|
03-19-2014, 11:01 AM
|
#1
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Roseville
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #14137
|
Prospective new owner
Hello all, I will be selling the house and going fulltime within the next few years so I am actively researching 5th wheels and think that a Montana is the way I'll be going. I will probably buy a used one since I'll be retired and will need to pay cash. I looked at new ones and they are top shelf. I have also looked at some used models to see how they have held up and the quality seems to be there when used. I wonder when Montana switched from peel and stick wood finishes to real wood like the new ones.
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 11:13 AM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington Coast
Posts: 2,688
M.O.C. #10696
|
Good question on the years they changed from peel and stick to real wood my last Montana Big sky was a 2003 and it had real wood and it was also trouble free for the 3 years(even the outside Graphics held up!!...RARE) I owned it but the previous owner Babied it and never used it much and Covered it ,I think that is the key is to find a owner that took nice care of it ,did all proper maintnence,did they cover it when not in use?? just like any brand you will find good ones that were babied and bad ones that were not well cared for, but my experience with Montana has been very good New one And Old one, there are Many folks here on the Forum that have older Montana's and can tell you their experience as well
__________________
[
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 11:49 AM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
|
Welcome to this forum. You should be able to find a gently used Montana out there that will suit your needs. The nice thing about this forum is that when you are looking at a particular model, even a discontinued one like ours, you can jump on the forum and get information on what other owners or former owners liked about that model or didn't like about it.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 12:17 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Arroyo City
Posts: 3,110
M.O.C. #13395
|
Welcome to the forum! There is a wealth of wisdom here. Ask any question, you will find someone with the answer
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 01:45 PM
|
#5
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Roseville
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #14137
|
I see a lot of dual wheel tow vehicles, since I need to buy a p/u to pull the Montana I am thinking Diesel but wonder about 4x4 and dual wheels. Any thoughts?
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 01:59 PM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
|
I suggest you look at 2007 and newer. That was when the added the convenience center and improved winter / cold weather usage.
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 02:22 PM
|
#7
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,547
M.O.C. #2283
|
For a big heavy Montana class camper I would go with a DRW truck especially for a full timer. As for peel and stick wood work my 2011High Country is still peel and stick. I don't know about a real Montana.
Lynwood
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 03:08 PM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,284
M.O.C. #11675
|
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by kiltedpig
I see a lot of dual wheel tow vehicles, since I need to buy a p/u to pull the Montana I am thinking Diesel but wonder about 4x4 and dual wheels. Any thoughts?
|
Welcome Bill!
I LOVE this question - especially when someone is doing it right and asking BEFORE they have their truck.
With the weight we are pulling, the only thing that will safely AND legally be within limits is a dual rear wheel. I have the diesel dually, and got the camper certificate (which basically gives you your payload amount) and with the fifth wheel loaded (and I don't even full-time) it only leaves about an 800 pound buffer. You cannot go by the brochure weights either - for pin weight or gross weight.
The important point is - the more payload you can get, the better (for the king pin weight) - which is by getting the dual rear wheel. A 3/4 ton is insufficient for these big trailers, and while a one-ton single rear wheel can "do it", if you're going to be buying, get the added payload and stability of the dually.
For the best torque and towing capacity AND towability, you'll want the diesel too - especially if you're full-timing. I have done both, and there is no comparison to have a properly equipped tow vehicle to pull SAFELY this kind of weight.
As for four-wheel drive, I've had both and would never have a 2X4 again. Even just a slippery grass campsite can cause you to get stuck, and wheels spinning with a 4X2. Any loose or slippery site can get you stuck, especially trying to back in. With my 2X4 I got stuck several times, and vowed never to go without a 4X4 again.
Hope that helps! Keep asking questions, lots of folks ready and willing to help!
Greg and Kris
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 03:10 PM
|
#9
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
|
High Country is all about light weight, averaging about three thousand pounds lighter than the Montana. They are also about price, much less expensive than Montana. So, there are many differences. Ask a lot of questions. The HC has a 10 inch frame, Montana has a 12 inch frame. Montana has a one piece molded cap, front and rear. Solid wood is heavier than wrapped man made material . A lot to think about .
Too bad you are not on the east coast, we have 10 gently used Montes in inventory at present. The size of the frame was increased to 12 inches in 13.
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 03:11 PM
|
#10
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,284
M.O.C. #11675
|
Oops, double post.
|
|
|
03-19-2014, 04:19 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
|
You can definitely find good quality used, if you know what you're looking for. It's smart to get a jump on things and learn what's out there long before taking the plunge. Get as much knowledge you can in the meantime and look at other manufacturers as well. I wouldn't go more than 3-4 years old, but that's just me. As far as the truck goes, I don't think many Montanas fall into the 3/4 ton category. A dually gives you more choices.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
|
|
|
03-20-2014, 03:16 AM
|
#12
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Madison
Posts: 1,239
M.O.C. #5906
|
Good luck with your search. We too joined MOC while awaiting the sale of our house. The bad news was that with the housing market it took us six years to sell. The good news is that during those years we followed MOC. The education we received was worth its weight in gold and eliminated an untold number of issues for a new 5th wheel owner.
|
|
|
03-22-2014, 03:37 AM
|
#13
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
|
I believe you are going about it the right way. We did a lot of research and read this forum for months prior to our house selling. We found a used 2008 3400RL in another state that had been very well maintained and started with that. You will probably find two different "camps" on SRW vs. DRW trucks for pulling most of our rigs. We are full time and pull with a SRW diesel. Good luck with your decisions. When we started down this road we thought we may do it for 3 or 4 years. Now we can't imagine ever stopping!
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
|
|
|
03-23-2014, 03:43 AM
|
#14
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
|
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by kiltedpig
I see a lot of dual wheel tow vehicles, since I need to buy a p/u to pull the Montana I am thinking Diesel but wonder about 4x4 and dual wheels. Any thoughts?
|
I recommend dually/4X4 as the way to go.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
|
|
|
03-23-2014, 04:24 AM
|
#15
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
|
We became MOC members a year before we purchased our first Montana. We got great heads up on the product but we purchased one anyhow in fact we purchased two. You will see more Montana's out there than any other brand so some used ones will show up. You will need a experienced person with you to evaluate the unit. Our 06 32400 Montanan served us well but not without problems.
Most Montana's nowq will require a dually truck for the pin weight but who knows what the ratings will be down the road.
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|