Necessary Bed Length??

[Don Rigney]

Have recently acquired a 2006 Montana model 3675RL

Have a 2008 Silverado towing a 21ft travel trailer.

I've got to upgrade my truck and would like feedback from owners towing this model or similar regarding bed length.

Do I need a 8 foot bed? Can it be towed with a crew cab and shorter bed?

Appreciate any help. Don't have any original literature on the model.

[rohrmann]

Could that be a 3475RL? Keystone does not show a 3675RL, ever.

[Don Rigney]

Sorry, yes that correct. Model number is 3475RL. I was thinking of the length. Keystone gave me a copy of the original sales brochure on the model and it list the length as 36 ft 9 inches

[CORattler]

Based on my experience, a 8ft. bed is preferable but a short bed crew cab will work with a good slider hitch. I've had both towing my 34.5 ft. Montana. I would recommend a Pullrite Superglide if you decide to go the short bed route.
If you get a 8ft. bed, I'd recommend a B&W companion RVK3600 if your new TV has the puck hitch mounting system.

[BB_TX]

Good friend had a crew cab short bed Chevy pulling an older squared front SOB and knocked out his back window on a tight back in turn. Did not have a slider hitch. Later traded for a newer Montana with the contoured front corners and no more problem. But he was also much more careful on tight back in turns.

A slider, especially an auto slider, would eliminate any worry. But many people are completely happy with their short bed and no slider.

[rohrmann]

You can see the basic specs on the Keystone site, and for the 2006 models, this is the link. http://www.keystonerv.com/previous-y...tana&year=2006

[BB_TX]

Now that my brain has kicked in gear, I am thinking the 2006 and earlier Montanas did not have the contoured front corners. That may make a slider a requirement on a short bed.

[DQDick]

Having a slider is pretty cheap insurance when you get a look at a bill for a pickup back window. Particularly one with an electric window.

[Buckeye83]

I have a newer fifth wheel and 6.5' truck bed and we like our Superglide hitch. I replaced a manual Reese slider which I would not recommend. If you decide on Superglide you can look at Tweetys.com. They were the lowest delivered price I could find when I bought mine.

[Dam Worker]

I would suggest the eight foot bed because you stated you were going to upgrade your tow vehicle anyway. I myself feel it is a bit more stable than a shorter wheel base truck. I also like having a larger fuel tank and more storage in the bed. Obviously there are positives to the Shorter wheel base trucks also like parking and turning. After you decide on bed length you will have to decide SRW or dually which opens up another discussion.

Tom Marty

[Don Rigney]

Thank you all for the replies and good advice. 5th Wheel is in Mississippi, I'm in Montana. Don't want to buy something here and get there only to find out it won't work.

[Loneoak]

I was always told that the cut-off for a slider hitch is 6.5'. So Ford makes a 6.75'. Pretty smart.

Our daughter pulls an SOB with an F150 with a 5.5' box. She has a Pullrite. She got it used from a family member for a great price, but new they are very expensive. She already had the truck in that length because she had been pulling a travel trailer and did not need the extra truck. She can still touch her cab with the fifth wheel if she is not careful.

Our Monty is our third fifth wheel and the F250 is our second truck. Both trucks have 8' beds. It just makes a lot of sense - no need for an expensive hitch, and look at all that extra storage space in the truck!

The only downer is parking the thing as it has a crew cab. I just go to the back of the parking lot when I go shopping and take several parking spots. Turning it around can be a pain sometimes too as it has a longer wheelbase, and therefore a wider turning circle. But we make do. It's a compromise.

I am also of the understanding that if you want to have an 8' bed, it has to be a 3/4 ton truck or bigger, as they don't make half tons with 8' beds any more. If you are pulling something as large as a Monty, you probably want 3/4 ton or bigger.

[richfaa]

The difference in price between the 6,5 and 8ft bed is not all that much. You do not NEED a 8 ft bed but you will not be sorry you have one.

[h2ojocky]

I have a 2005 2955RL and a SB Duramax. I need the slider because the front of my trailer is the old squared off, not radius corners. I bought a used Superglide and could not be happier. You will hear many opinions on short bed vs long bed and also single rear wheel vs dual rear wheel. As long as you are within weight specs get whatever works best for you.

[Slufoot733]

Don, it all boils down to personal preference. I have a 2016 short bed F350 and pull a 2010 Monty with the contoured front. My last truck was a 2008 F350 short bed with a Reese slider which I rarely used. This new truck does not have a slider. But I am always conscious on the fact that I must pay close attention when in tight situations.
This works best for us. IF I were traveling all over the country, spending more than 50% of my time on the road, I might have opted for the long bed crew cab truck for the extra wheel base and ride comfort. But a short bed truck will work just fine, especially if your trailer has the contoured front. If it's square then you'll have to be very careful
Best of luck.

[prndl]

Your "new" 3475RL has a dry weight of 11035# and can carry 3115# which puts you over 14000 GVCW. You do need a new truck I believe this weight is over your rating.

I have a short bed crew cab with a pullright slider. Love it even though I have the curved front on my Monty. Another option is a Reese Revolution which you might like as it puts the bendable part of the hitch nearer the rear bumper more like the travel trailer ball for backing and making turns. It also allows full use of your bed without leaving an area clear for the moving pullright hitch.

A long bed crew cab will have a wheelbase that will be difficult to navigate in trees and cramped campgrounds.

[cpaulsen]

Short bed Ford here with a Pullrite Superglide........works for me.

[beeje]

Just my opinon. but why on earth would anyone want 3/4 of a truck bed. To me they are worthless. You cant get a sheet of plywood of drywall in it with the tail gate up and cause all kinds of issues with towing a fifth wheel. The difference in length is only 1.5 to 2 foot. I drive a cc lb dually and have no problems parking it. You just have to be more selective at where you park it.

[prndl]

Originally Posted by beeje

Just my opinon... cause all kinds of issues with towing a fifth wheel.

What are those issues?

[Loneoak]

Originally Posted by prndl

What are those issues?

I thing he or she means the necessity for a sliding hitch and the possibility of doing damage to the cab.

I agree about the space issue. We love our 8 foot box. Another issue with a sliding hitch is that it weighs more than a conventional hitch and is usually too heavy to remove easily for moving other stuff, like plywood or whatever.

We moved a pool table with our 8 foot box once.