Montana 281ck towing with?

[koosh22]

Considering purchasing 2022 Montana 281ck.....but the research I do the more concerns I have about my truck towing it. 2022 Ram 2500 crewcab, 6.4 Hemi gas motor.....according to Dodge, my max towing capacity is 14,000lbs. My cargo capacity is 3200lbs. The hitch weight is 2200lbs. The dry weight is 10,600lbs, loaded I believe is 12900lbs....GVWR is 14,000lbs. Will this trailer make my 2500 "squat"? Will this truck struggle with this 5th wheel?
Thanks for any input....

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard. You're asking the right questions and the numbers can be confusing.

The only way to know for sure what your real hitch/pin weight is is to go to a scale and weigh it. Most of us need to get the equipment before we can do that so the best course is to use existing numbers to calculate your pin weight. The pin weight is a variable, but the payload capacity of your truck is a known max number.

Rule of thumb is 23% of GVWR = loaded pin weight. In your case 23% of 14,000 lbs is 3200 lbs. That's where you start. Add to that weight the people and everything else you will load on to that truck, including the hitch. A 1 ton truck will likely better handle that weight. Gas or diesel, your choice.

[Camp CA]

Originally Posted by koosh22

..........Will this trailer make my 2500 "squat"? Will this truck struggle with this 5th wheel?........

The only way to know is to hitch it up and tow it.

[koosh22]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Welcome aboard. You're asking the right questions and the numbers can be confusing.

The only way to know for sure what your real hitch/pin weight is is to go to a scale and weigh it. Most of us need to get the equipment before we can do that so the best course is to use existing numbers to calculate your pin weight. The pin weight is a variable, but the payload capacity of your truck is a known max number.

Rule of thumb is 23% of GVWR = pin weight. In your case 23% of 14,000 lbs is 3200 lbs. That's where you start. Add to that weight the people and everything else you will load on to that truck, including the hitch. A 1 ton truck will likely better handle that weight. Gas or diesel, your choice.

I appreciate your info.....the only added weight to the truck besides the hitch weight, will be the actual hitch, and myself and the queen....

[MildManneredMike]

Originally Posted by koosh22

Considering purchasing 2022 Montana 281ck.....but the research I do the more concerns I have about my truck towing it. 2022 Ram 2500 crewcab, 6.4 Hemi gas motor.....according to Dodge, my max towing capacity is 14,000lbs. My cargo capacity is 3200lbs. The hitch weight is 2200lbs. The dry weight is 10,600lbs, loaded I believe is 12900lbs....GVWR is 14,000lbs. Will this trailer make my 2500 "squat"? Will this truck struggle with this 5th wheel?
Thanks for any input....

Did you purchase and haul the 281ck with your 2500 yet? How do you like pulling it? Challenges? I have the 2022 2500 4X4 6.4 gas. Pulling a Grand Design 280 now (32 foot) - simple to tow. Adding 800 lbs payload and about 3000 combined will push the limits for me but we don't haul cross country - yet.

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by MildManneredMike

...Adding 800 lbs payload and about 3000 combined will push the limits for me but we don't haul cross country - yet.

So, what's the difference between "local" and "cross country?" Local: the truck fails after the 400th 1 mile trip. Cross country: the truck fails at 400 miles on the first trip. ???? Something to think about.

[MildManneredMike]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

So, what's the difference between "local" and "cross country?" Local: the truck fails after the 400th 1 mile trip. Cross country: the truck fails at 400 miles on the first trip. ???? Something to think about.

Who said anything about a 'failure?' My query has to do with 'how did it work for you?' The 2500 appears fully capable to haul the load based on limits of the vehicle and the specs for the RV. It is likely not the best choice given the RV is full profile and if you don't manage your load, you'll wiggle like a worm all day trying to get 400 miles down the road. I don't mind wrestling with a noodle for an hour to/from the lake, but I refuse to put myself through it for 8 hours. So, my question remains relevant.

[Lee-CI]

Will your 3/4 ton Ram squat when loaded? Sure it will! All trucks are going to squat some when loaded. Will the headlights be hunting for hoot owls up in the trees when loaded? Not in the least. We pulled our 331RL stickered with an unloaded weight of 12,160 and a GVWR of 14,260 with a 21 2500 CC CTD. Put Firestone air bags over the back axle thinking we would have weight issues. Though they helped out on some of whoopy-doo roads, I wouldn't have installed them had I known how little the truck squats without the air bags aired up. You won't have stability of a dually, but unless you are in high cross winds, you shouldn't have an issue. If you are in high cross winds, well probably a good time to pull over and wait it out no matter what kind of truck one has. Having owned two 2500s with the 6.4 hemi, my biggest concern would be the RPMs the engine will be turning. That's just me though. Take it easy and don't push your engine to it's limits. You'll have to decide what is best for you and your comfort zone. Good luck and be safe.

[mlh]

Your truck will squat. It’s supposed to. That’s why the back of trucks are higher than the front.
You aren’t going to hurt your engine.
Lynwood

[Cat320]

Guys using 250/2500 series gassers will tell you all is well... also 95% are over weight. The OP noted he would not have any thing in the truck except "myself and the queen." Anybody using any of these RVs, has the truck stuffed to the gills.