Need help choosing a TV

[Ricpin]

My wife and I are about to become frist time RV'ers. We are looking at a Montana 3750 FL. My question is does anyone have one and what do I need for a TV. Will I need a SRW or DWR, I know I'll need a One ton truck. I'm sure this will be the frist of many questions we will have. Thanks in advance for your help.

[jfaberna]

I've learned from reading this forum for a year that this is a sensitive subject with some passionate people discussing it. So I will try to give you my thought process. When I bought my 2014 3402RL, similar in weight to your Monty, I knew little, so I asked all the commercial truck experts at the 3 big truck type dealers. All said the same thing. Go by the weight specs and towing specs of the truck and trailer making sure to account for all the extras you add to the truck and trailer. For me that meant I had to have a DRW 3500/350 class of TV. To be safe I used the figures of 16,000lb GVW for the Monty and 25% pin weight assume a fully loaded trailer to spec. That's 4000lb pin weight. That plus full fuel tanks and 2 overweight occupants formed the basis of my calculations. All the truck websites have the towing spec tables.

It's not about being able to pull it, it's being able to stop it in an emergency.

[1retired06]

One Ton dually from whichever manufacturer you like. We prefer a long bed with 4X4.

[H. John Kohl]

Jim gave you the best advice. Single or Dual is your choice for different reasons. I tow dually.
Good luck and safe travels.

[Slufoot733]

Always remember, if you get a TV that's NOT up to the job you not only wasted your money, you are risking you safety and that of others on the road. Get a TV that can handle a rig bigger than the one you are looking to buy. Dual rear wheels are preferred for these bigger trailers but a single rear wheel TV will do the job very well. Best of luck to you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Tom S.]

The first thing you need to do is determine the pin weight on the trailer. Note that pin weights given by manufacturers are dry (empty) weight and when you add things to trailer, you usually add weight to the pin. For example, dry weight on our 3625 is 2,270 but the real weight loaded is 2925. Ask some of the folks here if they have had their 3750's weighed to see what the actual pin weight is. Once you determine that, add in whatever additional gear you will be hauling, including you, your spouse and any others who will be going with you. Yes, it's a pita to do this, but if you want to be safe and be within the weight limits of the tow vehicle, it's necessary.

Now, go online and get the weight ratings of the tow vehicle brands you are looking at. Do not assume that a one ton crew cab Ram will be the same as a one ton crew cab Chevy, because it won't. Also, you will notice that weight ratings change per the truck configuration - a 2 wheel drive extended cab short bed will handle more weight than a 4 wheel drive long bed crew cab from the same manufacturer. Again, it's a pita, but necessary.

Now that you know each brand's model configuration that will handle your weight requirements, go look at and drive each model. After driving each one, pick the one you like best and order it. Although I have bought my share of trucks off the lot, they never matched exactly what equipment I wanted or color - there was always a trade off somewhere. Ordering the vehicle will get you the exact truck you want.

Note: even though I'm a former GM employee and would indirectly benefit from your purchase, I remain neutral. While I believe the GM product is the best, it boils down to a matter of preference as each company's truck will perform as advertised, and I would rather see you get what you want, not what someone else says you should buy based on personal opinions. If one brand was head and shoulders above the other, that would be a different matter, but in truth, any of the big 3 will get the job done.

[DarMar]

We are on our 2nd dually and we will admit that getting around with it at times can be a real pita but when towing the Monty it pulls and handles like a dream.

Four wheel drive for us is a must also as our lifestyle deems we are at times in snow, mud and even sand. Without it leaves you slip sliding around everywhere as traction can be quite the problem in these conditions, especially when unloaded.

[PackerFan]

Everyone here has given you some very good advice and information. I have the 1 ton but went with the single rear wheel due to being easier to maneuver and park when you are not hauling the 5th wheel. There are many pros & cons to the big "Dual or Single" rear wheel discussion. Sometimes it just comes down to do you like the color of the truck? Good Luck!

[BB_TX]

The new Montanas empty pin weights range from a high of 2,910 to a low of 2,270. Fortunately for you, the 3750RL is the low end at 2,270. That allows you a little more flexibility on choice of SRW vs DRW. New trucks have far more payload capacity than they did just a few years ago. But the payload capacity of any given brand can vary several hundred pounds based on cab style, bed, 4x2 vs 4x4, tires, and other details. Just check the ratings of the trucks you are interested in, SRW and DRW, and see which ones will fit your needs.

As far as the brand, the one you like best. They are all so close on performance, price, style, and bells and whistles now that personal preference is the only thing that really matters.

