Do I have enough truck? - Montana Owners Club

Montana_3539 · 07-27-2005, 06:07 PM

Sorry everyone... I posted this in the wrong place...

Hi all... we have a 2000 F250 Lariat SD 7.3PSD with a full bed and pull a 1999 Thor Komfort 26F fiver, which is about 11,000, with no trouble, can set cruise control at 65 and cruise along at a hair over 2000RPM with no problems. Won't slow unless we are going up a noticeable hill, in other words it'll handle freeway underpass bumps without shifting down. My question is: we are considering either a 2005 2980RL or the new 3670RL, which my wife just fell madly in love with... will we be able to pull it OK without any engine enhancements such as a Banks? We have about 35K miles on the engine & get about 10.5MPG towing and 17 or so not towing. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Fordzilla · 07-28-2005, 01:32 AM

I would suspect the pin weight of the 3670 would put you over the GVWR of the F250. So you may need Air bags or some type of helper springs to keep the truck level. But the 7.3 is plenty of motor and should pull it without any problems.

Charlie · 07-28-2005, 03:12 AM

Can't speak for the 3670 but you have enough truck for the 2980. If you look at my signature you can see what I am pulling and have basically the same truck as you. I also was worried about enough truck when I bought my Montana. The only thing I had to do was install the Firestone Air Bags as the 3295 was enough to set the truck down on the rear overload springs. I was pulling a 1998 28' Cardinal with about the same weight that you stated and the Montana pulls easier than the Cardinal. I installed a performance chip soon after I bought the truck and it increased milage about 3 MPG solo and about 2 MPG when towing, last trip out with the Monty milage was 11.2-12.8 traveling 65-70 MPH. I asked the same question when I first joined the MOC and was assured by other members I had nothing to worry about, the same applies to you and the 2980. You probably could get by on the 3670 but I would think that a 1-ton would be a better fit because of the additional weight.

Bill Hill · 07-28-2005, 04:20 AM

I would agree with Charle, looks like you've got enough. We have the 2980 and love it, but it is a bit pin heavy, so you'll definitely want to add some suspension enhancement to the rear. I added the Timbrens, but if I had it to do again (and may yet), I'd go with the air bags.

toolmanroy · 07-28-2005, 04:44 AM

We traded in our 2000 Komfort 26 ft fifth wheel for the Montana 2955. It tows like a dream with our 2001 Ford F250. We have the diesel with the added program and we get 12-14 mpg towing.

Montana_4221 · 07-28-2005, 04:23 PM

oldguybc,
We have a 1999 F-250 with 7.3 PSD and are waiting for a 3295rk thats on order. I sure hope that old truck will pull it. If not I can always get a bigger truck. My wife sure likes that camper.

Good luck,
Michael& Diana

sreigle · 07-28-2005, 05:11 PM

There are numerous people in this forum towing Montanas with basically the same truck you have. Some are towing heavier Montanas than the two you are looking at, although neither of those are lightweights.

Believe it or not, the pinweight on the 2980RL is heavier than that of the 3670RL. The brochure says 2160 for the 3670 and 2300 for the 2980. Add about 300 to 400 pounds to those numbers for real world weights (estimated), in my experience. We had a 2880RL, the earlier and shorter version of the 2980. Pinweight on it was about 2500. As others said, you might need to add airbags but the truck will have no trouble towing it in my opinion. You might be over GVWR and GAWR though.

stiles watson · 07-28-2005, 08:30 PM

I don't know whether you have enough truck but I have been doing it with the same basic truck. Works like a charm. I don't have airbags. The sag is not enough to affect the steadiness of the rig or the steering. I don't get any bounce. Happy RVing...

mallardjusted · 07-29-2005, 02:22 PM

oldguybc,

We have the Montana 3255rl, and have been pulling it with a 1999 F-250 SD PSD longbed. I did add a Microtuner to give a little boost going over the passes, though. But while you will be well within the towing capacity of 13400, you will be over the payload (with the pin weight, hitch weight, people and cargo). But it will pull either one just fine.

We just upgraded to the F-350 to add payload (well, maybe because "new toys" are fun, too)! Let us know what you get!

BillyRay · 07-31-2005, 02:07 PM

I have no doubt it could, but I would want something bigger...or at least newer ( as the newer trucks the same size have a bigger towing capasity)

DHenry · 07-31-2005, 06:20 PM

I tow a 3670 with a 2002 Chev. Duramax with air bags. I have not had any problems towing in the hills or on the flat. I would think your Ford should perform well with either Montana that you choose to tow.

Montana_2049 · 08-24-2005, 06:10 PM

We pull the 2980RL with a 2005 F250 6.0 Diesel, and have never had any problems, on hills, or anywhere. Pulls like a dream!

pud2 · 08-25-2005, 08:09 AM

You will be fine. If your weight is 11,000 now the 3670 is lighter with a dry weight of 10,560. Pin weight should not be a problem. I have the same truck and the same trailer well i pick it up on 8-27-05.I do have the banks stinger plus on it though because i like power. We decided on the 3670 because of the open floor plan makes it look BIG and there is only a 500# diff. in weight.Get what you want with no regrets.

mallardjusted · 08-29-2005, 04:53 PM

"Pin weight should not be a problem" means it will handle it, but it will most likely be over the Ford-rated payload capacity. Check the brochures, and calculate your payload (pin-weight of 5th wheel, people, hitch weight itself, and any other cargo). I have no idea whether towing over payload capacity would ever be a legal problem, but the price difference is so little between the F-250 and F-350, I didn't chance it.

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