Montana 3121rl question

[ClockDr]

Like this model but would a GMC 2500hd diesel 2wd crew cab pull it safely? Dealer says yes but I’m thinking a dually is needed.

[Montana Man]

We need more info on the truck. But, will likely but overloaded on tongue weight. Many here have little regard for legal tow weights but you have the opportunity to do it right befote you buy.

[Ringpinger]

I pull mine with chevy 2500 gas no problems. Frank

[geobet]

Best info is available on your yellow door sticker. Your truck will pull it, its rated at roughly 13-13,500#, but can it stop it safely? Pin weight on the 3121 is about 2350#. Probably be edging your load carrying capability. Keep in mind, that listed pin weight by Keystone, is going to be before all the extras you can cram into the 3121. My best advice, based on 40+ years of RVing and over the road trucking, is that you would be better off with a dually. It's going to handle much better and the pin weight of the 3121 will leave you gobs of load carrying capacity. Good luck.

[ClockDr]

Trailer towing mag states 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD crew cab, standard bed, 2wd, 6.6L TD V-8 is 15,200.

[Gary-Alberta]

I have a 2018 Montana 3120, pull with a 2015 Sierra 2500HD, double cab, standard box, 4X4.
Weighed the whole shebang a couple weeks ago, first, weighed the two truck axles and the tandem trailer axle, then unhooked and reweighed just the truck (with wife and I both times)
Front axle hitched 4675, unhitched 4697, allowable 4800 pounds
Rear axle hitched 6152, unhitched 3241, allowable 6200 pounds
total truck weight hitched 10,827, allowable 10,000
Trailer axles 10937, allowable 14,000
trailer pin (calculated from truck rear) 2911
Combined vehicle weight 21,763, allowable 24500

In total, the trailer is too heavy for the truck. AND, the trailer, theoretically can carry another 2000 pounds of cargo, most of which would end up on the back axle of the truck. I am a little annoyed. From the specs on the truck and trailer, I expected that the truck would have been able to handle the trailer, marginally. I didn't expect to be overloaded by 800 pounds. I am now deciding whether to put the truck and trailer on a serious diet, or just trade in the truck. I don't really want a dually for wandering around to golf courses and I don't think the 3500 version will carry much more than 1000 pounds more than the 2500. I am using an Andersen Aluminum ultimate hitch, so not a lot of weight there, either. I have the 6.6 Duramax

[Cadent59]

Anything with wheels will pull just about anything. Stopping it in an emergency, or the liability should the unforeseeable happen is most definitely an issue

[STIHLNTIME]

I have pulled my 3121RL over 7800 miles this year with a Ford F250. Absolutely zero issues. The truck handles it extremely well. All I have added is Air Lift air bags for an improved ride over rough interstate roads/bridge approaches. I have pulled in higher cross winds that I would have normally liked to with no stability issues. If I were going with any bigger fiver than the 3121 would go to a 3500 dually as I personally see no benefit to a single wheel 3500 over the 2500. On the Ford I have the same drive line, rear axle as the F350 minus one leaf spring. I pulled a similar weight wise fiver with a Chevy 2500 Duramax for years without any issues. This issue will ignite a firestorm of comments as some believe nothing short of a one ton dually to a Kenworth is needed to pull a fiver. As long as one uses common sense and stays within ones comfort level, combined with one's experience, is what is important. I have been pulling fifth wheel trailers in farming applications for almost 40 years and am totally comfortable with pulling my 3121RL anywhere in the USA with my 3/4 ton. It handled it with ease in multiple crossings over the Rockies on extreme grades and was very stable crossing the high plains in the cross winds that are part of the driving experience. Hook up and pull it and see if you are comfortable. I weighed 24900ish on my first trip and have since been able to remove about 700 lbs on subsequent trips with fewer passengers and unneeded "stuff", however no real discernible difference. Good Luck!

