Community Forums

sasdau · 03-17-2022, 04:35 AM

Husband and I are very close to trading in our 2018 Forest River FR3 motorhome for a new 2022 Montana High Country 5th Wheel by Keystone. Any suggestions...pros and cons before we pull the trigger??? And we will need to trade in the husband's 2017 Chevrolet High Country truck for a Chevrolet HD 2500. Ouchy. we have never owned a fifth wheel rig before. Have owned travel trailers set up on a permanent lot in a beach RV resort for 9 years but never towed them. Have owned the motorhome for three years. Have been on four long trips with it. Just exploring the ease perhaps of pulling this new 5th wheel. Don't really know what to expect. Thank you for your help in advance!

Xmcdog · 03-17-2022, 04:56 AM

Good morning,
Fifth wheel units tow a lot easier than a TT. My fiver tows like a dream. Cross winds have to be strong to even notice them.

As far as your new one goes I gave no idea as to weight or pin weight but I would strongly suggest that you trade your truck for at least the 2500 HD. Even a 3500 HD. The difference from the 1500 is amazing. Would also suggest the Diesel engine. This will make for much more relaxed driving.

Hope this helps. Wish you many happy miles with your new camper.

JIMNLIN · 03-17-2022, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Husband and I are very close to trading in our 2018 Forest River FR3 motorhome for a new 2022 Montana High Country 5th Wheel by Keystone. Any suggestions...pros and cons before we pull the trigger???

There aren't any 250-2500 3/4 ton size trucks that have enough rear axle capacity to carry a hitch load from a Montana High Country. The small one has a 14250 gvwr with the larger ones with over 16000 lb gvwrs.
Those Montana High country are very heavy and need a one ton srw or drw depending on which High Country floor plan you choose.

mote · 03-18-2022, 04:54 AM

Which model of the High Country are you looking at ? I think they come in a variety of sizes. The smaller could be pulled by 3/4 ton trucks but the longer ones will probably require a 1 ton.
We've been looking at the 295rl. It has everything we need since it's just the two of us now and I don't want a monster 5th to pull around. Most of the camping we do is in state parks so having a camper under 34' is beneficial.

TXiceman · 03-18-2022, 08:10 AM

A smaller High Country can be carried by a 3/4 ton truck. You need to completely understand tow rating for the trucks. There are two parts to towing a trailer.

One is the towing capacity of the truck and two is the cargo capacity of the truck.

Use the trailer GVWR and not the brochure dry weight of the trailer. Next to see if the truck has enough cargo capacity to carry the pin weight of a loaded trailer. Use 22% of the trailer GVWR for a good estimate of the loaded pin weight.

A newer truck will have a sticker on the driver's door post with the cargo capacity of the truck. This weight will vary depending on how the truck is loaded or not loaded with accessories.

Take the 22% estimated pin weight plus passenger(s) beyond the theoretical 150 driver, plus cargo, plus 5th wheel hitch. This total should not exceed the weight on the cargo sticker.

As an example.....
Trailer GVWR = 16,500#
estimated pin weight when loaded..0.22 x 16,500 = 3,630#
one adult at 150# plus 2 kids at 75# each = 300#
one 5th wheel hitch = 200#
a few sticks of fire wood = 50#
Total weight to be loaded in the truck ... 3630 + 300 + 200 + 50 = 4180 #

So, the cargo capacity sticker on the truck needs to be 4,180# or higher for this 16,500# trailer.

Have fun shopping and remember, do not believe the RV salesperson. You can easily tell when they are not being truthful....their lips will move.

The shortcoming of a 3/4-ton truck (2500 series) is the limited cargo capacity. A 1 ton (3500 series) will have more cargo capacity and a 1-ton dual rear wheel truck will have more cargo capacity. Yes, you will see a lot of folks towing big 5ers with 3/4-ton trucks and they have no clue about weights, or the salesperson told them the famous line....With that 2500 you can pull anything we have on the lot.

Ken

WiliWali · 03-18-2022, 08:14 AM

I agree with the others that you are going to need a properly equipped one ton truck for a High Country - a dually for the larger ones. We pull a 12,000 lb 31' fifth wheel with a F250HD, and while it does great, I sure would not want to go to a larger or heavier trailer with it.

psmiller · 03-18-2022, 08:17 AM

I suggest you need a bigger truck. Its not if the truck can move/tow the trailer...its stability and stopping. If you are in an accident and they can prove you are outside the safe towing parameters, you could lose everything....including your life! Be safe..get a bigger truck!

Cumminsfan · 03-18-2022, 09:15 AM

A MHC 295 has a dry pin of 2400. Add another 500 for all the stuff involved and you're close to 3,000lb for pin. There's no 3/4 ton trucks that can carry that pin weight.
A 331RL has a dry pin of 2028, add 500lbs for normal stuff and you're over 2500lbs on the pin. A 3/4 ton gas could barely do that.
Average two passenger adults are around 300lbs. So add 300lbs to the 3000lbs or 2500lbs and you can see why you'd need a 1 ton.
I know GM upped the GVWR of their 2500 trucks and their diesels have a lot more CCC's than Ram or Ford but until you post your CCC door sticker we'll never know.

RVnAggie · 03-18-2022, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psmiller

I suggest you need a bigger truck. Its not if the truck can move/tow the trailer...its stability and stopping. If you are in an accident and they can prove you are outside the safe towing parameters, you could lose everything....including your life! Be safe..get a bigger truck!

THIS!!

Happy shopping for your rig. The high country is a nice trailer….But ensure you get enough truck regardless of the trailer you decide on. Since you’re shopping for both truck and trailer you have the perfect opportunity to ensure you’ve got the right combination for safe and enjoyable travels.

If you’re going to pull more than 14k lbs of 5th wheel I strongly suggest a DRW 350/3500 (based on my experience of doing it both ways with a 15k trailer.) Depending on the exact combination, the numbers may/will tell you a SRW is adequate but there is no comparison to towing such a rig with a 6 wheeler vs a SRW truck.

Just remember the reason you’re getting a bigger truck to begin with is to safely tow your new trailer. After understanding the numbers, do your homework on the trade-offs of SRW vs DRW for towing and as daily driver If necessary; avoid compromising your safety by pairing your trailer with a “marginally adequate” truck and you’ll enjoy many miles of safe, comfortable travels.

Happy Trails,