Can we tow this?

[christm]

Originally Posted by Rharris

Hello all,
We are new here and have a question for you experienced Montana owners.
We are in the process of purchasing a Montana 2022 3931FB. And now I am worried that we don't have enough truck to pull it. We have a 2021 F250 6.7 diesel truck. We don't go on long trips, not more than four hours and mostly on main interstates. But after reading lots of confusing information, and I am the worrier in the family, I am concerned. We are not new to towing. We have a 38' Keystone Outback now and the F250 pulls it like a dream. The 3931FB has a lower pin weight than some of the other models but are we asking for trouble here? Thanks for your advice.

You have easily add a set of leaf springs to the truck. The only difference between the 250 and the 350 are the number of leaf springs. When I had a 250, I added the extra springs and we pulled our camper fine. I spoke with the Ford garage and they said the trucks are basically the same other than the number of springs.

[purpletractor]

Yes I'm sure you can pull it question is, should you. Being a retired farmer-rancher, I can guarantee that I towed many stupid heavy loads with overloaded pickups. The thing I would be concerned about now is what happens if you get into an accident with a pickup not rated to pull the load. Some smart lawyer could have a very good chance of making an accident that wasn't your fault and ruining your life. Now that being said, they're probably not going to weigh a trailer after an accident but if your pickup isn't rated to tow the sticker weight there's a chance you could be charged with negligence.

[ACKLM8]

The 3/4 ton vs 1 ton evaluation, as well-expressed in this thread, is a mathematical one. Weights are weights and spec's are spec's. Using a percentage of gross trailer weight as the pin weight in the load calculation is obviously an approximation that can only be resolved with actual weights, but it is probably good enough to indicate that a 3/4 ton truck is generally not a good match for a Montana.

Along with the safety of you and other folks on the road, another consideration arises if you have an accident or encounter a failure of the truck's structure. An insurance company will be quick to do the math and determine if you were operating out of spec.

Lastly, the dialog about SRW vs dually is always interesting. The decision here is more empirical than statistical.

[Harry100]

We have a 2020 295 RL and tow it with an 2019 F250. Before purchasing the duo, I made a spreadsheet comparing the specifications from the truck and the specs from the trailer. The calculation said that everything would work, that I was within the recommendation maximums. Once I was on the road, I had issues with the death wobble on the truck as well as bouncing on grooved road surfaces. Ford provided a new front steering damper under warranty, and I installed a Roadmaster Active Suspension system (not air bags and easy to install) on the truck. I have had no issues since. The point here is that even when inside the specifications, you could be marginal and experience significant issues. Your trailer is larger than mine. I would be concerned about towing it with anything under 1 ton.

I used airbags on my tow behind trailer with an older F250. The airbags were sufficient to lift the back of the truck, but they did nothing to address towing quality. Knowing that bounce is triggered by the rear suspension, I installed the Roadmasters. Also, the truck bed raised about an inch, and now rides level now.

[PatrickandMarga]

In 2020 we purchased our 3741fk. My RV dealer and GM dealer said “you’re good” buying a GMC 2500 diesel. Then I posted a similar question to this group.
After similar comments to what you are seeing, I canceled the 2500 and bought a 3500 SRW. At that time, early 2020, it was only a $300 difference.
I’m so glad we upgraded to the 3500 and never worried about the weight and it pulled like a dream.
Unfortunately today, RV’s are so much more and so are trucks. It’s tough since you already have the truck, but I think downsizing the Montana would be the best choice unless you want to buy a very expensive truck (if you can find one).
Best of luck to you!!!!

[BobStack]

One more thing to consider is this…. If for any reason you get into an accident you could be in a serious situation because you were towing outside the safety limits of the vehicle. Your insurance company may not cover your claim. And if your fifth wheel is on your insurance as a rider as part of your tow vehicle you could be out hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[KWLKS]

Originally Posted by Rharris

My husband is planning on putting air bags on the F250. Do you think that would help?
Thanks

Adding the air bags will increase total weight that the truck will be carrying. It will help the truck to ride my level, but does not add any payload capacity or help improve handling:

[Rhortie1]

Welcome ! Your smart for asking ahead of buying. Do not listen to your salesman, he’s trying to make sales. You have to do your own research and here’s a start. https://youtu.be/qwFLOBrADBs
This is the video that I watch 2 yrs ago and it paid off. I have a 2019 GMC 3500 diesel pulling a 2020 3120rl (actual trailer weight is 15860 lbs and pin weight is 3780lbs) and I’m still 140 lbs over weight capacity. Watch some YouTube videos on Rv trailer weights and you will eventually figure it out. Good luck and safe travels !

