Require a diesel truck for new Montana - Montana Owners Club

Freeda II · 10-22-2007, 04:47 PM

I have just purchased a new Montana 3400RL. I am in the market for a diesel truck to pull this unit. Can anyone lead me in the right direction. Should it be a 1 ton single or dully. Is a 3/4 ton enough. Advantage/disadvantage
Thanks
Andrew

bncinwv · 10-22-2007, 05:03 PM

First, welcome to the forum. Second, your first question is a volatile one that you can probably do better by researching and reading all of the TV related posts on this section of the forum. You can use a 3/4 ton, you can use a one ton SRW or DRW. HOWEVER, if you want to abide by the TV manufacturers specs you need to research ALL of the applicable weights and decide accordingly. Good luck with your reasoning and decision.
Bingo

Glenn and Lorraine · 10-22-2007, 10:21 PM

A simple method to find what most of us will recommend is by looking at our signatures. More often than not the male EGO will not allow us to recommend anything other than what we are already using.

My suggestion?? See below....

Montana Sky · 10-22-2007, 10:30 PM

My 2500HD Duramax does the job, but my next truck will be the Silverado 3500HD Duramax dually, if not a MDT. I suggest buying the biggest truck you can afford as you never know when you may trade in the Montana for something larger or heavier.

Bob Pasternak · 10-23-2007, 01:03 AM

Welcome to the forum, Andrew. If you want an engine that maintains its torque (torque is what turns the wheels) over a wider range and out lasts the V-8s by a hundred thousand miles, get an inline engine. You'll see by my signature I bought a Cummins, it just came wrapped in a Dodge.

Jim Jarvis · 10-23-2007, 01:42 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Glenn and Lorraine

A simple method to find what most of us will recommend is by looking at our signatures. More often than not the male EGO will not allow us to recommend anything other than what we are already using.

My suggestion?? See below....

That's about as good an answer as I've ever seen Glenn on this age old issue.

Retired Pilot · 10-23-2007, 02:36 AM

I just completed a trip from Palm Beach FL. to Quincy Ca.(about 85 miles NW of Reno) and back by a circuitous route, total mileage 8260 towing a 2007 3295 with an 07 F350 SRW 2WD 373 rear end short bed extended cab, Diesel. It did a beautiful job of towing and gave 12.6 MPG avg while towing.

Ozz · 10-23-2007, 02:56 AM

Another spin on this is dual use, will you be pulling every 10th day of the year, or pulling 2 weeks, then driving the truck like a family car the other 50 weeks of the year in town traffic....

Retired Pilot · 10-23-2007, 02:59 AM

I forgot to add in my post -You are never too old- I celebrated my 79th Birthday while on the trip.

happy campers · 10-23-2007, 03:17 AM

Since you've already purchased the trailer, you'll have to buy the truck that'll handle the weight of THAT trailer. That means subjectively looking at the trailer weights as suggested earlier, then picking out the truck that at the very least will be within those limits. Other considerations will be possible trailer upgrades in the future, and whether or not it will also be a daily driver. Driving a dually every day would take some getting used to, and the others who might have to drive it might not be as comfortable with it as you. If budget is no problem, then getting the right truck is no problem as well. Meaning that if you bought new, you could get exactly what you need. If you need the little extra over a 3/4 ton, then a 1 ton SRW is a good choice, even though the ride might be just a bit harder. Any of the big 3's trucks will pull whatever you hook it to, even if you exceed it's weight limits. Remember that the weak link will almost always be the rear tires.

BB_TX · 10-23-2007, 03:19 AM

The difference in costs of a 350/3500 vs a 250/2500 is small. Since you do not have your truck yet, go with the 350/3500. There is no disadvantage to a 350/3500. Now as far as SRW vs DRW, I will not go there.

richfaa · 10-23-2007, 03:43 AM

You are in the best possible situation.You can choose the truck that will meet all your needs and weight specifications. Pay no attention to what folks list in their signature. It makes for interesting reading but what I pull with fits my needs and requirements..not yours. Learn about GVWR, Cargo capicity, Pin weight. There are those who think differently but I would suggest that you stay within all manufacturers specifications. Since you have not yet purchased the TV you have the opportunity to do this.

