Do I have enough truck?

Rick G · 08-22-2015, 07:24 AM

After searching this forum for Montana information, I saw a thread dating back to I think March 2015 that someone was ordering a Montana 3791RD and the guy was concerned that his truck may not be capable of handling the heavy hitch weight. I too am considering buying a new Montana, but after reading the forum thread, I'm wondering if I calculated all my weights (truck and trailer) correctly so I figured I would pose the question to you folks.

My truck is a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500HD, 8' bed, DRW, 5.9L HO TD with 3.73 axle. The sticker on the door shows the front axle as GAWR 4,740 and the rear at 9,350, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 11,500. I weighed the truck and it showed the rear axle at 3,040 and the overall truck weight at 7,020. The trailer has a hitch weight of 2,565 with overall weight of 12,945. If I calculated correctly, I think that I have 4,480 lbs of payload available on the truck so with the hitch weight at 2,565 I should have a surplus of 3,745? Could someone please confirm that I calculated this correctly because it's not worth the risk of a problem. Thank you

x96mnn · 08-22-2015, 08:56 AM

You would have 1915pds of payload to spare. 4480-2565

Based on your numbers it looks good. Is there a yellow sticker on your door that calls out exactly what your payload is?

**chuckster57** · 08-22-2015, 09:26 AM

When you weighed your truck was it full of everything you would have in it? that includes fuel, supplies, people, pets and the hitch. Thats the number you subtract from the Rear axle weight rating.

Then when you look at the pin weight of the trailer, thats before propane, batteries, and anything your going to stuff in the basement. If you have a washer/dryer option in the master closet and install them add more...It adds up quickly doesn't it?

bsmith0404 · 08-22-2015, 10:23 AM

You will have extras you add that will bring the weight up, but you'd be hard pressed (IMO) to add an extra 1900 lbs. You should be good with a DRW truck.

Rick G · 08-22-2015, 10:25 AM

Oooops, that's why I asked you guys.

X96mnn, I was thinking that since the rear axle (GAWR) was stickered at 9,350 and it actually weighed 3,040 the payload would be 6,310. I'll go with your numbers especially since I've never had a 5th wheel. As for a yellow sticker on the door regarding payload, unfortunately no.

Chuckster57, When I weighed the truck it had about 18 gallons of fuel OB, but the scale-master had me step off the scale and the measurement came to 7,020. I figured that with everything we carry the below numbers should be figured into the equation. The extras are follows:

Hitch 2,585#
Full Fuel 350#
Family 560# (wife, 2 pups and me-ex smoker so I'm fat)
Propane 60#
Battery 60#
Cargo Hold 200#
Cooler 50#

Javi · 08-22-2015, 10:31 AM

Is that the published "dry" hitch weight or have you weighed it fully loaded for camping..

Rick G · 08-22-2015, 10:35 AM

Thank you, you guys have really made our day, I was concerned.

Rick G · 08-22-2015, 10:42 AM

Hi Javi, that's the published weight, we haven't got it yet, we put $1,000 down and supposed to pick it up Friday 8/28. I'm glad that I reached out to you guys because I had that thought in the back of my mind that I may not have enough truck.

Javi · 08-22-2015, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick G

Hi Javi, that's the published weight, we haven't got it yet, we put $1,000 down and supposed to pick it up Friday 8/28. I'm glad that I reached out to you guys because I had that thought in the back of my mind that I may not have enough truck.

You should count on a pin weight of 20%-25% of the GVWR of the trailer, depending on how you load it. On our 5'er all the storage is in-front of the axles so the "dry" weight is a joke.. The only weight behind the axles is the 60 gallons of fresh water which we never fill.. at most we keep 20 gallons or so in the tank just to flush or wash up on the road..

cw3jason · 08-22-2015, 06:07 PM

I strongly considered the Rd model, but the dry hitch weight was 3000. Unless they changed it since this spring. I knew ai would be pushing 4000 fully loaded. To much pin weight for me

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Rick G · 08-22-2015, 08:27 PM

cw3jason, actually the model we're getting is the same as yours (3711FL) except it's a 2016. Earlier I posted the extras incorrectly, the hitch weight was already figured into the equation so our extras add up 1,280, which is about 635 less than our max pull weight.

cw3jason · 08-23-2015, 06:08 AM

Yes the 3711fl is about 500 lbs lighter in the pin weight, that was one of my deciding factors as well. It is a great trailer and tows very well. Enjoy! If you have any specific questions on the FL. Feel free to ask.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Rick G · 08-23-2015, 05:19 PM

Thanks all for help and advice, we're supposed to pick up our unit Friday so Jason I may be reaching out to you in the future.

chris199 · 08-27-2015, 01:30 AM

Yes...we struggled with the wgt of the 3791RD. Here is the outcome:

Went with the Montana 3791RD. Love it. Hit the scales and the pin weight is just 20 or 40 lbs more than published. Am pleasantly surprised. This 5er has large rear storage....chairs tools coleman tables water supplies etc etc all fit behind the axles. Front basement is empty except for 20 lb propane tank for grill and the grill. We are not going with a washer and dryer and no generator so I think that helps keep the pin weight under control. With fuel, wife, pup and stuff...we are under max payload of the truck.

You may also like: