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Old 05-08-2006, 01:09 PM   #1
Montana_5764
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What to do? 344 RET Montana Mountaineer

Hello, just joined your forum. My wife and I just purchased our new and first 5th wheel a 344ret Mountaineer. My wife won a car from survivor island so it made a great down on a new 06 Fifth wheel.

Is there a problem?

We have a 06 Dodge Mega Cab with the Cummins Turbo Dielel. When I bougt the FW I told hime what TV I had and he said it would not be a problem. ( Note the salesman came highly reccomended) Anyway....What is going to happen when I pick i up tomorrow will I be ok...a little nervous.........
THANKS
AARON
 
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Old 05-08-2006, 02:33 PM   #2
Ishler
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Aaron
Nothing to worry about, your truck should be fine.
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Old 05-08-2006, 02:43 PM   #3
Montana Sky
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Aaron,
First of all Welcome to the MOC. We are sure glad to have you join us. The biggest thing you really need to look out for is the MEGA CAB HAS THE SHORTEST BED ON THE ROAD!!! Be sure to have a sliding hitch installed in your truck, in my opinion you are going to need it. As far as the diesel goes, should do a nice job towing your new coach. Congrats on the new rv!
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Old 05-08-2006, 04:06 PM   #4
rickety
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Aaron, welcome to MOC. this is the greatest group of people you will ever interact with. Montana Sky is right, make sure you get a sliding hitch, with the short bed you don't want to put a window out on the pickup or mess up the front cap on that beautiful new trailer!
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Old 05-08-2006, 04:24 PM   #5
richfaa
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You have plenty of truck and a really nice Camper..Welcome to the group and take heed about the slider Hitch.Don't hook up without it and do not let any camper salesman tell you you don't need one.
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Old 05-08-2006, 08:46 PM   #6
Garin1
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Welcome aboard,,, plenty of truck,,, get the slider
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Old 05-09-2006, 03:25 AM   #7
Kathi
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Welcome to the MOC. Again, can't say it enough, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SLIDER HITCH. Reason, when you turn that front cap comes real close to the back window on a long bed. So with a short bed you will be kissing the window without that hitch. We were going to get that truck until they told Paul it didn't come with a long bed. That was that. We just like the long bed better. They did tell us they were coming out with a long bed but haven't seen it yet.
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Old 05-09-2006, 04:36 AM   #8
Montana_5764
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Thank you all for your imput and information. They included a 16k double rocker slider hitch.
Thank you and we are leaving now to go pick it up!
I will take some photos and put them on the site as soon as I can!
Thanks
AARON
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Old 05-09-2006, 05:07 AM   #9
Montana Sky
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Aaron,
We cant wait to see your pictures of the new coach and truck. Enjoy!
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Old 05-09-2006, 05:59 AM   #10
stiles watson
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Welcome and happy RVing in you new pull toy.
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Old 05-10-2006, 06:36 AM   #11
Montana_5764
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Hello every one! Well we did it! We hauled home our new 06 Montana Mountaineer 344RET from Medford Oregon. All I can say is that there is a night and day differnce in pulling a travel trailer than a 5th wheel that is twice the weight! The fifth wheel hands down towes as if it is not even there. Out side of feeling the added weight, the ride and tracking of a fifth wheel is out standing!
My wife expecialy loves the home like feel of the 344RET and as all of you know when our wifes are happy so are we! Thanks to all the wifes out there that make our lifes complete! (anyway)
When towing the fifth wheel I dont feel like I have the tail wagging the dog. The only thing I notice is that with the short bed I must allways be aware of the possibility of hitting the cab even when slid back! I can get so close to 90 degrees when in slide mode it may even make it,...around 3 inches of clearance! Maybe I will just have Rebecca (my wife and love) watch as we take it to the limit to see what it will do.
As far as power of the CTD...no problems there...plenty of peddle to spare so far....but somone told me that it would not hurt to get a tubo exahaust gauge along with a trany gage...what do you think?
Thanks and I will send some pics of the new rig...soon...
AARON ....
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Old 05-10-2006, 08:43 AM   #12
fulltimedreamer
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Aaron,

