Think I screwed up....

[chris199]

Ordered a 2015 Montana 3791RD. Had the hitch installed.

Just weighed the truck loaded. ..DW, me, dog, hitch, full tank....
Front axle 4920
Rear axle. 3580
GVWR. 11,600

WE HAVE EXACTLY 3100 LB payload available.

Spec on 3791RD is 2960 pin wgt...I know it is likely understated.

Getting sick to my stomach now.....

[chuckster57]

So your going to be right up against the "legal" limit. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I'm at least happy to see you admit your pushing it. What to do, what to do...

[sourdough]

Hmmm, looks like you may have overdid it a bit I'm sure you've thought of it but remember that the majority of the weight of things in front of the front axle will also transfer to the hitch. 2960 dry hitch weight, washer/dryer and everything else going in will put your hitch well over your payload I suspect. I've done the same thing before Sounds like it's a done deal so get a lifetime prescription for antacid or buy a new truck. I did the antacid for a while but had to go with the latter option

[chris199]

I guess I can cancel the order and lose our $500 deposit. It is due off the line on the 24th. Pickup is (or should I say was) scheduled for April 10.

[JRTJH]

Sourdough is right. It's pretty much an "antacid moment" or a "bigger truck".

Specs for 3791RD - TOP RV DEBUT

Shipping Weight 13225
Carrying Capacity 3735
Hitch 2960
Length 41' 6"
Height 13' 5"
Fresh Water 66
Waste Water 50
Gray Water 93
LPG 60
Tire Size ST235/80R16E

Pulling the trailer with your truck is pretty much an "OK" and is a given. Your truck will get it down the highway without an issue, but, when you look at the empty pin weight of 2960, consider adding a generator, batteries, propane, adding a washer/dryer and clothing to the bedroom area, you're going to be pushing another 4 or 5 hundred pounds of pin weight easily. Add some cargo to the truck, a couple of grandkids to the back seat and you'll possibly be pushing 1000 pounds over your GVWR of 11600.

Will the truck pull it? Definitely, and most likely without any issues. It all boils down to whether or not you're willing to ignore the published weight limits on your truck or not. Definitely not an "easy decision" to make given the family safety, potential legal issues and as sourdough said, always having the knowledge "tucked away" in the back of your mind when towing.

Weigh all your options, come up with the best solution that works for you and hopefully we'll all see you smiling as you tow that new trailer past wherever we happen to meet.

Good Luck

[chris199]

We do traval light...no washer/dryer...just clothes, chairs, dishes, games but you're right....grandkids and/ or other passengers (s) take me over GVWR. i think I still have room on rear axle weight but that's little consolation. I'm not getting a DRW truck. Have draw the line somewhere. Was sooo looking forward to that RV. Sick to my stomach now...not to mention the DW's disappointment.

[chuckster57]

So are you cancelling your order?

[chris199]

I've already emailed Petesrv sales mgr. What else is there to do? I'm not going to a DRW truck.

Just checked...hitch mounts, rails, and Hensley BD3 added 220 lbs.....

[byrdr1]

ot going to say much but, the cougar line would be in your weights range. lots of models. NOt as high end as Montana, but its(they) nice.
randy

[chris199]

Would 5er at a hitch wgt of 2560 work? Montana 3711FL is 400 lb lighter on the hitch. Dont understand that...FL has sofas, fireplace, etc. over the hitch but thats what the specs say.

[chris199]

We are in a bit of a panic. Time to stop and get some air.

