Going full-time in a Keystone Montana 3900FB

[DOHorsewmn]

Hi! We just bought a 2013 Keystone Montana 3900FB - very clean and ready for us to go full-time. Haven't got the truck just yet but won't be but a few weeks and we know what we are looking for. We are selling our house - have already (mostly) downsized and are ready to go! We are in Central Texas now and will be traveling all over not just to see the country but to help other people during storms, older folks, single mothers and fathers that need help remodeling or can't find anyone to fix things. God has given us great talents and we plan to use them for His glory!

I'm sure we will find this group very valuable!

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Congrats on your purchase, take your time and get enough truck to tow safely as you travel around helping others. Lots of good information and loads of great people here for those times you may need help.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by DOHorsewmn

Hi! We just bought a 2013 Keystone Montana 3900FB - very clean and ready for us to go full-time. Haven't got the truck just yet but won't be but a few weeks and we know what we are looking for. We are selling our house - have already (mostly) downsized and are ready to go! We are in Central Texas now and will be traveling all over not just to see the country but to help other people during storms, older folks, single mothers and fathers that need help remodeling or can't find anyone to fix things. God has given us great talents and we plan to use them for His glory!

I'm sure we will find this group very valuable!

Well not a monster of a 5er, it does have a decent GVWR;
Technical Specifications:
Length 38' 7"
Width 96"
Height 12' 11"
Dry Weight 12,825#
Payload Capacity 3,105#
GVWR 15,930#
Hitch Weight Dry 2,430#

Well you state that you have a TV in mind, I hope you are looking at a 350/3500, and leaning towards DRW.
If looking new you might get a SRW to work, but you are going to be full timing, so will likely use all of the 3,105# of 5er payload.
the math at GVWR would be 15,930 x 22% = 3,504#, you are really in DRW territory at most a 350/3500 SRW is going to have 4,200# of payload, so less than 700# for passengers, hitch, and stuff carried in the TV.
Just food for thought.

[Laredo Tugger]

DOHorsewmn,
Congrats om your FW purchase. You are fortunate to have the ability to get the right truck for the job. Lot's of folks on here are not so lucky and must go through the "upgrade" process, myself included. Been there, done that.
Based on the description of what you will be doing in your travels and since it does not involve blow up toys at the beach (lightweight stuff) but will most likely be construction tools (heavy stuff) the previously stated recommendations to get a DRW should be observed. There has been discussion on other threads about how hard trucks are to find right now. Check those out for some tips and ask any questions you may have on here. Lots of good help and knowledge on this forum.
Good luck and safe travels.
RMc

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN.

[travelin texans]

I definitely agree a diesel dually is in order to handle your plans.
You will be hauling a heavy rv with the truck & rv loaded with tools to do what you plan to do along with what it takes to live full-time, you'll have both loaded to the max fairly quickly. The truck at this point is not the area to skimp.
With what your plans are I'd recommend having the Reese Goosebox added to the 5th wheel so once you've unhitched there's nothing in the bed but the turnover ball to remove, or turn over, you're then able to haul whatever is needed for those construction projects.
As for the Montana, apparently you both are handy at repairs or you wouldn't be taking on this endeavor so keeping the Montana in shape shouldn't be an issue, just another of your projects along the way.
God bless you in this calling & enjoy the experience!