Testing the waters...

Michael In Oregon · 06-03-2021, 05:24 PM

We're proud new owners of a 2021 Montana High Country 294RL. A coworker highly recommended joining this forum to learn about our setup and to gain knowledge from the experienced. We're looking forward to breaking in our truck and trailer this year and we hope we can come to you for advice, questions and guidance.

Javi · 06-03-2021, 05:38 PM

Howdy from Texas

**chuckster57** · 06-03-2021, 05:38 PM

Welcome to the forum

Congrats on your new purchase. Lots of good information and loads of great people here.

wiredgeorge · 06-03-2021, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael In Oregon

We're proud new owners of a 2021 Montana High Country 294RL. A coworker highly recommended joining this forum to learn about our setup and to gain knowledge from the experienced. We're looking forward to breaking in our truck and trailer this year and we hope we can come to you for advice, questions and guidance.

Regards,
Michael In Oregon

Welcome Michael in Oregon, Suggest you add a signature with camper year make and model and same for your tow vehicle. Signature making is under UserCP at top left of every page in black band. Your questions will receive answers with a lot more context. Cheers.

Gegrad · 06-03-2021, 06:37 PM

Welcome from Pennsylvania! Enjoy the new trailer!

Gary R. · 06-03-2021, 08:11 PM

Howdy Michael, and welcome!

Congrats on your new Montana!

You will find the most knowledgeable folks around here, and they are happy to help with any questions.

Take care and have fun!

spicercars · 06-04-2021, 03:39 AM

Welcome from northern MN.

Michael In Oregon · 06-04-2021, 04:59 AM

I have found my signature.

jsb5717 · 06-04-2021, 05:47 AM

Welcome aboard, fellow Oregonian! We'll be towing our 5er right past you in a couple weeks on our way to Boardman and eventually the MOC Western Rally. This is, in fact, the right place. Ask questions, share experiences.

kfxgreenie · 06-04-2021, 08:46 AM

Welcome to the forum. Your Coworker might have thrown you under the bus sending you here, and possibly knew it. You have a 14,300 GVWR RV towing with a 2500 truck. Now being a newer Chevy you could potentially have enough payload, but the weight police are champing at the bit to get a picture of your payload sticker out of the drivers side door of your truck..

Camping family · 06-04-2021, 09:38 AM

Welcome and enjoy. Stay safe in your travels

Michael In Oregon · 06-04-2021, 10:06 AM

Explain how my coworker throw me under the bus? There's always a senior member on a forum that seems to know it all..?? You might want to dbl check specs on my 5th wheel and truck before you call me out publicly. Or simply PM me with anything you would like to say.

JDDilly · 06-04-2021, 10:35 AM

WOW Michael, he didn't call you out. He only stated the GVWR of your rig, which is 14,300. Only you can check the payload of your truck on the yellow sticker. I took his message as having a touch of humor.

Anyway, welcome.

Michael In Oregon · 06-04-2021, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfxgreenie

Welcome to the forum. Your Coworker might have thrown you under the bus sending you here, and possibly knew it. You have a 14,300 GVWR RV towing with a 2500 truck. Now being a newer Chevy you could potentially have enough payload, but the weight police are champing at the bit to get a picture of your payload sticker out of the drivers side door of your truck..

As requested for the weight police!

**flybouy** · 06-04-2021, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael In Oregon

As requested for the weight police!

I wasn't going to go there but since you insist.....

From Keystone: Shipping Weight 11,207 lb., Carrying Capacity for the 3,093 lb.
Trailer GVW 14,300 So if fully loaded and using 23% pin weight would be 3,289 or with 3,151 available payload is 138 lbs over. Now that doesn't take into account the weight of the hitch, or anything placed into the truck like people, pets, food, floor mats, aftermarket bed liner or bed cover, tools, ice chest, firewood, generator, etc.

The only way to actually know is to go visit a scale with the truck and trailer loaded up ready to go camping.

JDDilly · 06-04-2021, 05:38 PM

You need to load your rig and hit the scale to know exactly what you have for weights. the published pin weights are a joke. The same with the towing capacity for the TV, you max out the payload and/or axel weights really fast.

Michael In Oregon · 06-04-2021, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDDilly

You need to load your rig and hit the scale to know exactly what you have for weights. the published pin weights are a joke. The same with the towing capacity for the TV, you max out the payload and/or axel weights really fast.

So being new to this all, it's funny. The dealership said no problem, after showing them the specs on the trailer. Keystone advertises that all there Montana's are tow-able with 3/4 ton's.

JDDilly · 06-04-2021, 05:55 PM

I understand, many of us have been there. Happened to me when we got our new rig 2 years ago. After coming to this forum and reading the weight posts, I had to upgrade my TV. I had a 2016 RAM 2500 and went to a 3500 DRW. I wish I would have known more about payload sooner.

**flybouy** · 06-04-2021, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael In Oregon

So being new to this all, it's funny. The dealership said no problem, after showing them the specs on the trailer. Keystone advertises that all there Montana's are tow-able with 3/4 ton's.

Their sole purpose of the salesman is to sell the units. It's terribly confusing and down right deceiving the way they throw those numbers around that are either meaningless or nonaplicable to camping trailers. It's very disturbing to realise that you have been misinformed or out and out lied to.

You have a truck that's a beast in your experience and rely on the people that you think are "the experts" at the dealership to steer you in the right direction. Their only concern is getting you to buy the biggest and most expensive unit that they can talk you into. Just realsie that you are not alone, it's happened to just about everyone at one time or another. Have your set up weighed, find out where you stand and go from there.

Don't be afraid to ask questions here. We may seem direct but we'll give you the straight scoop and not blow smoke to make you feel better. Stay safe.

Michael In Oregon · 06-05-2021, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

Their sole purpose of the salesman is to sell the units. It's terribly confusing and down right deceiving the way they throw those numbers around that are either meaningless or nonaplicable to camping trailers. It's very disturbing to realise that you have been misinformed or out and out lied to.

You have a truck that's a beast in your experience and rely on the people that you think are "the experts" at the dealership to steer you in the right direction. Their only concern is getting you to buy the biggest and most expensive unit that they can talk you into. Just realsie that you are not alone, it's happened to just about everyone at one time or another. Have your set up weighed, find out where you stand and go from there.

Don't be afraid to ask questions here. We may seem direct but we'll give you the straight scoop and not blow smoke to make you feel better. Stay safe.

Well I enjoyed some humble pie last night after eating crow for dinner! I guess an apology is in order first. I stand corrected kfxgreenie and am sorry for my actions sir.

I was told that the only number that came into play was the 18500lb's tow-ability. Then reading that all Montana's are tow-able by 3/4 tons sealed the deal for me. This could have been a VERY expensive mistake. I'll take the advice and on our next trip I'll run the rig through a weigh station. Thanks guy's!!!

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