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Old 08-04-2020, 05:15 PM   #1
Go Air Force
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2020 Chevy 2500 HD WT Crew Cab 6.6 Duramax

My wife and I really have our eyes set on the 3120RL Montana. That said, I just purchased the 2020 Chevy 2500 Duramax a month ago. I have been over the door numbers, on calculators and with the increased loads this truck carries according to my door sticker, I am under and not over on payload both axel ratings are fine. So, my question is this, they put the Pin Weight in the flyer at 2240 for a dry 3210. I have run 20 to 23% and stil am under. It is my wife and I and two small dogs. We are not full timers and are not moving a house. We are weekenders and really don't travel much, but not to say we wont take a trip here or there for a week. What is the actual pin weight for those of you who own a 3210 if you have had it weighed, and are any of you pulling with a 2500 Duramax already. Thanks for your input.
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Old 08-04-2020, 07:06 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by goairforce@aol.com View Post
My wife and I really have our eyes set on the 3120RL Montana. That said, I just purchased the 2020 Chevy 2500 Duramax a month ago. I have been over the door numbers, on calculators and with the increased loads this truck carries according to my door sticker, I am under and not over on payload both axel ratings are fine. So, my question is this, they put the Pin Weight in the flyer at 2240 for a dry 3210. I have run 20 to 23% and stil am under. It is my wife and I and two small dogs. We are not full timers and are not moving a house. We are weekenders and really don't travel much, but not to say we wont take a trip here or there for a week. What is the actual pin weight for those of you who own a 3210 if you have had it weighed, and are any of you pulling with a 2500 Duramax already. Thanks for your input.
My '17 305RL had a published pin weight just over 2000lbs - loaded to go turned out to be 3000lbs - truck had a 10,000 GVWR and the truck scaled 1800lbs over, rear axle was 700 over ... depends one empty weight wet (people pets fuel hitch stuff and fur babies) . might be borderline IMHO
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Old 08-05-2020, 10:39 AM   #3
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My Mountaineer specs said pin weight was 2000 lb or so. In reality, it is 2400-2500 lb. I was counting on the 2000 lb so my truck would be within specs. Total weight of truck is several lb over limit - but axles are ok.
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Old 08-05-2020, 02:41 PM   #4
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Not for sure where you were getting your Montana numbers, but on the website, they show the pin weight at 2280. , not a lot, but it is different for whatever reason.

Figure you're going to add a 1000 pounds MINIMUM to that base weight when you get all the food, water, dishes, LP, chairs, yada-yada-yada in there. That will put you at 13,056, IF their dry weight is correct. 23% of 13,056 is 3,003. If I'm reading your truck sticker correctly, the max payload is 3342. Minus the 3003, you would have 339 available for you, your wife, dogs, hitch, and anything else in the cab.

Even if you use 20%, you would be a 2611, which would leave you at 730 lbs. That might sound like a lot, but it don't take long to get there with people, dogs, a hitch, and "stuff" in the cab.

Not for sure if I'm reading your sticker correctly, but it appears that the max tongue weight on a gooseneck / 5er is 2,773, but I may not understand the sticker either.

One final thought, doesn't your truck have a yellow sticker as well? What does it say?, and is it different than the above sticker?

Hopefully someone chimes in on what the "real" weights are on the 3120, realizing that your's will be different, but that would at least give you perspective on how far off Keystone is on their weights.

Good luck!!
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Old 08-05-2020, 04:11 PM   #5
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I have a 2015 3100rl that Montana claims a pin weight of 2545lbs. This trailer is basically the same as yours from the door forward. My cat scale loaded pin weight was 2980lbs. This included about 350lbs of passenger weight, 40 gallons of diesel, 125lb generator, 40lb air compressor and another 50 lbs of “stuff” in the bed. I do however have an Anderson hitch which saves me about 100lbs over a standard hitch. There was probably 300 or so pounds in the basement, and way to many clothes in the closet.
I think that unless you are loaded to the gills for full time living you will be fine. I have 4480lbs of cargo carrying capacity and I will probably never exceed even 1/2 of that!
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Old 08-05-2020, 06:54 PM   #6
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I wonder what would happen if you went a few pounds over? Nothing
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:38 PM   #7
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your 3/4 tone will be fine.
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Old 08-05-2020, 08:00 PM   #8
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Remember also that the 2020 GMC,s and Chevy’s RAWR is close to the earlier 1ton SRW trucks.
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Old 08-07-2020, 06:32 PM   #9
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Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door frame. It will give you the actual carrying capacity of the truck. The majority of Montana's will be over the truck's load capacity with a 2500 series truck. It will pull anything, but can't carry the weight.
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Old 08-10-2020, 04:22 PM   #10
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I have a 2017 2500 Duramax that required re certification and added a heavy duty leaf spring to make it basically a 3500 now. Thats the main difference. Axles are the same, etc. I have a new sticker added to my door frame certifying the new load capacity. I bought my rig in Florida and the dealer had the upgrade set up with a local spring shop they use. I know they had to have some DOT certification and there are other regulations they have to follow but I don't know the details. I also upgraded my truck tires to carry the additional load. My OEM tires were marginal on the load, so I was far better off going to the next grade level and not have to worry about the tires. Not all spring shops even know how to re certify a pick up. Do some research for your area about it. Regardless of whether it is re certified, a good spring shop should be able to fix you up so you have plenty of payload capacity. Just explain what you need and they can give you options. The new springs and tires will add some hight to your rig. Something else to deal with in trying to get your rig to ride level. Hope this helps.
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Old 08-10-2020, 04:33 PM   #11
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2500 load

