.1 and the Duramax Diesel.
Good point, Ken. My 3/4 ton Ford F250 has GVWR 10,000, GCWR 23,000, tow rating of 15,400. But then the 1 ton SRW Ford can get tow ratings to 19,200. So it's more important to look at the ratings and actuals rather than whether it's 3/4 ton or 1 ton.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
VW TDI vehicles tim43 Sitting around the Campfire 11 09-23-2015 06:04 PM
WAXING OUR VEHICLES jackel1959 Tow Vehicles & Towing 7 10-02-2013 01:03 AM
On Discussing Tow Vehicles stiles watson Tow Vehicles & Towing 61 06-15-2006 07:35 AM
Montana Tow Vehicles Cat320 Tow Vehicles & Towing 21 05-08-2006 09:48 AM
Tow Vehicles Montana_3197 Tow Vehicles & Towing 5 02-23-2005 03:33 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:21 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.