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Old 03-29-2021, 07:05 AM   #1
boomer76
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Thinking of buying a montana 295rl

Thinking of buying a 2021 montana HC 295 rl with a weight of 11035 lbs, I have a 2018 3/4 ton GMC Durmax with allison transmission. Its hard to find weights that are safe to pull does anyone out there have a 295rl with 3/4 ton sit up like mine and do you have any issues with towing
 
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Old 03-29-2021, 07:57 AM   #2
brooks340
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I have a 2020 294RL which we tow with a 2019 GMC 3500HD SRW. Loaded we're within 400lbs of maximum cargo capacity. Make sure you check the limits on your truck, and get the rig weighed to be sure. Your limiting factor won't be what it can tow it will be what it can carry.
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Old 03-29-2021, 09:10 AM   #3
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We towed a 2955RL with a 3/4 ton Ford for many years, with no problems. The loaded weight of ours was 11,000 pounds, give or take. The loaded weight is what tells the tale. BTW, when we bought a new truck, it was a 1 ton.
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Old 03-29-2021, 09:23 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by brooks340 View Post
....Your limiting factor won't be what it can tow it will be what it can carry....
This is the key point. A 3/4 ton can tow it, but it's not a pull behind trailer, most 3/4s are over weight when adding the pin weight of a 5th wheel.
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Old 03-29-2021, 09:34 AM   #5
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Welcome aboard, Boomer. It's important to calculate using the right numbers.

First, always use the GVWR numbers provided by the manufacturer. The empty weight numbers you quoted don't exist once it's loaded with batteries, AC's, all your gear, etc. The GVWR is a more accurate gauge of what you will be hauling down the road.

Second, use 23% of the trailer GVWR as pin weight. That's the number you should use in helping to determine whether or not you have enough truck.

Third, look at the sticker inside your truck's driver side door. Somewhere it will tell you something like "passengers and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". That number is your truck's payload. Trailer pin weight, passengers, and whatever else you toss in the truck will total the amount of weight you will carry. If that number is greater than your truck's published payload then you don't have enough truck. If it's less then you should be OK.

Example: GVWR = 14,000 lbs. 23% of that is 3220 lbs. Now add 3200 lbs to passengers and other cargo and that's your payload requirement.

Good luck with the search!
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Old 03-29-2021, 10:20 AM   #6
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[QUOTE=jsb5717;1216898]Welcome aboard, Boomer. It's important to calculate using the right numbers.

First, always use the GVWR numbers provided by the manufacturer. The empty weight numbers you quoted don't exist once it's loaded with batteries, AC's, all your gear, etc. The GVWR is a more accurate gauge of what you will be hauling down the road.

Second, use 23% of the trailer GVWR as pin weight. That's the number you should use in helping to determine whether or not you have enough truck.

Third, look at the sticker inside your truck's driver side door. Somewhere it will tell you something like "passengers and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". That number is your truck's payload. Trailer pin weight, passengers, and whatever enough truck. If it's less then you should be OK.

Example: GVWR = 14,000 lbs. 23% of that is 3220 lbs. Now add 3200 lbs to passengers and other cargo and that's your payload requirement.

