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Old 07-26-2004, 10:43 AM   #1
Montana_1878
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Trailering Question

I am considering purchasing a Mountaineer 315RLS travel trailer. I have been to our local dealer a couple time each I have fallen more in love the layout this model offers. My only hestitation is be able to pull it. The salesman that I have been working with assures me that my Chey 1/2ton 4x4 with 3:73 rear end will be adequate to pull it. I am just wondering if he is just feeding me a line or is he being truthful??? Any advice or ideas about ths situation would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks!!!
 
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Old 07-26-2004, 11:30 AM   #2
Montana_1152
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Ufgators5,

You did not mention what year your tow vehicle is, but at a glance, I'd say the 315RLS is too much trailer for your vehicle. The 315RLS has a GVWR of 9900 pounds and an unladen weight of 7510.

According to the 2004 Trailerlife tow ratings, the best the 1500 series Chevy truck 4X4 can conventionally tow with 3:73 gears is 8,200 pounds. Different years have slightly different tow ratings.

Check out your vehicle year's tow rating for conventional trailering at: http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175 and see what your options are. Exceeding the limits is very hard on the drivetrain and especially hard on the brakes. Exceeding the limits on a conventional trailer/tow vehicle combo can be a severe safety concern. Hope it helps.
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Old 07-26-2004, 09:44 PM   #3
Montana Sky
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Ufgators5,
Now I am not going to tell you what to do, but am going to let you know exactly what happened when I had the exact set up you are talking about. I had a 2002 Mountaineer 315RLS towed by a 2002 Chevy 1/2 ton ext. cab 4x4 with the 3:73 rear end. Yes this truck will tow, but it is a hard and I do mean hard pull for this truck. I did end up blowing out the rear end and the tranny on my truck towing the TT home from the lake the first year. My truck only had 14,000 miles on it, but that 315RLS is heavier than I thought it was. When I got that truck back from being repaired I took it down and traded it in on a 2003 Duramax Diesel. Had no problems the summer of 2003 towing that trailer. I have since then "upsized" to the 3400RLS fifth wheel and lost my 03 Duramax to an accident. Bought the 04 and have had no trouble towing almost 13,400lbs now. If you are talking about towing this TT less than 5 times a year, you would probably be ok doing so. If you are going to use it more than that, I would really think about upsizing your truck first. My 1/2 ton just worked to darn hard on the mountains up here in the pacific northwest. Again, just my past experience with the set up you are thinking about.
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Old 07-26-2004, 11:14 PM   #4
Montana_1691
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I was pulling a 7000# (gross wt.) TT with a Z-71 Suburban. Although it did OK on flat land it was murder in hills or slight grade. I now pull a 13000# 5th with a PSD. NO COMPARISON! Gas vs. Diesel, apple vs. orange. I don't care what the manufacturer or the TT salesman says it will tow. In my experience and humble opinion, gasser limits are overrated and diesel limits are underrated. I've been this route also before as I'm sure others on this board have. It cost's much less to do it right the first time. Trust me, buy yourself a TRUCK. And yes, I'm glad my president is from Texas!!!
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Old 07-26-2004, 11:14 PM   #5
Montana_655
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ufgators5

I am considering purchasing a Mountaineer 315RLS travel trailer. I have been to our local dealer a couple time each I have fallen more in love the layout this model offers. My only hestitation is be able to pull it. The salesman that I have been working with assures me that my Chey 1/2ton 4x4 with 3:73 rear end will be adequate to pull it. I am just wondering if he is just feeding me a line or is he being truthful??? Any advice or ideas about ths situation would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks!!!
We found this trailer and fell in love with it for the same reasons and then ordered our van to tow it. Although the 1/2 ton would have done it, it wasthe rear gear ratio that made the difference so we went with a 1 ton and 4.10 rear. If you use www.chey.com you can get the real specs for what the tow capacity is if there is a comparable current model.
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Old 07-27-2004, 10:50 AM   #6
kdeiss
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You need to think about more than just power. Their is suspension,frame.cooling drive train and Brakes all upgraded with a 3/4 - 3/4 HD or 1 ton.
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Old 07-27-2004, 11:23 AM   #7
Montana_1878
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I just wanted to thank all of you for you input on this. Now its just a matter of trading trucks because we are totally sold on Montana products especailly Mountaineer travel trailers. Once again for yor input!!!!
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Old 07-27-2004, 01:16 PM   #8
Montana_593
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ufgators5

As you can tell by my sig I think you are making an excellent tt choice. I had a 1/2 ton burb when I ordered the tt and traded up to the 3/4 ton tv in my sig for delivery. My salesman told me from the start that it was just too much trailer for the burb. The new tv tows the Mountaineer no problem. Be sure to get good sway control as the actual length of the 315RLS is over 33'. Good Luck and I know you will enjoy your new tt.
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Old 07-28-2004, 01:11 AM   #9
Montana_31
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If the salesman is telling you that your 1/2 ton was enought truck, what else is he telling you that isn't true? Go with the Montana, but a different dealer and tell the previous dealer why you are not buying from him.
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