Soon To Be A New Owner

[pearlwhiterider]

My name is Ken and my log in is pearlwhiterider.

I have fallen in love with the 2020 Montana 381th Toyhauler. Pearlwhiterider is for my 2012 Pearl White goldwing trike.

Before I make my purchase, looking for some advise on the most ideal hauler I will need to tow this beauty. I am thinking something along the lines of a 2500 or equivalent. From reading I have done, dually is not necessary, but diesel is highly recommended.

I would like to hear your opinions and thoughts.

Thanks
Ken

[sourdough]

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your search. I don't know where you got that a 3/4 ton could handle that trailer; it can't. That is a 17,000lb. trailer. Dually 1 ton diesel minimum and then you need to be selective on the payload available on the truck.

[Montana Man]

Welcome. Whatever truck you are considering, look at the GVWR in the door jam. Compare to what the trailer's pin weight may be. Power is not the issue with a diesel, it will be the load the truck can carry. If unfamiliar with these numbers, now is the time to research it.

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard!

Yep, calc based on 20-25% of trailer GVWR - DO NOT USE EMPTY WEIGHTS TO CALCULATE ANYTHING. Always use loaded weights

Then check the posted payload (sticker in door jamb) of any truck you are interested in for actual payload of that specific truck. The total weight of your loaded pin weight, people, pets, added gear, etc will tell you what payload minimum you will need.

There will be variables depending on the truck, year, etc. But be prepared that any 3/4 ton truck likely isn't going to make the cut. My guess, also, is that a 1 ton dually will be needed.

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum! With the pin weight you are considering you'll need a dually since they don't make LT tires that will handle that weight.

[Ram Montana High Country]

I bet the dealer is telling him a 3/4 is fine ... been there done that ...

[CaptnJohn]

3/4 ~~ Somebody is pulling his leg! Probably 3600 on the pin with the bike and more without. Someone had to be joking with him on the 3/4 unless it was a salesmen telling lies for the sale or an idiot.
No one wanted a long bed less than me but at 16,800 a dually is required so my daily driver is a long bed dually. Safety over stupidity.

[Sparatacus]

Welcome to the forum! Dually.

[mazboy]

if you do look at 3/4 tons then go look at the 20-21 GMCs.


and yes, you'd do well to go diesel. dually is just a preference.

[Cyride]

I have a 2019 381th, with my 2016 Goldwing in the back my pin weight was 3200 pounds fully loaded without any fluids in the RV tanks. When I purchased my 2018 Ford F-350 Dually it had nothing to do with a preference, I was well in need of the dually. I never wanted a dually or diesel but I can tell you with all honesty I would do it all again. Very happy with the ride of my truck going down the road, especially in cross winds!

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your search. I don't know where you got that a 3/4 ton could handle that trailer; it can't. That is a 17,000lb. trailer. Dually 1 ton diesel minimum and then you need to be selective on the payload available on the truck.

Thats a heavy rig. I agree, I don't think you can find anything but a dually will be able to handle that weight. Also check your axle rating, load capacity, and pin weight. Axle and pin weight are most critical, and remember that pin weight is empty weight, not loaded weight. You need plenty of extra capacity for when you put all your stuff in there.

[Cyride]

I just checked the GMC web site. They show a Sierra 2500 Heavy Duty crew cab standard bed 4wd with the 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel, no other options listed. The payload for that truck is 3,563 lbs. Your trailer loaded can fairly easily push 3,600 pounds. That’s no fuel, no hitch, no passengers, no box cover, and what ever else you add to the truck. You would be over payload with just the trailer, probably voiding truck warranties (the new truck computers pretty much know what your doing). This doesn’t even take into account axles, tires weight specs. I would recommend you do your research and find out what ever truck you consider purchasing will safely haul that beautiful 381th down the road. It’s not easy crunching the numbers, if you need some help there are some good resources to help you out. Don’t trust the RV dealer or the Auto Dealer. When I purchased my truck I found out most of the salesmen (not all) didn’t know what they were doing. Good luck! Enjoy that new rig!!!!