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Old 09-30-2004, 01:50 PM   #1
Montana_2124
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3400 RL

My wife and I are thinking of this unit because we both like the lay-out very much. I do have to buy the truck and this is our first 5th wheel, we have pulled trailers before. (no fun)
Seem most people like the 3400 RL my ? is the truck. Will a 2500 HD diesel do it or should I consider the 3500? I'm favoring the Chevy because the crew cab seating in the back is better than Dodge. All imput will be valued.
Tom, Las Vegas
 
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Old 09-30-2004, 02:13 PM   #2
prariepoodle
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Welcome tommyz to the MOC, I cannot help you with your question because we have not pulled our 3280RL with our 2500 HD GMC as of yet. I am sure that someone will be along soon that will have the answer that you are looking for.
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Old 09-30-2004, 03:32 PM   #3
GordonR
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Tom - Welcome to the MOC. The 3400RL was our choice too. I'm pulling mine with a Chevy 3500, but others (Montana Sky comes to mind) are pulling with the 2500HD with the Duramax Diesel. I think it'll be plenty of truck. Hopefully, someone actually doing it will be along to confirm. Anyway, welcome aboard. We're glad you're here.
Gordon
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Old 09-30-2004, 06:43 PM   #4
Northstar
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Welcome aboard. Nice coach. My two cents is if you plan on doing a lot of traveling across the country. I would recommend the 3500 diesel. If you are going to make a couple of short trips a year perhaps the 2500 will suffice. Keep us posted. happyrving....
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Old 09-30-2004, 07:18 PM   #5
Montana_2124
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Thank you all for any input and I'll check back from time to time for any more of you that might say a thing or two.
Thanks, Tom and Donna
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Old 09-30-2004, 08:29 PM   #6
Montana_1520
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Hi Tom and Donna,
We don't have the 3400 but do have a 3670RL and pull it with a Chevy 3500. We wouldn't have anything else. We do lots of pulling up and down big hills and over mountains and the 3500 is a dream. The diesel mileage is always 10-12 pulling and closer to 18 just the truck on the freeways. The Duramax/Allison combo is a hands-down winner as far as we're concerned. So that's our 2 cents!
#29 fans Chuck and Linda Clements
Posey, CA
04 3670RL Big Sky
04 Chevy 3500 CC Dually 4WD Duramax/Allison
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Old 10-01-2004, 04:38 AM   #7
jimnkaran
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We had the 2500 Chevy and it did pull ok, but, then we upgraded to the F350 Ford and it is a major difference as in night and day. So much easier pulling with the F350.
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Old 10-01-2004, 11:26 AM   #8
Montana_1574
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WE'RE FULL TIME & JUST RETURNED TO OUR HOME PORT, BEEN RUNNING FROM HURRICANES THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. WE HAVE A 3400 RL, PULLING IT WITH THE CHEVY 3500 DURAMAX DUALLY. PUT A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES ON THE RIG FROM CENTRAL FL. TO NASHVILLE AREA. OTHER THAN A FLAT TIRE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. I PREFER THE SIX WHEELS, SEEMS TO BE A MORE STABLE PLATFROM.
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Old 10-02-2004, 01:16 AM   #9
Bill and Ann
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Hi Tom and Donna.
We have a 3670RL and pull with the Duramax 2500 GMC Crew Cab w/ Allison. Pulls like a dream. One hint you might be interested in. The GMC comes with 245 x 75 x 16 tires. The unit probably weighs about 14100 lbs. An alternative to going to the dually is to upgrade the tires to 265 x 75 x 16. This gives you an additional carrying capacity of about 3000 lbs. Otherwise the 245's are really close to their max. carrying capacity of around 9000 lbs.
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Old 10-02-2004, 01:04 PM   #10
Montana_2124
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Super... all you folks sure did answer some very important ?'s I had. Not to start any fights but as a long time Ford owner the recommendations and our own observance (gone to many RV parks here in Vegas) is that Dodge and Chevy are the most popular. Ford being a good rig seems to be having some complaints of late.
Anyway, all to each own and good traveling.
Tom
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Old 10-02-2004, 05:48 PM   #11
DHenry
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I have no problem at all pulling my 3670 with my 2500HD. Go for it.
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Old 10-03-2004, 05:31 AM   #12
melnjoy
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Tom I have always been a Ford guy, but have woked around Allison and have seen bad things happen to them and they come out smelling like a rose. So I got a 2002 2500 Duramax/Allison and tow the 3575RL and have been vary happy with the way it tows. The 2500 has a 22,000 LB maximun combined tow rating as does the 3500 but the 3500 wieghs more so I went with the 2500 I hope all this helps. I think you will like this forum. you can get all kinds of help and learn about how other people handle problems.
Mel
2002 GMC
Duramx/Allison
3575RL
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Old 10-05-2004, 05:24 PM   #13
sreigle
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In some areas you'll see more Fords than anything else. In others it's Dodges or GM's. From what I've seen, the diesels in all three can do a great job. The V10's from Ford and Dodge along with the 8.1 from GM are strong gas engines. There are older engines also can do a good job also. I think Dodge quit selling the V10 in new trucks so you might have to find a used one to get it.