Congrats on the new coach and TV. Thanks for sharing your adventure with the rest of us. Enjoy your new toys.
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Old 05-10-2006, 02:42 PM   #13
Montana Sky
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Aaron,
I would not tow without a Pyro (exhaust temp gauge). I added that and a turbo boost gauge as well on my Chevy. The truck already came stock with the tranny temp gauge.
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Old 05-10-2006, 04:59 PM   #14
Gonfishin
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Ditto for me what Montana Sky said about the guages. I am also running a 4 inch exhaust on my truck. If the Dodge doesn't have a tranny temp guage it might not hurt to look into one along with the pyrometer. And by the way, CONGRATS on the new rig!
Rick.
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Old 05-15-2006, 05:53 AM   #15
Montana_5764
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Hello everyone!
Well we whent on our first trip to Brookings Oregon for mothers day week end! We had a great trip and the weather waa spectacular!
(Remember never towed a fifth wheel before)
Truck seem to do just fine. I feel a very little push pull from behind but other than that I had to watch my speek because the fifth wheel tracks so great you can forget you towing.
up most inclines 45 to 50 mph with approx 11 miles to the gallon.
Here is my concerne however,
I stoped by a scale on the way home and here is what i found out.
Front Axle - 4,800
Rear Axle - 5,960
Trailer - 8,960
Should I be concerned?
Placard)
GVWR 9,000
GAWR Front 5,200
GAWR Rear 6,010

Well, Should I be freeking out or What?
Seem to tow great but starting out is a little slower....other than that fine?
Should I take the rig back because I can not afford a new truck at this point?
I know it would be a fight but I am willing to go to see what happens.
The salesman assured me that my truck would tow this rig! (In a way he was correct)?

All you imput is apprecited!

thanks
Aaron
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Old 05-15-2006, 07:08 AM   #16
Montana Sky
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Aaron,
You have to do what is most comfortable for you. You are probably going to get alot of opinion on your question, especially from those who have the dual rear wheel trucks. Here are my numbers for towing my 3400RL, nobody can make the choice but you.

Truck is 9,400 lbs (actual)
Truck GVWR is 9,200 lbs (200 over)

Coach has 11,250 lbs on axles
Coach actual weight with kingpin is 13,350 lbs
GVWR of coach is 13,790 lbs (i am under)


GVWR of truck and coach is 20,750 lbs
GCVWR is 22,000 lbs for the truck. (i am under)

The point is, I am under all the weight specs in every catagory except the GVWR of the truck, but I am under the trucks combined gross vehicle weight rating and I am under the GVWR for the coach. I have no problems with starting, stopping or handling on the road. I am not going to say that being 200 lbs over on the truck is safe or legal, it is just what works for me.
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Old 05-16-2006, 04:42 AM   #17
VanMan
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Aaron, what's the story on the car your spouse won ? Was she on the show ?
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Old 05-16-2006, 05:53 AM   #18
Montana_5764
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No, but last year on survivor qutamala they gave away 4 Pontiac Torrents in US and she one one of the four! It was great!
Please let me know if anyone has comment on my post above?
Thanks
AARON
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Old 05-16-2006, 06:02 AM   #19
Montana_5764
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Hello everyone!
Well we whent on our first trip to Brookings Oregon for mothers day week end! We had a great trip and the weather waa spectacular!
(Remember never towed a fifth wheel before)
Truck seem to do just fine. I feel a very little push pull from behind but other than that I had to watch my speek because the fifth wheel tracks so great you can forget you towing.
up most inclines 45 to 50 mph with approx 11 miles to the gallon.
Here is my concerne however,
I stoped by a scale on the way home and here is what i found out.
Front Axle - 4,800
Rear Axle - 5,960
Trailer - 8,960
Tires @ 80 psi 3,195lbs single
Should I be concerned?
Placard)
GVWR 9,000
GAWR Front 5,200
GAWR Rear 6,010

Well, Should I be freeking out or What?
Seem to tow great but starting out is a little slower....other than that fine?
Should I take the rig back because I can not afford a new truck at this point?
I know it would be a fight but I am willing to go to see what happens.
The salesman assured me that my truck would tow this rig! (In a way he was correct)?

All you imput is apprecited!

thanks
Aaron
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