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Old 08-22-2007, 05:18 PM   #21
Montana Larry
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Well lot's of good of advice....all the questions I ask my self aren't just paranoia after all. I'm thinking the 3500 wins out and the jury is still out on DRW or SRW. Prolly end up with a Dodge 3/4...ha,ha..... I half to admit the dually stability and capacity has me bending that way. Great advice from all of you and I even have some good hitch leads to follow up on.

Thank To All!!!!!,

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Old 08-23-2007, 05:24 PM   #22
sailer
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Well rich if he bought a f250 or f350 diesel he would not be here in a duscison at all , it would be done as all he needs is a f250 or over kill a f350 single wheel john
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Old 08-25-2007, 02:03 PM   #23
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No Rich: That seems to be more your line with thew constant complaints and some of the posts you put up here.

I think some of you are just regretting that you overpaid for the 3500 or 350 for no reason.

I knew my post would get a lot of reaction, but the "Weight Police" on here have been posting that those of us who got info from reliable sources and have opted for the 2500 or the 250 are unsafe.

I am with Glenn on this one. I think it's "BULL]
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Old 08-25-2007, 09:11 PM   #24
bsmeaton
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Grumpy

Like Glenn, I'll not argue the point. Our "weight police" do that often enough on here.
Sure glad all those that ain't arguin that point are not arguing that point!

Knew the you couldn't resist grumpy, all that tail waggin on the end of this thread just waitin for ya to try again at the last word
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Old 08-26-2007, 03:29 AM   #25
richfaa
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The spec's are posted on all the trucks. They are there for some reason. It would serve the manufacture better if there where no spec. The best reply we ever got was from a Ford Tech rep at a RV show we were working who stated that it was mostly a liability issue to protect the manufacturer and based on engineering data. He also suggested there was a fudge factor in that the spec;s were a bit lower that 'MAX" That was part of our learning process and we choose to go with manufacturers spec's .As with any knowledge we may have..it is how we apply it that makes the difference. The right or wrong will be decided by a jury of our peers should it come to that.
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Old 08-26-2007, 10:17 AM   #26
sreigle
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In my opinion the 2500 can do the job if you make some modifications so it rides level. However, if buying new I'd recommend getting the 3500 to start with. The cost difference is insignificant and you won't have to do the modifications.
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Old 08-26-2007, 10:58 AM   #27
c5racer
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I might overload my truck, but I wouldn't recommend that somebody do it. Might come back to bite me.
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Old 08-26-2007, 01:46 PM   #28
Eagle Man
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As stated earlier, all you have to do is crunch the numbers. Now that the manufacturers must put the cargo capacity on a sticker it's even easier.
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Old 08-26-2007, 02:10 PM   #29
sgtpp214
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Don't know what $$s would be involved today, but back in 04 it was only $500 diff from the D2500 and the D3500. The only difference at that time was two extra springs on each side on the D3500.
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Old 08-27-2007, 02:17 AM   #30
DonandBonnie
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We went to a local dealer with a salesman that is known as a truck guru. Give him the specs of what you want to pull and he will figure the right truck for you. We gave him the weights on the 3400RL from the Keystone brochure and he showed us that pulling with a 2500 was marginal at best. The empty weight of the 3400RL was the max that a 2500 was designed to pull. We opted for the 3500 so that there was no question that we were within design limits. Also we wanted dual rear wheels which were only available on the 3500. What we don't know is whether Chevy's weight limitations are really design limits of the truck or whether they have been lowered to satisfy the liability lawyers.
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Old 08-27-2007, 02:53 AM   #31
Mudchief
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You made a good choice in the size truck. To answer your question I do believe it is a lawyer liability thing. If you change the rear springs on a 2500 to the same as the 3500 the truck is the same. However by law it is still a 2500.
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Old 09-11-2007, 02:09 PM   #32
bng
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We have a 3400RL that we pull with a 2005 Ford F-350 with a 6.0 diesel engine. I have a Air Deflecter on my truck cab. This has saved me many gallons of fuel (increase of 2 MPG). It is also a stable ride in a head wind. I recomend that everyone pulling a fifth wheel put one on their truck....you will notice a difference!!

