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Old 07-27-2018, 01:21 PM   #1
BAM
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Towing a High Country 331RL

We are looking to buy Montana 331rl and need a tow vechile. Thinking of a 1 ton truck diesel. Will a 6 1/2ft bed be ok or need 8 ft. SRW or need DRW. We’re new at this, so any help greatly appreciated. We found a 2013 Ford F-350 6.7 crew cab 6.5 foot bed SRW we like. Thoughts.
 
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Old 07-27-2018, 01:42 PM   #2
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We're on our 8th year of full timing towing Montana's with a Dodge SRW short bed. We use a Pullrite hitch so we don't ever have to stop and adjust a sliding hitch. We also use the truck to off road so we can see things way back in the desert. For us it's the best of both worlds. Many others will disagree. You've got to match your equipment with what you want to do.
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Old 07-27-2018, 01:52 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAM View Post
We are looking to buy Montana 331rl and need a tow vechile. Thinking of a 1 ton truck diesel. Will a 6 1/2ft bed be ok or need 8 ft. SRW or need DRW. We’re new at this, so any help greatly appreciated. We found a 2013 Ford F-350 6.7 crew cab 6.5 foot bed SRW we like. Thoughts.
Every time someone asks this sort of question it starts a heated debate!!

There are a lot of questions only you can answer. Such as do you think you will upgrade to an even larger camper (I would estimate at least 75% of owners do).

What will be the primary purpose of the vehicle (will it be mostly for towing or a daily driver)?

How willing are you to put up with the minor inconvenience of a wider truck (some will surely argue major inconvenience)?

From a safety standpoint how comfortable are you with the truck (do you want a truck that is just barely enough to do the job or well in excess)?

And then there are cost factors such as getting a good deal. I would caution you that sometimes good deal means no one else wants the truck either because it is not capable or is an unpopular style. Either of which may affect resale

As for your two questions:
Long vs shortbed— Shortbed has advantage of parking and such while not towing but in most on here will advise buying a more expensive slider style hitch. Longbed has the advantage of more cargo room both while towing (no slider hitch needed) great if you want to haul lumber for home projects or say a generator for your RV. Longbed is slightly more difficult to park and may be issue in a garage

Dually vs SRW
Ok this is where the debate really gets ugly. The problem is there are some things that are a bit difficult to verify. A disclaimer here, I strongly advocate for dually IF someone asks for my opinion like you did. Hopefully and as unbiased as I can I will layout the pros and cons on either side

Dually is more stable and offers better braking power while TOWING (there will be those that argue that’s not true so judge for yourself). They also are generally rated for higher row capacity. Con is fairly obvious in that they are wider and therefore not urban friendly

SRW is more urban friendly. SRW more than likely rated for less weight

Trust me there will be a big heated debate on this for your benefit. That is a good thing. You asked some of the most important questions we can answer here!!

What do I have? 1 ton long bed dually. But I own a 42’ 5th wheel, a country estate, tractor and routinely haul lumber and such for projects. That and we own multiple vehicles so the tow truck is not our daily driver.


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Old 07-27-2018, 02:07 PM   #4
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I have taken my dually longbed, crew cab through bar harbor maine so it can be done, but it doesn't turn very tightly. You can't do a regular automated car wash with the dually, I do by hand. Small parking spots it doesn't do, but this is because it is very long, not because it is a dually. Pull up the specs for the 2013, if you know gear ratio, etc to see what it can tow for a fifth wheel and what the max rear axle weight it can take. F450 can turn tighter than the f350.
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Old 07-27-2018, 03:06 PM   #5
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The truck you are looking at will pull that camper safely, no question. That camper weighs a little over 11,000 pounds dry weight with about 2200 pound pin weight. You may be a few pounds over weight no big deal. If you plan to or may get a heavier camper and plan to keep the truck for the next decade you might consider a DRW. Otherwise go for it.
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Old 07-27-2018, 03:10 PM   #6
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A 331RL HC is about what our 343RL is as far as length and total weight and pin weight. While I use an F250 CCLB diesel equipped with Ford's camper AND 5th wheel package, it is more then capable of hauling the 5er. Since taking delivery in August 2014, we have traveled about 22,200 miles from Prince Edward Island, CA in the East to Las Vegas, Nevada in the West and with zero problems. Previously, we hauled a similar size and weight 5er with an F350 CCSB (SRW).and was also happy with the truck's ability even though that was a gas powered truck. While a DRW truck would be great, it is not a necessity for that length and weight. I much prefer the current long bed truck for its ride but there are drawbacks and that is a bit of maneuverability in tight turns or back in sites. Then there may be that added cost of a slider hitch on a SB truck.

If you have a choice, an F350/3500 will be your better choice and IMHO, a long bed. Either bed length will do the job just fine
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Old 07-27-2018, 03:29 PM   #7
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I dont have a slider hitch in my S.B. truck and dont have any problems towing. I did however move it back one hole from the most forward position. i have the B&W turnover ball hitch. I have towed my 03 3480 RL from coast to coast twice. I have a 15 F250 lariat trim truck SRW
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Old 07-27-2018, 03:34 PM   #8
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If you get a short bed and a slider. Get a slider that is easy to operate when hooked up.
One that a pin that you pull out with a handle is not easy. Hint hurt shoulder.

