Trip Report

[topjustice]

Just arrived back home in North Idaho last week after a 4,000 mile round trip to Elkhart, Indiana to pick up our new 2019 Montana 3791RD. Here's how things went:

Arrived at the dealer early in the morning and did our PDI. We found a few minor issues which were taken care of by the dealer. Only problems we found were some hanging wires in one of the rear compartments which were tied and secured. Some rust and dirt on the suspension, which was removed and repainted. The glass cover on the stereo unit was scratched and promptly replaced. The entry door was too hard to close without excessive force, so it was adjusted properly. The ceiling in the bathroom was stained (not from leaky roof), and promptly replaced.

During the PDI I asked a couple of questions that came up on this forum in the past. Regarding the residential refer, I asked about the ice maker shutoff valves. As most of us already knew, one is under the kitchen sink. The second one is located at the very bottom of the pantry at the back (at least on the 3790RD/3791RD models). I also asked about how to totally shut down the refer without turning off the breaker. As some have mentioned, you can turn off the refer itself by the refer buttons but the light stays on if you leave the doors open while in storage. I asked where it is plugged in and was told the outlet is behind the refer. That's not the end of the story. To my surprise, while they were working on the PDI issues and without me asking, they pulled the refer out and transferred the outlet into the panty where the ice maker shutoff is located. Now all I have to do is unplug the refer from the bottom of the pantry when it's time to winterize. A good example of a dealer going above and beyond.

Another question I asked during the PDI was if I could borrow a ladder so I could install the observation camera that I brought with me. Again, without asking and during the repairs they installed the camera and tested it much to my surprise. Not much work but truly a nice gesture on their part.

We spent two days and two nights at the dealer checking things out.

NEW B&W COMPANION HITCH FOR FORD FACTORY SYSTEM
Before leaving home I changed my Reese Elite 18K hitch for a new B&W Companion hitch. For those Ford owners with the higher bed rails (2017 and 2018 models), the best setting is the middle setting on the hitch. At the dealer I was on a level concrete pad and with this setting both the truck and trailer were level with almost 9 inches clearance.

After staying at the dealer for two nights we moved over to the Elkhart Campground for one night. We then hit the road stopping by Custer Gulch campground in South Dakota for three nights and a couple of Walmarts for overnight rests.

SRW vs DRW
No, I am not trying to open a can of worms. Just saying ...... Like many on this forum I was convinced that the SRW, which I had earlier this year, would be fine for this trailer. After all I previously had a 39 ft. Alpine that I towed with my 2015 Ford F350 SRW just fine. The engine is the same as the new Fords. I stuck to my position for most of last year until I did the math and yes, towing the new trailer would be no problem but I would have to always be conscious of how I loaded it, including carrying water. My SRW door sticker weight allowance was only 3,140 lbs. The empty pin weight on the 3791RD is 2,835 lbs., not including the 155 lb. hitch, 70 lb. bed cover, two batteries, two full propane tanks, passengers and dog, tools, full tank of diesel, and whatever I put in the trailer. The difference between 3,140 allowance and 2,835 pin weight is only 305 lbs. I finally bit the bullet and bought a 2017 F350 dually before heading to Indiana. Personally I wouldn't have it any other way. As many have concluded, it's purely personal but for me it's just one less thing I have to be concerned about. The ride with the dually is comfortable and stable (as best it can be with the stiff suspension). I couldn't believe how horrible the major highways are in the Midwest, including the Indiana toll road. Total disrepair and beyond acceptable.

The Monty is now resting at our other 10 acre view property on a full service pad where we can spend weekends getting away from the busy town we live in.


P.S. After posting I saw a discussion about satellite issues, so I am adding what I learned while in Elkhart. I talked directly with the factory rep that covers mostly from the Midwest to the west coast about this issue. Regarding the splitter switches that they install at the factory, they are basically generic. Reason being that the major satellite companies like Direct TV and Dish have proprietary switches and the factory cannot predetermine what to install. Also, the other main reason that most people have issues is the lengths of cables in the trailer combined with the carry out antenna cables will exceed the recommended total length to receive a proper signal. I proved that myself in Custer because I was lucky enough to be facing south on the side of the trailer where the convenience center is. I used a three foot cable from the satellite connection to the antenna and it worked great. When I used a 25 foot cable it didn't. So I guess the options are to rewire the inside cables; use very short outside cables if possible or go through the window.