Compatibility of 2016 with our truck

[kgomez]

We are hoping to join your ranks with the purchase of a 2016 3711FL if we can get some answers with our dilemma.

This is complicated, but I'll try to explain it as best I can. We were all ready to purchase the RV, but the dealer with whom we were working said that he wouldn't install a hitch because he thinks our truck is not adequate to pull the 3711. Since then, we've asked other dealers, our local Ford dealership, and a friend in Oklahoma who does repairs on RVs. Other than the one dealer, everyone else says "no problem."

Our truck is a 2001 F350 Heavy Duty Short Bed, 4W drive, 7.3 Diesel V8. The Ford dealership told us that the GCWR (maximum allowable combined weight of trailer, vehicle, and cargo) is 20,000. The gentleman also commented that the truck is underrated and that it "can pull a house." The DW weight of the Montana is 12,945 lbs., and the hitch is 2,530, plus cargo.

We're having difficulty figuring all this out, so we're hoping some of you members are knowledgable about whether or not a truck and trailer are compatible. If the GCWR includes the weight of the truck, will we have problems? We have our hearts set on the 3711, but we want to be sure we can safely tow it. If anyone can help us, please respond. You could also respond directly to us at karenlee44@me.com.

Thank you from New Mexico!get
Andy and Karen Gomez

[TLightning]

Welcome to the MOC, you'll find lots of help here. One caution, there are people here pulling Montanas while exceeding both the GVWR and the GCWR of their trucks...they'll tell you everything is fine. The actual tow capacity of your truck is the GCWR of your truck minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow, including the hitch weight of the Montana. The pin weight of the Montana is what causes most trucks to be over weight...the truck's GVWR.

Study up on the definitions, find the weights (it's best to use the GVWR of the Montana and not the empty weight) and it's pretty easy to figure out.

Have fun.

[Razrbk]

Welcome from NW Arkansas and glad you've found this forum early in your process. There will be others more knowledgeable than I who will help you with question. Being new, I find the "search" function indispensable for researching....

[bethandkevin]

Tom said it all. It does sound like you COULD be over. In the end, it's a personal choice you have to be comfortable with. Welcome to the forum.

[Mr Pachu]

Quote: "The Ford dealership told us that the GCWR (maximum allowable combined weight of trailer, vehicle, and cargo) is 20,000." The Keystone website states that the dry weight of a 3710FL is 12,945 and the carrying capacity is 3,585. If you load 3,585 pounds of cargo in your trailer, then the maximum it could weigh is 16,530 (12,945 + 3,585). Therefore your truck would have to weigh (20,000 - 16,530) 3,470lbs which would include the weights of occupants, fuel, 5th wheel hitch, and everything else that you carry in your truck. Keystone website states the dry weight of 13,200 and carrying capacity of 3,590lbs for the 3711FL.

[kozzy]

Sounds to me like you will be over. I'm sure the truck will pull it but the question is will it be safe. The 2500 I just traded in had a GCWR of 23000 labs and with my rig I was well over so I upgraded TV to a diesel 3500. The newer trucks are def more capable and have higher ratings and strength than those made just 5 years ago. Good luck.

[dieselguy]

You really need to supply a bit more info as the majority of responders on the MOC on the weight subject are full timers or long timers and look at the answer to your question a bit differently. Are you a recreational camper or looking to full or long time? What tranny do you have? What gear ratio do you have? Do you have duals or a single rear wheel truck? Just looking at the 2001 towing guide page 7 http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...Guide-2001.pdf It looks like you have somewhere in the range of 13,000 to 13,600 lbs of trailer you can pull per the chart with an average loaded pickup. Don't be confused with the CCC or SCC ratings, that's not your truck. I'm a recreational camper and have never come close to the maximum loaded weight of any of my fivers. The front living room fiver you are looking at has near zero outside storage compared to most other fivers, so you may be hard pressed to load her up to anywhere near 16500#. If you are just a lake camper and pull maybe 2-3 hours to a nearby lake at best ... I'd say make your best deal. If you are or have plans to be a full or long timer you'd probably better listen to all the sirens, drums, and tambourines about weight here and find a different fiver or get a newer truck. 7.3's are low maintenance, dependable, every day brutes for their time ... think about it before you cast her aside. Yeah I know guys ... your newer trucks have near twice the umph ... that umph comes with a price of a multitude of electronics, emission crap, and higher taxes.

[Kimo]

The fully loaded Ford diesel will probably come in around 9000 pounds so that does leave you a little short. Although I have no doubt the 7.3 Ford can pull it, stopping on a steep grade my be where you will run into trouble. Better safe than sorry.

[1retired06]

Refreshing to hear about a dealer refusing to install a hitch because of tow capacity concerns.

