Looking to upgrade

[Javi]

As an owner of a 313RS Avalanche I will uncategorically state that it should never be within 10 feet of any 3/4 ton pickup and in fact that goes for almost any 1 ton S&W.

15K GVWR with all the weight in front of the axles does not play well with anything but a dually.

[Maureen727]

Are you selling your 2018? I’m interested in buying a used 24sabwe

[GoNavy]

We were long overdue for an upgrade after 16 years of a 28’ Trail Lite. We loved the Montana and the High Country. However it felt like to much trailer for us. We kept coming back to them after two years of looking as we prepared for retirement. However, once we saw the neighbors 2021 Cougar 290RLS we went with it. We had looked ar Cougar several times, but it never felt right. The 290RLS meets are needs and pulls effortlessly with our Silverado 3500 SRW. A far cry from our beginning with the Trail Lite and 2004 F150.

[Rocketsled]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Mr. Foldbak, Bet your truck doesn't have nearly 3657 lbs payload. One way to ascertain what your particular truck's payload is to open the driver door and look at the payload placeard:

So here’s a niggling little detail I hadn't asked til now: the yellow and white sticker says “cargo and passengers”….it does not say “fuel”

Now, 34 gallons of diesel is only 240 lbs or so, but if you’re going with that sticker, and then go to the Cat Scales, do you go with a full or empty tank?

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Rocketsled

So here’s a niggling little detail I hadn't asked til now: the yellow and white sticker says “cargo and passengers”….it does not say “fuel”

Now, 34 gallons of diesel is only 240 lbs or so, but if you’re going with that sticker, and then go to the Cat Scales, do you go with a full or empty tank?

Full, you should be loaded as ready to travel for a normal trip.

In my case a week of food, clothes, dog stuff, tools etc

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Rocketsled

So here’s a niggling little detail I hadn't asked til now: the yellow and white sticker says “cargo and passengers”….it does not say “fuel”

Now, 34 gallons of diesel is only 240 lbs or so, but if you’re going with that sticker, and then go to the Cat Scales, do you go with a full or empty tank?

The payload listed on the payload sticker allows for a 150# driver and full fuel and def tanks!
Once the vehicle is off the factory floor, the only way to know the remaining payload is going to the scales. Then you want the truck loaded as it would be when towing, then with full tanks and all passengers, hit the scales and subtract vehicle weight from GVWR and that is what payload you have for hitch.

[Roper46]

Originally Posted by GoNavy

We were long overdue for an upgrade after 16 years of a 28’ Trail Lite. We loved the Montana and the High Country. However it felt like to much trailer for us. We kept coming back to them after two years of looking as we prepared for retirement. However, once we saw the neighbors 2021 Cougar 290RLS we went with it. We had looked ar Cougar several times, but it never felt right. The 290RLS meets are needs and pulls effortlessly with our Silverado 3500 SRW. A far cry from our beginning with the Trail Lite and 2004 F150.

I also love my 290RLS ! Traded a 2020 Cougar 30RKD TT that I bought in October 2020 for it August 2021. I especially love the Haier residential fridge. Can't wait to pull my 290RLS with my 3500 SRW that's on order !

[notanlines]

Tony, you came here looking for approval of your given situation, not advice on whether or not it is acceptable. You simply don't have a truck that is adequate to tow an 18,000 pound anything, much less an RV.
As said by any number of knowledgeable members, you will be over your maximum cargo capacity AND over your towing capacity.
Generally members here are inclined to tell you the truth, not the feel-good answer some members seek.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Tony, you came here looking for approval of your given situation, not advice on whether or not it is acceptable. You simply don't have a truck that is adequate to tow an 18,000 pound anything, much less an RV.
As said by any number of knowledgeable members, you will be over your maximum cargo capacity AND over your towing capacity.
Generally members here are inclined to tell you the truth, not the feel-good answer some members seek.

No sir! Russ wasn't telling the truth. My payload DOES NOT INCLUDE a full DEF tank. Where is my DEF tank? Is it behind my turbulator friction feed impeller? BTW: I think I mentioned to the OP a 3/4 ton ain't enuf truck to drag a camper that big due lack of payload. I would be very uncomfy with my DEFless SRW one ton. We should have a contest for who has the most 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, one ton SRW and one ton dually payload. Winner in each category will get the forum story teller award.

[foldbak]

Thanks for everyone's input. The original question was regarding the quality of the Montana verses another brand of fifth wheel as this is my last purchase at 64. I pulled the trigger on the Montana 295RL High country.



I appreciate all of the input from the weight police. I've talked to multitudes of people that pull with this truck and all are happy. I've even spoken to two RV transporters that use the same 2020 2500HD and both had nothing but good to say. I went so far as to test drive my buddy's GMC towing a toy hauler and I was completely comfortable.


At the end of the day I'm not financially prepared to upgrade both truck and trailer so I'll be sure and notify you when passing through your town.

