F-250 Towing Big Sky - Montana Owners Club

ols1932 · 03-09-2009, 09:35 AM

I thought I'd seen it all but today a Big Sky Montana pulled into Catalina Spa here in Desert Hot Springs being towed by a Ford F-250. I know we talk a lot about weight problems and how big our tow vehicles should be. But I believe that the Big Sky is too big for a 3/4 ton truck. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Orv

William H. Collier · 03-09-2009, 09:39 AM

I have pulled mine all over the US in the last two years and it works just fine, I love it.
Bill

stiles watson · 03-09-2009, 10:40 AM

When I traded for the new Big Sky, I also traded for an F350 dually. Enough said.

richfaa · 03-09-2009, 11:21 AM

We have the 08 F-350 Ford,CC,LB,4X4, 6.4L diesel, 4:10 Diff and the numbers on my truck and the 09 Big Sky say get another truck or a 4:30 diff. I am certian we could pull it and a lot more....but......

TLightning · 03-11-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by ols1932

I thought I'd seen it all but today a Big Sky Montana pulled into Catalina Spa here in Desert Hot Springs being towed by a Ford F-250. I know we talk a lot about weight problems and how big our tow vehicles should be. But I believe that the Big Sky is too big for a 3/4 ton truck. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Orv

You are exactly correct. Sure it'll "pull" it, but the truck will exceed it's GVWR and GCWR.

Jim Jarvis · 03-11-2009, 12:12 PM

And I have the 4.3 gears. Now closing mouth.

snfexpress · 03-11-2009, 07:40 PM

2009 Big Sky 340RLQ and 2007 GMC 3500 dually - hmmm...We're at the max of our TV rated abilities...

Fordzilla · 04-02-2009, 12:23 PM

I don't even have a Big Sky and I tow with a dually. It's all about piece of mind and the ability to control the trailer in emergency situations.

PSFORD99 · 04-02-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by ols1932

I thought I'd seen it all but today a Big Sky Montana pulled into Catalina Spa here in Desert Hot Springs being towed by a Ford F-250. I know we talk a lot about weight problems and how big our tow vehicles should be. But I believe that the Big Sky is too big for a 3/4 ton truck. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Orv

See a lot of Snowbirds traveling I-15 going home to Alberta this time of year. Never paid much attention until last couple years,after reading the forums. I have to say there are an awful lot of SRW 3/4 & 1 ton trucks towing overweight, I have to assume they are overweight the 5vers are around 32' plus.GVWR upwards to 16k. The shortest Montana the 2980RL around 32-33 foot long GVWR around 14k just guessing probably not far off. I will take a wild guess there are more overweight than underweight ??? These guys are towing hundreds of miles if not thousands going back and forth from Alberta to probably southern Arizona where a lot of them go. My question is where is this overweight problem coming into play ??

I am curious ,what if that truck would have been a Ford F-350 would you still have asked the question ?? Thats a hotly contested subject the real difference between the Ford 250 and the 350 SRW and there weight ratings.

bigmurf · 04-02-2009, 05:24 PM

Must be a shortage of Angels this time of year. Some of the rigs I see need more than 1 or 2 Angels to get them home.
BTW: I sat near the highway North of Quartzsite for a few days and that is a side show.

NCFischers · 04-03-2009, 01:01 AM

I agree with Fordzilla and tow with a duelly. The peace of mind is worth it.

greener · 04-03-2009, 04:25 AM

Depends on the year of the F-250. Weight ratings went up in 2005 models BUT it would be maxxed out and over if the trailer was at it`s gross weight of around 16,000#. We switched to a 1 ton SRW for the Big Sky and now have the F-450 because we got such a good deal. The 350 gives you more payload on the truck.

TLightning · 04-03-2009, 03:05 PM

[quote

My question is where is this overweight problem coming into play ??

[/quote]

The problem is if you are in an accident, over weight and at fault. Part of the "piece of mind" equation other posters have mentioned, is that if you tow within ratings, this is an area in which you don't have to worry. Talk to an attorney, he/she will explain it in great detail.

As for greener's comments re weight ratings. The F250 is notorious for having a very low cargo capacity...note, I am not talking about "towing" but the ability to carry the pin weight and everything else loaded in our trucks. I personally saw two 2008 F250s, CC, PSD, 4wd, KR editions...one had a cargo capacity of 1856# the other's was 1861#. These numbers came right off the Tire and Loading Information sticker. The pin weight of any Montana, plus the weight of the driver and 5er hitch would put both these trucks over their GW rating.

HamRad · 04-03-2009, 03:14 PM

Trailer Life did a survey a few years back. The results indicated that about 80% of the folks towing 5th wheels were overweight! That is self reporting so the figure may be even higher.

Given those types of numbers I'm surprised we don't see a lot more accidents. As it is I suspect a lot of trucks need a lot of repairs because of the overloading.

Be safe out there.

HamRad

PSFORD99 · 04-04-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

[quote

My question is where is this overweight problem coming into play ??

The problem is if you are in an accident, over weight and at fault. Part of the "piece of mind" equation other posters have mentioned, is that if you tow within ratings, this is an area in which you don't have to worry. Talk to an attorney, he/she will explain it in great detail.

As for greener's comments re weight ratings. The F250 is notorious for having a very low cargo capacity...note, I am not talking about "towing" but the ability to carry the pin weight and everything else loaded in our trucks. I personally saw two 2008 F250s, CC, PSD, 4wd, KR editions...one had a cargo capacity of 1856# the other's was 1861#. These numbers came right off the Tire and Loading Information sticker. The pin weight of any Montana, plus the weight of the driver and 5er hitch would put both these trucks over their GW rating.
[/quote]

Seems that you have had this discussion with a lawyer, maybe you could share the information with everyone. I asked the question where does this overweight come into play,and you seem to have the answer. The question has been asked many times,and by many,and I have not yet read where someone has come up with the FACTS to overweight and a accident ,sure your fault your insurance pays, has to. They can cancel you after ,but they still pay.

richfaa · 04-04-2009, 02:06 PM

We have a very good friend who is a very good attorney and we had this discussion about ratings and specifications.. His reply was.... Richard, If I have to represent you in a law suit please don't make it difficult for me///// Rather than share information I would suggest you have the discussion with your attorney.

TLightning · 04-04-2009, 02:22 PM

Yes, I've had this discussion with a lawyer and it has been hashed and rehashed on this forum. Those driving within specs say you should (the attorneys agree), those driving over specs say 'been doing it for years, never had a problem.'

I agree with Richfaa...you need to go talk to your attorney.

kmh3212 · 04-06-2009, 09:24 AM

I tow my 3670 RL with a F450. You cannot have too much truck.

farmboy · 04-06-2009, 11:29 AM

Think that is bad, try a travel supreme with a 3/4 chey. Just before that a travel supreme with a freightliner mdt. Who was right?

virgil47 · 04-10-2009, 12:25 AM

I (obviously) don't think you can have too much truck either but I agree with Rich, you are not going to solve it here. Talk to your attorney and then YOU can make an informed decision. I never worry about the pulling, I worry about the stopping.

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