[twindman]

I am thinking the problem is the GVWR (truck weight). I had a 2004 Silverado 2500. Max was 9200 lb. Loaded with gas and 2 people and hitch it was around 7200. Pin weight on a 2006 2980 was 2500, so I was over about 500. Your 3710 will probably have a pin weight of over 2800 or 2900 lb. So I would guess you will be over by 7-800.

[WeBeFulltime]

It's refreshing to see a dealer step up to the plate and be honest about towing ability. I once overheard a dealer at a RV show tell a couple they could tow a 22,000 Mobile Suites with their F-250!

[cw3jason]

My numbers would put you over. I have a 2014 Ford F350 with a 2015 3711FL. My GCWR is 23,500. My entire rig as weighed full for camping is 22,275. That number alone would put you over on your truck. My measured pin weight is 2,775 and I do not have the front window. The new ones are 500lbs heavier in the pin. My guess is you would be over on payload as well.

[mhs4771]

David, we knew a couple from Ontario who were pulling a Mobile Suite with a 2500 GM, but they finally wised up and got a Dually.

[bigskyjimmy]

Not only will you be over but as good as the 7.3 is I had to trade my 2004 3500 Duramax Dually because I was overweight AND even with 550 lbs of torque(more than your 7.3 505 lbs) I was struggling up the big grades ,these new Monty's are Heavy, Even with my 2007 Dually I am close to Maxed out But i think dieselguy is right on if you are just a vacationer going to the local campgrounds you will be fine but hauling that big Monty on long trips fulltiming etccc. NOPE

[Eagleback]

Most dealers will inspect your truck and have you sign a binder that states ether your truck with is current setup is ether ok to haul or not recommended to haul the particular unit you wish to buy. But i haven't ever seen them refuse a sale. its because you sign the document and that will relinquish them of all responsibility for the truck not being acceptable to haul your particular unit. I see this all the time. Like a Toyota tundra haling a 15000 pound 5th. wheel and the truck and unit are new. so you know the owner knows he is very much in the red for hauling but will take a chance.

[CWSWine]

I own the a 2016 Montana 3711FL and have had it on the scales lightly loaded for weekend camping trip and here are the numbers. We are towing it with a 2015 F350 SRW.

Here are my cat scales weights.

2015 F350 Truck not hooked to 5er
Steer Axles 4740
Rear Axles 3480
GVWR 11500
Payload 3744
RAWR 7000

Cat Sales
Steering Axles 4880
Rear Axles 6460
Trailer Axles 10980
Total 22320

Stats
Camper Weights 14,100
Truck with 5er hitched 11340
Pin Weight 3120
Pin Percentage 22.1

5er Dry weights
Pin Dry 2790
Total Dry 13200

Here is a link to the rest of the numbers:
http://www.towingplanner.com/ActualW...&w2da=3480&a=2

[Beau2010]

We started with a 2001 CTD 2500. Never had a problem pulling or stopping our Montana, which is smaller than the one you are looking at but still grossed around 22,000 with us, dogs, junk, etc. Just upgraded to a 3500 CTD dually and it made all the difference in the world. Your 2001 truck will likely pull and stop the rig OK but the new(er) trucks are such a big improvement, you will never look back once you try one.

[Dam Worker]

Andy my answer to your question is yes you could probably tow it safely. Can you tow it legally? No. Can you be close to legal while towing it? No. Like stated before both GCWR and GVW truck ratings are looking way under the legal rating. When you see a family of five large people get out of the average sedan you can probably guess that they were way over the legal rated GVW rating for that vehicle. Happens all the time in cars and trucks including over the road trucks. Most cars and RV's are not checked by law enforcement, big trucks are checked all the time. Overweight rigs are on the highways all the time and do just fine. Big problem is if you are involved in a serious wreck or checked by department of weights and measurements you could have legal problems. Your choice on what you want to do. I have a rig very similar to yours and I try to load it up so that I am under or close to the weight ratings of my truck. I plan on upgrading my TV when I will be on the road in more of a full time role. Not the best answer but a truthful one. If you choose to tow it with your rig there are items that you can install on your truck to at least help control the weight like exhaust brakes, air bags, shocks, sway bars etc. I hope this helps as ultimately the decision is yours. Lots of rigs can get the load moving but are not as good at getting the load stopped. Having disc brakes on the trailer also improves stopping. Good luck on your decision.

Tom Marty

[TLightning]

These threads are always full of "it pulls fine" comments. Any diesel, from any of the big three, will "pull any Montana" fine. The issue is weight...pin weight, GVWR and GCWR. Pulling is a non issue with any diesel (250/2500/350/3500 series) pickup.