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Old 12-04-2013, 12:48 PM   #1
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Anyone towing a 281 RLS or a 285 RLS with Ford F250

After months of looking at fifths- finally decided Jayco is best value. Looking at a 2006 281 and a 2009 285. Leaning toward the 281 as it seems better built/optioned and much same weight ( roughly 100 pounds heavier on dry weight and pin weight). Anybody pull either of these with a f250. I'm considering a 2011 gas f250 - probalby extended cab short box . Will pin weight be a problem with this set-up. I've found one Jayco document stating 281 pin weight at 1380, and another saying 1645 - I'm thinking the latter is correct. Live in Ontario and most towing will be south or west onto prairies, maybe one trip through the Rockies.

Thanks for the help.
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Old 12-04-2013, 01:07 PM   #2
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We don't know if it will be a problem. We don't have the payload capacity of your truck or the gross weight of the trailers you are looking at. Dry weight is irrelevant. Take 25% of the trailer gross weight as pin weight. Add 100# for the slider hitch, add the weight of you, passengers, fuel, junk in the back of the truck, and see if you are over payload. If not, you should be good.
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Old 12-04-2013, 01:27 PM   #3
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The payload capacity for my F-250 is 2200lbs. You should be ok with GCVWR. It's the payload you really need to figure out. Is the 1645 an unloaded pin weight? 2200-1645pw-100hitch=455 left for all passengers etc. as Bob stated. Once you load the 5th wheel, you'll have even less than the 455. We were also looking at 5th wheels and the models we liked far exceeded our payload capacity. I do see a lot of 5th wheels being towed by 3/4 ton trucks, and I know for a fact the they're outside of their payload. It seems if they add airbags or something, they think there ok.
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Old 12-04-2013, 01:53 PM   #4
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For reference, here are the specifications for the two FW's the OP is looking at:

2006 Jayco Eagle 281RLS

Weights:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 7,845 lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 1,380 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight 10,500 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,655 lbs

Measurements:
Exterior Length 30' 5"
Exterior Height with A/C 147"
Bedroom Interior Height 72"

Tank Capacities
Fresh Water Capacity (includes water heater) 46 gals
Gray Wastewater Capacity 74 gals
Toilet / Black Wastewater Capacity 37 gals

2009 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 28.5RLS

Weights:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 7,795 lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 1,565 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 10,200 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,405 lbs

Measurements:
Exterior Length 30' 10"
Exterior Height with A/C 149"
Bedroom Interior Height 77"

Tank Capacities:
Fresh Water Capacity (includes water heater) 46 gals
Gray Wastewater Capacity 65 gals
Toilet/Black Wastewater Capacity 32.5 gals

Bob
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Old 12-04-2013, 02:14 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malfar View Post
snip...... Anybody pull either of these with a f250. I'm considering a 2011 gas f250 - probalby extended cab short box . Will pin weight be a problem with this set-up......snip
Most RV manufactures recommend a 15% to 25% loaded pin weight (of the loaded FW weight), and many folks seem to target a 20% pin weight thus allowing for some weight fluctuation (we all have different loading habits).

As mentioned, you want to maximize the available "Payload Capacity" and depending on how the F250 is configured (body style, axle gearing, engine, etc.) will influence how much payload capacity you will have to work with. Remember, the published TV Tow Ratings and Payload Capacities are based on the "Curb Weight" of the vehicle..., not as it sits on the dealer lot.

Bob
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Old 12-04-2013, 02:46 PM   #6
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The Jayco archive shows the 281 with the 1380 pin wieight and the the pdf Product brochure linked on that site shows it at 1645. I figured the 1380 dry was doable witht he \f250, but then I stumbled on the 1645 number which starts to be a concern. Would anyone know which one is correct ( maybe I will ask that on the 5er forum).

This is the chicken and egg scenario - I don't have ther trailer so I don't know what the actual weights are on it, and I don't have the truck so I don't really now what it will pull - and not having either I can't take them to a scale ...... and the salemen will probably tell me a Ford Ranger will pull it . Tents were so much simpler ............

Never having had a fifth wheel I have spent hours scouring articles on all this stuff - and it always comes down to - take it the scales and have it weighed - which is after the fact - so I'm just looking for advice form those who may have a similar unit.

Thanks
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Old 12-04-2013, 02:50 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE View Post
The payload capacity for my F-250 is 2200lbs. You should be ok with GCVWR. It's the payload you really need to figure out. Is the 1645 an unloaded pin weight? 2200-1645pw-100hitch=455 left for all passengers etc. as Bob stated. Once you load the 5th wheel, you'll have even less than the 455. We were also looking at 5th wheels and the models we liked far exceeded our payload capacity. I do see a lot of 5th wheels being towed by 3/4 ton trucks, and I know for a fact the they're outside of their payload. It seems if they add airbags or something, they think there ok.
Springs are the only real difference between F250 and F350 single rear wheel trucks, so adding air bags is in fact a method of adding springs. What you have to watch out for is adding things to your truck will not change the stickers that came with it.
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Old 12-04-2013, 03:11 PM   #8
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Agreed, airbags will not magically increase the payload capacity of the truck. I also think that payload capacity is one of the most ignored aspects of towing. There was a post on the diesel forum about a guy hauling 34,000lbs on a 40ft gooseneck trailer with an F-350 and wondering why he got stopped by KDOT.
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Old 12-04-2013, 05:52 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malfar View Post
The Jayco archive shows the 281 with the 1380 pin wieight and the the pdf Product brochure linked on that site shows it at 1645. I figured the 1380 dry was doable witht he \f250, but then I stumbled on the 1645 number which starts to be a concern. Would anyone know which one is correct ( maybe I will ask that on the 5er forum)......snip
As you are aware, brochure/and or archive pin weights are really a moot point. In your situation I would work with a known, that being the FW's GVWR. Starting with the FW's GVWR will give you a worst case "loaded" weight scenario, you can adjust accordingly based on your loading habits.

A FW GVWR of 10,500lbs = 2,100lb to 2,625lb loaded pin weight range (20% to 25%, real world range), this is the "available" TV Payload Capacity that I would look for supporting the FW tongue weight (worst case scenario).

Bob
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