BirdingRVer · 10-23-2007, 04:06 AM

Andrew,

Just three thoughts to add:

1. Nobody ever complanies about having too much truck.
2. A long bed will have more room and a bigger fuel tank.
3. My dually is no wider than the side mirrors on a non-dually.

Grant

BB_TX · 10-23-2007, 05:56 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by BirdingRVer

Andrew,
3. My dually is no wider than the side mirrors on a non-dually.
Grant

Yeah. But I can fold my mirrors in.

Trailer Trash 2 · 10-23-2007, 08:33 AM

I like the stability of the DRW's, but dont like the milage due to the extra weight of the wheels.
8 foot bed is a must for what ever you get of the big 3 manufactures.
Something was mentioned about mirrors on a DRW, My mirrors extend one mirror's width beyond the outside of the rear wheel fenders and they do fold in (stock mirrors)

stiles watson · 10-23-2007, 12:17 PM

I have done it both ways. My 2003 Big Sky was pulled by a 2002 F250 PSD 7.3L. It did the job. I pulled in the mountains. I pulled from Texas to Maine and Nova Scotia and then back to North Carolina.

Now I am pulling a 2008 Big Sky with a 2008 F350 6.4L PSD, DRW. It does the job better. It is stronger up the hill. The pull mileage is about the same after 5000 miles of work. The non-loaded mileage is a disappointment. So the advice to determine how you will use the truck all around is something to be considered.

My personal preference, based on my own experience, is the 1-ton dually. However, I don't think it is an absolute necessity. Since you are making a fresh purchase, I would go with the maximum TV that would fit my budget and match up with my projected usage. Do the math on your weights and decide, then be happy with your decision.

Countryfolks · 10-23-2007, 01:15 PM

I don't know y'all, maybe he should look at a Tundra or JD. Then he'll have some braggin' rights.

snfexpress · 10-23-2007, 02:23 PM

All I can add is this. We had a 2006 SRW 1 ton GMC 4x4 Extended Cab. While it pulled our 3400 just fine, when in windy conditions, we felt like we were sucking up the leather on the seats (if you get my drift).

Now, we have a DRW GMC Crew Cab. My initial concerns boiled down to just one - could I get it in around the streets we might find ourselves on when we were sight-seeing? And, know this - I never owned a dually prior to this 2007.

We found ourselves in Philadelphia (narrow streets) and the French Quarter (even narrower streets). Didn't have a problem. In fact, while this is purely anecdotal, I think that people who saw what I was driving had more awe and respect for where I was that they went out of their way to help accomodate my width.

And, by the way, the width of the dually is the same as the 5er (at least it appears that way). I leave the mirrors fully extended so that my DW will get comfortable driving and also pulling the 5er. The mirrors also mirror (get it?) the width of the dual fenders. So, with the 5er, we are 55 feet long. No big deal, now. Did take a while getting used to it in the beginning.

With nearly 14,000 miles on it since April, the mileage, both pulling and not, keeps increasing. We are up to 13 mph pulling and 17 mph just driving around.

Lindy had a 4500. I have thought about this for the future, if we buy a different 5er that is heavier, but for now, we both love the GMC 3500 DRW CC 4x4. Rides like a wimpy truck (more like a car), is quiet and has plenty of pulling power and STOPPING power for our 3400. JMO.

pud2 · 10-23-2007, 02:48 PM

I have had the 3/4 ton and now own the 1 ton. 3/4 did a good job but i feel much safer and the stability is much greater with the new truck. All the brands have plenty enough tourqe and power to do the job that is your preference.

Delaine and Lindy · 10-24-2007, 03:21 AM

We have owned 2500HD's, 3500HD's and 4500HD's and they all had the Duramax/Allison combo's. They all got the job done without question. The stopping was excellent on all Trucks. However we have disk brakes and they will stop the truck and 5er without using the OEM brakes on the Truck. The problem is with the pin weight and the over all weight. The new Big Sky is within 800 lbs of our Cambridge which is 16,900 and the Big Sky is 16,100 is I remember correctly. You are or will be over after loading the Big Sky if your towing with a 3/4 ton. But thats your decision. I would buy nothing less than a 3500 DRW. Just my opinion, but there is no question the Duramax/Allison will get the Job done.... Good Luck on your choice. What a Country..... Life is good.... GBY....

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