26BH and a 2011 Sequoia

[Scooterman]

Hi All;

I'm new to the forums and was looking for some input on our potential new tow vehicle. We currently tow our 2005 26BH Jayflight with our 2013 Tundra SR5 5.7L which is rated at 9800lbs towing with the new J2807 standards. Since a pickup really isn't working for our growing family we are looking at going to a 2011 Sequoia with the 5.7L. Of course the capacities are reduced quite a bit compared to the Tundra, especially since J2807. We are looking at max 7000lbs (it was 9000lbs pre J2807) towing and 880lb tongue weight on the Seqoia.

GVWR on the trailer is 7500lbs, but I figure fully loaded we tow it at around 6500 to 6700lbs with water. The Tundra tows the trailer with NO problem, we live in an area of Canada with lot's of mountain passes/hills and the tranny temp gauge doesn't budge, no problem with power either. I'm fairly confindent in the Sequoia, we wont be exceeding the new max towing or the GCWR and the engine/drive line is the same as the Tundra. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with a similar set up. The trailer is in storage so it is difficult for me to go out and get actual tongue weights etc. especially with an actual "wet" weight. There is a deal on a used Sequoia that has come up now (we were going to wait until spring) so any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Nighthawk 96]

Having owned a 26BH and towing it with the 5.7L Tundra, I am surprised at the weights you are listing. Our unloaded 26BH came from factory at about #4800. Add water and good amount of
stuff you should be around #5800, with a tongue weight of about #650 with spring bars attached. Verify your weights at a CAT or similar scale. Sequoia should be able to do it assuming it is
equipped with tow package.

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good information here!

[Scooterman]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk 96

Having owned a 26BH and towing it with the 5.7L Tundra, I am surprised at the weights you are listing. Our unloaded 26BH came from factory at about #4800. Add water and good amount of
stuff you should be around #5800, with a tongue weight of about #650 with spring bars attached. Verify your weights at a CAT or similar scale. Sequoia should be able to do it assuming it is
equipped with tow package.

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good information here!

I think the water tank is 90 gallons in that trailer (incl hot water tank), so that's close to 800 lbs in just water, then propane and batteries, I just figured we would be closer to 6500 lbs. It does have the tow package so I think we will be OK. Have you ever weighed your trailer loaded? Just curious because I would love some accurate numbers about a 26BH loaded typically for a family of 4. Regardless, thanks for the input and the welcome!

[Nighthawk 96]

According to the Jayco archive, the first year the 26BH held 90 gal of fresh water was 2011. Our 2010 held 37 gal. Our 26BH was #5000 on axles and #660 on tongue. This is with
full propane (which is included in unloaded factory weight) and 1/3 tank of water; a full fridge and plenty of other stuff. I cannot conceive of the need to carry 90 gals of water unless dry camping or water where you camp is bad. Our 27DSRL weighs #6700 fully loaded , and is #1000 heavier unloaded than the 26BH was. The loaded weight limit of the Sequoia will be your weakest link.

[Scooterman]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk 96

According to the Jayco archive, the first year the 26BH held 90 gal of fresh water was 2011. Our 2010 held 37 gal. Our 26BH was #5000 on axles and #660 on tongue. This is with
full propane (which is included in unloaded factory weight) and 1/3 tank of water; a full fridge and plenty of other stuff. I cannot conceive of the need to carry 90 gals of water unless dry camping or water where you camp is bad. Our 27DSRL weighs #6700 fully loaded , and is #1000 heavier unloaded than the 26BH was. The loaded weight limit of the Sequoia will be your weakest link.

Wow, that makes so much sense now. When filling the fresh water it never took very long, certainly no where near as long as our old Cougar, which had a 60 gal tank. I've been thinking to myself that there is no way it takes 90gals of water, but that's what the website said, I never thought to check the archives (plus the trailer is in storage so I was being lazy on physically checking), THANKS! When you say the loaded weight limit of the Sequoia you are refering to the max payload?

[Nighthawk 96]

Yes, I probably didn't express it correctly. Inside the drivers door on my Tundra is a label showing the mfg date and weight and tire information
On the second line it gives the GVWR (Gross Vehicle weight rating) in my case #6900. This is the maximum this vehicle should weigh fully loaded
with all people, full tank of gas and everything else in the vehicle. This includes the weight of the trailer tongue on the back.

My truck with me and a full tank of gas, hitch and spring bars (no trailer) weighs #5700. This gives me #1200 for trailer tongue, additional people and
any other stuff in the truck. The hitch weight of my trailer is #720 with spring bars in place hitched up. If you weigh your rig on a CAT scale there are
three platforms: Steer axle, drive axle, and trailer axle(s). With my trailer added my truck weighs #6440. Add the wife and stuff in the truck and we
are close to #6700, leaving about #200 to max allowed load.

I will say that that the next ratings on your sticker have to do with max weight on each truck axle. The combined axle ratings on my truck are #8000, which is
way over the GVWR. I end up with about #3300 on rear axle which is rated at #4100, so there is no danger of overload there. Not sure why there is so big a
difference in the GVWR and the axle rating.

If you use #660 for your tongue weight you will probably be in the ballpark.

Let us know how this all works out!