Getting Ready for a 3500rl

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by rlwhit

It is strange how us folks that tow heavy 5th wheels will agree or not agree as to 2wd or 4wd. My TV has so much torgue that I can not back up the Montana to it's parking spot on my gravel diveway without spinging tires unless I am 4WD. Also we have snow in the winter. Maybe next year we will be south when it snows. When we came home last Friday it was cold and snowed last night. 4WD drive is a must. Just decide what you need.

Well now that is enough justification to HAVE 4 wheel drive, cheaper than paving the driveway and if you drive it in snow that is another justification see.. so for you it was the right choice.. We have the luxury of looking out the window and if there is enough snow to warrent 4 wheel drive...we are staying in. Someone else has to back UPHILL in their driveway another justification four 4 wheel drive.

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by bigbob7777

... My unit with the splendide 2100 w/d and loaded (not overloaded) with our fulltime "stuff", weighs exactly - and I do mean exactly - 21000 lbs. No water in the fresh tank though, so you may need to add some lbs if you plan to carry some. If you get the 4 x 4 with the 3.73 gears, you will be overweight.

Bob, I have a question. You must be talking about 21,000 # total weight with your pickup and Montana, right? Not the Montana by itself, fully loaded?

[bigbob7777]

Sorry for the late reply.

Yes, truck and camper = 21000#.

[sreigle]

I guess I'll weigh in again. As for shortbox, it's really not a problem if you have a slider hitch. We have the slider and have had for 11 years. We've used the slider exactly four times. The nose on the Montana is curved, giving us a considerably shorter turn radius than those rigs with a straight nose. The shortbox fits our everyday needs better and we don't consider it a problem. It CAN be a problem, however, if you turn too tight without using the slider so that does have to be considered. A long box eliminates that problem. This is a tradeoff and for us a shortbox works best.

4wd works best for us, also, primarily because we spend Nov/Dec in snow and ice country. With my older 2wd trucks I put sand bags in the bed for traction. With the four wheel drive I've never had to do that. It handles snow and ice very well. And the 4x4 has pulled us out of some places we'd have been calling for help otherwise. But the 4x2 will work just fine for those who have no non-towing needs for 4x4.

As for one ton. That depends on the ratings for the truck. My 2003 Ford F350 one-ton was rated for 20,000 GCWR and 14,200 fifthwheel towing GVWR of 9900. This 2005 Ford F250 3/4 ton has HIGHER ratings than did our 2003 one-ton. This one is rated at 23,000 GCWR and 15,400 fifthwheel towing, GVWR of 10,000. All more than our 1 ton had. So in this case this 3/4 ton is very capable with ratings above or comparable to other mfr's one tons. It has the new frame, same construction and material as the F550. Same with the new front suspension (4x4 only). And much larger brakes than our 2003 one ton had. But don't forget about payload, which affects how much pinweight you can carry. With the Ford 3/4 ton I'd recommend getting the Camper Package, the one for use with a slidein camper. That gives you the same extra leaf on the springs and the rear stabilizer bar, upping the payload. I think the result is the same payload as the one-ton but I'd have to go find the numbers to confirm that. In any case it gives you plenty.

The days of just saying 1 ton is better than 3/4 ton are gone. You have to compare numbers.

On a CAT scale with full fresh water, full tank of diesel, full toolbox and hitch in the truck, both of us in the truck, our total GCW is 22,920. The Montana is 14,360.