3400 vs. 3475--pros, cons, and differences?

[sreigle]

Ahhh, Carol, you two missed a great restaurant. Maybe next year you'll get there.

David and JoAnna, I think nearly all of us at the rally will be willing to show off our rigs. So don't even think about hesitating to ask. This is a great group of people, very willing to share their knowledge and show their rigs.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[adelmoll]

We'll have our 3475 with us. It goes everywhere we go. You can play with my pots and pans all you want Jo-Anna. LOL

Helen

To follow our journey please click: Bill and Helen's Journey
2005 Montana 3475 pulled by our 2005 Ford 350 Power Stroke Diesel

[yvonnenid]

Personal choice is what R.V.ing is all about! We really wanted to be able to stop by the side of a beautiful stream, go in our coach make a nice lunch and look at the view. It is especially handy when traveling with pets. We can go in with our dog, give her food and water while we are eating, clean up the coach and be on our way. When we chose the 3670 that was one of our critera-accessability on the road. We couldn't be happier with our choice!


06 3670 Montana, MorRyde suspension, King Dome Satelite, 5500 onan propane generator
05 dodge 4x4 turbo diesel, six speed

[MAMalody]

While I agree with the personal aspect of choice per your needs or perceived needs in selecting your 5er, I also wanted to meet the worst case scenario...I needed full access to my rig and it would not be able to be opened. Personally, I don't want to have to repack or rearrange my rig every time we head out on a multiple day trip. I admit that I do use an ice chest for drinks, especially with the grandkids along...the fridge just doesn't do good when the kids open the door for five minutes when they try to make up their minds what they want to drink. My wife does like the 3400 but we, like you, bought the best 5er for us at the time. (The 3400 was not out in 03).



Mike

F350 7.3L LB
2003 3575RL

[Driftwoodgal]

David,

You are really bad......Nope I didn't take the pots and pans, but we did take the table that he uses for a desk. I did know how large my cutting board was and if I had to put a hot pad down and then put a large pot on it. The 3475 was just to small. Think about storage as well as the counter top space. I wish our Monty had the drawers under the frig and the oven. Guess I should have waited for the 2007 models. Oh well if I hint enough I guess I might get drawers there at some point.

Colleen

[Parrothead]

Colleen
You really don't need the drawer under the frig. Just open up that space by hinging the cover. There is a lot of room under there and makes for great storage.
Happy trails...........................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

[sreigle]

And, if yours doesn't have the wood cover, just the thin insert, that insert pushes out quite easily. A door can then be installed. Like these (under the oven and the desk). Ours doesn't have room under the fridge.

You can order the doors from Home Depot or Lowe's. Or, make your own.







See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[worknomore]

To respond to a previous post about the CCW's for the 3400 & 3475 as being nearly identical and the 3475 pin weight being more, the '07 brochure shows:

3400RL: CCW - 2325, Pin wt. - 1975
3475RL: CCW - 3010, Pin wt. - 2000

Clearly, in these 2 categories at least, the 3475RL is the winner. Nearly 700 lbs. more CCW at only 25 lbs. more pin weight. Obviously, this is due to 3 slides vs. 4.

Jim & Bev
'05 2955RL
'04 Duramax
Retired & Lovin' it!
[IMG] http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...rand_Blanc.gif border=0
alt="Click for Grand Blanc, Michigan Forecast" height=60 width=468>[/url]
[/IMG]

[Kimmrg]

Anna, I'm with Adelmoll on this, we love the openess of the 3475, we seem to have fewer dog jams with the open kitchen. You are welcome to come and see mine too, but remember we full time and sometimes it looks a little too much like "home". Our original trailer was the model that was just backwards of the 3400, in that the counter went from the door to the living room instead of the other way the 34400 is. Sorry can't remember the number, there are several out there, and you could not get to the fridge. That's the major reason we switched, I liked being able to stop at Walmart, fill the fridge and head to the campground without opening anything up. When i changed over, I thought I would lose a ton of space for storage, but I don't think we did. We love our 3475, I'd suggest that you get to look at one again if at all possible.

Kim - Dog Mom to the Golden Retriever girls - Copper and Penny. Full-timing since September 1, 2004 with hubby Steve (Gyro) in a 2005 Model 3475 with a Ford F350 duelly truck. Life is good!

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by worknomore

To respond to a previous post about the CCW's for the 3400 & 3475 as being nearly identical and the 3475 pin weight being more, the '07 brochure shows:

3400RL: CCW - 2325, Pin wt. - 1975
3475RL: CCW - 3010, Pin wt. - 2000

Clearly, in these 2 categories at least, the 3475RL is the winner. Nearly 700 lbs. more CCW at only 25 lbs. more pin weight. Obviously, this is due to 3 slides vs. 4.

Jim & Bev

That is most likely correct, of the 685 pounds more CCW, 25 is from the difference in the pinweight and 660 is the difference in the UVW ( 11990 vs. 11650). The 3475 has more CCW any way you slice it. The slide difference is probably most of that, as you surmise. The 3400 being 7 inches longer is another piece, although probably a small one.

