Montana VS Solitude

[Justjamie83]

Howdy all,

I'm ready to upgrade from our Bighorn to a bunkhouse model 5th wheel. Looking at a Montana 3855br and a Solitude 377mbs. We are full timers and do travel cross country often. Our Bighorn is 5 years old and has been deteriorating.

The Montana is much lighter at 13,630. Solitude is at 16,800. Those that have experience with these brands, can you give me any advice on choosing?

[consolenut]

Heavier is always better. Better build better insulation. Question is does your tow vehicle have the rear axle weight capacity to tow heavier

[Justjamie83]

Originally Posted by consolenut

Heavier is always better. Better build better insulation. Question is does your tow vehicle have the rear axle weight capacity to tow heavier

That's what I thought, I was very suspicious of the lighter Montana. We don't tow the unit, we have it hotshotted. It works much better with a toddler on the road and work usually pays for it.

[Justjamie83]

I'm now considering a Bighorn Traveler 39mb and the GD Solitude 377mbs. The weights are good and heavy. We have lived in a 2014 Bighorn for 2 years now. We bought it used.

[Sask Farm]

Are you referring to Montana Big Country? I think the straight Montana’s are similar in weight. But that said I do think solitude is a bit better but also bit more money. Towing you won’t feel any difference. Montana comes with better tires and Moryde pin box. It’s a give and take situation or personal preference. Won’t go wrong with either for that price range.

[Justjamie83]

Originally Posted by Sask Farm

Are you referring to Montana Big Country? I think the straight Montana’s are similar in weight. But that said I do think solitude is a bit better but also bit more money. Towing you won’t feel any difference. Montana comes with better tires and Moryde pin box. It’s a give and take situation or personal preference. Won’t go wrong with either for that price range.

No it is a regular Montana that we were considering. The Big Country's felt cheaply made. I'm not sure why the Montana is so light, they seem comparable to the Solitude in quality.

[Sask Farm]

Most of the solitude’s come in empty close to 14,000 lbs or over for some with a maximum 16,800 loaded. Mine is a 2018 model with same axles they upgraded to Dexter then. But mine shows a 16,000 max. I do question the insulation they boast about. But some of that maybe the aluminum in walls probably has insulation between aluminum rails and probably just some reflecting insulation over everything. On a wood structure there is some R value and may seem warmer aluminum seems to attract the cold. Not complaining just something I have noticed on ours. One more peace of advice if this is a full time unit I would go to one with less windows. The windows look nice and are great for summer use. But they really cool off in cold weather. Mine are dual thermal, but that is a modest improvement only.

[Justjamie83]

Originally Posted by Sask Farm

Most of the solitude’s come in empty close to 14,000 lbs or over for some with a maximum 16,800 loaded. Mine is a 2018 model with same axles they upgraded to Dexter then. But mine shows a 16,000 max. I do question the insulation they boast about. But some of that maybe the aluminum in walls probably has insulation between aluminum rails and probably just some reflecting insulation over everything. On a wood structure there is some R value and may seem warmer aluminum seems to attract the cold. Not complaining just something I have noticed on ours. One more peace of advice if this is a full time unit I would go to one with less windows. The windows look nice and are great for summer use. But they really cool off in cold weather. Mine are dual thermal, but that is a modest improvement only.

Yeah I am a bit disappointed in the amount of windows in the Solitude, our Bighorn has storage over the door side slide windows so they are smaller. We didn't have any problems staying warm in the snow. They seem to have all gone for the max window area and kicked the storage..

[Justjamie83]

This is my pro and con board. We probably won't go for Drv since they are so pricy.

[Theunz]

The solitude is shown as 13,200 lbs empty and 16,800 max loaded. The Montana is 13,644 unloaded. Looks like the Montana is actually a little heavier. The Montana has a max loaded weight of 16900, so a cargo capacity of 3256lbs vs the Solitudes 3400. Looks like ya pays ya money and takes ya choice!

[Justjamie83]

Originally Posted by Theunz

The solitude is shown as 13,200 lbs empty and 16,800 max loaded. The Montana is 13,644 unloaded. Looks like the Montana is actually a little heavier. The Montana has a max loaded weight of 16900, so a cargo capacity of 3256lbs vs the Solitudes 3400. Looks like ya pays ya money and takes ya choice!

So, I'm just reading the weights wrong? I thought gross weight was the empty weight lol

[Justjamie83]

Now I feel like a dope. Montana is back in the game.

[consolenut]

under 16k or 17k empty is bear minimum for full time. Any lighter staying warm or cool may be a problem

[Justjamie83]

Originally Posted by consolenut

under 16k or 17k empty is bear minimum for full time. Any lighter staying warm or cool may be a problem

If that's true then my only option would be DRV at 19,800 lbs. The others are all in the 13k range. Though, our Bighorn has done quite well in cold winters at 13k lbs.