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Old 06-17-2020, 10:00 AM   #1
JCJ757S
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Have a few questions about using a Dodge Ram

Hey everyone,

Brand new here, have a stupid question. Has anyone ever used a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI 6 1/2 foot bed to pull a Keystone, Montana? My husband and I just bought a 2007 Keystone Montana M-3500 RL. We need to take it on about a 1,000-mile trip give or take a few miles. To where we will be living in our new RV (New to us) on some land we are getting.

Has anyone used this vehicle before? It has high miles. We are wondering if we should look for a different vehicle or go ahead and put a Fifth Wheel in? Any help would be wonderful. Thank you all in advance!

Thanks all! We are looking for a different truck! Thanks for everyone's input!
 
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Old 06-17-2020, 10:45 AM   #2
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I would not want to tow that far with a half-ton truck.
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Old 06-17-2020, 11:00 AM   #3
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I pulled a 27 foot fiver to Wyoming from Va. with a 1/2 ton truck. I weighed 7200 pounds. Far less than than your Montana. I normally tell people to try pulling their camper with the truck they have but not in this case. Your truck and camper combo is way too dangerous to pull. DON’T doo it. You definitely need, must have, a bigger truck.
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Old 06-17-2020, 11:04 AM   #4
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Need a bigger truck
Accident waiting to happen.
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Old 06-17-2020, 01:42 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by JCJ757S View Post
Hey everyone,

Brand new here, have a stupid question. Has anyone ever used a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI 6 1/2 foot bed to pull a Keystone, Montana? My husband and I just bought a 2007 Keystone Montana M-3500 RL. We need to take it on about a 1,000-mile trip give or take a few miles. To where we will be living in our new RV (New to us) on some land we are getting.

Has anyone used this vehicle before? It has high miles. We are wondering if we should look for a different vehicle or go ahead and put a Fifth Wheel in? Any help would be wonderful. Thank you all in advance!
That trailer is heavy. You would get in trouble if something were to happen. If you are going to move the trailer one time, I would call a DOT approved truck company that they move trailer like your all the time. If you want to get a truck would look into getting at least a 3/4 ton, and at that you may be lite.
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Old 06-17-2020, 01:49 PM   #6
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Looking at the numbers

trailer is 11k lbs, pickup appears to be in the 8800lbs range for towing weight (i'm sure that's bumper vs 5th, but its a start)

on paper you'll be over the specs for the pickup even when empty

issues with being over spec will be stuff like possible overheating (engine/trans), possible issues with acceleration / braking, general stability of the tow.

the problem areas will be in the plains with wind and on grades (either up or down)

I towed a similar sized montana with a 2500 gmc that had in the 6.0 gaser (so similar power to the 5.7 hemi but more gearing). With wind it didn't like the interstates and it didn't have much engine braking to help in the mountains. With that, we did drag that montana all over the USA and it worked for us. It was a great day when we switched to the volvo HDT tho .

If one did go the 1/2 ton approach I'd recommend taking a route that considered the vehicle and its capabilities. Take your time and stay away from routes which are going to cause you trouble (avoid steep grades for example).
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Old 06-17-2020, 02:58 PM   #7
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If you were moving a few miles down the road and all the roads were secondary roads I would do it, BUT anything more NO WAY. The chances of getting pulled over I would guess would be fairly high with your rear bumper nearly dragging on the road and if so, chances you would be leaving the trailer at the side of the road.
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Old 06-17-2020, 03:26 PM   #8
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Welcome to the forum. Sorry the news isn't what you were hoping. There's just no way I would pull that trailer with that truck. Aside from putting way too much weight on the back of that truck, it will feel like the tail is wagging the dog...or the trailer is driving the truck. You will hate it. You won't feel safe. You won't be safe. You will be an accident waiting to happen.

