Getting close to ordering 26BH. Can you double check my tow numbers?

[JamesA]

Hello,

First time buyer here and doing the research. I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L Hemi V8 4x4 Limited with the Class IV trailer set up. Here are the vehicle specs:

Towing Capacity: 7200
Tongue: 740
GCWR: 13100
Curb: 5150
Payload: 1150

The 26BH is 4505 unloaded, 445 dry hitch. Do you think I will be ok after loading up my car with my wife and three kids and then loading up the trailer with a weekend's worth of clothes and fluids, etc? I believe the HEMI will tow fine but just want to be safe.

Plan on getting sway and WDH too which will add weight (not sure how much)

All input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[SkyBound]

Real life weight of that trailer is going to be more than 4500lbs and tongue weight will likely be over 700lbs loaded up, not to mention battery and hitch weight. Your payload is low for a trailer that big, but if you load carefully and only have 2 people in your vehicle you might be ok. Yes you do have the power to move it but I think that payload will be your first issue encountered.

[jtaylor]

Just a heads up. 4505 is the base unloaded weight. Depending on what add-ons you get the weight will increase. Mine is fully loaded and delivery dry weight was 5200lbs. I pull mine with an Expedition with the HD tow package. It pulls fine but is a little weak in the mountains. Seeing as it looks like you are in Florida that shouldn't be a problem for you. You do have to factor in the weight of everything in the vehicle as well so don't forget that. Will it do it.... yes..... Will it feel safe is the big question. My expedition is rated at an 8650lb tow capacity with a max 895lb tongue weight. We try to pack light as well but the 26bh is the max I would pull with it.

[JamesA]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Real life weight of that trailer is going to be more than 4500lbs and tongue weight will likely be over 700lbs loaded up, not to mention battery and hitch weight. Your payload is low for a trailer that big, but if you load carefully and only have 2 people in your vehicle you might be ok. Yes you do have the power to move it but I think that payload will be your first issue encountered.

Thanks for your reply. This is where I am at now:

Payload:

445 Weight dry
100 WDH
210 Me
120 Wife
200 3 kids

= 1075 - 150 for the driver which is calculated in max payload = 925

So that gives me 225lbs of payload weight to wiggle with, correct?

[SkyBound]

With that many people in the vehicle I would be looking for a smaller trailer. Your tongue weight will be much more than 445 even dry, let alone loaded. You will be maxed out if not over with your proposal. My parents have a 26bh and pull it with a maxtow ecoboost with a 1800lb payload.

[clubhouse]

My '12 26BH tongue weight exceeded 800 after about a year of use...you will keep adding stuff after the initial packing. The trailer ship weight was over 5k lbs and once loaded with minimal water the last weight I got on it was 6200, no where near the 7500 GVWR.

We started using our '04 Tahoe --- it was marginal and with DW, myself, 2 kids and 2 big dogs at the time we were exceeding the Tahoe cargo capacity. The mountains were a real challenge.

At the same time we also owned a '04 Silverado Crewcab. Both had 5.3L, 4speed transmission, and 3.73 rear end. The silverado had more cargo capacity so the dogs went in crates in the back and we used this as the TV for about a year. This was a much better setup, within the limits...but the 4 speed left a lot to be desired in the mountains.

When it was time to replace my truck, I big the bullet and went 2500. Of course we then had kids 3 and was time to move on from the 26BH.

I think your TT weights are way to low for what you will find to be real-life with a 26BH.

Maybe some one who currently has one can share their actual ship and scaled weights so you can better calculate. Or call the dealer and have the take a pic of the yellow sticker with actual ship weight. Published weight is useless.

[Camper_bob]

I agree that it's probably too much trailer for that Jeep. The Hemi will handle it fine, but you'll be out of payload capacity in a real hurry. I would ignore that empty hitch weight. First, it's only 10% of the unloaded trailer weight, second, it's 10% of unloaded weight. With a trailer that long, you'll want well over the minimum tongue weight or you're begging for sway problems.