bng MOC 6264

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Old 09-11-2007, 04:24 PM   #33
Garin1
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Larry,welcome to the family. Just my two cents, and any of the big three 3/4's will pull it fine, but I have a one ton single rear wheel (because it is my daily driver) and I have one of the largest of the Montana's, 3650rk, and there are no problems with the outfit. I have pulled her from coast to coast with no issues.

God Bless and safe travels
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Old 09-11-2007, 06:14 PM   #34
mail2us
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The "new body" Chev 2500HD CC D/A as rated by Chevrolet indicates 13600 lbs for a 5th wheel and Gross combined @ 22000lbs. I read somewhere in this thread that 12000 was the max wt. Is that a 2500 prior to 2007? Dennis
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Old 09-11-2007, 06:38 PM   #35
Montana Sky
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12,000 is off the receiver hitch. 5th wheel has higher rating...
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Old 09-12-2007, 08:03 AM   #36
richfaa
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Pin weight, pin weight, pin weight,, Carry Capacity, Carry Capacity, Carry capacity. How much weight can be carried on the REAR axle of the truck....How come most everyone tip toes around those numbers????
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Old 09-12-2007, 08:41 AM   #37
bncinwv
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Rich,
All we can do is take comfort in the fact that we did the correct analysis and selection based on weight. I know that I am within all limits of my vehicle. If others choose (which is their perogative) to overlook the ratings, we will not be able to change their reasoning. It remains a personal decision, and personally I am perfectly content with mine (signature tells what my decision was aince I selected the 5er before the TV). Rest assured, that I will try to never post anything (never say never) regarding real or imaginary limits pertaining to any TV in the future. It is a never-ending debate. If someone specifically asks me, I will reply as such. However, I will put a disclaimer on this that I have mentioned before, namely I do not believe that the weight specifications are a line in the sand. 5-10% does not bother me as an engineer because regardless of what is said, I believe (OPINION) that there are safety factors applied.
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Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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Old 09-12-2007, 11:06 AM   #38
Montana Sky
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Most people tip toe around those numbers because the majority of 1 ton DRW owners on this club continue to make false blanket statements about the 2500HD not being able to handle the pin weight of a Montana.

I can say with multiple certified CAT Scale print outs, that my 3400RL loaded with all of my "stuff" for six months on the river IS within the specs of my truck. Now, having said that I also need to clarify that I am single and the coach is packed for 1 person and a small 10 lb dog. I know if there was a 2nd person packed into my coach I would probably be over the GVWR on my truck. My point is, each person needs to check the pin weights of their specific coach and pay attention to how they load it. Granted my 3400RL dry pin weight came from the factory just shy of 1,800 lbs and the new 3400RL's have a heavier empty pin weight, but for some members to continually make the blanket statement of 2500HD's cannot handle a Montana and stay within the trucks ratings is 100% false.
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Old 09-12-2007, 12:49 PM   #39
Ozz
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This seems to be the one topic that really gets members blood boiling, I haven't figured out why it is so important for some people to get unpleasant about it, happens rarely, but does pop up.
Just one of those topics.
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Old 09-12-2007, 01:40 PM   #40
richfaa
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"but for some members to continually make the blanket statement of 2500HD's cannot handle a Montana and stay within the trucks ratings is 100% false." Schazam Dave have a cold one.. No one said that on this thread and you are correct it is 100% false just like the statement the you must have a Diesel to pull any 5th wheel. When a person asks a question we should be answering the question..not saying We have been pulling all over the country with no problems. Pin weight and CC are almost always over looked or not understood and usually exceeded.If providing the information so a poster can determine his pin weight is 'the weight police' then put me at the top of the list.
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