Trip report - Montana Owners Club

jhudson · 08-04-2015, 04:30 AM

Just want to chime in and report on our trip. We left June 20 and headed south to Sarasota Fl, wrong time of year but being school teachers, it is the only time we can see family that we have there. Running through 95 degree weather and reaching 100 in Sarasota we had zero issues. Running both ACs were able to keep the unit cool to 72 degrees inside. We did have the foil cover bubble insulation in the windows, which really cut down the heat. My SOB had reflective(mirrored) windows and never had the heating issue like my Montana, so the bubble insulation worked great. ACs had no issues keeping the unit cool and cycled through out the day.

From Sarasoto we headed to Texas. Yes I know wrong time of year.....but meeting more family in South Padre. Ran my Honda 2000 generators while on the road and they ran the 15000 BTU AC fine along with the refrigerator and while it did not keep the unit to the 72 degrees, it was at 75 which was nice upon arrive to our camping sites along route it did not take long for the second AC to bring the unit back down to 72. We were there for 1 week and had a great time.

From there we worked our way back home taking our time and just enjoying the sites driving through western Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The drive was absolutely beautiful. Not the best for fuel mileage because of the curvy mountainous roads but I will take it anytime instead of I95.

Performance of the Montana was perfect. We did not have any issues with it from at all. I did have to buy a new sewer hose as our first day out mine split. I really cannot complain about that as it was one that I bought in 2000. So I guess I got my money out of that one. It was a Blue Line 10 foot and I replaced with same type but longer for the 3725.

I rested easy while traveling just a shade over 6300(trailer miles) on Sailun tires I purchased prior to leaving. If you are looking for replacements, I would highly recommend these. They are one heavy duty tire and ran great.

The truck performed great too. It is one heck of towing machine. Mileage for the trip was 11.93. I was hoping for over 12, but I need to be real, as my overall weight is much more than my SOB. So in the end, I am happy with that mileage.

Taking a look at the MOC, I noticed a few members having issues and some very serious. I just want to say our 3725 was perfect and it was very strange for me not having to do something to our camper, as I was used to having to do something along the way with our old SOB. I always thought working on rigs was part of the RV experience.

By the way, holding tanks....We traveled with the black having contents for one week periods. After a week and about a half tank, we would dump at the next campground. Carried 2/3 tank of fresh water because some of our overnite stops would be casinos. The good news no tank failures. Knock on wood....

Had a great trip and heading out to Lake George NY on Thursday. we will be there until school starts. So I can say that we have spent the whole summer in the unit and we are loving it. Wish I could retire now....

Jay

**DQDick** · 08-04-2015, 06:48 AM

Glad your trip went well and the Monty performed. Thanks for sharing.

1retired06 · 08-04-2015, 07:44 AM

Sounds like a Perfect trip

PackerFan · 08-04-2015, 01:04 PM

Sounds like you are having a great time. Wishing you many happy miles and adventures.

waynemoore · 08-04-2015, 01:50 PM

Great trip and happy to hear your Montana performed well.

We are getting ready for a 7000 mile trip in September I am sure ours will be as repair free as yours.

Dam Worker · 08-04-2015, 04:45 PM

Jay that is always nice to hear good news about our units and good trips. Nice to hear your unit was able to cool down to 72 degrees in that heat even if you had to cover the windows. Being cool inside is what we want in the heat. Also driving with the Honda running one AC unit sounds like it worked good as you were just trying to maintain the temperature instead of trying to remove twenty five plus degrees of heat out of you unit when you got to your next camping spot. I am still a bit nervous with tires on my unit. They do have a higher rating than my axle rating so we will see. By the way both of my kids are also teachers. One is high school Spanish teacher and the other is a kindergarten teacher.

rames14 · 08-04-2015, 05:55 PM

Glad to hear it Jay. Your trip is what we have experienced over the last 11 years in our Montana(s). Enjoy many more trouble free miles.

richfaa · 08-05-2015, 06:45 AM

We need more perfect report like this one. Lets everyone who had a perfect trip with no issues or a perfect Montana with no problems post here.We need to hear both sides.

grayghost03 · 08-05-2015, 08:07 AM

Full time since January, replace Theford commod, 4500 miles on trailer no other issues. PS we are loving it.

trlrboy · 08-05-2015, 08:51 AM

Glad to hear your report about the Sailun tires. I just put 4 on my trailer after 5 years on G614s. I hope I have as good luck as you have had.

jhudson · 08-05-2015, 11:51 AM

Thanks to all for the nice comments. Wish we could do this full time. Just need to figure a way to pay the bills. Meet some wonderful folks on the way. Always complimented on our Monty and people were amazed how well I could back a 40 footer in. One couple thought I was a truck driver and were surprise's to find out that I was a teacher. (I took it as a compliment)I said to them that all it takes is practise and enough room to maneuver both truck and camper. I have found that our 3725 is easier to back than our old 30 foot SOB.

One funny thing I did discover this trip is to make sure you do not travel on Friday. Did it once and it was crazy. Now we make sure if we can be where we want to be on Thursday and leave on Mondays. We found the roads where more easier to travel.
Thanks again,
Jay

JandC · 08-05-2015, 01:03 PM

Good report to read. You put some serious miles on the Montana and without any issues. Congrats and safe travels!

Annaoinga · 08-05-2015, 01:34 PM

Great to hear such positive news! Glad you had a good summer!

Our last trip our main AC didn't cool like it should. We might need to try the window insulation.... We have a 3725 also, a 2014.

Hope all your travels are as successful as this one!

Dam Worker · 08-05-2015, 02:48 PM

I also agree with trying not to travel on Fridays or Sundays if possible especially on holidays. Usually try to go a few day before and leave a day after. If I have to come home on a Sunday etc. I am on the road early. Can't always do this schedule as we still have to consider our responsibilities at work.

Tom Marty

sambam · 08-05-2015, 03:54 PM

Congratulations on a successful trip, Jay. Enjoy Lake George. It's beautiful up there. We stayed at the Lake George RV Park in '12. Pricy, but worth it.

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