Tow Vehicle

[Montana_1883]

I have a 2003, Dodge Ram, 2500, 4 x 4, 5.9 diesel engine, quad cab, 3.73 rear end, long bed, auto trans. Do you think I will have any trouble pulling any of the Montana 5th wheels?

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Non whatsoever.
As you look at the signatures of many of the MOC members you will find those using that very truck.

[stiles watson]

It will work just fine unless you need an excuse to get another truck.

[Chester]

The only issue I would caution you on is that some of the Montanas ahve a higher pin weight than others. Some pin weights are in the 2400lb area dry. Loaded that weight might be closer to 3000lbs. Look at your payload capacity to see what you can safely handle.

[HomeOnTheRoad]

True on the pinweights. Some 3/4 ton owners have added airbags to eliminate rear-end sag. You may or may not need to do this. Otherwise that truck will do a nice job for you.

[H. John Kohl]

iidon147,

As you can see by my signature I have the same engine in the HO version and same 3.73 rear with six speed and 4x4. It pulls great. My set up weighed 22800 on the truck scales and I can pull 6% to 7% grades in 4th at 45 to 50 mph. 52mph is tops for 4th gear. MPG is about 8.5 when working it hard like that. My pin weight is 3000lbs so it is heavy, but still only 22% the trailer weight, which falls within the recommend 20 to 25% mark.

The weight distribution etc is what you need to look at. Good luck.

[sreigle]

I agree. Your truck will do fine. If the 3/4 ton truck ends up squatting a bit in the rear end you might want to add air bags or overload springs of some kind. Some need it, some don't.

[Montana_1424]

I have a one ton Dodge with the Cummins 600 HO, and a 4.10 rear axle, and I am pretty close to the max for that truck, I would have to disagree with some of the others and say that you will be fine with the smaller Montana's, but if you get one ot the larger, heavier models, I would upgrade. We have the 3650 RK, and my truck pulls it great, but I would not pull it with a 3/4 ton pickup. As far as the Dodge's go, my rig dry would be pretty close to the max.

I would suggest once you pick the model you like, work all the numbers to see what you will need to do. I know with the 3/4 ton, sometimes you just need to beef up the rear suspension for it to handle heavier loads, becasue the diesel enging is pretty much the same. These trucks are alwasy capable of towing more than they are rated, but you take a chance pushingthe envelope, and if something happens, the manufacturer will not honor the warantee. I had some problems on a trip last year, the truck was brand new, less than 1K miles, and the computer went, while I was driving to Flordia, with my rig, and in VA, where it happened, the first thing the dealer went to check was to make sure I did not have the truck overloaded.

[ragdoll]

We are having the overload springs put on our truck as we noticed the sag - another Montana owner we met in Oregon noticed we were riding low and the Montana wasn't level. When we ordered the truck with the trailer pkg but neglected to order it with the camper pkg - next one will be beefed up. The 3/4 ton does a good job but like the others said watch your pin weight they are all different. Good luck.

Safe travels.
Lorraine

[Montana_883]

See the air bag topic. You have the same truck my son has, you will not have a power problem..but the air bags will help with the ride and keeping things level.

[jrgwdenner]

We had an earlier version (probably a 2000) of your Dodge, except ours was not a 4x4. Several salesmen were very reluctant to sell us one of the larger Montana's. Hubby loved their approach....gave him a great excuse for buying a 2004 Dodge dually. And we've never regretted it. It pulls and ride beautifully.