Towing A 2013 Montana With A Short Bed

[mhs4771]

Ditto Rich's comments. We actually pulled two TTs with a Dually before we finally moved up to a 5er. Was nice not to worry about limits when we went shopping.
Didn't want to be like friends two sites down, pulling one of the new Monty FLs with the Picture window, GVWR just under 17K with a 2500 Standard Bed and a 16K Hitch, hope they never get into a situation where someone checks the numbers.
Another words, get what you need to do the job, and do it right.

[Mike117]

I have short box Chevy with slider. 2104 Montana HC. I am glad I have the slider and it is automatic. I have a tight turn to get it into my driveway for backing. Did I need it? Don't know but wasn't wanting to find out the hard way.

[JandC]

We did about 3 years full timing in 2 different Montana fivers. Used same 2012 F350 with short box. Had a manual slider and never had to use it for the first two years and I was in some really tight forward and reverse situations. Then I was backing into a spot in a Florida CG and almost found out the hard way. I didn't even have it turned as far as I had on previous occasions when a neighbor yelled at me to stop. I got out and looked and discovered that the soft ground had allowed my trailer to lean so much that the front corner of the trailer was barely touching the cab of my F350. If he would not have yelled at me and I would have backed up another 6 inches I would have had major damage.

Sometimes it is not just the angle you are turning or backing, it is how the truck and/or trailer is leaning that could require the need for a slider.

[richfaa]

We had pulled 4 other RV's all TT's over the years leading up to our 1st 5th wheel and recognized the value of space in the bed of the truck. With the 5th wheel hitch now in the bed of a new truck the bed space would be greatly diminished. We never considered a short bed truck.

The short bed is fine if it suites your needs but IMO should have the slider hitch. We have seen several damaged truck cabs over the years.

[Hiller]

I did not need a slider on my 2013 until I did. I put a $2K dent in the cab of my truck and took out the rear window. Ordered a Pulrite slider hitch. have not had a problem since as some one mentioned experience can be a tough teache.

[bigred715]

I feel that having the long bed saved our cab several time after making very sharp turns getting out of a situation. I also carry a big tool box in the back of my truck and carry firewood, so I need the extra space.

[jlb27537]

A picture is worth a bunch of words, so I have been told. What you need for proper towing in in my sig pic.

[Virginia Young]

We pulled our first Monty with a short-bed and no slider. I didn't have a problem. Just have to keep an eye on the front cap/cab when backing in turns.

[RKassl]

Do your homework and make the decision that is right for you. We pulled a 2005 Montana for 10 years with a standard (short bed) Chevy, never had a problem even on a 10000 mile trip to Alaska.

[Bad Moon]

If I ONLY used my truck to tow my 5er, and never ventured into a major city, I might have opted for a long wheelbase DRW 3500. But, I use my truck for lots of other things, and frequently need to park it in a parking lot. A short bed SRW is hard enough to park in most metropolitan parking lots; wouldn't want to try it in a dually, long bed. We bought our HC because it is lighter, designed to be pulled with a 3/4 ton (which we already owned). As has been noted elsewhere, the difference between the 2500 and 3500 SRW is the rear springs and the door badges. Period. Same axle (AAM 11.5) frame, wheels, tires, drive train, and brakes. Pin weight capacity is governed primarily by tire capacity, which is why DRW has higher rating.

[Razrbk]

quote:Originally posted by Bad Moon
[As has been noted elsewhere, the difference between the 2500 and 3500 SRW is the rear springs and the door badges. Period. Same axle (AAM 11.5) frame, wheels, tires, drive train, and brakes. Pin weight capacity is governed primarily by tire capacity, which is why DRW has higher rating.

2015 Ram 3500, diesel, SB, 4x4, SRW -------11,700 GVWR & 4,070 payload
2015 " 2500, " , " , " , " -------10,000 " & 2,360 "

3500 better met my needs.

[dfb]

I think weather you need a slider depends on the truck. We have a 2015 ram short bed mega cab. The bed length is 6 foot 3 inches. The shortest of he sb trucks. We also have a 2015 Montana with rounded caps and were using an Anderson ultimate hitch. While backing into our drive way the truck and trailer met. This caused 1800 in damages on a 70,000 truck with only 2000 miles. The dealer took the hitch back and gave us a full refund. Found a pullrite superglide on Craigslist for 550... problem solved. It is worth noting that the side of the trailer hit the truck, not at the caps corner...if you have a sb and need a slider, get the auto slide....the slider does no good if one thinks they don't need to slide it back and still causing damage..

[CORattler]

quote:Originally posted by MARK A

O BOY! You better get your flame suit on....

LOL!