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07-27-2023, 07:48 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: southern
Posts: 97
M.O.C. #31539
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We bought a new Ram 3500
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.
__________________
2011 Montana Mountaineer 295RKD
2005 Ram 3500 Dually
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07-27-2023, 08:35 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,435
M.O.C. #6433
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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.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden. R.I.P.
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-27-2023, 08:45 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,844
M.O.C. #30417
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Nice upgrade. I tow with a 2020 GMC 2500. No dually. It tows great even in wind and passing big rigs. No sway.
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, 720 watts Solar, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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07-27-2023, 09:13 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,924
M.O.C. #22835
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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!
__________________
History is not about the past, it's an explanation of the present.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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07-27-2023, 11:42 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,362
M.O.C. #26190
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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.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2025 GMC Denali 2500 HD+Max Tow Pkg, Reese Goosebox, TST-507, Redodo 300ah lithium and 3000 watt inverter. USMC combat vet & retired LEO, SBSD EVOC Instructor. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie) & our Great Pyrenees "Layla"
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07-27-2023, 05:15 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,783
M.O.C. #2283
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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
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07-27-2023, 05:39 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 1,019
M.O.C. #30262
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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
__________________
 Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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07-27-2023, 06:39 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,435
M.O.C. #6433
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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
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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.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden. R.I.P.
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-27-2023, 07:14 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,783
M.O.C. #2283
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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. 
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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
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07-28-2023, 05:41 AM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: southern
Posts: 97
M.O.C. #31539
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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.
__________________
2011 Montana Mountaineer 295RKD
2005 Ram 3500 Dually
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07-31-2023, 01:40 PM
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#11
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: southern
Posts: 97
M.O.C. #31539
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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.
__________________
2011 Montana Mountaineer 295RKD
2005 Ram 3500 Dually
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07-31-2023, 02:13 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,435
M.O.C. #6433
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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.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden. R.I.P.
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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08-01-2023, 06:52 PM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Chandler
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #26281
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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.
__________________
AZMont
2020 Ram 3500 MegaCab HO Diesel 4x4 SRW
2015 3100 RL, Onan 4500i inverter/generator
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08-02-2023, 02:59 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Terry
Posts: 160
M.O.C. #22698
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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.
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08-03-2023, 06:22 AM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Coloma, Wisconsin
Posts: 211
M.O.C. #28036
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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.
__________________
Chuck
2019 3121RL 35 ft., 2020 3500 Dodge Ram SRW, Cummins 6.7 HO, Air Bags - Air Lift BT Wireless Compressor, Coloma, Wisconsin
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08-14-2023, 10:51 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,295
M.O.C. #17163
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Happy New Truck... very nice...
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08-14-2023, 02:38 PM
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#17
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: southern
Posts: 97
M.O.C. #31539
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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.
__________________
2011 Montana Mountaineer 295RKD
2005 Ram 3500 Dually
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08-14-2023, 06:46 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 458
M.O.C. #26015
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Then go to the nearest GM dealer.
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08-14-2023, 07:27 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,844
M.O.C. #30417
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Yikes! Take the money and try a Ford or Chevy/GMC 
Here we go....
__________________
Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, 720 watts Solar, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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08-14-2023, 09:50 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,295
M.O.C. #17163
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Strange, someone messed up somewhere. Those Cummins are thoroughly tested on the bench with guages and meters etc. Get another..
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