Help with a TV

[Ricpin]

My wife and I are planning to purchase our frist 5th wheel.We have decided on a Montana 3750FL. If anyone owns one please tell me what you use for a TV. Do I need a DRW or can I get a SRW drive Pick Up.I don't have a truck so any infromation would help me in decideing on what TV to purchase. We plan on going down south during the winter and out west during the summer. This is only the frist of the many questions we will have. Thank you for all your help.

[Cummins12V98]

Ricpin wrote:
Thank you to everyone that responded.It has helped me a lot. Looks like I will need a DRW one ton truck. Is there one that is better than the others as far as maintenance.

Do this, go take each brands truck for a ride make sure each have 45 psi in the rear tire and 72 in the fronts. Open the hood and look at the engine compartment on each (remember you can only see one of the engines). Price each that are as close as possible to each other.

Here is some fact to think about. What does Cummins do? They make "engines" and the 6.7 is a true medium duty engine. The Aisin is a true medium duty trans. Some will say the Allison is medium duty but it is not the same trans that is behind the cummins in a F657/750 that is a medium duty application.The RAM is SAE J2808 compliant with their ratings (not just claims).No it may not be the fastest at the drag strip but it will pull with the others and be doing so for many years. It also has a great exhaust brake.

As far as maintenance goes RAM has up to 15K oil changes on the 13+ trucks. 12 quarts plus filter, 15K or so on fuel filters and 20K or so on air filter. That's it, no special anything for the cooling system. Point is they are very inexpensive to maintain.

Of course JMHO.

[donn0128]

Pick the one that rides best to your seat, and you can get the best deal on. Go drive all three, preferably all on the same daym over the same road and decide. Unless something has changed recently neither Ford or GM dealers are willing to negotiate. But that can change hourly. Andnyou might be willing to pay extra to get the truck your happiest in.

[spud1957]

Ricpin wrote:
Thank you to everyone that responded.It has helped me a lot. Looks like I will need a DRW one ton truck. Is there one that is better than the others as far as maintenance.

Any of the three manufacturers. They are all great vehicles and none are anymore expensive to maintain over the others.


S

[Ricpin]

Thank you to everyone that responded.It has helped me a lot. Looks like I will need a DRW one ton truck. Is there one that is better than the others as far as maintenance.

[TXiceman]

Consider nothing less than a 0ne ton dually with a diesel engine from the big 3 manufacturers. If you can use a SRW, you will be at limits and the trip will be much better with a dually.

Ken

[spud1957]

C-Bears wrote:

spud1957 wrote:
C-Bears, the only 2012 F350 6.7 that has a "published" payload of 4400lbs is a 4x4 regular cab XL. I'm sure that's not the truck you have, so your payload is probably less than 4000lbs. You could share with us the your actual payload rating on your door post. This will give us and the OP a better understanding of the variety of truck ratings and specifically an F350.

S

You are probably very familiar with your 2011 Ford specs, and you may have even looked up ones for newer Fords, I don't know. I will help educate you though. A 2012 F350 XLT 4x4 CC SRW 156" Wheel Base, with optional 11,300 lb GVWR Package, specs out with a payload of actually slightly over 4,400.

But again, none of this really helps the OP with his exact question, although it is entertaining.

I don't need any education regarding the specs. Thanks for offering though. You do realize that 2011 to current are the same right?

You need to stop looking at sales brochures to determine your payload. The brochure payloads are for a gas truck. Read the fine print. Your truck's payload is on the door post. You seem to not want to give us the payload for your truck off the door post for obvious reasons. Your diesel truck weighs about 7800lbs. Deduct that off the 11,300 GVWR and that is?? Well, I'll let you do the math.

I'll move on and hope the OP makes a wise decision.

[C-Bears]

spud1957 wrote:
C-Bears, the only 2012 F350 6.7 that has a "published" payload of 4400lbs is a 4x4 regular cab XL. I'm sure that's not the truck you have, so your payload is probably less than 4000lbs. You could share with us the your actual payload rating on your door post. This will give us and the OP a better understanding of the variety of truck ratings and specifically an F350.

