We bought a new Ram 3500 - Montana Owners Club

ScottnSue · 07-27-2023, 06:48 AM

Howdy All,

We bought a 2023 Ram 3500 short bed with the HO engine this past weekend. We've been pulling our Montana with a 2005 Dually. This new truck sure has a lot more power and the transmission is nice.
I hope I don't regret not getting a dually this time. The pin weight on our camper is 2500 lbs with a full load of water. The payload sticker on the new truck is 3900 lbs. Have to order the factory pucks and get the picture frame adapter. Brother in law has a Demco auto slider he's going to give us for a hitch.
Have a trip to Pigeon Forge in September. Looking forward to pulling the camper down there with the new truck. Told the wife, hope I don't miss the stability of the dually. But we wanted to try to SRW this time.

BB_TX · 07-27-2023, 07:35 AM

Beautiful truck. I don’t think you I’ll miss the dually. I towed my 2007 3075RL for 14 yrs first with a 2007 F350 SRW and later a 2012 F350 SRW and never once felt any stability issues, even in high winds and on winding roads. Enjoy.

Foldbak · 07-27-2023, 07:45 AM

Nice upgrade. I tow with a 2020 GMC 2500. No dually. It tows great even in wind and passing big rigs. No sway.

DutchmenSport · 07-27-2023, 08:13 AM

Congrats on getting your new Ram! After towing with it, check back and give a report how it went. The first 30 seconds you pull will tell the whole story. That will be your initial first impression. Remember those thoughts and feelings. After that, you will adapt to the differences in tow vehicles and immediately accept those changes as "normal." So those first 30 seconds tell the real story between the differences in the 2 truck. In a very, very short while, the new truck will feel perfectly fine! And those first impressions will disappear as it will soon feel like a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Again, congrats!

432bartman · 07-27-2023, 10:42 AM

I think you'll have zero issues. The new 2500/3500 and F/250/350 series trucks are a night and days difference from trucks just a few years ago in power, load and tow capacities.

mlh · 07-27-2023, 04:15 PM

Great truck. I have an 08 F250 and I’m afraid to try a new one because the new trucks have been improved so much I’d wont a new one. They are vastly improved over my old truck.
Congratulations
Lynwood

Lee-CI · 07-27-2023, 04:39 PM

Sweet ride! Our previous dually was also a 2005 Ram CTD. You'll be amazed by both the torque and quiteness of your new Ram. Enjoy and happy camping

BB_TX · 07-27-2023, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlh

Great truck. I have an 08 F250 and I’m afraid to try a new one because the new trucks have been improved so much I’d wont a new one. They are vastly improved over my old truck.
Congratulations
Lynwood

I made that mistake once. Went in for an oil change, walked out thru the new new truck lot while waiting, and ended up with a new truck. Costly oil change.

mlh · 07-27-2023, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_TX

I made that mistake once. Went in for an oil change, walked out thru the new new truck lot while waiting, and ended up with a new truck. Costly oil change.

My wife and I were going somewhere several years ago and she ask when are you going to get a new truck. I thought that’s good enough for me. My truck was getting old. It was over 3 years old. I went the next day and ordered a new truck. She never asked that question again.
Darn.
Lynwood

ScottnSue · 07-28-2023, 04:41 AM

Thanks everyone. We're enjoying the truck so far. We're drove it down to Northern Georgia this week to visit our son and his wife. Made the 450 mile trip without any issues. Sure is a lot quieter than the old Dodge at 75mph. Averaged right at 20mpg for the trip down too. That's 3mpg better than the '05. The exhaust brake was nice coming down the hill at Monteagle.
By the time we get home the truck will be broken in and ready to pull the camper.

ScottnSue · 07-31-2023, 12:40 PM

We've returned from our non-camping road trip to Georgia to visit our son and Daughter-in-law.
The truck is incredibly quiet even at 75mph. Averaged right at 20mpg (hand calculated) on the interstate. The Aisin transmission is not very smooth at all, but as long as it's reliable that okay.
The seats and armrest are not comfortable at all. Probably because we got the Tradesman level. The center console armrest is to short for me to be able to rest my elbow and reach the steering wheel. I was surprised the steering wheel does not telescope back and forth. The armrest on the door is hard plastic. I should have noticed these during the test drive so that's on me. I'll try to find a pad for both elbows.
The part that surprised me the most was the steering is really not much better than my 2005. It still pulls to the left or right depending on the road slope. Guess that's just the nature of the beast front end.
Overall we're happy with the truck. Have to make a few change for comfort.

BB_TX · 07-31-2023, 01:13 PM

Hopefully you can settle in well with it. Hard to tell in a 15 minute test drive what they will actually be like after a few hours on a long drive.

AZMont · 08-01-2023, 05:52 PM

I am using a 2020 Ram 3500 SRW MegaCab HO Diesel 4x4 for pulling my 2015 3100 RL throughout the southwest. I just keep the cruise control at 65 mph going up and down our 6% interstate grades with no issues. Really like the exhaust brake! I upgraded from a 2000 F250 7.4L Diesel and was also amazed by new truck's the technological advancements.

glendodom · 08-02-2023, 01:59 PM

We have been towing 3 different 40’ Montana’s with 3 different 3/4t and never had an issue with stability. I also use a Demco slider. You going to love it.

Wisconsin Retiree · 08-03-2023, 05:22 AM

2020 Ram 3500 Laramie SRW 52,000 miles experienced extreme wind, rain, snow throughout the last 2 1/2 years fulltime on the road. I have not regretted one time the choice I made for towing. Interior is extremely comfy with a lot of room and the creature comforts, steering, power/pull, engine breaking, fuel mileage is all very impressive with or without the trailer on.

dfb · 08-14-2023, 09:51 AM

Happy New Truck... very nice...

ScottnSue · 08-14-2023, 01:38 PM

Not so happy update. The engine is having issues. It started knocking loudly and then locked up. It's at the dealer now.
They've offered to buy it back or allow us to trade it back for what we paid. May just give it back and keep using the old reliable 2005.
I'll keep you posted on what we decide to do.

77cruiser · 08-14-2023, 05:46 PM

Then go to the nearest GM dealer.

Foldbak · 08-14-2023, 06:27 PM

Yikes! Take the money and try a Ford or Chevy/GMC

Here we go....

dfb · 08-14-2023, 08:50 PM

Strange, someone messed up somewhere. Those Cummins are thoroughly tested on the bench with guages and meters etc. Get another..

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