[JandC]

Welcome Ricpin, you have come to the right forum. Can't really add to what has been said. I am sure there will be several with your exact model that will chime in. You have already gotten some pretty good direction.

I unfortunately had to purchase my truck a year prior to getting my first Montana. Needed truck for work and due to tax considerations couldn't wait. I did much research on the main 3 makes of 1-ton. I felt they were pretty evenly matched. For me one of the final deciding factors was I thought the F350 had more comfortable seats. I am happy with my choice after 47,000 miles and almost 2 years of full timing. No issues, but I am maxed out on weights with a SRW.

[bigskyjimmy]

I agree with all the folks and do not mess around just get a 1 ton no matter what brand and I agree with Darmar Dually's tow like a dream but are a PITA for my wife to drive around town for sure that got BIG BUTTS and I cannot lie

[NCFischers]

I wouldn't tow with anything but a dually but that is my preference. I feel that the stability is better with duals. As others have said, it's not the towing but the stopping. We had a '03 Chevy and traded last year for a '13 Ford. Any one of the big three will do the job. It's a matter of taste. Good luck.

[drsmart]

We towed our Monty for 3 years with a SRW '04 Ram 3500. Pin weight on ours is about 2500 lbs. Rear wheel axle weight rating was on the line. Our TV is our daily driver so we didn't want to go dually. We recently upgraded to a 2014 Ram. The payload on the SRW has increased by 1600 lbs over the '04. My guess is the new SRW has about the same or higher capacity than an '04 dually. The tow rating is 17,000 lbs with our truck configuration. Our new TV has more than enough in payload and tow ratings to handle the Monty safely.

Dave

[mlh]

I agree a DRW. If you won't some interesting reading Google tow limits, and SAE J 2807. J2807 is the new SAE tow standards that soon everybody will be using. Look at it close you will find the DRW trucks are held to a lower standard.
Lynwood

[bigred715]

DRW, 4x4, 8'bed, crew cab in my opinion for your trailer is the best bet. See what the other members are using for this size trailer, and you can also add extra big fuel tank and it can handle the weight. Stability is another reason given by members with the dually.

[commish]

We found a long time ago that you can not have too much truck.
Our first set up was a 1964 sixteen foot Chinook TT and we pulled it with a 1962 Chevy SW. That was back in 1968 and we have come a long way. Our first 5er was a 26' SOB pulled by a 02 Chev HD2500.
One thing about a two ton TV is the wife dosn't ask to drive it to bingo or yoga.
If you need your TV for everyday use than choose accordingly.
Our 3295RK has a 2300 lb pin with a loaded gross of aprox. 14,300. You will appreciate the DRW when you start being pushed around by 30mph side winds while on a bridge. White knuckle driveing is no fun when your camping.
Drive safe and look at all the trucks you can and choose the best for your needs.

[Ricpin]

Thank you for all the help. Looks like a trip to the dealer is in order. I like the idea of a SRW but will test drive both.

[mhs4771]

I'll toss this out: Our brand of SOB runs a little heavier than Montana, but not a lot, 16,500. A few of the members on that SOB Forum had nearly new 350/3500 SRW TV's (like 6 month to 1 year old) and either after the trip home from the Dealer or after their first several trips, traded those SRWs for TVs with Training Wheels.
Our Dually is our only vehicle and we drive it everywhere, granted we can't use most parking garages, but we manage.

[brenkco]

Michelle & Ann,
Yup, that would be me. I got on a CAT scale on the way from Tucson to Phoenix and I was about 1200 lbs over the GVWR of my 2012 F350 SRW. Although the F350 DRW would have done the job, I went with an F450 for the shorter turning radius (9 1/2'), lower cab height (smaller tires) and actually a softer ride.

Ken

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

I'll toss this out: Our brand of SOB runs a little heavier than Montana, but not a lot, 16,500. A few of the members on that SOB Forum had nearly new 350/3500 SRW TV's (like 6 month to 1 year old) and either after the trip home from the Dealer or after their first several trips, traded those SRWs for TVs with Training Wheels.
Our Dually is our only vehicle and we drive it everywhere, granted we can't use most parking garages, but we manage.

There are other problem places like some drive through places. We have a credit union that has a drive through ATM that is hard to get through with a SRW. We also have a Taco Bell that you'll climb a curb trying to make one of the corners. I've also run into some parking lots with limited space where the truck is on the line on both sides. The last place that comes to mind is auto car washes. I haven't found one yet that can take a dually.

Nevertheless, those are minor items if the weight of your rig requires the added capacity of the dually.