Good luck with the sweigh just buy the baddest truck out there.. then forget it...
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Old 03-29-2021, 04:02 PM   #7
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thanks everyone for the info, I'll do some more research, I pull gooseneck cattle trailers all the time I know my truck will pull the 295rl just wanted to be legal with the whole thing
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Old 03-29-2021, 07:13 PM   #8
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Typically a Real Gooseneck Trailer puts much less pin weight in the bed of the truck compared to a Fifthwheel Trailer.
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Old 03-30-2021, 08:11 AM   #9
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Typically a Real Gooseneck Trailer puts much less pin weight in the bed of the truck compared to a Fifthwheel Trailer.
As long as the two hitches are in approximately the same place, which they normally are, the PW will be approximately the same.
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Old 03-30-2021, 09:30 AM   #10
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Youtube answers the question on 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton trucks towing capabilities.. 1/2 tons can tow a small travel trailer or 5ver up to 6000.. 3/4 ton trucks can pull travel trailers or again a small 5ver..However, when talking large 5th wheels the poster said ,"only Duallies" are recommended to pull these. This is because of "pin weight".. Any truck smaller will be overloaded..There is no law, or legality of towing more than a vehicle is rated except commercially, insurance wiil pay. People will do what they do. For folks buying a full size 5ver and dont want to overload their trucks, it is dually..For folks who say they pull large 5th wheels with anything less, the truck is over weight..
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Old 04-04-2021, 04:46 PM   #11
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We have a 2006 Chev 2500HD CCSB with the Duramax/Allison.
Truck empty is 4240 front axle, 2940 drive axle on a scale
With the 2009 2955RL ready to travel it is 4600 front axle, 5040 drive axle and 9260 both trailer axles on a scale.
2100 pin, and 9260 axles totals 11360. A bit over trailer spec weight but we travel light. Reese goose box and gooseneck hitch in the truck, no clearance issues.
The truck handles the trailer very well, pulls it easily and stops good. One time in CA we were going around a sweeping corner 55ish mph and they had a rough road 35mph sign and in 100 yds a 4' drop off. That was a moment to remember.
I just ordered a '22 F350 CCSB SRW as the Chev is at the max of its rated 13000 fifth wheel tow capacity. IMO I wouldn't pull anything heavier than the 5er we have now with the 3/4 ton. Newer trucks have higher ratings.
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Old 04-04-2021, 05:05 PM   #12
Carl n Susan
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...With the 2009 2955RL ready to travel it is 4600 front axle, 5040 drive axle and 9260 both trailer axles on a scale.
2100 pin, and 9260 axles totals 11360. A bit over trailer spec weight...
If I understand what you are saying, the 9260 already includes the pin weight of 2100 so you are well under max load for your truck.
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Old 04-04-2021, 05:20 PM   #13
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We purchased a 2021 Montana HC 295rl last year, and I use a 2011 Silverado 2500 HD. Already have over 2,000 miles pulling it with no issues.
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Old 04-04-2021, 05:49 PM   #14
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If I understand what you are saying, the 9260 already includes the pin weight of 2100 so you are well under max load for your truck.
Pin weight is 2100 additional to the empty truck rear axle of 2940 = 5040.
The 9260 is the actual trailer axles weight, no pin weight as it is on the truck axle.
The scale has different sections so I was able to get the front axle, rear axle and trailer axles separately.
Truck door sticker says 9200 GVWR max.
Truck door sticker says 4670 GVWR max front and 6084 max rear = more than 9200 GVWR, go figure that one??
Scale shows 4600 front and 5040 rear, a good balance and drives like it.
I am at 9640 but did install heavier rated tires for argument if checked for overall truck GVWR.
BTW, truck has only a 1384# camper loading spec.
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Old 04-04-2021, 09:20 PM   #15
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I have a 305 RL which is very similar in weight and size of the 295 RL. The 295 RL is a great floor plan! I pull mine with a 2019, 3500 HD GMC duramax. When looking at the difference between the 2500 and 3500, there are only minor differences. The 3500 HD had an extra over load leaf spring and 18" rim tires were rated to 3750 Lbs, whereas the 2500 20" rims tires were rated at only 3200 Lbs. I liked the looks of the 20" rims on the 2500 much better, so after I purchased the truck, I took off the 18" rims and put 20" wheels and went with a heavier rated 3800 Lbs tire. I recommend upgrading the tires to 3700 to 3900 lbs rating and adding airbags or timbrens in the rear. It will be a great tow vehicle for that 295 RL - Enjoy the 295RL !
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Old 04-04-2021, 10:42 PM   #16
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We have a 2020 294RL. Max payload on our 2016 3/4 ton Silverado Duramax was 2450 lbs. Pin weight on the 294 RL is 3000 lbs (Cat Scale weight). So at this point, axle weights become somewhat irrelevant.

Our 2019 3500 Silverado has a payload of 3550 lbs.

Sure the 2500 will tow it-just not legally.
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Old 04-05-2021, 12:31 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by mhs4771 View Post
Typically a Real Gooseneck Trailer puts much less pin weight in the bed of the truck compared to a Fifthwheel Trailer.



Fully agree as the goose neck trailers are able to move the payload forward and back on the trailer to adjust for pin weight. we do it all the time with the front end loaders.
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Old 04-06-2021, 09:47 AM   #18
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This is the key point. A 3/4 ton can tow it, but it's not a pull behind trailer, most 3/4s are over weight when adding the pin weight of a 5th wheel.
This is correct.. 3/4 is great for bumper pulls and small 5th wheels .. a full size 5ver is way too much ...
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Old 04-06-2021, 12:14 PM   #19
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The layout of the Montana makes a big difference. I have a Mountaineer 362. I think it was rated at around 2055 pin weight by Keystone. Most others from the same year were slightly higher. However one model that was 39' long had a pin of 2700 lb. Another that was also 39' had a pin of 2250. The placement of the wheels makes a difference in my opinion.

My actual pin is around 2400-2500 and loaded the trailer is 13,500 or so - under 14000 Keystone says. So my pin is quite a bit less than 20%. These new models have huge listed pin weights compared to the 2013 Mountaineers. My Silverado is about 400 lb over gvwr, but both axles are ok. From what I have heard, the everything was the same in the 2012 model year from the 3500 except for a leaf spring. I also figure if the weight police find a problem, I can just move all our clothes from the closet to the back of the trailer and fill up the fresh water tank to shift the weight back.
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Old 04-06-2021, 02:14 PM   #20
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The OP asked if there were any issues towing a 14,000 GVWR 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton truck. The main issue mentioned is being overweight.

You can justify it any way you want (ie: it’s only one more leaf spring) but for me, I’m not comfortable knowing that I’m overweight every time I get behind the wheel.

If that doesn’t bother you, and there seems to be many that it doesn’t, it’s your choice.
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