Decisions Decisions - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Decisions Decisions

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Breaking = braking.

eagleshea · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats on your chose of Fver, we have a 2011 Montana 3400RL and LOVE ours !!!! We tow with a 2010 F-350 dually FX4.

Not real sure on the Dodge truck - I am sure it is a good truck I just have always been a Ford man. The DRW may not give you better braking but will give you more stability when you are towing.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good luck finding an 08 Ram rigged like you describe. As far as brakes, why the concern? With a good controller, the Montana should be capable of stopping itself. Of course, I always set my controller so the truck does just a tad more stopping. I don't like the 5er jerking my neck on brake application.

A friend has an 08 Mega cab and loves it. The extra back seat room is a big plus over the regular 4 dr truck.

Also, howcum you are set on 4WD? Is it a want to have or must have?

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are pro's and cons to DRW ...

Pro's include;

More capacity for weight over the rear axle very good for Fifth Wheel towing. (4 tires to srpead to load out)

Redundacy in the case of a tire failure on the rear of the truck.

Con's include;

A bit harder to park though at this point I'm so used to it I find cars a bit scary (riding around on a roller skate that's crazy)

Not good at all on ice the four tires in back tend to slip when you go to accelerate.

For the weight of the unit you're planning on I would go DRW but that's one man's opinion.

Mallo

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jerry, from someone has towed with both, the DRW is better for stability and handleing hitch weight. If the mirrors fit through a space the fenders will,you just have to watch out when turning.If you look around you will every once in a while see a dually with the front side of the fender crashed.There will be times you have to hunt a little for parking spots but in our year on the road we have really not had that much trouble finding a place to park. I have came across two times now where I was glad I chose 4 wd this time.Just think grassy area and 2 or 3 days rain.In Klamath California I pulled a guys Montana out of his spot when his 2wd Dodge just sat there and spun.That is more a personel preference than anything.There is no more braking ability other than more contact patch to the ground with 2 extra tires.For obvious reasons I think you are making a wise choice.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Friday 8th of April 2011 09:40:40 AM

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the responses. One other con I thought about in a Mega cab is the shorter bed. I believe the new Montana is designed for tighter turning with short beds trucks so a long bed may not be necessary.

Eagleshea - I too am a Ford guy but believe the Cummings diesel is a more reliable engine. Back seat is for standard poodle, a finicky cat and occaisional passenger(s). The Mega is a nice to have - not a necessity.

Ken/Fran - CarMax has two Mega 3500 listed. I know the Mega is a hard find but they are out there. 4WD is insurance in case the back wheels start spinning. Also I've found more 4WD then 2WD.

Mallo - As for parking, I don't need to park closest to entrance. Other then Christmas time, most parking lots are rarely full. Of course drive thru car washes will be off limits with DRW. 4WD should help on ice.

Racerguy - Stability is what I am looking for. I drove this truck (click to view) the other day. As I drove it up over a tall bridge in Corpus Christi, the truck was telling me. "Hey driver - put a load on the back, I'll show you what I can really do". I could really feel the power in the Cummings engine.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jerry,

With regards to the shorter bed, be very careful with that one. Be very close on the measurements and do them yourself. Don't rely on someone else's measuring. Look at your chosen fifth wheel and measure 180 degrees from side to side from the pin. Compare that measurement with the distance from the center of the "socket" in the fifth wheel to the back of the cab. And if a salesman tells you that it will work with a short bed, make him prove it.

Most of the time, one would need a sliding fifth wheel in the truck. That then leads to the question of automatic or manual sliding. Would you trust automatic or be content to get out to slide manually?

While one may get a better "towing" weight with SRW's, the important weight is GCVW and GVWR, not towing weight. Towing weight ratings are, at best, a rough estimate. One gentleman who weighs trailers at rallies posted his results for several years on DRV Suites products. 100% of the SRW trucks were overweight while only 60% of DRW's were over. Yes, I know, they were mostly Mobile Suites. Also, allow some "cushion" with your weight. In my view, one wants to allow 15 to 20 percent of a cushion.

As for braking, most trucks of the same models but differing between SRW and DRW will have the same brake surface. However, with a DRW truck you will have more rubber on the road, which could reduce the possibility of skidding your tires on the pavement. Now, having said that, I have nothing as proof, cause I ain't no scientist.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I could not over emphasize the improvement in stability and safety in DRW trucks. Especially in turns they will make big difference when you really need it. I’ve lost a rear tire due to a rock cut and the other tire carrier the load. I didn’t even know about the cut – and flat - till I checked the tires at the rest stop. That is a big deal to me when you have a big 5’er.

I also would strongly advise against, if you are purchasing a truck and don’t already have one, a short bed. Get a long (8 foot) bed. Some rigs say they work OK with a short bed or with a slider hitch. I won’t argue that in this discussion. But I would advise that you will want that bed space for storage or other items, such as an auxiliary fuel tank in addition to the other advantages of a long bed. This can become a long discussion but those are the two key points in this particular disucssion I would advise if I were purchasing any tow vehicle for a big 5’er: DRW – 8 foot bed.

Safe travels

Bill

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another argument for the long bed is the ride when you are not towing. These heavy duty trucks are stiffly sprung anyway and the shorter wheel base on the short bed will give you a much choppier ride.

And you will want all the bed storage you can get, even if you don't opt for an auxiliary tank. We use that extra space for 3 large storage containers.

Good luck,
Fred

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great advise. I prefer a longer truck bed for all the reasons mentioned here. While a Mega provides extra leg room for back seat passengers, I do not plan on transporting people in the back seat other than short hauls. So, long bed it is. Thanks for all comments.
The search continues.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

My vote would be for DRW's, having owned both SRWs and DRWs the carring capacity of the DRW's will give you no problem with a Montana 3400. Stability is also a key issue when towing, braking ability will be better, more contact because of extra two tires. I do like the Cummins, and its a proven Diesel. And no need to add the Diesel fluid.

As for short bed you will have less storage, but with a sliding hitch you want have a issue with turning. I used a manual slider when we had a short bed Truck, and never had to slide the slider. We are at the Drv factory getting some tweaking and adjustments on our Mobile Suites. Went to the Keystone service center yesterday to visit my friend Darryl T. when we had the Cambridge by Keystone Darryl T. was a very professional when we were there for sevice. I highly recomend the Keystone Service center and Darryl T. if you ever need good service or repairs for the Montana. We never use a Dealership for repairs we always return to the Factory for repairs and upgrades. Good Luck with your Montana and your decision on the Truck....

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lindy, I should have updated my decision on this thread.

I purchased a 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW diesel. The Montana was sold before I even got to Houston to look at it. Ended up purchasing a Cedar Creek 34RLSA from Rolling Retreats in Elk City Ok. Drove up on Wedneday 5/4 to meet Alicia and Slade and our new home on wheels. Drove back to Corpus Christi and spent two nights in the RV. We are thrilled with our decision and look forward to moving from S/B to RV over the next few months.