Finally! - Montana Owners Club

Mboree · 02-01-2025, 02:44 PM

Good Day!
After lurking here on MOC since January 2019, we finally pulled the trigger on a 2025 295RL. Still searching for a new tow vehicle as I'm iffy about the 2016 F250 Power stroke. For now, it will be based at our private docking station in N.E. FL. until we can find a new F350. Looking forward to actually interacting with everyone here. MOC was instrumental in us choosing the 295RL. Thanks for that!

All the best,

Mark

jsb5717 · 02-01-2025, 02:51 PM

Welcome aboard! The 295RL is a popular floorplan and a great overall size for towing and parking. You are wise to want a 1-ton TV.

Foldbak · 02-01-2025, 03:33 PM

Welcome to the MOC. I have the same rig and we love it. A one ton is always a good choice however I've been pulling with my GMC 2500 for 15K miles and haven't had any issues! It pulls well and stops well.

Enjoy your new Montana.

mlh · 02-01-2025, 04:09 PM

About the only difference between the F250 and the F350 SRW truck is the badge on the side and the springs. The brakes, frame, engine, transmission, are the same. The 350 might have a different axle ratio. You might try the 250 unless you just like the smell of new paint.
Lynwood

Mboree · 02-01-2025, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Welcome aboard! The 295RL is a popular floorplan and a great overall size for towing and parking. You are wise to want a 1-ton TV.

Thanks for the input. We considered a larger coach but for me, the DW, and the five pound spoiled yorkie, this makes more sense. I’m getting a bit long in the tooth to deal with a 42 footer.

BR

Mboree · 02-01-2025, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlh

About the only difference between the F250 and the F350 SRW truck is the badge on the side and the springs. The brakes, frame, engine, transmission, are the same. The 350 might have a different axle ratio. You might try the 250 unless you just like the smell of new paint.
Lynwood

Lynwood, I’ve been following your replies and input for six years. Thanks for your reply. You are obviously highly respected here and a voice of reason and common sense.

Kindest!

Mark

Mboree · 02-01-2025, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Welcome to the MOC. I have the same rig and we love it. A one ton is always a good choice however I've been pulling with my GMC 2500 for 15K miles and haven't had any issues! It pulls well and stops well.

Enjoy your new Montana.

That’s good to know. We live in Florida so we will likely only travel short distances. Thanks for the replay and all the best,

Mark

buck119fa · 02-02-2025, 05:37 AM

Welcome to the club! I've towed with both the 3/4 and 1 ton. Currently with the 2022 F350. The towing capacity and payload is a bit more but that's about it between the 2, Axel ratio is what I'd look at, I've got the 430gears, Great for towing and travel, not that great for around town fuel milage but I didn't buy it for economy. For the minimal cost difference I just went bigger and don't regret it. Tows fine and if I wanted to go to a bigger rig I'm safe there.
Safe and Happy Travels!

Ahdmeyer · 02-02-2025, 07:55 AM

Here is a pretty good article on the differance in a f250 and f350.https://yorkdaleford.com/blog/ford-f...eigns-supreme/. I have a 2019 f350 srw that i have pulled my montana with for the past 6 years across country every year. The certainly have the torque and hp to do the trick. As for mileage when pulling i get right around 10 most of the time much better than the 6 i got with my diesel pusher. the exhaust brake is a must to have for me pulling. enjoy your new montana ours has been mostly touble free

twindman · 02-02-2025, 10:29 AM

I second what Al said above about exhaust brake! I drove from Missoula, Mt to AZ on the interstate. I had to use the brake once and downshift once on a steeper hill. My truck has only a 6 speed so these new ones with 10 speeds should probably have a better gear for some hills.

Sparatacus · 02-02-2025, 01:28 PM

Welcome to MOC.

jsb5717 · 02-02-2025, 02:18 PM

Of course, giving good advice requires starting with good data. The only way to know for sure if the OP can safely pull his new 5er with his F250 is to run the numbers. The truck's sticker inside the driver's door will show the truck's payload. "Occupants and cargo not to exceed xxxxlbs"...or something like that.

If the total loaded pin weight of the 5er, plus the hitch, people, gear, and anything else that will ride ON the truck is a higher number than the truck's posted payload, then the truck is overloaded. It will likely pull the trailer just fine but if safety is a concern then getting a truck with enough payload to carry the weight is a wise course.

The best way to find out the loaded pin weight is to load the trailer exactly as you would for traveling. Then take it to the scales and get the actual pin weight for the calcs. Short of that then use 23% of the trailer's GVWR for the calcs. In the OP's case that's 3289lbs. With people, hitch, and gear the truck will need a payload of nearly 4000 lbs to be considered safe. Going to the scales may yield a lesser pin weight. Either way, knowing the numbers is the first step in actually knowing if you're OK or not.

Sparatacus · 02-02-2025, 03:07 PM

Yes, I agree, okay for that 5th wheel the GVWR is 15,300lbs and with at least 23% of that is 3519lbs, so yeah to have 4000lbs or more will be ideal, but like it been said before take it to be weighted.

DutchmenSport · 02-02-2025, 05:59 PM

Congrats on getting your new camper. I hope you have great success with it.

Just a comment about your choice of tow vehicle. You are interested in a Ford.... but don't rule out the other 2 big manufacturers. At least, take a look before settling. You might be surprised.

I'm brand loyal to Chevy, but I've seen some really nice looking Ford's and Rams too! Just, whatever you end up with, make sure you are 100% satisfied in your mind and heart you made the right decision for you! (no one else matters,.... only you!)

KP1 · 02-09-2025, 01:39 PM

I have for sale a 2020 F350 platinum only 13000 miles with 69 gallon tank, air bags w/remote and on board air

firestation12 · 02-09-2025, 02:40 PM

Mark I’d suggest you confine your search to a GM or Ford product 2020 or newer diesel which have the 10 speed transmission They are a hill climbing game changer.

Mikelff · 02-10-2025, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mboree

Good Day!
After lurking here on MOC since January 2019, we finally pulled the trigger on a 2025 295RL. Still searching for a new tow vehicle as I'm iffy about the 2016 F250 Power stroke. For now, it will be based at our private docking station in N.E. FL. until we can find a new F350. Looking forward to actually interacting with everyone here. MOC was instrumental in us choosing the 295RL. Thanks for that!

All the best,

Mark

You are on the right track for the tow vehicle. Better to have the factory load capacity and know you are good in the weight and safety capacity. I made the mistake of buying my truck first (Chev 2500). I have a High Country 41’ and was way overweight for that truck(2017). RV dealer wouldn’t release the rig unless I had a different truck or had the my truck modified to handle my rig. I had my 2500 modified by a DOT certified shop and have a new yellow sticker next to the factory sticker which documents the modification meets DOT specs. Long story. You are better off going to the factory 350 or 3500 if you go GM. You can add air bags to level your truck when towing the 5er. You can pretty much tow anything at that point. I believe the newer trucks come with the exhaust brake as standard equipment, but you definitely want that feature. Happy trails!

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