Ford F250 ? F350? Or GMC 3500?

[Only_True_Mosno]

I am looking at a Montana 3791RD and currently own a Ford F250 that pulls my Cougar 327RES fiver quite well. The Montana sounds like it may be considerably heavier.

So my question..will my F250 be big enough to tow it?

If not I am assuming the F350 or GMC 3500 will be? Which of these two vehicles would you buy?

The weight numbers conversation sounds like a foreign language to me so any expert help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Montana 3791RD

Specifications
Shipping Weight 13470
Carrying Capacity 3475
Hitch 2945
Length* 41' 1"
Height 13' 5"
Tire Size ST235/80R16E

[andy431]

Only True Mosnowman wrote:
I am looking at a Montana 3791RD and currently own a Ford F250 that pulls my Cougar 327RES fiver quite well. The Montana sounds like it may be considerably heavier.

So my question..will my F250 be big enough to tow it?

If not I am assuming the F350 or GMC 3500 will be? Which of these two vehicles would you buy?

The weight numbers conversation sounds like a foreign language to me so any expert help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Montana 3791RD

Specifications
Shipping Weight 13470
Carrying Capacity 3475
Hitch 2945
Length* 41' 1"
Height 13' 5"
Tire Size ST235/80R16E

If your F250 is a turbo diesel you will have no problem pulling the bigger rig, but if yours is gas, there might be some problems on hills. I have a 1999 F250 super duty 7.3 turbo diesel, it pull my 38' rig with no problems.

[Lwiddis]

That extra four feet of RV is going to cost you a bundle.

[rjstractor]

stufarmer wrote:
Before I considered a truck, I suggest looking at the latest 2016 Crash results for full size american trucks. The Ram trucks failed miserably, GM trucks were not much better. Only Ford received 5 star crash ratings.

Do you have a link to your research? I couldn't find much data on HD pickups, only 150/1500 series trucks, which is not really relevant to the trucks being discussed in this thread.

[stufarmer]

Before I considered a truck, I suggest looking at the latest 2016 Crash results for full size american trucks. The Ram trucks failed miserably, GM trucks were not much better. Only Ford received 5 star crash ratings.

[womps]

n7bsn wrote:
I've been a Ford truck guy, well, for ever.

That being said, it's my understanding that due to the new frame on the 2017 F350 it stands considerably taller then the GM or Dodge

IMO it makes the 2017 Fords less of a contender for RV use

Before ordering a 2017 F350 I measured the distance from the ground to the top of the box on a 2017 F350 and a 2017 GMC 3500 at the rear wheel. There was less than a 1/2 an inch difference with the Ford being taller.

[KD4UPL]

Are you looking for new or used 3500 trucks? It makes a big difference. Just about any make has had a problem or two, some have had more than others. Are you asking about 2017 models, 2003 models, 1997 models, etc. ?

[n7bsn]

I've been a Ford truck guy, well, for ever.

That being said, it's my understanding that due to the new frame on the 2017 F350 it stands considerably taller then the GM or Dodge

IMO it makes the 2017 Fords less of a contender for RV use

[Me_Again]

The 3791RD 2945 pounds of dry pin weight will be beyond the 250/350 SRW trucks rear axle/tire ratings when loaded. Adding a washer/dryer makes it even worst. Want that trailer, get a duallie. Chris

[Grit_dog]

I'll qualify this with the assumption that you're traveling with it. If you're just pulling it fromstorage to a site, and back in the fall, use the gasser, beef up the rear suspension and put a slow moving vehicle placard on the back.

[Grit_dog]

IdaD wrote:
Trading for a SRW 350/3500 is pointless - you could make your 250/2500 the same truck for a lot less money. Might even be the same truck already. The gasser is really going to struggle and you can't fix that, though - I think it's dually time if you want to go that big.

Agree with ^.
17klbs is waaay more than you'll want to pull with the gasser. You'll be a road hazard up and down every hill.

1ton diesel, brand doesn't matter, at a minimum, but in reality you're squarely in dually territory without some upgrades to a srw truck.

Both my 6.2F250s with 3.73s didn't like more than 14klbs with no wind resistance (flatbed trailers) on the flats at low altitude from a HP standpoint. Add in large grades, Mountian altitude potentially and a huge frontal area for a nice sail effect and the gasser won't do it willingly.....or at all, for long.

[IdaD]

Trading for a SRW 350/3500 is pointless - you could make your 250/2500 the same truck for a lot less money. Might even be the same truck already. The gasser is really going to struggle and you can't fix that, though - I think it's dually time if you want to go that big.

[Lwiddis]

I agree with Ivylog, "You are asking for trouble."

[Second_Chance]

blofgren wrote:
I'm assuming that the pin weight advertised is for an empty unit?

If so I would bet that you will be looking at 4k lbs plus loaded pin weight just like our fiver is. Realistically, you are looking at a 350/3500 dually in order to stay within all of the truck's ratings. You will get all kinds of information that a 350/3500 SRW truck will be fine to pull that trailer but you will likely be over the truck's GVWR and possibly rear axle/tire ratings.

Personally I would never want to tow my fiver with a SRW truck but I prefer to stay within all of the truck's ratings.

In regards to brand, there is so much childish banter on here that I won't offer anything other than drive all 3 and pick which one you like best. Or more importantly, the one that your wife likes best! 😉

X2 ^^. Our fifth wheel isn't as heavy as yours (3,100 lbs. pin weight loaded) and we were at the max load ratings for the rear axle of a 2013 3/4 ton truck (and ratings have increased over the years). We traded for a 1 ton DRW truck and it made all the difference in the world. Not only are we well under the load ratings for the truck, but the rig is much more stable under all circumstances. My stress level towing is also about 90% lower...

Rob

[Ivylog]

You are asking for trouble. Your truck is barely capable and the E rated tires on the trailer are only good enough for the dry weight of the trailer.