[mlh]

It always comes up: your insurance company may not cover you. Ask your insurance company. I did your insurance company must cover you. Think about it if they could deny coverage for being over weight they could deny coverage for speeding running a stop sign or driving under the influence.
Lynwood

[VagabondLove]

Who ever would want to be At Max? As an engineer, I insist on having room, especially when it comes to safety. My 18k lb Montana was busting through leaf springs even though it was At Max or slightly under, until I installed the 8k per axle MorRyde IS. My F350 DRW was beaten by the Vail Pass…an F450 is on order (albeit with the same engine, but different transmission and axles, never mind the turning radius improvement). Just my two cents. YOLO.

[mhs4771]

If in an accident, it's not your Insurance Co you have to worry about, Morgan & Morgan or any number of other accident Lawyers who will take you to Civil Court and if your numbers don't add up you'll be up the Creek with not a nickel left to your name when they're done.

[Wellplayedsir]

We have a 2019 Chevy 4WD 2500 6.0 gas with 4.10 gears and 14400 towing cap, and haul a 2022 RL3121 and it pulls fine. they only mod we did were the Timbren rubber stoppers in the rear only.

[77cruiser]

Some just worry tooooooooo much.

[Trailer Trash]

Again, great information from everyone. This subject is something most dealerships ignore because they are just selling trailers. Dealers in our area have no problem letting people leave the yard overloaded for the tow vehicle or over their driver's license weight limits. In fact, most of the sales people we have encountered don't know the laws. My wife and I have been debating this very issue because we would like to get a new 5th wheel but once you move up from our current 2018 High Country 331RE at 34 ft 11 in and a GVRW of 14,200 lbs almost all larger units weigh in at 16,500 lbs. Our unit tows beautifully with our 2018 Chev 2500 Duramax but I'm not comfortable adding the extra 2,000 lbs to a trailer. Many times the overweight combination works more because people are on short <3 hour trips on flat terrains and if there isn't high wind gusts but once any of those things changes then problems emerge. Great discussion. It would be nice if manufacturers built more floorplans in the 36 ft <15,000 GVRW range for 3/4 ton trucks. Moving to a 1 ton truck is such a different ride and changes the daily driver attraction unfavorably.

[Kjr]

Hello. I have a Montana 28.5 fifth wheel GVRW 14300. I need to buy a truck. All of the information is so confusing. I lean to the conservative side and don’t want to be “close” to my max towing capacity. But I also don’t want way more truck than necessary.
I have a F250 Super duty 4x4 crew cab xlt, power stroke v8 10 speed on hold. But now I’m worried it’s not enough to pull my RV safely.
Any advice?

[Kjr]

Sorry I think I jumped on your string. New to forum. - please disregard and I will post as my own.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by BobStack

One more thing to consider is this…. If for any reason you get into an accident you could be in a serious situation because you were towing outside the safety limits of the vehicle. Your insurance company may not cover your claim. And if your fifth wheel is on your insurance as a rider as part of your tow vehicle you could be out hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Not so , your insurance company will cover you even if you're doing something stupid. ` if not your driving ability and knowledge of such would be tested by them before they would write you. Most if not all accidents are the result of a failure of one or more of ones driving ability or equipment used for the conditions. I never understood why people keep saying this in the comments. Call your insurance company and ask them if you don`t believe it.

This really boils down to money your just going to have to tell the wife that the truck you bought last year isn`t big enough to tow the new camper you just bought and your going to have to buy another bigger one and lose money on the deal........really if your going to play you have to pay.

[mlh]

I also ask my insurance company about an umbrella policy. She said there was no need. She told me in all the decades she had been in business she had never had a client that had a judgement that exceeded what their policy would cover.
So no you aren’t going to be left broke living under a bridge in cardboard box.
Lynwood

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

Some just worry tooooooooo much.

I'm with you on this one. At 65 and having owned 7 trailers I know what over/under, can/can't haul, white knuckle and comfy moments feel like. Sprinkle in 2022 tech and some good old common sense I'm good with my decision.

[mlh]

Speaking of common sense. Who would feel safe towing 13200 pounds with a F150 or 35000 pounds with 1 ton truck. Not me.
Lynwood