Hi

[dedtoper@msn.com]

Hi I’m new here and would like to introduce myself. My husband and I are about to purchase a 5th wheel Montana 37’ RL I would love to hear from others any reviews on this camper before we take the big step. We currently have a 29’ max lite. We have 2 Saint Bernards that will be traveling with us.
We are looking for a truck to tow it and have been looking at a Ford 250 HD crew cab for the pups.
We are being told and it looks like from what we see that it would be fine to pull the 16k total weight.
What do you all think?
Any info on the 5th wheel and truck would be most helpful as it’s not too late to change our minds.
Thank you😊

[sambam]

Welcome to the MOC! It would help if we knew what the model year and number of your Montana is. That way it can be determined whether your F250 will be a suitable truck to pull it. The model year of the truck will help, too, since ratings are constantly changing. Is it a diesel? These are pertinent questions to help you arrive at a good decision. There are opinions on both sides of the argument about pulling a large fifth wheel with a 3/4 ton truck, but until you provide more information, it will be difficult to offer solid advice. My gut feeling is, if the GVW on your Montana is 16k, the F250 may be a little challenged, but, let the fun begin, I say. You picked a terrific forum for learning about your new 5er. There is a lot of knowledge here that has helped me numerous times. Again, welcome.

[jeffba]

You also have not mentioned what year of truck you are looking at.
Assuming you have a diesel and it is a newer model , you will have about 2600-2700 lbs of carrying capacity. If you go to a 1 ton SRW Ford you will get an additional spring and additional 600lbs of carrying capacity. It is not too hard to add 600 to 1000 lbs of additional weight to your advertised pin weight when you add passengers hitch and gear in the 5er.

Some folks will tell you you can pull it just fine.
Some will tell you you will be illegal if you do.

For me I was not comfortable being overweight so I went with a dually.

now it is time for some

[Dam Worker]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your soon to be upgrade on truck and Fifthwheel. My unit has a GVW of 16K lbs. I have an old 2000one ton SRW diesel and a 2018 DRW one ton diesel. Both tow the unit, the older truck sometimes feels like it is be pushed around a bit on certain corners especially in the mountains. The new truck never seems to be getting pushed. My dealer gave me a 2016 SRW one ton diesel for a loaner for a couple of trips and it pulled the unit very nicely. It was not as stable as my new truck and when I stopped at scales and weighed everything it was over the GVW but not over any specific axle rating. Good luck on your decision and happy roads to you.

Tom Marty

[mtlakejim]

Welcome to the forum. There are several threads with rather heated debates about what truck is proper for towing. One currently active is titled towing a high country 331

There are several questions only you can answer regarding how you will be using the truck (is it primarily for towing or your only vehicle). Anyone in the least concerned about your safety will recommend you get a truck rated for the LOADED weight of your camper at a minimum. There are several personal factors that would weigh in on your decision beyond that. One is are you likely to trade to an even larger camper (I estimate at least 75% of owners do) as you have indicated you have already moved up once.

The wife and I started with a slide in camper in a 1/2 ton. We now have a 42’ we tow with a 1 ton dually

[Kyle and Lisa]

Welcome to the forum.

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum! You have hit on one of the big debates on this forum. Check the stickers on the door of the truck and figure 25% of the weight of the camper will be on the pin in your bed, then add both of you, those big dogs and a full tank of fuel. If thats all good, you're good. Once you have whatever you decide on you can join us for these discussions

[dedtoper@msn.com]

Hi all the model Montana we are looking at is 3561RL
weight 12915 Cc 2605 hitch 2605 length 38’5”
My husband would like to get a Ford hd 250
Any info on any of this is helpful
Thanks so much

[waynemoore]

Welcome to the forum. As said before we need lots more information re the 5er and the truck. Otherwise what you hear is just speculation.

[Lenny K]

Welcome to the montana forum. Buy a diesel 1 ton truck. I know there are lots of people on this forum towing with a 3/4 ton but you can never have to much truck.

[1retired06]

Welcome to the MOC!

[BuilderBob]

Welcome to the MOC family from Washington St! Time to get the popcorn out.