Montana Front Living question...does the bumper hit often

[fowlthing]

We are very interested in the Montana FL camper 3710. But got reports yesterday that the rear end drags and the bumper gets damaged.

The person that has this camper is really sick about it and has torn the bumper off twice..

Any other reports or stories. Thanks for any insight or suggestions for other similar designed campers etc.

[cummins2014]

TXiceman wrote:
We have been all over the US with our 40 ft 5er in my signature line and never had an issue with dragging the rear of the trailer. The trailer sets perfectly level with the truck and and I have a bit over 6 inched bed clearance.

My thoughts are that the OP is riding his trailer nose high which make the trailer rear end low and more prone to dragging.

Ken

Its possible he's nose high, many are these days with the trucks getting higher ,and higher.

I have dragged my previous fifth wheel three times in the 12 years I had it . 2008 Montana 3400 RL 38 foot long. It didn't have one thing to do with the model. Sure it was prone to dragging under certain circumstances . It actually broke off the wing nut that tightened my Steadyfast stabilizer on a couple of those drags. Totally operator error if you will, it is what it is .If you would of had your fifth wheel where I dragged mine, you most likely would have dragged also . I too have gone thousands of miles with that fifth wheel, sure doesn't make much difference if you put yourself in a situation that it can happen . Some can go thousands of miles ,but remain on flat terrain in ,and out truck stops , and RV parks, and never had a have a problem such as yourself .

[TXiceman]

We have been all over the US with our 40 ft 5er in my signature line and never had an issue with dragging the rear of the trailer. The trailer sets perfectly level with the truck and and I have a bit over 6 inched bed clearance.

My thoughts are that the OP is riding his trailer nose high which make the trailer rear end low and more prone to dragging.

Ken

[Michelle_S]

It's just the nature of the Beast. We travel level with our 43' unit and have dragged a few times. You just learn to be careful with driveways and other dips in entrance ways and such.

[StirCrazy]

it would be no more prone than my 39.5 foot cougar. I have scraped it once and that was coming out of a gas station that was built up way higher than the road with a very steep transition. this was my fault as I didnt notice it till it was to lait. I agree that it is most likly not set up level when towing or just plain old operator error like mine was.

Steve

[dblr]

Friends almost bought one at the Tampa show last week but the one with the sunken bedroom and loft above but changed their mind just because of this issue. Not sure one without the sunken bedroom would do the same thing

[bucky]

The floor plan would have nothing to do with it. It's a level issue. Lifted truck or hitch height issue.

[JAC1982]

I would agree with the suggestion to go on the Montana owners forum to find other 3710FL owners to ask them. It is not a floor plan they make anymore. If I recall from the Montana Owners Facebook group, the High Country 376/377FL has this issue occasionally, but it's a different floor plan and has a rear master with loft above it, so the rear is lower than normal.

[goducks10]

@40' long and the axles towards the center that leaves a big section from the axles to the bumper. If the 5er is a couple inches high in the front that will compound the issue.
FWIW I have a 31' TT with the axles more towards the center vs rear. Just exiting my driveway one of my stab jacks almost drags. I'm running 16" tires and a robust suspension and my driveway's not steep at all.
My thinking is the guys pin high vs level and thats causing the rear bumper to drag more often.

[Sandia_Man]

Typical of any long RV on steep or hilly areas, our driveway is pretty steep and I have learned to drive in/out a certain way to avoid scraping rear end. It is not specific to Montanas as I have never owned one, any RV I have owned over 30' has caused this issue to occur.

[valhalla360]

fowlthing wrote:
Thanks for the feedback...my understanding is that it has happened on local paved roads...we do live in a hilly area.. thanks..

Hilly areas are very prone to steep grade changes as you enter driveways or even crossroads.

Just driving along a paved road with no obvious damage, I can't see how even with a low clearance you would be dragging.

[fowlthing]

Thanks for the feedback...my understanding is that it has happened on local paved roads...we do live in a hilly area.. thanks..

[BB_TX]

I would suggest you go over to the Montana Owners Club forum and ask the question. I know there have been a few that have had a problem with rear end drag on very uneven surfaces. Some have added skid plates or rollers. But I don't know what floorplans those were. But I don't know that it is any more of a problem on Montana than other 40' 5ers with long rear overhangs.

[ford_truck_guy]

I would agree that that falls into the "Operator Error" category . .

Without seeing the set up that is

[Jack_Diane_Free]

I once had a 36ft Mobile Suites and it came from the factory with built in skids at the back. Only dragged on the skids once coming out of a rediculous steep and short gas station exit that I should not have used. Pure operator error.
I agree that "this guy" either had a poor set up or operator error in where he was taking his unit.