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Originally Posted by TLightning View Post
Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door frame. It will give you the actual carrying capacity of the truck. The majority of Montana's will be over the truck's load capacity with a 2500 series truck. It will pull anything, but can't carry the weight.
You are correct! That rig will pull it no problem. Your suspension will be marginal and tires might be marginal as well. You can add springs and upgrade tires and be in business no problem. Your axles and most everything else are the same as a 3500, just not your rear suspension. The only real difference is a leaf spring. Which looks like you will need.
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:54 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by TLightning View Post
Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door frame. It will give you the actual carrying capacity of the truck. The majority of Montana's will be over the truck's load capacity with a 2500 series truck. It will pull anything, but can't carry the weight.
This will be correct. From memory reading the sticker; that truck has about 3300 payload, the trailer is 16k gvw. Even if you don't fully load the trailer to gvw I can't imagine buying that large of a trailer and putting a bedroll and loaf of bread in it. It will have stuff....lots of stuff. Never seen one that didn't unless it was a smaller trailer used for jaunts like going deer hunting or a fishing trip, and even then...lots of stuff.

IMO you need either a bigger truck for the 3120 but since you just bought the 2500 I would be looking at a smaller/lighter trailer. As I've always said; either buy the truck and trailer to complement each other. If not, whichever one you own dictates what you get in the other (truck/rv) if you try to be safe.
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:15 PM   #13
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...Thats the main difference. Axles are the same, etc. ...
In 2020 the axles are different between the 2400 and 3500 SRW's. Bigger ring gear on the 3500's...
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:35 PM   #14
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In 2020 the axles are different between the 2400 and 3500 SRW's. Bigger ring gear on the 3500's...
Even so, with some spring work and tire upgrade he should still be able to reach the load capacity he needs. Thats where he needs accurate pin weight and load calculations to make sure he has plenty of capacity. I believe he has already bought the truck, and if he is set on the rig he wants, the spring work and tires are his only choice. Otherwise a lighter/ smaller 5er is his only other option. Spring work is about $1500 to $2000.
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Old 08-10-2020, 07:07 PM   #15
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...Thats where he needs accurate pin weight and load calculations to make sure he has plenty of capacity....
You are correct. This is what's really needed....
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Old 08-10-2020, 09:10 PM   #16
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You can look at all the stickers in the world but for me Ford says i can pull a 5th wheel weighing 15,900. And if that's the case than why not. If everyone goes by some sticker in the door there is no way they can ever go RVing. There is not a truck built in the country without a bull dog on the grill that you can use to go camping. I am going on Amazon right now and get me a bull dog. Bingo
https://www.amazon.com/Trucks-Polish...s%2C238&sr=8-3
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Old 08-10-2020, 09:42 PM   #17
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You can look at all the stickers in the world but for me Ford says i can pull a 5th wheel weighing 15,900. And if that's the case than why not. If everyone goes by some sticker in the door there is no way they can ever go RVing. There is not a truck built in the country without a bull dog on the grill that you can use to go camping. I am going on Amazon right now and get me a bull dog. Bingo
https://www.amazon.com/Trucks-Polish...s%2C238&sr=8-3


Actually the generic "max tow" number is a figment of someone's imagination in some world with "that" perfectly configured truck that they used to get that number. It is highly doubtful you own it. The numbers in your door; payload, gawr and your gvwr ARE the defining numbers of what you can do in YOUR truck..not the one in the sales brochure trying to misguide folks into overloading themselves. Those numbers are the "kool aid", knowledgeable folks don't drink it. But, good luck on that bulldog...looks good.
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Old 08-10-2020, 11:35 PM   #18
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I pull a 2018 Montana 3120 with my 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax. I weighed the truck/trailer combo then truck alone. The pin weight was 2909 lbs.
I have added an extra leaf spring on each side as well as air bags. The air bags were not necessary.
I use an Anderson aluminum hitch. The loaded rear axle of the truck weighed 6150, the tires are rated at 3520 lbs, each.
I have towed from Edmonton, Alberta to Yuma, twice and will go again when Arizona gets Covid 19 under control.
I hope this helps in your decision..
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Old 08-11-2020, 05:49 AM   #19
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Actually the generic "max tow" number is a figment of someone's imagination in some world with "that" perfectly configured truck that they used to get that number. It is highly doubtful you own it. The numbers in your door; payload, gawr and your gvwr ARE the defining numbers of what you can do in YOUR truck..not the one in the sales brochure trying to misguide folks into overloading themselves. Those numbers are the "kool aid", knowledgeable folks don't drink it. But, good luck on that bulldog...looks good.
I must have one of those perfect trucks.
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Old 08-11-2020, 08:41 AM   #20
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You can look at all the stickers in the world but for me Ford says i can pull a 5th wheel weighing 15,900. And if that's the case than why not. If everyone goes by some sticker in the door there is no way they can ever go RVing. There is not a truck built in the country without a bull dog on the grill that you can use to go camping. I am going on Amazon right now and get me a bull dog. Bingo
https://www.amazon.com/Trucks-Polish...s%2C238&sr=8-3
As noted on here many times before....towing is not the issue. These diesels will "pull" anything, however, the 250/2500 series can't carry the pin weight and all the other stuff we put in our trucks.
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