S

You are probably very familiar with your 2011 Ford specs, and you may have even looked up ones for newer Fords, I don't know. I will help educate you though. A 2012 F350 XLT 4x4 CC SRW 156" Wheel Base, with optional 11,300 lb GVWR Package, specs out with a payload of actually slightly over 4,400.

But again, none of this really helps the OP with his exact question, although it is entertaining.

[spud1957]

C-Bears, the only 2012 F350 6.7 that has a "published" payload of 4400lbs is a 4x4 regular cab XL. I'm sure that's not the truck you have, so your payload is probably less than 4000lbs. You could share with us the your actual payload rating on your door post. This will give us and the OP a better understanding of the variety of truck ratings and specifically an F350.

S

[C-Bears]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

C-Bears wrote:
I have a Montana 3725RL. If I recall your 3750FL comes in with a dry weight about 200 or 300 pounds lighter than my model, however your pin weight could be the same or slightly higher don't know for sure.

Shipping weights, or dry weights don't really mean much. By the time I picked mine up with 2nd air, Travler Dish, washer/dryer, G614 tires added I am sure it weighed another 300 pounds without our stuff.

I weigh mine every 6 or 8 months. I can tell you that I am right at my limit but not over. My pin is 23.6%.

You are going to get a ton of very strong opinions reference SRW vs DRW. You can see from my signature what I pull mine with.

If you actually want to get good advise on pulling your exact model then sign up with the MOC (Montana's Owners Forum) There are numerous ones on that site with the 3750 front living and many of them are full timers.

Good luck with your research and decision.

Weighing every 6-8 months then you have the actual numbers.
Surprised you didn't post them.
Actual numbers are more of a help then opinions.

What are your trucks numbers with and without 5vr?
Ratings..GVWR, Axle Ratings, Tire Load Ratings and the weights as scaled?

My 2007 SRW
GVWR 10,100# RAWR 6400# Rear Tire Load 6390#

My 5vr
GVWR 14,375# Actual scaled 13,830# Wet Pin 2980#

Hitched I am over trucks GVWR by 200# and right at Rear Tire Max Load Rating.

I know newer models have been 'upgraded' to higher numbers but think that a 16K GVWR 5vr would be a bit more than a SRW ratings.

He asked for advise from any folks that had the Montana 3750FL. Since no one had answered up to that point that even had a Montana, let alone a 3750 model, I just thought I would steer him in the right direction to help him make a decision. Our units factory weights are similar.

I don't need to post my weights. I know what they are and if they change. I understand my numbers and am happy with them.

How about everyone just try to help the OP out with useful information. For example, the newer 1-ton diesels do carry and pull more weight than a 7 or 8 year old truck. My max 5th wheel towing is rated at 16,400 and my cargo weight can be 4,400. But I am not sure that, plus the other 12 numbers I have recorded will actually help him out.

I am sure he will find sound advise on the MOC from folks that are pulling that exact model.

[Old-Biscuit]

C-Bears wrote:
I have a Montana 3725RL. If I recall your 3750FL comes in with a dry weight about 200 or 300 pounds lighter than my model, however your pin weight could be the same or slightly higher don't know for sure.

Shipping weights, or dry weights don't really mean much. By the time I picked mine up with 2nd air, Travler Dish, washer/dryer, G614 tires added I am sure it weighed another 300 pounds without our stuff.

I weigh mine every 6 or 8 months. I can tell you that I am right at my limit but not over. My pin is 23.6%.

You are going to get a ton of very strong opinions reference SRW vs DRW. You can see from my signature what I pull mine with.

If you actually want to get good advise on pulling your exact model then sign up with the MOC (Montana's Owners Forum) There are numerous ones on that site with the 3750 front living and many of them are full timers.

Good luck with your research and decision.

Weighing every 6-8 months then you have the actual numbers.
Surprised you didn't post them.
Actual numbers are more of a help then opinions.

What are your trucks numbers with and without 5vr?
Ratings..GVWR, Axle Ratings, Tire Load Ratings and the weights as scaled?