With hitch, hitch adapter and camper not fully loaded, we added 800lbs to our pin weight. This was pre W/D, no genny and a single battery.
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Old 07-27-2018, 03:42 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Bone View Post
I dont have a slider hitch in my S.B. truck and dont have any problems towing. I did however move it back one hole from the most forward position. i have the B&W turnover ball hitch. I have towed my 03 3480 RL from coast to coast twice. I have a 15 F250 lariat trim truck SRW
By contrast my former 3/4 ton short bed F250 had damage on both sides of the rear glass and we had to replace the rear window ($400) and we only drove to Florida and back.

If your reeeeeaaaallllllyyyyyyy careful you can get away with a short bed and no slider but you darn well better know what your signing up for!!

I think most folks on here are going to advise you to get a slider and an automatic one if you can afford it if you go short bed. You can count me in that corner for sure!
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Old 07-27-2018, 04:11 PM   #10
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First of welcome to the forum. Your first post hit a hot button with the fellas but that is OK. To answer your question, yes. The truck is heavy enough, strong enough, and used by many. Not my preference but...

The issue will be in the pin box/hitch combination. That will be where your research pays off. Towing srw short box is doable without a doubt. I do without a slider hitch but I have a B&W puck which I don't believe your prospective truck has. There are other ways to make it work if that is what you want.

Good luck and enjoy!
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Old 07-27-2018, 05:25 PM   #11
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Tow my 330RL with my F250 SB with a Pullrite hitch with no problems
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Old 07-27-2018, 05:49 PM   #12
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We use a 2008 F-350, crew cab, long bed, Dually, Diesel. Its primary purpose is to pull our Montana.We have had two of them.It is not a daily driver. The negatives on the long bed and dually are all true. We did not purchase it for a daily driver, to fit in the garage.To go through bank drive in windows, etc.

The truck has a GVWR of 13K .It was ordered heavy duty. The Carry capacity is 4268 Lbs.
The truck weighed ready to hook up self, wife, bird full fuel , bag of chips and a large root beer 9215lbs. It may vary a bit but we use that as base line truck weight.

That put our actual carry capacity at 13k less 9215lbs at 3785lbs. Pin weight at the fall rally which of course is in the bed of the truck therefore part of the carry capacity was 3156 lbs and that can vary a bit.That leaves us with 629lbs Carry capacity left and well with in actual Carry capacity of the truck.

We do not know your specifications but they can easily be calculated. Do your own numbers then do what you think is best for you.
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Old 07-27-2018, 06:03 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by BAM View Post
We are looking to buy Montana 331rl and need a tow vechile. Thinking of a 1 ton truck diesel. Will a 6 1/2ft bed be ok or need 8 ft. SRW or need DRW. We’re new at this, so any help greatly appreciated. We found a 2013 Ford F-350 6.7 crew cab 6.5 foot bed SRW we like. Thoughts.
Hello BAM
I know this is a Montana forum but being a Keystone RV I like to give my 2cts if I may.

I have a 2017 Alpine 3660FL that's 40'ft and I pull it with a 2016 F350 SRW long bed 4x4. 6.7 diesel and 3.55 rear axle. I have gone up and over San Jacinto mountain, Highway 74 without any issues. Truck never over heated and exhaust brake worked very well. I'd suggest if buying a FORD, to purchase a 2015 as that's when they came out with the exhaust brake. Makes a world of difference when going down a steep hill. I've own DODGE, CHEVY,GMC and FORD trucks. From 1/2 ton - to 1 ton trucks. They all have their pros n cons. Bottom line is preference what suits you. Plus keep safety in mind. Like i heard many say before. It's one thing to pull, and another to stop .
Many happy trails and God Bless
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Old 07-27-2018, 06:11 PM   #14
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X2 on the STOPPING being the most important thing!!!!


DO NOT BUY A TRUCK WITHOUT THE EXHAUST BRAKE!!!!! Period!
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Old 07-27-2018, 06:36 PM   #15
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Welcome to the forum.
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Old 07-27-2018, 06:40 PM   #16
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Bam,

Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn and share.

You have already gotten some good input on trucks. Take your time and pick what works best for you.
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Old 07-27-2018, 08:04 PM   #17
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Check the specs, but You can pull that trailer with any of the 3 one ton diesel trucks with SRW . Does a DRW provide an extra margin of safety, yes , but so does a 4500/450 series truck, but do you NEED it? We like to leave the RV park and go exploring, or to the store to buy stuff we need, or drive through National or State parks., parking a DRW can be a PIA, and some parks have old narrow roads that cannot easily accommodate a dually. Try to get a dually through a typical McDonalds drive-thru! Maybe this is not an issue for you. Take this into consideration in your decision.
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Old 07-27-2018, 10:27 PM   #18
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Is this turning into a nether great truck debate sure sounds like it. We need more popcorn & beer.
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Old 07-28-2018, 01:41 AM   #19
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Is this turning into a nether great truck debate sure sounds like it. We need more popcorn & beer.
Next
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Old 07-28-2018, 04:56 AM   #20
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Thanks for all your input. So much info, this forum is great!
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