It's a job for a 1 ton truck. Nearly 12k lbs empty. Your pin weight is likely 2500 lbs-ish loaded and GVWR is likely 14k-ish, not to mention the 38'+ length. You'll want a truck that will handle that trailer, not the other way around.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we would advise you toward safety. Good luck.
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Old 06-17-2020, 03:30 PM   #9
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You might risk it with a 2500, but I wouldn't want any part of that trip with a 1500.
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Old 06-17-2020, 04:43 PM   #10
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Looking for a different truck

We are going to be looking for a different truck! THANK YOU all for answering my stupid question. In my gut, I knew that there was NO WAY but needed to hear it from others! Thank you all so much!
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Old 06-17-2020, 04:59 PM   #11
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It was NOT a stupid question. You didn’t know. Thanks for asking. Now you can be safe.
Enjoy your new camper.
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Old 06-17-2020, 05:55 PM   #12
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I pulled a 27 foot fiver to Wyoming from Va. with a 1/2 ton truck. I weighed 7200 pounds. Far less than than your Montana. I normally tell people to try pulling their camper with the truck they have but not in this case. Your truck and camper combo is way too dangerous to pull. DON’T doo it. You definitely need, must have, a bigger truck.
Lynwood
I can't remember Lynwood ever telling someone to get a bigger truck
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Old 06-17-2020, 06:46 PM   #13
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I can't remember Lynwood ever telling someone to get a bigger truck

Yep you got that right. This is truly a rare moment that may never come again.
We can have a little fun Thanks.
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Old 06-17-2020, 06:59 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by JCJ757S View Post
Hey everyone,

Brand new here, have a stupid question. Has anyone ever used a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI 6 1/2 foot bed to pull a Keystone, Montana? My husband and I just bought a 2007 Keystone Montana M-3500 RL. We need to take it on about a 1,000-mile trip give or take a few miles. To where we will be living in our new RV (New to us) on some land we are getting.

Has anyone used this vehicle before? It has high miles. We are wondering if we should look for a different vehicle or go ahead and put a Fifth Wheel in? Any help would be wonderful. Thank you all in advance!

Thanks all! We are looking for a different truck! Thanks for everyone's input!
Maybe you should consider paying a professional to tow your camper to it's new home. Most especially if it is going to be a one time move?
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Old 06-17-2020, 07:52 PM   #15
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We are going to be looking for a different truck! THANK YOU all for answering my stupid question. In my gut, I knew that there was NO WAY but needed to hear it from others! Thank you all so much!
No question is dumb or stupid when it comes to truck and driver safety. Just the other day (Monday) My wife and I were witness to a 5th wheel RV accident that claimed the life of 2 people. We found out later that they didn't hook there truck to the trailer in a safe manner and they were on the first trip. now they both in heaven
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Old 06-17-2020, 07:54 PM   #16
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Be safe
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Old 06-24-2020, 01:40 PM   #17
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1/2 ton vs 11,000 pounds

A hi mileage 1/2 ton will not do. You are asking for trouble. If this is a one shot deal and you will need a truck on the other end, get one that is rated to tow that weight. Or like was suggested, hire a company to tow it there. Not worth the heartache if things go wrong
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Old 06-24-2020, 02:44 PM   #18
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I definitely would not make that trip with a half ton. Even if the trailer is stripped down to the true dry weight (no batteries, empty propane tanks, and no fluids in any of the tanks/systems) you will still be putting about 2350lbs of pin weight into a truck with a 6300lb GVWR and a starting curb weight of approx 4650. That puts you at #7000 even before you pu ANYTHING else into the truck... a hitch, people, any luggage or tools etc.
It's not a stupid question at all, but please, don't make what could be a stupid decision. Too many things could go wrong.
Good luck!
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Old 06-24-2020, 02:44 PM   #19
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Maybe you should consider paying a professional to tow your camper to it's new home. Most especially if it is going to be a one time move?
Second.
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Old 06-24-2020, 03:36 PM   #20
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Like others have said, I’d go with a one ton truck for a 3400RL. We have an 08 3400RL and its dry weight it about 11K, way too much for a 1500 PU. I’d definitely recommend a one ton Ram, SRW or DRW would work but I’m very happy with my DRW for towing our Montana.
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