Good point, Jim.

on edit... oops, the 3475 is 10,990, not 11,990.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[timandsusan]

We were all set to by a 3400 until we walked into a 3475 at the dealer. We order and got our 3475 this spring. Really enjoy the open feeling. While traveling the kitchen is available. Also the weight was an issue that the 3475 had a plus. So for our use, the 3475 fit the bill. Have fun making the final decision!

Tim and Susan Millington
F-350 King Ranch Crew Cab (2006), Single Wheel, Diesel
2006 3475RL San Antonio, Texas
http://i2.tinypic.com/soqu4i.jpg[/IMG]

[Cat320]

The bottom line is do you want counter space (3400) or lots of room (3475)? As for getting to the kitchen when the slides are in, just takes a bit of planning with the 3400. The DW opted for the extra counter space of the 3400.

[David and Jo-Anna]

Cat--Jo-Anna is torn between greater access to the kitchen and having more counter space. I'm concerned about access and about the 700# weight differential. Maybe Montana will make my decision easier by putting 6.5K axles on the Montys and raising the GVWR 500#-1,000# so I don't have to fret about the weight rating.

David and Jo-Anna Kikel

[David and Jo-Anna]

Helen and Kim--Jo-Anna and I would love to take you up on your offer to take a look at your 3475s at the fall rally so we can get a better feel for what it's like when being lived in. Kim--don't worry about it "looking too much like home"--that's precisely what we'd like to get a feel for. And Helen, we look forward to "playing with your pots and pans."

Colleen--I don't know how you could accuse me of being bad when you were the one to suggest we take our pots and pans down to the dealer to test out a 3475. LOL!!!! Besides, when it comes to my being bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. LOL!!! Look forward to seeing you at the rally--and maybe you'd let us come see your pots and pans too!!!

David and Jo-Anna Kikel

[Driftwoodgal]

David,

Sorry you won't be seeing my pots and pans at the rally as we are still tied to our business. One of these days I must put more time into my signature. I am a total computer dummy, but if you have a dog that needs to be groomed I will match my skills to just about anyone. If and when we sell our dog and cat boarding and grooming kennel we will be on the road more often..... hopefully we will be at some of the rallies.

Hubby is an insurance adjuster that hopefully will be busy this storm season some where. I know that is awful to hope that a storm comes in some where. If I have my points of entry it will be in Corpus Christi Texas so we in Central Texas can get some much needed rain. Lots of people are having their wells go dry right now. If we were retired I would say " Heah honey lets just travel until it rains and we have water back in the aquifer."

Now if you want to use my pots and pans I will gladly share as long as I get the pots back washed. LOL.

It is great that you are doing research on your purchase. I am just glad that ours is done and now I just have to worry about gas prices. If it means that we don't get to retire as early as we wanted I guess we will it off to pay for the gas. We won't full time as I have to much junk (family antiques) that I won't sell.

I love your sense of humor keep up the positive posts..... now remember that applies even after you have signed on the dotted line.

Colleen

[Montana Sky]

David,
I am curious as to which coach your gut is telling you to go for?? The 3400RL or the 3475RL?


2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL

[David and Jo-Anna]

Dave--you wanted to know what my gut is telling me?

Gut wrenching, that's what!!!! Wish these decisions were easier!!!LOL!!!

David and Jo-Anna Kikel

[Montana Sky]

Well then David, I guess I cant say "go with your gut"! LOL!!


2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL

[montanaman]

We have the 3475 because it was important for the access to refrig, etc., and being able to get to the back of the RV if something fell, etc.

frank

[Glenn and Lorraine]

quote:Originally posted by Montana Sky

David,
I am curious as to which coach your gut is telling you to go for?? The 3400RL or the 3475RL?

Dave I realize that post was not directed at me but my gut feeling is with the 3475.

Read on...

I had completely forgotten about this thread until an hour ago. Earlier at dinner Lorraine and I were discussing the possibility of upgrading. I asked her just what she wanted that we didn't already have in our 2955. A desk and more space was her answer. When we arrived back home I immediately went to the Montana floor plans. Because of it's popularity I first went to the 3400 and that suited Lorraine to a T. Than I looked at the 3475 and it was obvious to us that the 3475 would better suit our needs. As we eat out most every meal and do very little cooking inside the huge counter in the 3400 was not needed and the 3475 fit the bill for more living space and access to the kitchen while on the road. As it is more of a spur of the moment thing to each lunch in the rig access to the full kitchen would be important. Quite often we will stop at Wally World while underway to get fruits, snacks, soft drinks, milk and such. Being able to access the kitchen to put this stuff away would be very handy.
So to make a long story short I want to thank all of you for your insights into this matter. You have made our decision a lot easier.
If I may be so bold, we will also be wanting to tour some of the 3475s at the rally.