Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-24-2005, 06:42 AM   #1
Montana_2661
Established Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #2661
Ooops!

Thought I was posting this under General but did it under full-timing by error. Try again: We are dealing for a 2005 Montana 3475> We had a 3500 GMC in mind for pulling it. We would really prefer a 2500 (Dodge, Chevy or Ford) so we could use it more freely when not pulling. I guess my question is: what options do I have? Looks like it would be about 13000 pounds. Every one that I have seen on a car lot was not rated that high. Thanks for any help.
 
Montana_2661 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 06:55 AM   #2
CRUZIN 2
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Osmond
Posts: 673
M.O.C. #3160
See you are normal like the rest of us, have a Great Day.
__________________
LARRY & LAVONNE HUMMEL
2018 3811MS
CRUZIN 2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 07:21 AM   #3
315RLS
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: North Andover
Posts: 669
M.O.C. #1900
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Joe Selby

Thought I was posting this under General but did it under full-timing by error. Try again: We are dealing for a 2005 Montana 3475> We had a 3500 GMC in mind for pulling it. We would really prefer a 2500 (Dodge, Chevy or Ford) so we could use it more freely when not pulling. I guess my question is: what options do I have? Looks like it would be about 13000 pounds. Every one that I have seen on a car lot was not rated that high. Thanks for any help.
Joe, I believe the GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500 are both rated to 16,000+ lbs towing. If you order you can work things like changing the gear ratios to improve towing capabilities. If you play around on the chevy or gmc sites and build trucks you might find you have more options and the same goes for dodge and ford.
315RLS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 07:39 AM   #4
stiles watson
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
The new Ford F250 will handle that and more. Happy RVing....
stiles watson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 07:40 AM   #5
jrgwdenner
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wetumpka
Posts: 4,936
M.O.C. #1105
The dealer did have to do a search in order to find our Dodge Ram for towing our Montana. If they don't have it on the lot, I'm sure they'd be glad to find one PRONTO! Our Dodge is a 3500 dually and it pulls the Montana easily and is comfortable when we're just driving without it.
jrgwdenner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 09:07 AM   #6
BillyRay
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Malta
Posts: 3,075
M.O.C. #607
we have an 02 chevy dually. we use it for a primary vehicle also with no complaints. I do believe which ever you decide on will be fine. any of the trucks can be sufficient to pull your rig if set up right.
BillyRay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 10:45 AM   #7
Montana_2779
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Woodlands
Posts: 211
M.O.C. #2779
We have the '05 Chevy 2500HD, and, yes, it's rated to over 16K towing. We bought it in mid 2004 as it had the best tow rating of any 2500/250 at the time (with the 4.10 rear end). It's my understanding that the 2005 Fords have now exceeded Chevy's current ratings. Our original plan was to purchase a 5er at 14,100 lb gross. That one, assuming all other load factors like axle ratings and pin weight were within range, would have been no problem for the 2500. Our current Mountaineer gives us PLENTY of headroom on our ratings at it's GVWR of about 12.5K. The 4.10 rear end radically enhances the tow rating, BUT it also radically decreases gas milage (11 mpg empty, 7 mpg towing the 5er). If you need better milage, look at a reduced rear end gear rating (3.73).

We had the same issue when we started looking for our truck-- no one had the big block/Allison/4.10 on the lot. We ordered the truck and waited about 8 weeks for delivery.
Montana_2779 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 11:14 AM   #8
MIMF
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Goshen
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #2827
My truck doesnt even know our coach (9500 pounds fully loaded)is even back there. See signature.
MIMF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 11:31 AM   #9
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
Joe, congratulations on the new Montana! I hope the deal works out for you. As for the truck, there are a number of us using 3/4 ton trucks to tow that much weight and more.

