Tow Vehicle for a 2008 3400RL

[muddflapp]

We just bought a 2008 3400RL and will have it delivered to our property in Washington State. We don't need a tow vehicle right away. I know you all have an opinion out there and I am willing to hear them all. What tow vehicle do you all recomend that I look at. I am really thinking of going used. Somewhere between 2004-2006. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[bncinwv]

Dodge owners will say Dodge, Ford owners will say Ford, Chevy owners will say Chevy, etc. etc. Research will show that all will pull it fine. Check the weights and make an informed, educated decision that you feel comfortable with (3/4 vs 1T, SRW vs DRW, diesel vs gas, etc.) I researched all when I decided and feel comfortable with my choice, but your personal decision, your personal choice and your personal purchase is all that matters!!!
Bingo
(PS - You will get various opinions and various advice on what is always a contentious question. Good Luck)

[Fire5er]

We just love our truck and trailer (see Sig.).

[bsmeaton]

Welcome to the Forum Muddflapp!

Your 3400 will have a gross weight of around 15,500. Realistic pin weights will be 2,500 to 2,800 depending on how much you load up front.

Perfect opportunity to get a truck that will actually pull that rig within specs, regardless of the badge on the grille.

[muddflapp]

Montana's literature says that its redesigned cap, increases turning radious by 30% even with a short bed pickup truck. Does this mean that it also elimintates the use of a sliding hitch or do I still need to invest in a sliding hitch if I go with a short bed pickup truck?

[bsmeaton]

Muddflapp - It would be best to plan on a sliding hitch (manual or automatic) with a shortbed truck. Even though the front cap was redesigned, the forward frame was also redesigned and the pin is much closer to the front bulkhead than it used to be.

Each truck is a little different. The 3400 will DEFINATELY hit our 2006 SB Ford cab if I don't slide it back.

[Bill and Lisa]

The devil is in the details.....Montana doesn't claim you can't hit your cab in a short bed truck with the new front end....It says the turning radius is increased by 30%. Restated in less glamorous terms, you can turn 30% (not degrees) further than earlier models before you hit your cab. It can still happen. If you don't want to have to worry about it and watch like a paranoid lunatic all the time get the slider....Just my humble opinion from a guy with a short bed who wished he had got a slider. It only cost $250 to repair my cap the only time I have turned too far (so far). (Due to the frame for my wind deflector my first point of contact is between the frame of the deflector and the front of the cap above the rounded corners. I have heard rear windows on the trucks are more expensive than $250 to replace.)

Bill

[bsmeaton]

Bill -

you're right - let me add on to what you are saying - What the new design has done for me is I now have a little bit more room to turn, but now when the trailer does hit the truck it will hit the cab instead of the window.

[bigred715]

OK! This is just my opinion,but if you are going to go heavy on your loading go to a dually in a Chevy. A Ford F-350 SRW has 11400#GVW like Brad has and can do it. Chevy is light on the 3500 SRW, but a lot of people tow with a 2500HD Chevy and do fine other than being over their numbers if that means anything. Dodge, I don't know, probably good to go with a 3500 there too. Remember, this is my opinion only. I'll still get flamed anyway.

[sreigle]

Well, I don't think you'll reach the 15,500 mark. We are very, very heavily loaded and we gross at 14,620. I'd guess is you are not fulltiming you'll be closer to 13,500 to 14,000.

All three manufacturers make trucks that will do a good job for you. All three diesels are excellent towers. On the gas side, the Ford V10 is excellent. I understand the GM 8.1L is also good but I don't think it's available in the newest models. Likewise for the Dodge V10.

Dually or single rear wheel is your preference. With a single rear wheel you'll likely be over the payload and GVWR of the truck. Most of us towing with single rear wheel are. Some of the new Ford single rear F350's have a higher GVWR and those might not be over the rating. Many of us are over on GVWR and payload and have had no problems. Some of us don't want a dually for one reason or another. Others would have nothing else. Your call.

1 ton or 3/4 ton also depends on you. If you don't already have a truck, I'd recommend the one ton simply because the price differential is almost nothing and for that you get the higher ratings. If you already have a 3/4 ton or you decide to buy the 3/4 ton you may find you have some sag in the rear when the pin is dropped onto the hitch. Airbags will correct the stance but doesn't change the ratings. It only changes the capability to handle the weight without sagging.

In addition to the overall truck ratings such as GVWR, Tow, and GCWR, take a look at axle and tire ratings.

We have towed Montanas with both gas and diesel trucks, with 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks. The 3/4 ton was a 2005 Ford with ratings higher than most older single rear wheel one tons, though. And with Ford and Dodge. Both do an excellent job and I'm sure the GM's do as well.

I suggest you recognize all three can do a good job and try them all, then buy the one that best fits your other needs, knowing all three brands can do the job. This is the approach we took back in June. We drove the single rear wheel one ton models for all three majors, then made up our minds.

[richfaa]

Steve R gives a really good dissertation on choosing a tow vehicle. It takes some serious thinking on the buyers part to come up with a TV that will best serve your needs. We purchased the biggest truck we could afford , sans the diesel, because at the time we had not yet decided on the camper and wanted to stay in manufacturers specs no matter what camper we decided on and were not yet long timing(the Ford 6.0L diesel was also a negative factor.). The CC,LB, Dually is a pain to drive around and I really would like the short bed SWD ,,but..our next truck will be a CC,LB Dually, Diesel because our needs in a TV have changed.

[rames14]

The right decision is the one that suits your needs. For example, I also use my truck for towing a boat and hunting. The Dually would be a problem in many places I go. I also require 4X4. I can't afford two trucks, so we went with the 3/4 ton Silverado D/A. The next one will be a 3500 Silverado D/A. As Steve said, there is little difference in price, but more pin weight capability. Also, I found out later that the sales tax is less on a one-ton in Illinois. Not sure if that is the same in Wisconsin, where we live now.

[muddflapp]

Thanks for all your input! I bought a 2005 Ford F350 crew cab with a long bed diesel truck yesterday. It has the tow command, leather captain seats, adjustable pedals, rear backing sensor, DVD player and alot more. It also has an edge diesel chip in it. I will get a picture and post it as soon as my rig is delivered in the middle of Sept. Now I need to do some hitch research... There is always something that you need to learn about when you start to go full time, isn't there?

[Mudchief]

Congratulation on your truck.

[sailer]

Now go and look at pullrite or airborn hitch as you can make a u turn on the highway and never worry we have the pullrite but am looking at more air control for the 6 weeks we are out

[littledogs]

We hope to sell out and go fulltime in about a year. We plan on getting the Montana 3500RL. My husband insists we need an F550. Is this overkill or just good sense?

[Eagle Man]

A dual rear wheel 350/3500 would work fine, but there is no such thing as "too much truck" or "overkill."

You want an F550, get it, be a great pulling machine.

[bsmeaton]

I tried that with my wife too littledogs - she told me I could pull it with a rope and harness if I didn't change my attitude!

[c5racer]

Think he wants the F-550 so he can get a Cummins with the Allison transmission.

[littledogs]

I guess I'll trust him. Like you said, "no such thing as too much truck". He's been a good boy so he deserves a nice toy. I'm the one who picked the 5th so it's only fair. LOL