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by Gary-Alberta

I have a 2018 Montana 3120, pull with a 2015 Sierra 2500HD, double cab, standard box, 4X4.
Weighed the whole shebang a couple weeks ago, first, weighed the two truck axles and the tandem trailer axle, then unhooked and reweighed just the truck (with wife and I both times)
Front axle hitched 4675, unhitched 4697, allowable 4800 pounds
Rear axle hitched 6152, unhitched 3241, allowable 6200 pounds
total truck weight hitched 10,827, allowable 10,000
Trailer axles 10937, allowable 14,000
trailer pin (calculated from truck rear) 2911
Combined vehicle weight 21,763, allowable 24500

In total, the trailer is too heavy for the truck. AND, the trailer, theoretically can carry another 2000 pounds of cargo, most of which would end up on the back axle of the truck. I am a little annoyed. From the specs on the truck and trailer, I expected that the truck would have been able to handle the trailer, marginally. I didn't expect to be overloaded by 800 pounds. I am now deciding whether to put the truck and trailer on a serious diet, or just trade in the truck. I don't really want a dually for wandering around to golf courses and I don't think the 3500 version will carry much more than 1000 pounds more than the 2500. I am using an Andersen Aluminum ultimate hitch, so not a lot of weight there, either. I have the 6.6 Duramax

The pin weight sounds heavy. I recommend getting an actual pin weight, not calculated. In any case it is too much. A 3500 SRW may be enough but only proper calculations will tell for sure. That 2500 must be squished under load.

[STIHLNTIME]

On my F250 loaded bed deflection under full load was 1.7" not squished at all, but different model and make from his tow vehicle. Accurately measures on level concrete pad not a guesstimate.

[PNW Fireguy]

Just remember, god forbid, if you are in an accident and you are over weight you could be financially ruined... and that is one of the better outcomes.

[jeffba]

On newer the Ford SWR PSDs going from 3/4 to 1T only gets you about another 600 lbs.

[Gary-Alberta]

Montana Man,
My pin weight was based on total load on truck axles 10,827 with trailer attached and 7938 without the trailer, net 2889 pounds. I had forgotten that the front axle was heavier without the trailer hooked up, but regardless, it is around 2900 pounds. The truck handles the load just fine, it is just the legality of it, as mentioned by PNW Fireguy, that really concerns me.

[darrylwt]

Originally Posted by ClockDr

Like this model but would a GMC 2500hd diesel 2wd crew cab pull it safely? Dealer says yes but I’m thinking a dually is needed.

I am getting the same trailer and I already have my truck, Chevy crew cab long bed 3500HD with air bags but never put more than 5 LBS in the bags with 4 wheel drive with Z71 package and the hitch weight is less than my last trailer and I had no problems but if you still need to get a truck I would go with a 3500 one ton and if you are a fan of dually trucks all the better.

[mlh]

If you are buying a new truck get the DRW truck but if you aren’t your 2500 is safe. Hook up the 5er pull it and see. There are as many people pulling these campers with 2500 trucks as DRW trucks. They can’t all be wrong.
As far as your insurance go check with your agent, I did. My agent called Allstate and they assured her I was covered. If you run a red light, drive over the speed limit or
over weight you are covered. If they insure you they can’t pick and choose when they will cover you. If you go to court for an accident you caused don’t worry they will supply a lawyer. After all it’s their money.
As for brakes the 2500 and 3500 trucks have the exact same brakes. The only difference in the two trucks is the rear springs. The DRW truck has a different rear end.
Your trailer brakes help you stop so it’s not just you truck that stops you.
Go pull the camper with your truck check with your insurance company then decide if you are safe both with your truck and financially.
Lynwood

[Montana Man]

Get prior authorization with your insurance to knowingly run overweight from manufacturers specs? Better get that in writing. When any lawyer with the skills of a public defender finds out the overloaded rig that ran someone over was previously known as too heavy, you better have an umbrella policy to cover expenses that exceed your policy limits.

[mlh]

Go check with your insurance agent have them check with your insurance company, I did.
Lynwood

[mhs4771]

Remember, even if found Not Guilty it doesn't stop the Family from sueing in Civil Court and that would be something you would have to verify with your Insurance, if they would also cover Civil suits.

[Wicked1]

Originally Posted by ClockDr

Like this model but would a GMC 2500hd diesel 2wd crew cab pull it safely? Dealer says yes but I’m thinking a dually is needed.

No, Payload is not enough. I have a 2016 F350 Crew PSD Short Box and my max Payload is 3703 and towing is 15,700

3121RL Pin is 2400 over the 3/4 ton capacity, also we load light and we are close to 14,000 lbs. I did not want a Dually bc my truck is my daily driver however min Truck should be 1 Ton with Single Axle, I would never pull this with a 3/4 Ton even though it can pull it bc of the Diesel it would make you over Payload.

[Baldicon]

3121 is 12,000lbs dry and can be loaded up to 16,000lbs, so a 3000lb pin weight is not out of the question. And I'm guessing that alone will put you over your payload capacity. As someone else said previously, look at the yellow door sticker and go from there. Your truck will pull it just fine, but there is more to it than just pulling.