I suspect from reading your post what you are saying is you don't want a dually. Keep in mind if you'd otherwise prefer a one-ton truck, the Ford has the one-ton F350 available in single rear wheel configuration. We had an '03 F350 and a '99 F350, both SRW. I think GM and Dodge may now also have a 1-ton available without having to go dually. The Ford F250 3/4 ton has ratings to 17,000 and the F350 to 19,200. GCWR on those is 23,000 and 26,000 respectively. Others posted the GM's have ratings to handle the weight. I think Dodge does, too, although I'm not sure of the numbers.

Bottom line is you have lots of good choices from all 3 mfrs. As an FYI, we're towing 13,980. Ours has the 3.73 rear end.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 12:37 PM   #10
Chester
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Carlisle
Posts: 402
M.O.C. #908
I have a Ram 3500 Dually and will be pulling our 3475 when it arrives. There are a lot of differing opinions on SRW vs DRW. Personally I don't mind the dually in every day use and prefer it with the fiver. I've had 2 SRW and 2 DRW trucks over the past years.

Your biggest concern with fivers around this size and weight is more regarding your trucks payload capacity than it is towing capacity (but make sure your truck has the towing capacity too). With your 3475 you have one of the heavier pin weights (2225lbs dry). When you add your living stuff to it you should probably count on about 3000lb on the hitch. That's more than most 3/4 ton trucks will handle. Both Ford and Dodge offer 3500 SRW models that have payload capacities in the 3600lb range. Chevys 2500 HD is roughly equivalent to the others 3500SRW. All of the big 3 offer 3500DRW which have roughly 4600lbs payload capacity. Tires get into the equation as well.

Many people get very passionate bout the truck they have but all 3 manufacturers make great trucks that will handle your needs. Good luck with your selection.
Chester is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 01:32 PM   #11
palebluedot
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location:
Posts: 655
M.O.C. #36
Exactly what Chester said.
palebluedot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2005, 02:37 PM   #12
Countryfolks
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ft. Smith
Posts: 981
M.O.C. #116
Ditto to Palebluedot and Chester!

Skip
Countryfolks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2005, 04:14 AM   #13
Jeff Heiser
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Merritt Island
Posts: 331
M.O.C. #2088
Lots of good choices - exactly what Chester said. Go out test drive the top 3 and whatever feels right to you and meets your needs that's the one. Regardless of the brand you need to feel good about it and it needs to be able to do the job.

Jeff Heiser
Merritt Island Florida
Jeff Heiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2005, 05:03 AM   #14
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
I have to add that our pinweight is 3120 lbs. All of the trucks we've used to tow this weight have done a great job. I agree fully with the comment that all three mfrs' trucks can do a good job for you. With that part settled, you can buy the truck that best meets your other desires, needs, and deal from the dealer. Good luck.

To add to Chester's comments I looked at the payload ratings for the 2005 Fords. Sorry but I don't have that info for the other mfrs.

The 2005 F350 SRW has payload to a max of 4400 lbs. The dually goes to 5800 lbs max. The F250 goes to 3100 lbs max.

It's nice to have a lot of good choices in tow vehicle so there is room for personal preference on the configuration and brand.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2005, 09:09 AM   #15
Montana Sky
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
I am towing the 3400RL with my 04 Chevy 2500HD and have not had any trouble with this combination. My Duramax walks up and down the mountain ranges over here in the Pacific Northwest with ease. My truck is my only vehicle so it is also my daily driver and really have no trouble parking, or getting through traffic with it. I would buy another if I had to replace the truck today without a doubt. Enjoy your new coach.
Montana Sky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2005, 04:10 AM   #16
RADHAZJOE
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 328
M.O.C. #3149
Look into airbags to increase the pin weight capability. Power trains are much the same.
RADHAZJOE is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Landing Gear Ooops jchw Repairs & Service 7 08-12-2015 11:50 AM
OOOPS, now I have to do a mod bncinwv General Discussions about our Montanas 3 03-28-2011 05:19 AM
Almost an ooops! BB_TX General Discussions about our Montanas 5 07-13-2008 10:17 PM
OOOPS gkbutler Repairs & Service 17 10-25-2006 03:17 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:37 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.