New to 5th wheel

[Jprtugs]

Good day! My name is John and my wife and I live in RI. We currently own an Airstream and are very seriously looking at a Montana 3531re. Our dilemma is choosing between a 2024 or ordering a 2025. Obviously the 2025 is a considerable amount more ($25,000) but has, among other things, the Morryde suspension with disc brakes. Does anyone have any thoughts about the differences between the 2024 and the 2025? Do the upgrades warrant the extra money? Thanks in advance!

John

 

[Mikendebbie]

For price info on adding Morryde IS and disc brakes - see this thread…call it $12k for talking purposes. Of course prices change. Also be aware that you will be scheduling your Morryde install MANY months out. I think it is 8 to 11 months - not (say) 30 days. I think you will find 99% agreement here that those who have IS say it is well worth it.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1283266

What is your tow vehicle?

 

[foldbak]

Well worth the upgrades. Time frame is also a factor as Mike said.

 

[MandK]

The IS goes on at the factory now. I didn’t think it was a holdup to order it.

 

[Jprtugs]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. My tow vehicle is a 2024 chevy 2500 HD Duramax

 

[Mikendebbie]

The IS goes on at the factory now. I didn’t think it was a holdup to order it.

I should have clarified…the aftermarket IS has a long lead/wait time to book a slot in the Morryde service center in Elkhart. It seems I have heard they have a service center on the west coast somewhere that can install IS…someone here will know if that is true.

 

[MandK]

I thought I heard that too, Mike. I know that we have a place about a hour from us (Rochester,NY) that is authorized service for them. Alignments repair etc.

 

[rpc2325]

The IS and disc brakes are well worth it. I also love my Super Solar flex. And Starlink has been a Game Changer. Makes boondocking easy.

 

[jkxtreme]

I'm thinking you don't have enough truck to pull that 5th wheel. The 3531RE weighs over 13,000 lbs with a hitch weight of 2480 lbs. At just over 38 ft I would opt for a 3500 dually. I'd like to hear what others think about how well your truck will handle the 3531.

 

[Jprtugs]

Thanks jkxtreme. I have come to thr realization that this combo is not a safe option. We are looking into other scenarios. Thanks to everyone for their input. It's all greatly appreciated.

 

[Cat320]

I'm thinking you don't have enough truck to pull that 5th wheel. The 3531RE weighs over 13,000 lbs with a hitch weight of 2480 lbs. At just over 38 ft I would opt for a 3500 dually. I'd like to hear what others think about how well your truck will handle the 3531.

Agree....way over weight with a 2500 series truck. Don't look at the "towing capability" rating...the truck will be over weight with the heavy pin weight. As a general rule, your PW will be around 20% of the trailer's GVWR.

 

[20TwoAdv]

We just bought a 24 3531RE. It is much heavier than our 10k previous bumper pull. Our tow vehicle is a Ford F250, 6.7 diesel with air bag rear suspension. While it does pull heavy the air bags make a huge difference. They make airbags for the front as well. Wondering if anyone has experience with those.

Don’t really want a dually for my daily driver. Do not have much road experience with this trailer yet. This is our first 5th wheel.

 

[foldbak]

We just bought a 24 3531RE. It is much heavier than our 10k previous bumper pull. Our tow vehicle is a Ford F250, 6.7 diesel with air bag rear suspension. While it does pull heavy the air bags make a huge difference. They make airbags for the front as well. Wondering if anyone has experience with those.

Don’t really want a dually for my daily driver. Do not have much road experience with this trailer yet. This is our first 5th wheel.

Welcome to the MOC. That's a nice floor plan. I can't address the front air bag question. If it were me I'd consider upgrading to a 1 ton. You don't need a duelly but you are going to be over tongue weight. Your 2500 won't have a problem pulling it, but you're almost 40' feet long weighing (loaded) 16,480. At least you got disk brakes.

 

[jkxtreme]

I agree with Foldbak... a 1 ton truck is what you need. That rv weighs over 13,000 lbs before you put anything into it. 16,480 pounds loaded. The hitch weight is 2480 pounds before you put anything in it so loaded the hitch weight is probably over 3000 lbs. The air bags will help but in the end you're still pulling with a 3/4 ton truck. The Ford F-250 is a great truck but I think you'll be happier with a 1 ton. The new model 3531RE also comes on H rated tires which tells me the trailers are heavy. I also recommend a dually for stability... more rubber on the ground and wider stance.

 

[20TwoAdv]

Thank you both for your thoughts and advise. Sounds like we need a truck upgrade too. We’ll be on the lookout for a F350 this spring I guess.

 

[daboom11]

We have a 2023 3231 CK and it is about all my F250 can pull safely. Unless you're like me with many years of CDL driving experience, I would suggest an F350. Your camper is heavier than mine if I'm not mistaken.

 

[20TwoAdv]

We went to a 350 dually. Put Timbrens on the rear just in case. No issue at all now!

 

[arnoldvalencia]

I'm thinking you don't have enough truck to pull that 5th wheel. The 3531RE weighs over 13,000 lbs with a hitch weight of 2480 lbs. At just over 38 ft I would opt for a 3500 dually. I'd like to hear what others think about how well your truck will handle the 3531.

I just got my '24 3123RL and I did a lot research on payload on all truck brands and a 3/4 ton is just not enough truck. I ended up getting a Ram 3500 SRW to handle the payload for a 3123RL. The SRW can handle the 3531 but I would opt for Dually as well.

 

[20TwoAdv]

Congrats! Sounds like a nice rig setup. Enjoy your journey.