Suggestions sought for future FullTimer

[sbenhoff]

This will be my first post in this group, so please excuse any expected etiquette that I may miss. I also welcome comments on that as well.

My wife and I have been camping since 2009 in our Keystone Passport Ultralight TT which has been pulled by my 2008 Nissan Titan. We are now making plans for retirement and look to go full time in the near future. Our first step in this process will be to purchase a new truck because we would ultimately like to own the new Montana 3850FL with the doors on both sides of the rig.

I'm looking for suggestions on how much truck I will need to pull this rig. The truck I'm presently looking at is the Dodge RAM 3500, Laramie Longhorn, dually, with 6.7 Diesel. I went online and created my "dream truck" and expected the price tag I received.

The question I now have in my mind is, is this too much truck for this unit?

Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.

Steve

[tweber502]

Steve, Welcome to the MOC! I'm sure you will receive much great advice from the members here, they are 2nd to none with their knowledge and experience. Glad you were able to get logged in and looking forward to your future posts. Tim

[DQDick]

No, that isn't too much truck, in fact you should find it the perfect truck for the job.

[1retired06]

A one-ton diesel dually will do the trick. I would not recommend anything lighter than that.

[bigskyjimmy]

Yep you are looking at a Perfect Rig for your purpose ,I wish I could afford that much truck but my 03 Dually still does a good job

[davidaf]

Sounds like a great plan. If $ were no object I'd be towing with a MDT (or at least a new dually). The better the truck handles the load the more comfortable the towing experience. In other words rarely will you have too much truck.

[Virginia Young]

You can never have too much truck! We have the 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins. I tried to talk hubby into the dually, but he said he didn't want a "big a$$ed truck."

[Montana Sky]

I have a 2012 3500 DRW Longhorn and it gets the job done. My coach weighs in at 16,380lbs with 3,400lbs on the kingpin. There are two things to look at when deciding on a new truck - current capacities on the truck and your long term plans on if the current coach you are looking at will be the only coach you will own. Every year manufacturers are adding more bells and whistles to the RV's - ultimately adding additional weight. Buy the most truck you can afford and that meets your long term needs.

[JandC]

I am hooked on my Ford, but the Dodge you are looking at would be a great truck to pull any Montana in production! And welcome!

[CORattler]

Others are correct! The truck you posted about will do the job well and with a good margin. Were I to do it over again, that would be my truck of choice.
Welcome to the forum. Please post and let us know what you wind up choosing for tow vehicle and RV.

[PackerFan]

I have to echo everyone else's comments on that being the right truck for you. The biggest question would always be single rear wheel or dually? I have the Dodge 3500 single rear wheel and have no problems towing and it is a lot easier to park than a dually! JMHO

[richfaa]

Keep in mind that "pulls it fine" and" pulls it within all spec's' are two different things. Know the specs of the Rv then choose the r ight truck.

[scattershot]

IMO, there's no such thing as too much truck.

[TYR]

Hi Steve and welcome to the group! Sounds like you've picked out a nice truck and that it will do the job well. I have the same philosophy of others that one can never have too much truck. That being said, I tow our Montana with an F-350 SRW, which is well within our towing specs. If I had known for sure my DH was going to agree to go full-time when we bought the truck, I would have held out for a dually. Just because . . . you can never have too much truck!

Betty

[sbenhoff]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I've often been accused of "spending over the top" for things and it is helpful to know that won't be the case for this truck. Of course, having the dually is going to mean the wife's car gets put in to the driveway since both won't fit in the garage, but she'll get over it....

[randye]

I agree about the statement of can't have to big a truck. That being said, we have the 07 Dodge 3500 not dually. I pull the 07 3485 SA and it pulls it effortlessly. I really love my truck even if I sold the Monty I would keep the truck.

[Rondo]

Come to the MOC Fall Rally and learn about Fulltiming! We're having a class or roundtable on that very subject!

[MikenAngie]

Packer is correct, the single is much easier to park but I like the extra bit of stability the dually provides. We pull the 3850Fl with no issues with our 2013 , 350, diesel. Great truck, great trailer......pleasant traveling. That's What it's all about.
Welcome and safe travels.

[sbenhoff]

I'm getting close to making a decision on my new truck, but have come across something else I need some opinions on. I have the option of including a tri-fold tonneau cover. I've had one before with my TT and would like to have one for the 5th wheel, but not sure if that creates any conflicts. My concern is when I'm pulling the 5th wheel, does the tri-fold have to be taken off, or can it just be opened up to make room for the 5th wheel?

Thoughts?

Steve

[brenkco]

I opted for a truxedo deuce. It is a rollup cover that is also hinged to allow you to open the cover from the cab and fold it back about 1/3. I have had one on my last 2 trucks and really like it.

I heard another member got one of the tri-fold covers and heard him talking about trading it in for a deuce. Not sure what his issue was but he had just put the tri-fold on.

Ken