Can it tow it? .....

[rollingdownthehighway]

Just add air bags and you'll be fine. lol

[Sr. Oso]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Honey! I got this!

Hi Tony,

I am a new member here. My wife and I are in the midst of buying a ‘22 Montana High Country 295RL. We are trading a 30’ bumper pull that we tow with a RAM 2500 4x4 Diesel. From what I read on all these forums it seems that I’d need to trade my truck for a 3500 but here you are with a 2500 towing the same model 5th wheel.
What’s your story? I’m getting ready to install Airlift bags to supplement my suspension. My reading tells me that my truck should handle this rig. I also recently saw a dozen 250/2500 pulling bigger 5th wheels in Myrtle Beach. We are mostly going to stay on the east side of the Mississippi until we retire.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Gerry

[Lee-CI]

Gerry
Made the first few trips pulling our 331RL with a 2500 Ram CTD. The truck pulled the MHC comfortably. I knew that I was over my pin weight, but - and this is a BIG BUT - I used to pull overloads with a semi professionally when I was much younger and had the experience behind me to know what I could and could not do. During our last outing I found a used 3500 Ram CTD and traded up. Everyone can quite easily check the rating specs on the door sticker of any of the new trucks and crunch the numbers for capabilities. Just remember - the published pin weight on the 295RL you are looking at is for dry weight empty - nothing in the tanks, no propane tanks and no batteries unless it was ordered from the factory with Dragonfly lithium batteries. Since you previously pulled a bumper pull, you are obviously well aware of the load weight you normally carry with you in the cab and bed of your truck. That adds to the payload placed onto the truck as well.
You won't find the "weight police" here on this forum. No one harassed me about pulling our 331RL with a 2500. You will need to what is best for your situation and your comfort level.

Edit: Noticed this was your first post. Welcome to the forum!

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Sr. Oso

Hi Tony,

I am a new member here. My wife and I are in the midst of buying a ‘22 Montana High Country 295RL. We are trading a 30’ bumper pull that we tow with a RAM 2500 4x4 Diesel. From what I read on all these forums it seems that I’d need to trade my truck for a 3500 but here you are with a 2500 towing the same model 5th wheel.
What’s your story? I’m getting ready to install Airlift bags to supplement my suspension. My reading tells me that my truck should handle this rig. I also recently saw a dozen 250/2500 pulling bigger 5th wheels in Myrtle Beach. We are mostly going to stay on the east side of the Mississippi until we retire.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Gerry

Hi Gerry, First off congrats on the new rig. We did the same thing in February 2022. Traded our 30' cougar for the 295. Which we love! We don't full time and we like to have the ability to camp in places that the larger rigs can't. Plus this truck and trailer at 56' is literally the max length to enter my circular driveway and back into it's parking place. I live in the foothills of Ca. About 1500 feet. I've pulled this rig on some pretty narrow and curvy roads from the hills to the coast. I'm sure I'm slightly over weight on the tongue as it's equipped with 250lb Onan and normal crap in the basement. I know what it feels like to be pushing the envelope. I pulled my 30' Cougar and Prowler for years with an Ford Expedition out of necessity. It had a 9800lb tow package but should never be pushed to that limit. I had some white knuckle anti sway moments. I did a lot of research, talked to a lot of people and even test drove the GMC 2500 before committing. I had to leave another forum when purchasing this combo because the weight police are ruthless. I would never tell someone to do something that would put anyone in harms way (well almost anyone but we won't go there)

The only real difference between the 2500 and the 3500 is the spring packs. The frame, brakes, drive train and steering are the same. Hell this thing will pull a house off it's foundation. I haven't experienced a bit of sway. The truck sits level and it stops surprisingly well. The ride is good with minimal bucking or chucking. It all boils down your comfort level. I'm comfortable with my driving skills, I don't exceed 65mph...most of the time and I understand the liabilities of being overweight. So for me it works perfectly. In the end you have to make your own decision. I will say that there is a RV transporter that delivers Keystone product to the dealership using a 2500 with airbags. He let me test drive his rig. That sealed the deal for me.

[Joint Venture II]

Originally Posted by dfb

What's the pass out of Golden Colorado on 70 to Utah? I think it was over 13000 feet?!

That would be Vail Pass on I70. Elevation is 10,662 ft and has 7% grades on both sides of pass. Loveland Pass in Colorado at a height of 11,158 feet is the highest pass in the lower 48 but is now bypassed by the Eisenhower Tunnel and is the highest point along the Interstate Highway System, with an elevation of 11,292 feet. Engines really suck for air up there!

