Just bought a Montana Big Sky.....help???

[richfaa]

The Ford is much heavier than the other two brands. I am not sure if that is good or bad,, Caro weight or Carring capacity is what the Total weight of the truck can be or what you can put put IN the truck over it sempty weight. That number is important to 5th wheelers.
18K tow rating is what Dodge says you can tow Total weight of the 5th wheel. You mentioned a GCWR of 25,400 lbs which is the TOTAL Combined weight of the truck and 5th wheel.. For a start you need to find a scale and weigh that truck..then we can go from there and make a bit of sense of the numbers. Weigh the truck with all occupants aboard. The weight of full fuel and hitch can be calculated

I do not doubt the weghts on the tag of the newer trucks..It is the real time weight that is important. I have no idea were the curb weight on my Ford came from. It was listed on the shipping invoice but was not close..maybe the basic F-350??

[pbahlin]

After more research I found an obscure link on ramtruck.com that has a printable/viewable brochure. Who knew?

Anyway here is what is in the brochure:

This is for a 2010 Ram 3500, dually, Long Bed, Crew Cab, 4x4, with automatic transmission....
GCWR 25400
GVWR 12200
Cargo Weight 4680
Max Trailer Weight 17,800

Do a little math....
Curb Weight = GVWR - Cargo = 12200 - 4680 = 7520 lbs.
or alternatively using tow rating
Curb Weight with driver = GCWR - Max Trailer Wt = 25400 - 17800 = 7600 lbs.

So I'm guessing they're assuming an 80 lb driver when they calculate max tow rating. :>{

My guess is the tow rating is a bogus number that they play with for marketing only. On the other hand, GVWR, GCWR, and Cargo Weight are probably not numbers they mess with. If I go with them I get...

GCWR - Big Sky GVWR - Curb Weight = 25400 - 16535 - 7520 = 1345 lbs available for truck load

That means me, DW, dogs, hitch, fuel, and toys can't exceed 1345 or I go over the GCWR. Also, to stay inside GVWR of the truck you need to do: Curb Weight + 1345 + Pin Weight = 7520 + 1345 + 2535 = 11400 loaded truck weight.

To sum it up I'm at 11400 lbs in a 12200 GVWR truck and I'm under the GCWR if I don't exceed the 1345 lbs of people and toys. Seems like it will work if I can control my pie, cheeseburger, pizza, and chocolate addictions.

What do you all think?

[exav8tr]

Other than your cargo load in the truck, the only variable I see is the ACTUAL weight of your truck. I had an '05 Chevy 2500 that I had weighed and it was 6700. 7520 for the truck seems a little low, although I have no experience with Dodges. Maybe the dealer could have it weighed if you are a serious buyer.....They usually never consider max cargo weights when they give out towing weight and other numbers. I feel the most important weights are the GCWR, the Gross Axle weight and load rate on the tires. My opinion, of course.....

[TLightning]

Here are a couple of definitions to peruse:

- The "cargo capacity," which is found on the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left side of the frame, is required on ALL vehicles starting in 2005 (I think it was 2005). Anyway, that number is the maximum weight of any kind you can put in your truck...pin weight, people, hitch, tools, cargo, etc.

- Actual tow capacity equals the GCWR minus the weight of the TV when ready to tow.

[richfaa]

1345 left for CC...My guess is that the actual tuck ready to tow is going to be more than your calulation. You won't be as heavy as this big old ford 9250lbs but my guess is you will be close to a GM or @ 8000/8400lbs. That is what folks have told me their GM weighs ready to tow..
BTW..those are great spec's on the new Dodge

[Leaseit]

dtgrundy,
As a bench mark for GM truck weight, my 2008 Chevy crew cab 3500 dually with a 30 gal. Aux Tank and Tool Box (with the tank full) and no one on board came in at 8,140 pounds. 4,260 pounds on the steering axle and 3,880 on the drive axle. No trailer attached.
The trailer came in at 11,200 lbs with a hitch weight of 2,700 lbs.
We are not full timers but log a lot of miles and if i were starting out again 5th wheeling, (as exav8ter said) i would take a very hard look at getting a MDT for a tow unit. i have seen some 400K to 600K mile Auto Shift Volvos that would make great conversion tow vehicles for half the price of a new BIG THREE unit out of the dealer.
I guess it depends on what your need is if your using it for a daily drive around vehicle, but i agree with HamRod, i'd put a ramp on with a Smart Car for the run around when we stop.

[washley1]

I do not pretend to understand everything those with more experience have put forward here, and it is all good. Bottom line for me is I have a 365 REQ. I have a F350, diesel, dually, with a 430 rear end. I have had both for about one year. It pulls it any where and everywhere so far, for a total of maybe 10,000 miles. The TV pulls well and stops well. There have a been a couple of moments of not quite sheer terror, but over all I am very happy with my choice in trucks to pull this specific trailer. It is a great match, and I am glad I did not compromise. I sleep better.