New to RV world and have a question

[ltoews]

We are planning on getting a 2011 Montana 3400RL and a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD, crew cab, standard box, Duramax engine with Allison transmission. Is a one-ton necessary or will a ¾ ton be sufficient? Is the clearance between the pickup cab and the front cap on the fifth-wheel adequate with a standard length (6 ½) box? I am open to any advice. Thanks.

[camper4]

I highly recommend a 1 ton.
I'm told the new Montanas can make a 90 degree turn, with a 6 1/2 foot bed, because of the "cut backs" on the front corners.

[illapah]

This topic has been visited many times before and the same conclusions seem to prevail. A 2500 will probably work satisfactorily but most recommend going on to the 3500 (one ton) for many reasons. First, it doesn't cost that much more and the peace of mind in concert with rated capacity lure many of us to opt for the one ton. Since you are in shopping mode for a new tow vehicle rather than wondering if what you own would suffice makes even more validity to going for the one ton. While you are shopping, I invite you to look at the new 2011 Ford F350. Mine is awesome compared to the two 2500 Ram's I have owned and previous to this one, a 2005 F350.
I also really recommend looking at a Superglide automatic slider hitch. Many tow without it but I am a total believer in it. A bit pricy but so is repair work on the one time (or more) that things just don't work out as planned in a turn.
Good hunting!!

[dpam]

If your buying a new truck my recommendation would be to get the one ton that way you don't have to continually be cautious on how much weight you loaded into the monty and truck. I have a 2010 3150RL that I tow with a 2008 - 2500 HD Crew Cab Duramax. The truck handles it fine, but I plan on getting a new truck in a couple of years and it will be a one ton, because it allows for more weight capacity.

[kdeiss]

You are talking Chev they make a 2500 3/4 Ton and 2500HD 3/4 Ton Heavy Duty and 3500 1 Ton

3/4 ton is out of the question not the same frame and you do not have engine and trans choice

This is how a 2500HD and 3500 compare

2500HD 9200 GVWR
3500 9900 GVWR

Rear Springs

2500HD 2 Stage
3500 3 Stage

Wheels
2500 HD 6.5 inch Width
3500 7 inch width

Tires

2500HD 245/75 16 3049 Lbs @80 PSI

3500 LT 265/75 R16 3415Lbs @80psi

3500 available in 8 ft bed

The differace is Rear springs,Tires and wheels giving the higher GVWR

Frame brakes are the same.

I would go with the 3500

[kdeiss]

3500 available only in 8 Ft Bed

[mhs4771]

There is also the question on the 1 ton (3500), SRW or DRW the DRW give you 13000 GVWR in an extended cab, 11000 GVRW on the Crew Cab. Also of note the wheels on the 2011 are 17 inch standard, with the DRW using 235/85-17 only, I believe the SRW gives you more options including going to 18 inch. I would also consider the 8 ft box, Montana and other brands claim 90 degree turns with a short box, but if you read enough post on this forum and others you will see where folks have gotten into trouble (knocking out rear windows). I have the Long Box DRW and wouldn't consider anything else. Just my 5 cents (inflation you know)

[mlh]

I pull my 2955 with a 250 Ford a great combo, but a 2955 is not a 3400. the 3400 is a much larger heaver camper. I would not wont to pull a 3400 with my truck the rear springs just are not heavy enough. Do your self a favor get the 3500 truck.
Lynwood

[helmick]

We have a 2500HD, towed over 20,000 miloes with no problem, but if I was buying today it would be a 1 ton.
We also have the crew cab with the long bed, In the 2011 Chevrolet we have seen a lot short bed 1 tons.

[mhs4771]

Ken, the 3500 SRW is avail in a short or long box for 2011, DRW is only long box

[Hooker]

3500 is the only way to go...2500 series cannot handle the pin weight.

[Montana Sky]

I've towed my 3400RL with a 2500HD short bed for years - however when I bought a replacement truck I went with the 1 ton long bed. Bigger truck offers more options for larger coaches down the road. My suggestion is to go with a 3500HD long bed. Better to have too much truck than not enough.

[nunya]

3500 long bed dually and never look back!

[Lee F.]

I tow my 2955RL with an F250 with no problems, but if I was buying a new truck I would go to a 1 ton. The extra margin in payload is well worth the couple hundred dollars extra cost. I would stay with the extended cab and 8' bed. I like the extra room in the bed and my 2008 had the option for a 38 gal. fuel tank in the long bed that wasn't available in the short.

[NCFischers]

3500 long bed DWD and love it.

[kdeiss]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

Ken, the 3500 SRW is avail in a short or long box for 2011, DRW is only long box

I think 3500HD SRW is available in short bed with crew cab not Std or ext Cab

Correct me if I am wrong

[CORattler]

I agree with those that recommend a one ton DRW truck. Chances are you'll have it for some time and having the one ton gives you future capability and a good solid TV for today.
You can see from my signature what my rig is and it tows just fine but having that extra margin can be a terrific security blanket

quote:Originally posted by ltoews

We are planning on getting a 2011 Montana 3400RL and a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD, crew cab, standard box, Duramax engine with Allison transmission. Is a one-ton necessary or will a ¾ ton be sufficient? Is the clearance between the pickup cab and the front cap on the fifth-wheel adequate with a standard length (6 ½) box? I am open to any advice. Thanks.

[ALAN]

I pulled my 3400 with a F250 05 and it handled the load with no problem. Having said that I agree with other comments and if I bought a new truck in the Ford line I would look very closely at either a F350 or F450. I like the brakes and higher capacity of the F450.

Alan & Kathy

[TAKPAK]

We have the 2008 GMC 3500 (one ton) 4X4, single rear wheels. We love it. I would definitely go with the 1 ton. It was only less than $1000 more, and like everyone has said, peace of mind is great value. In talking with 3/4 ton owners, the milage doesn't seem to be any different, either. Empty, I get 22 MPG. With the 3400, 11 to 12 is average. We have had NO trouble pulling the 3400 with it. Just walks right up the hills. One thing YOU will have with the 2011, is the new integrated exhaust brake. That is a really NICE feature. I will have to say, the "tow/haul" mode works pretty darn good, but it would be nice to have the exhaust brake too. One ton, Duramax, Allison, exhaust brake.....you'll have it all.

[priceml]

I think we would be in trouble if we had to go through the scales like the 18-wheelers do.I went from a 3/4 ton ext cab long bed to a 1-ton drw CC LB and I feel more secure.