[Sr. Oso]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Hi Gerry, First off congrats on the new rig. We did the same thing in February 2022. Traded our 30' cougar for the 295. Which we love! We don't full time and we like to have the ability to camp in places that the larger rigs can't. Plus this truck and trailer at 56' is literally the max length to enter my circular driveway and back into it's parking place. I live in the foothills of Ca. About 1500 feet. I've pulled this rig on some pretty narrow and curvy roads from the hills to the coast. I'm sure I'm slightly over weight on the tongue as it's equipped with 250lb Onan and normal crap in the basement. I know what it feels like to be pushing the envelope. I pulled my 30' Cougar and Prowler for years with an Ford Expedition out of necessity. It had a 9800lb tow package but should never be pushed to that limit. I had some white knuckle anti sway moments. I did a lot of research, talked to a lot of people and even test drove the GMC 2500 before committing. I had to leave another forum when purchasing this combo because the weight police are ruthless. I would never tell someone to do something that would put anyone in harms way (well almost anyone but we won't go there)

The only real difference between the 2500 and the 3500 is the spring packs. The frame, brakes, drive train and steering are the same. Hell this thing will pull a house off it's foundation. I haven't experienced a bit of sway. The truck sits level and it stops surprisingly well. The ride is good with minimal bucking or chucking. It all boils down your comfort level. I'm comfortable with my driving skills, I don't exceed 65mph...most of the time and I understand the liabilities of being overweight. So for me it works perfectly. In the end you have to make your own decision. I will say that there is a RV transporter that delivers Keystone product to the dealership using a 2500 with airbags. He let me test drive his rig. That sealed the deal for me.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've been on other forums and the weight cops are out in force. I know my driving limitations having driven lumber trucks and trailers in my youth. Like you, I don't go past 65mph purposely. My wife and I are looking forward to taking delivery of our MHC295RL. Unfortunately, timing, weather, and winter will prevent us from really using it other than a quick "shaken down cruise" locally.
Another question- what hitch do you use in your truck?

[Sr. Oso]

Originally Posted by Lee-CI

Gerry
Made the first few trips pulling our 331RL with a 2500 Ram CTD. The truck pulled the MHC comfortably. I knew that I was over my pin weight, but - and this is a BIG BUT - I used to pull overloads with a semi professionally when I was much younger and had the experience behind me to know what I could and could not do. During our last outing I found a used 3500 Ram CTD and traded up. Everyone can quite easily check the rating specs on the door sticker of any of the new trucks and crunch the numbers for capabilities. Just remember - the published pin weight on the 295RL you are looking at is for dry weight empty - nothing in the tanks, no propane tanks and no batteries unless it was ordered from the factory with Dragonfly lithium batteries. Since you previously pulled a bumper pull, you are obviously well aware of the load weight you normally carry with you in the cab and bed of your truck. That adds to the payload placed onto the truck as well.
You won't find the "weight police" here on this forum. No one harassed me about pulling our 331RL with a 2500. You will need to what is best for your situation and your comfort level.

Edit: Noticed this was your first post. Welcome to the forum!

Lee- thanks for your thoughts and observations. I have some experience driving and towing larger rigs, albeit in my younger days. The main thing I've learned is to stay within my limitations. If I remember that, the hardware will take care of the rest. BTW- thanks for the welcome, I guess I should have introduced my wife and myself first but this post caught my attention. We are looking forward to our Keystone adventures.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Sr. Oso

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've been on other forums and the weight cops are out in force. I know my driving limitations having driven lumber trucks and trailers in my youth. Like you, I don't go past 65mph purposely. My wife and I are looking forward to taking delivery of our MHC295RL. Unfortunately, timing, weather, and winter will prevent us from really using it other than a quick "shaken down cruise" locally.
Another question- what hitch do you use in your truck?

I'm using a 21K Demco auto slide. I was told with the my 6' 6" bed I'd need it. However so far I'm pretty sure I would have been fine with a non sliding hitch. If I could do over I would have went with a B&W or a Curt. Cheaper and lighter. The major drawback to the Demco is that you have to be exactly straight when disconnecting and connecting. A real pain in the butt!

[Sr. Oso]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

I'm using a 21K Demco auto slide. I was told with the my 6' 6" bed I'd need it. However so far I'm pretty sure I would have been fine with a non sliding hitch. If I could do over I would have went with a B&W or a Curt. Cheaper and lighter. The major drawback to the Demco is that you have to be exactly straight when disconnecting and connecting. A real pain in the butt!

Thanks for letting me know. I’ve ruled out a few hitches because of weight. I am focusing on the PullRite 2600 or the Anderson Ultimate hitch.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Sr. Oso

Thanks for letting me know. I’ve ruled out a few hitches because of weight. I am focusing on the PullRite 2600 or the Anderson Ultimate hitch.

Just be aware that, right or wrong, the use of the Anderson hitch voids your frame warranty per Keystone.

[Foldbak]

Ya what Carl said!

[Trailer Trash]

This is a great question though - we comfortably pull a 35 ft Montana 331RE with our Chev 2500HD Duramax but as we search for our next 5th wheel unit we have noticed that many of the floorplans we like are in the 40 to 44 ft length. Any thoughts on towing these larger units long distances, such as cross country? And doing so without moving up to a 3500?

[Sr. Oso]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Ya what Carl said!

Got your PM, I don't have enough posts to reply. Roger on your message. I'm thinking Pullrite Superglide (steel vs alum). Looks like a better ball system. The weight of the other hitches concern me because I want to use my truck's bed while not towing.
Still digging on the Pullrite

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Sr. Oso

Got your PM, I don't have enough posts to reply. Roger on your message. I'm thinking Pullrite Superglide (steel vs alum). Looks like a better ball system. The weight of the other hitches concern me because I want to use my truck's bed while not towing.
Still digging on the Pullrite

Yes I think that's a good choice. The upside to having this monster in the bed of my truck is I can't take it out so I don't have to use my truck to haul crap.
A 2020 with 6500 miles on it.