[rbev2308]

I already been down that road and analyzed, ate some tums, etc so I simply bought a DRW so even hitching up my empty Alpine, I still got over 1000 lbs on the rear axles and GVWR and I would exceed the trailer GVWR just to get to that unless I threw 1,000 lbs in the basement. I still think you can get into the luxury line stuff, instead of 100+ extra pounds on the hitch, get an air pinbox, airbags on the truck and find something in the 2000-2500 lbs range. Gives you a little expansion...500 lbs of pin weight more is like 2000 lbs or more in the trailer depending on how you load and distribute the weight. I too did not want a dually but pulling my parents 5er with their SRW and mine with DRW is night and day difference for almost same trailer...Plus I like the breaking better as well as 3 wheels are better than one on a blowout!!! Personally, I am glad you recognize the weight issue because many will tell you simply throw some airbags on and pull it as your truck will. My truck will pull the space shuttle if I need it to, its the damn stopping....I do believe all these MFR's have some degree of tolerance built in so a 11,500 GVWR you can easily stretch a little but they will never tell you that. You get some that say stretch it to like 14,000 from 11,500 or the guy I just seen in Myrtle Beach last weekend pulling a 41 ft triple axle Raptor with a 3/4 ton and no airbags. I looked up the model and that would be my insane upper limit on my dually before I would think F-450. Empty wt was over 15,000 One of these days you are gonna hear someone killing someone and some hotshot lawyer finding out they were overweight and was the cause of the accident. Me personally, safety comes first!

BTW- That model you are looking at is friggin awesome. I first seen it in the Grand Design and fell in love with it and then Montana came out with it. Still trying to figure out how it came with that pin weight given all the weight is really in the rear!!!

[sourdough]

No need to panic. Slow down and think through this.

The second unit you mentioned was 400lb lighter on the hitch. If you consider that you may take grandkids etc. loaded in the truck you are going to be hitting the GVWR pretty quick. If the hitch is at 2560 you have about 540lbs left of payload. Even if you don't use the washer/dryer you will run thru that pretty quick if you add grandkids, propane and stuff. You would be close to maxing out or more.

There are lots of 5th wheels with a lighter hitch. The Montana is a nice unit but there are others that are nice as well.....and lighter. Are you willing to look at something else and does your dealer carry them? You should be able to save the $500 by just purchasing a different unit. Sound like ya'll are really excited about getting the new rig.....pick one out that fits and go have fun. From your posts you sound a lot like me. Pulling my trailer knowing I was just over payload drove me crazy. It ruined my trips so I couldn't enjoy them. When I upgraded the truck I could actually relax and have fun. The other truck "pulled" it just fine, it was just the knowledge I guess....maybe I'm mental Keep us in the loop on what you decide.

[Javi]

Been where you are, my solution was a DRW but with you truck you could look at a Cougar 333MKS we love ours..

[ImTravis]

Don't feel bad Chris199, at least you found out before pickup day. I did something similiar and was purchasing a TT that was almost at my limit. After the advice from here, I reached out to my salesperson and ended up with one we liked better, but 1000 lbs lighter.. Was the best $2000 I ever spent..


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[audio1der]

I smiled reading this, knowing one more responsible RV owner will be hitting the road. I'm sorry, Chris- that's a tough spot. But $500 is less than what you'd lose on trading up the truck. Thank you for at least considering everything; we all have to share the road.
I wish you and your wife the best in your decision, whatever it is.

[x96mnn]

Personally I would be going with the trailer I want and not going to something else to make the numbers work. You will be over your numbers but just me personally I would do it.

1 yes if something bad happens and to the wrong person who calls your set up out as dangerous you could be in trouble

2 I don't think your truck will have issues hauling that load

3 I think if you don't get the camer you want it will be trading a truck and trailer later instead of just a truck

[PARAPTOR]

I was wondering how long it would take

[x96mnn]

Originally Posted by PARAPTOR

I was wondering how long it would take

Unless I am missing something, he is not going to be off by enough to make that statement.

[raineman]

Glad you are being responsible about it as others have mentioned. I am a safety first kind of guy. Having the right setup does allow for peace of mind which is priceless. If you ask around enough eventually someone will tell you to go for it without worrying (oops too late). Just remember those people don't have anything invested in your truck or trailer. Nor do they love your family they way you do.

I hope it all works out. There are some screaming deals on leftover 2014 DRWs right now. Best of luck to you.