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Old 03-31-2010, 12:23 PM   #1
Johnsonw
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New to 5th Wheeling-Looking to buy a truck

We recently bought a used 2008 Montana 2955RL 5th wheel. I work out of state and I am living in the unit for the next 18 months. At the end of 2011, me and my wife will be taking early retirement and traveling the country with our 5th wheel. We will be on the road ~ 9 months a year. I now need to purchase a truck to haul the 5th wheel. I have two options, buy a used truck 1-3 years old, or buy new. I want to learn as much as I can, about what I should buy, for both options (new or used). What are the best resources for educating myself? Being an Engineer, I'm hoping to find facts, rather than opinions. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to call my cell if you have time to discuss and don't like to type.
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Old 03-31-2010, 12:32 PM   #2
NCFischers
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Walter,
I purchased my 2003 in '05. I was looking for new and ran accross it on a dealers lot. It had 24K on it and was like new so I bought it and probably saved 15K to 20K on it. I bought it 4 years before the trailer. I looked and compared for a long time. I prefer the 1 Ton dually diesel for it's towing capacity and stability. You will find a wide range of opinions on this subject. It boils down to what you are comfortable with. I personally have never had a problem buying used if it was a good deal as this was. You have time to do the research.
Jim
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Old 03-31-2010, 01:09 PM   #3
hookman
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we have an 08 Dodge 3500 with the Cummins with the Exhaust Brake and 6 speed Automatic. It pulls the our 08 2955RL Montana easily and holds it back on the hills. You will find that the Big 3 all build trucks that will pull your truck easily just make sure you have a truck that is rated for the gross combined weight of your unit. Also welcome to the best on-line club on the INTERNET
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Old 03-31-2010, 02:57 PM   #4
danandbetty
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I bought a new truck every 3 to 4 years right off the showroom floor. Each time as I drove off the lot I could almost hear the cash register ring up the depreciation of about $1500 instantly and then keep going thereafter. I did this for nearly 30 years. Now that I'm retired I don't want payments and can't afford to pay cash for a new truck. In '09 I sold my '04 and bought a used '07 from a private party at a huge savings because it is 2 years old (low miles perfect condition). He paid all that depreciation for that new truck smell. I've never used any warranty on my new trucks - never had a problem. So what does all this mean to me? I wish I had all that money that I could have saved buying a nearly new used truck. If I did I'd buy a nearly new used Monty and wouldn't be towing an '02.

My advice is to listen to the Monty warriers who have a lot of experience with a TV and then do what you can afford.
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Old 03-31-2010, 05:39 PM   #5
7.3Ford
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Look for two things, diesel and six speed automatic. Exhaust brake is also nice if you are not a flat lander. I also prefer 1 ton trucks, front springs are just a little heavier vs 3/4 heavy duty. My 2001 F-350 SRW pulls the Monty fine, but I did put in an Aux Tran in, since stock 4 speed limited certain speed ranges.
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Old 04-01-2010, 03:10 AM   #6
camper4
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I have typically bought new. I hate, though, when trade in time comes. The hit you take leaving with a new truck is terrible. For my next truck I will be looking real hard at a one to two year old truck.
The electronics on today's vehicles protect them better than old ones did. You can check to see if they have been "chipped", wrecked, flooded, and most other repairs performed on the vehicle. Factory warranties on powertrains are longer and transferable.
Some engines and transmissions have had issues, more than others, and you know which to avoid.
Sometimes you can talk to the previous owner.

Nothing is fool proof but that includes new vehicles. As of right now Ford has a new diesel and transmission, GM is doing the same. Dodge will compete. They usually have issues with new stuff.

Good luck!
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Old 04-01-2010, 11:49 AM   #7
Bob Pasternak
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Walt; A 3/4 ton is plenty big enough to pull a 2955RL. And with a 3/4, you can go thru car washes and bank lanes., etc. The WPS will tell you to get a MDT. Forget it. In 2003 I found an '01 Dodge/Cummins quad cab on Auto-Trader that was like new with 17,000 miles on it. In '05 we traded for an '05 Dodge/Cummins 3/4 and then traded a 2003 2955RL for an '06 3000RK. NEVER a problem going from Prince Edward Island, Can to Mazatlan,Mex. from Miami, FL to Vancouver, B.C. Thru the Canadian Rockies and American Rockies. If you use Auto-Trader, you can go to 'advanced search', type in exactly what you want and how far you'll go to get it and you will probably get something.
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Old 04-01-2010, 12:48 PM   #8
TLightning
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Get your calculator out and do the numbers. Any diesel will "pull" any Montana. What you need to look at is the weight in the truck. Due to the pin weight, most 3/4 tons can pull it, but are over their GW rating.
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Old 04-01-2010, 01:28 PM   #9
richfaa
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Being an Engineer, I'm hoping to find facts" My kind of guy..He will have no problem finding the right truck for the job.
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Old 04-01-2010, 02:49 PM   #10
7.3Ford
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Bob Pasternak

Walt; A 3/4 ton is plenty big enough to pull a 2955RL. And with a 3/4, you can go thru car washes and bank lanes., etc.
My 1 ton goes thru the car wash, if it is a pull thru. Forget the kind that you stop and it goes around you, Crew Cab and Long Bed is just to long.. they will try to take off the back of the truck.

For pulling or putting something in the back 3/4 Heavy Duty and 1 ton SDW are about the same... 1 ton has 100lbs more than 3/4 but that's about it (at least with Ford's). DRW will add more weight in the bed, but same pulling rating. Price it both ways if you are looking at SRW. I think you will find price about the same, because the 1 ton has a large engine credit built in, so all thought the price is higher, when you start looking at diesel or larger gas engines, it is about the same.

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Old 04-01-2010, 04:03 PM   #11
Bob Pasternak
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I'll just bet these people forgot to get on here and check with the WPs to see if they could do these things. http://www.hotshottruckingservice.com/
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Old 04-02-2010, 06:18 AM   #12
DonandJudy_12
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Be sure you pick a truck strong enough to do the job- An inadequate truck will wear out faster and cost more to operate than a truck that has adequate power and load capacity- History shows the next trailer will be bigger and heavier, so be prepared- JMHO- Don
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Old 04-02-2010, 06:34 AM   #13
5ER
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The most important word for towing is: Diesel, Diesel, Diesel... (unless you like climbing steep and long hills at 35mph)
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