Space between truck and coach - Montana Owners Club

Montana Sky · 04-02-2006, 09:30 PM

Has anyone else noticed on some of the other brands the lack of space between the rear of the truck and the coach? While on my little 2300 mile journey last week I saw alot of rv's heading back to the northern states. I was amazed at the number of 5th wheels out there you cannot walk between the coach and the truck bumper. Wonder how they get their tailgate up before the truck and tailgate hit each other? When hooked I have more than enough room to walk between my truck and coach, can even get into the front storage compartment without unhooking. Never really gave this much thought until I saw what else is out there. Just another reason to like my Montana more...

Dave e Victoria · 04-03-2006, 03:04 AM

It used to be that you could leave the tailgate down and still tow the Montana. I'm not sure that is still true with today's models. When we had our 3295, I actually had a platform behind the truck to carry our big green eg, charcoal and dog food. I had to get rid of it when we got the Cambridge as it is too close although I can still walk between truck and trailer.

stiles watson · 04-03-2006, 03:07 AM

Good design is just good design.

Fordzilla · 04-03-2006, 04:31 AM

My last trailer was just far enough away to hook up leaving the tailgate down. But the Montana like stated above you could leave it down and still walk thru there to the other side. I was wondering if that big space causes any unnecessary turbulence and extra drag because of such a wide open area? I account some of this to the previous owner or Keystone installing a extended king pin box. I have a long box p-up and my previous 5'er had the pin come straight down out of the box.

rickety · 04-03-2006, 05:33 AM

As Stiles said, Just great design work!! I love being able to have the t-gate down, allows me to store my tripod, blocks, etc. right at the rear of the truck and makes it easy to get to them immediatley for setup.

Just my opinion.

ghuff · 04-24-2006, 12:55 AM

I hate to burst your bubble, but we picked up our 2006 3400RL in Dec '05 and to our surprise that space you are describing is gone. I beleived it went away because of other problems of clearance. When you opened the entrance door on the early 3400RLs, it covered part of the storage door, so they moved things down below forward using up part of the clearance space. I discovered this on my own 3400 in comparring it to our freinds '05 3400. I had no reason to check but expect that all 3000 plus models are the same.

yvonnenid · 04-24-2006, 04:28 AM

We still have the space between our coach and the tail gate on our 06 3670. We can walk through even with our tail gate down. We picked our 06 up at the end of Dec 05.

Montana Sky · 04-24-2006, 11:45 AM

The signs of progress, what works well for one may not work so well for another. Makes me wonder if this new design is going to stick around or not? I sure like having the ablility to get into my front basement door when hooked up. Also like not having to worry about having either tailgate up or down.

rickfox · 04-25-2006, 07:16 AM

As has been mentioned in other posts, all Montana's 34' and over no longer have the extended pin box. The one used on these models is approximately 6" shorter. This reduced the clearance between the rear of the TV and the front basement door of the trailer by the same 6". On the 3400, 3500, 3670 etc, while hitched, you can still open the front basement door, but unless you are a thin person, or very limber, you have to open it from the side.

There is still more room than a lot I've seen, but not as much as there used to be.

Fordzilla · 04-25-2006, 10:15 AM

Do you think they shortened it to help with wind drag? I was thinking it would cause more drag being farther away from the truck and tailgate than if it was closer?

Montana Sky · 04-25-2006, 10:35 AM

Ron,
I do not think so. The front cap did not come any closer to the truck, actually on the new caps the front is farther back with the new rounded corners and all. It seems that the basement area is the section that has come closer to the rear bumper, thus I am not sure would have much effect on drag. Just my thinking out loud...

Fordzilla · 04-25-2006, 10:43 AM

I was just trying to see if it would do me good to replace the extended pin with a standard one. With a long box I have no cab/trailer contact issues so I was thinking I would decrease the drag by moving it closer. Maybe it isn't worth messing with. I do like having the extra room to open up the front basement storage area when hooked up as I store lots of stuff I need to set up in there and it makes it real easy to get at now.

Montana Sky · 04-25-2006, 12:28 PM

Ron,
Have you been following me today again? I was just talking with the service tech this afternoon about replacing the kingpin with a standard length pin. Ever since Keystone went back to the short pin for over 34' it has had me a little concerned. I do not want to be having any stress cracks or frame issues in the upcoming years. Amazing how great minds think alike, even if we are some 1,500 miles apart. LOL!

steves · 04-26-2006, 02:32 AM

I asked that question to Keystone and they told me my king-pin is correct for my model. If you think about it they have made changes to the front-ends and that may be the reason for the shorter king-pin. My 05 3400 tows and handles great as is with my stock F350 so I'm leaving well enough alone.

Montana Sky · 04-26-2006, 02:17 PM

Sounds pretty much like the answer I got yesterday as well. I have not had any trouble with the way my coach tows or rides down the road, I was thinking more of they must have changed it for a reason....

AZCampinfool · 04-27-2006, 08:05 AM

Just purchased an 06 319 BHD Mountaineer. Book says it is 35' and I can open the front storage compartment and have no problems walking between truck and fiver while hitched up. Wonder if the new Mountaineers are that much different than the new Montanas?

Montana_5701 · 04-28-2006, 11:53 PM

I have the 2004 Chevy HD Duramax/Allison with the short bed and the standard Reese hitch. Currently I am pulling a 2001 32 ft. Fleetwood Wilderness (Expected purchase of Montana 3400 in early June) with no problems even tho' I can't make a complete 90° jacknife it does Ok. Question is how will the 3400 do with the short bed ? Can you pass on more info. about the Superglide hitch ??

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by rickfox

As has been mentioned in other posts, all Montana's 34' and over no longer have the extended pin box. The one used on these models is approximately 6" shorter. This reduced the clearance between the rear of the TV and the front basement door of the trailer by the same 6". On the 3400, 3500, 3670 etc, while hitched, you can still open the front basement door, but unless you are a thin person, or very limber, you have to open it from the side.

There is still more room than a lot I've seen, but not as much as there used to be.

Montana_5701 · 04-28-2006, 11:58 PM

And by the way, the Wilderness does have the extended pin..

Montana Sky · 05-01-2006, 03:07 PM

mp-ray
I can do a full 90 degree turn with my 3400RL and truck. Try www.pullrite.com and request the free brochure and video. As long as I have a shortbed I will not be without a Superglide. I have been able to make a full U-turn on a 2 lane road with this set up. I do not think you will be unhappy with this hitch.

sreigle · 05-08-2006, 08:25 AM

M.S., I would guess you are right it is at least partially because of the overhang frame problems. They strengthened ours after we had the problem and I anticipate not having the problem again though. I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you. Certainly not enough to pay to change the pinbox. If you have problems they will fix it so you have no more problem with it and that won't cost you a dime. Just my opinion.

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