As for 1 ton or 3/4 ton, you'll find lots of opinions on that. You'll also find many 3/4 ton truck owners in this forum towing Montanas very successfully, including the bigger ones. Some add air bags to the rear suspension, others don't need to. You might want to check the weight ratings, GCWR, GVWR, GAWR, and decide for yourself how to proceed.

Good luck. Hope you find the one you like best.
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Old 10-23-2004, 03:47 AM   #14
tnorfitz
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Does changing from the 245 tire to the 265 tire change your speedometer reading. I believe it would cause it to read a slower speed than what you are actually going.
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Old 10-23-2004, 05:24 AM   #15
tnorfitz
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Just talked to the dealer and they can adjust the electronics so that the speed will read correctly with the 265's instead of the 245's on the GMC 2500HD.
My dealer also told me that you gain about 400 pounds of load per tire by going to the 265 tire. Anybody out there that can verify this info. I have been reading that the 3400RL on a 2500HD gets real close to the load limit on the 245 tires. Would it be a good idea to size up to the 265 before I put any miles on the truck??? Both the 245 and the 265 are E rated, 10 ply tires.
If I do change out the tires, I have a little concern about the Duramax and tranny with the larger size tires when I tow. Does that have an adverse effect on the pulling configuration( make it harder for the power train to operate)? I have never pulled with a diesel before.
Any help would be great!!!
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Old 10-23-2004, 08:37 AM   #16
OntMont
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by tnorfitz

Just talked to the dealer and they can adjust the electronics so that the speed will read correctly with the 265's instead of the 245's on the GMC 2500HD.
My dealer also told me that you gain about 400 pounds of load per tire by going to the 265 tire. Anybody out there that can verify this info. I have been reading that the 3400RL on a 2500HD gets real close to the load limit on the 245 tires. Would it be a good idea to size up to the 265 before I put any miles on the truck??? Both the 245 and the 265 are E rated, 10 ply tires.
If I do change out the tires, I have a little concern about the Duramax and tranny with the larger size tires when I tow. Does that have an adverse effect on the pulling configuration( make it harder for the power train to operate)? I have never pulled with a diesel before.
Any help would be great!!!
From the Michelin website you can find that 245s have a capacity of 6084lbs per axle, 265's have 6830lbs per axle. This is based on Michelin LTX M/S LT265/75R16 tires. So, assuming that the rear axle is the one of concen, you can raise the tire rating by 746 lbs. This does not change the mfr axle rating, but since the axle ratiing is the same as the 245 tire rating, you can assume that you have gained some margin of safety. (I am told that the 3500 usses the same axle, but I'm not sure about the frame and brakes). The 245's turn 681 revs per mile compared to 652 for the 265's, a difference of 29 revs/mile. This works out to 4.2% fewer revs, so I think your speedometer would read 2 or 3 mph low at 60 mph. My dealer also told me they could adjust the computer to account for 265 tires, that will also adjust the transmission shift points etc. The 3500SRW truck uses 265 tires, so they are not foriegn territory to GM.

The 3400RL actually has a fairly low pin weight for its size, so you should not have any problem supporting it on your truck.

All that said, keep mind that nothing you can do to vehicle can change the load ratings assigned to the vehicle by the mfr.
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Old 10-23-2004, 01:18 PM   #17
sreigle
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Tnorfitz, I doubt your engine and transmission will notice the difference in the tires. That's a strong combination. If your dealer can make the changes for the speedometer and whatever affects on the computers, I wouldn't think you'd need to worry about anything else. Good luck with it.
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Old 10-23-2004, 01:44 PM   #18
stiles watson
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Hey, Hey, welcome to the forum. I'm not gonna get into the tire and truck argument. I am just gonna pull my 3670 Big Sky with my F250 PSD 7.3L until it shows me it won't work. So far, smooth sailing. Last trip with 5er, 11.3 mpg; last trip with truck alone 19.7. Do your research on the gross weights and decide. Everybody thinks they are doing it right and they probably are. There is likely more than one "right" way.
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Old 10-25-2004, 05:29 AM   #19
Montana_2203
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We just purchased a 2005, 3400RL, and I also own a '02 Chevy 2500HD, crew cab, Duramax diesel.... I do not have a "dullie"... but I have found that with the proper tires and a sliding 5th. wheel installed... you really do not need a "dullie" unless you just want to spend more money or want the extra safety of the two tire set up.... I am a truck driver and I believe the single tire is fine when properly set up..... ask me any questions and I will respond... I love the camper.. we have not taken it out for the "shakedown" cruise but are planning it in November..... good luck and write me anytime...............
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Old 10-25-2004, 05:34 AM   #20
Montana_2203
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.... some more info... I am not sure that you even need a sliding 5th. wheel..... I hooked up for the first time and put the 5th. wheel in the center (over the rear axle) and turned around in the lot to check out the clearance.... I found that with the extension on the camper, that places the king pin toward the front of the unit... you may not need a sliding 5th. wheel... if you do get a sliding 5th. wheel make sure that the pins and safety pins are in place and solid.... just thought I would add this ......... take care and good luck...
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