[sourdough]

Towing that trailer with a 3/4 ton truck is your call. I've got a friend that pulls a 40' Big Horn (gvw 16,000 IIRC) with a LB 3/4 Ram. Well over truck's limits he knows and and we've had that conversation. Like you he said it "pulls" it well....yes it will. He also said "look at all the 3/4 ton trucks in here with big trailers"....yep, there are. Sort of like, "I can pop that apple on that guy's head with a 30-06 at 200 yds. "nearly" all the time". What happens when that gust of wind hits as the trigger is pulled? I don't want to be the guy with the apple on my head (or overloaded)...... Happy travels and be safe.

[flybouy]

Foldback I wish you well. As the investment commercials say "past performance is no guarantee of success". I know of people that have been struck by lightning, shot, fell off of ladders, jumped head first into 3' of water, etc, and "had no problems". Then there are those that have seen that had the same experience and I attended their funerals.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by foldbak

Thanks for everyone's input. The original question was regarding the quality of the Montana verses another brand of fifth wheel as this is my last purchase at 64. I pulled the trigger on the Montana 295RL High country.



I appreciate all of the input from the weight police. I've talked to multitudes of people that pull with this truck and all are happy. I've even spoken to two RV transporters that use the same 2020 2500HD and both had nothing but good to say. I went so far as to test drive my buddy's GMC towing a toy hauler and I was completely comfortable.


At the end of the day I'm not financially prepared to upgrade both truck and trailer so I'll be sure and notify you when passing through your town.

I'm not doubting those 2 rv transporters MAY haul rvs with 3/4 tons & have no issues "pulling" them, but the payloads of those trucks WILL limit what they can deliver. They are governed by DOT regulations so they MUST adhere very closely to being within the limits of their trucks, must pull into weigh stations to confirm or face heavy fines.

[dutchmensport]

foldbak, have you checked out the Montana Owner's Club forum yet? If you haven't, you should. I think you'll learn a lot about your specific Montana over there. https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/

You can use your same user name and password over there when setting up your account, as RV Life already has your user ID and RV Life sponsors all these forums.

[jasin1]

The rv transporters are pulling completely empty rv’s also…no propane tanks or batteries or pots and pans clothes and food supply’s ..empty tanks
Not really a comparison..I have to warn you that once you “know your overweight” it’s very hard to enjoy yourself…I imagine it’s like drug smugglers and moonshine runners…it’s always in the back of their mind and makes the driving less then enjoyable

I was just like you and it nagged me constantly

I think you would be pretty surprised at what your truck may bring for resale..might be worth looking into imo

Good luck

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by jasin1

The rv transporters are pulling completely empty rv’s also…no propane tanks or batteries or pots and pans clothes and food supply’s ..empty tanks
Not really a comparison..I have to warn you that once you “know your overweight” it’s very hard to enjoy yourself…I imagine it’s like drug smugglers and moonshine runners…it’s always in the back of their mind and makes the driving less then enjoyable

I was just like you and it nagged me constantly

I think you would be pretty surprised at what your truck may bring for resale..might be worth looking into imo

Good luck

FYI! They do have to add a battery in order for the breakaway brake controller to be activated, which is required. But yes they are the only ones that will ever haul a rv at or near the posted dry weight & some will still be beyond legal 3/4 ton truck limits.
If we had a $1 for all who have said "I'm only 200, 400, 600, 800lbs over the truck limits, BUT we only drive 50-100 miles & never over 60-65 mph" or "we stay close to home & pack light", overloaded is overloaded....

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

FYI! They do have to add a battery in order for the breakaway brake controller to be activated, which is required. But yes they are the only ones that will ever haul a rv at or near the posted dry weight & some will still be beyond legal 3/4 ton truck limits.
If we had a $1 for all who have said "I'm only 200, 400, 600, 800lbs over the truck limits, BUT we only drive 50-100 miles & never over 60-65 mph" or "we stay close to home & pack light", overloaded is overloaded....

I always forget that detail. Thanks.

[flybouy]

Some folks will do anything to rationalize towing overloaded. They are only fooling themselves. Unfortunately they pose the potential to hurt others. All you can do is try to inform. I find it sad when folks place a higher priority on their desires than their safety but folks do it regularly with other life choices as well.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by foldbak

Thanks for everyone's input. The original question was regarding the quality of the Montana verses another brand of fifth wheel as this is my last purchase at 64. I pulled the trigger on the Montana 295RL High country.



I appreciate all of the input from the weight police. I've talked to multitudes of people that pull with this truck and all are happy. I've even spoken to two RV transporters that use the same 2020 2500HD and both had nothing but good to say. I went so far as to test drive my buddy's GMC towing a toy hauler and I was completely comfortable.


At the end of the day I'm not financially prepared to upgrade both truck and trailer so I'll be sure and notify you when passing through your town.

Well as I have stated before the best feature of towing a 5er is also it’s worst!
Due to a 5er’s natural stability it will tell you are pushing or exceeding limits like a TT will.
I towed a 5er at about 13,000# and a 2,800# pin with a 2001 Ram 2500. In the end while still within the rear axle rating, I was 1,700# over the trucks 8,800# GVWR. Towed fine, the 5.9L CTD worked a little hard off the line with 3.55’s and a 5speed manual. Yes, loaded the truck scaled 10,500# on a GVWR of 8,800#.

I just got to the point where being 1,700# over GVWR got to me, not a good position in a civil lawsuit.

[foldbak]

And I still haven't gotten an answer.......hello Montana club