My 2007 SRW
GVWR 10,100# RAWR 6400# Rear Tire Load 6390#

My 5vr
GVWR 14,375# Actual scaled 13,830# Wet Pin 2980#

Hitched I am over trucks GVWR by 200# and right at Rear Tire Max Load Rating.

I know newer models have been 'upgraded' to higher numbers but think that a 16K GVWR 5vr would be a bit more than a SRW ratings.

[Cummins12V98]

bfast54 wrote:
In this particular case..I am going to toss somethng intersting into the mix.


If YOU HAVE THE ROOM........Where you park, or plan on Full timing ..You would do well to Seriously Think about a MD Medium Duty, or HD Heavy duty. Class 7..


Why in the world Would I suggest this , for your First Rig?????


Let me tell you.

I stop into the Dealers on a occasional period, and NEW Dually Diesels, all big three Are running..$50.000.00 to $60.000.00


Now, you need to go to the MD, HD Forums, some are on RV net I believe.,, but HD Forums are ou t there ..

and chat with the Guys.

You can get a Good Used Freightliner, Volvo , with 750,000 miles give or take...for some where around $20,000.00 to $30,000.00

about half the price of a New Big Three Dually.:W

The Forums will point you the way..there is a Great shop, that will help you find a Good used class 8, convert it to a class 7 Tandem axle to single axle.


Maybe a couple renewed AIR RIDE seats, some other stuff..you hav e WAY MORE truck, with a Margin of safety.

NOW this might not be the way FOR YOU...but Please do yourself a Favor, and think about it. I Personally Know 2 couples who went this way They Love it.:B

If that is the route that works best then one should go that way. I can tell you a big reason there are so many used MDT's out there is because the owners are tired of such a big rig and more expensive maintenance/repairs. I know some will disagree with me but I have talked to several that have gone to 350/3500 truck since the newer trucks are so much more capable then before.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

bfast54 wrote:



You would do well to Seriously Think about a MD Medium Duty, or HD Heavy duty. Class 7..


Why in the world Would I suggest this , for your First Rig?????


Let me tell you.

I stop into the Dealers on a occasional period, and NEW Dually Diesels, all big three Are running..$50.000.00 to $60.000.00

Now, you need to go to the MDT, HDT Forums,

You can get a Good Used Freightliner, Volvo , with 750,000 miles give or take...for some where around $20,000.00 to $30,000.00

about half the price of a New Big Three Dually.:W

The Forums will point you the way...:B

Unfortunately, no MDT (Medium Duty Truck) or HDT (Heavy Duty Truck) forums on RV Net.

You will find those -and lots of info- on Escapees Forums

Escapees MDT Forum

Escapees HDT Forum

The HP & TQ, and load carrying/towing capacity of an HDT is only one factor. (It was intended for 80K lb trailers).

Stopping is another.
Hard to beat a 3-stage Jake for descending a steep mountain grade -
without ever touching the service brakes.


~

[BB_TX]

The Montana Owners Club (MOC) forum is a very active forum. And there are many there who are owners of the 3750RL. Of those many do have a dually, but there are also those with SRW that are also happy with them.

The 3750RL actually has a pin weight several hundred pounds lower than many of the other Montana floor plans.

And keep in mind that there are some here who think you need a dually if you tow a trailer, period. The newer trucks have greatly increased payload ratings over those of even just a few years ago. So check those payload ratings against the pin weights of the trailer(s) you are interested in.

[C-Bears]

I have a Montana 3725RL. If I recall your 3750FL comes in with a dry weight about 200 or 300 pounds lighter than my model, however your pin weight could be the same or slightly higher don't know for sure.

Shipping weights, or dry weights don't really mean much. By the time I picked mine up with 2nd air, Travler Dish, washer/dryer, G614 tires added I am sure it weighed another 300 pounds without our stuff.

I weigh mine every 6 or 8 months. I can tell you that I am right at my limit but not over. My pin is 23.6%.

You are going to get a ton of very strong opinions reference SRW vs DRW. You can see from my signature what I pull mine with.

If you actually want to get good advise on pulling your exact model then sign up with the MOC (Montana's Owners Forum) There are numerous ones on that site with the 3750 front living and many of them are full timers.

Good luck with your research and decision.