Also, IIRC, base payload includes 150lb driver and 1/4 tank of fuel. Also, what gizmos and toys will the kids and DW drag along for the ride? Will you have anything else in the car with the passengers?

I imagine like most smaller SUVs today, the rear suspension will be pretty soft, so the rear end will feel pretty squishy with all that payload which will add to your sway issue. Also, is it equipped with the new air-ride suspension? That could be a factor as well...

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by JamesA

snip.....Plan on getting sway and WDH too which will add weight (not sure how much).....snip

Welcome to JOF

Your earlier budget of 100lbs will cover both a standard WDH and manual friction sway control device.

As you are hearing the "loaded" tongue weight of the TT is subtracted from the TV's payload capacity because the TV supports the tongue weight. Many vehicles have an attractive Tow Rating, but fall short in payload capacity (critical with heavier tongue weights).

I also agree one should be careful when referencing published UVW's (brochures, web sites, etc.), because with most RV manufactures these UVW's don't reflect the actual "Ship Weight" (UVW).

If you really want to reduce the guess work, take your TV under loaded conditions (full fuel, passengers, cargo) to a CAT scale and weigh it (simple 3 minute process, $9). Subtract the CAT scale weight from the GVWR noted on the driver's door, the remaining weight is what you have available for the WDH and the loaded tongue weight.

As a reference, with a TT length like the 26BH ideally the loaded tongue weight should be 13% to 15% of the TT's gross loaded weight (actual or proposed).

Bob

[tjpolsin]

Originally Posted by JamesA

Hello,

First time buyer here and doing the research. I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L Hemi V8 4x4 Limited with the Class IV trailer set up. Here are the vehicle specs:

Towing Capacity: 7200
Tongue: 740
GCWR: 13100
Curb: 5150
Payload: 1150

The 26BH is 4505 unloaded, 445 dry hitch. Do you think I will be ok after loading up my car with my wife and three kids and then loading up the trailer with a weekend's worth of clothes and fluids, etc? I believe the HEMI will tow fine but just want to be safe.

Plan on getting sway and WDH too which will add weight (not sure how much)

All input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Looking at GCWR, your max gross TT weight can be 7950 (13100-5150). the GVW of your 26BH is 7500, so you are getting close (450# to spare, but OK so far)

your available payload is 1150-TT tongue - passengers. your 26BH at 7500# has a tongue weight of 750# (min), therefore you have 400#(max) avail for passengers and gear. Again, close to max. with a fully loaded TT, you should only have two passengers in your jeep with you, else you will exceed the payload of your jeep.

the less stuff you put in your trailer, the more passengers you can carry in the jeep.

Tim

[cekkk]

Not mentioned that I saw is that your TT is over 29' long. That's quite a bit for a mid sized SUV. I don't know its wheelbase, but I'd want a bigger TV for that TT, especially with all those kids in it. It's a nice car, but limited as a tow vehicle IMO.

[JamesA]

I have a hunch that I'm going through what most of you have gone through at some point. Here I have a TV that I love but have been bitten by the trailer bug. And now I am considering a RAM 1500 or such and my wife is wondering what the heck is going on!

I agree the payload issue is the hidden flaw. We all focus on the towing capacity but neglect to factor in the payload initially. The more I have learned, the more I have realized how much I don't know, but find your help invaluable.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by JamesA

I have a hunch that I'm going through what most of you have gone through at some point. Here I have a TV that I love but have been bitten by the trailer bug. And now I am considering a RAM 1500 or such and my wife is wondering what the heck is going on!

I agree the payload issue is the hidden flaw. We all focus on the towing capacity but neglect to factor in the payload initially. The more I have learned, the more I have realized how much I don't know, but find your help invaluable.

You'll want to watch the payload on that RAM too. IIRC, they have coil springs on the drive axle (as opposed to the more standard leaf springs; makes for a nice ride, but doesn't handle as much payload) in the 1/2 tons, so the payload has been very minimal in the past (read worst in segment).

Not trying to get you too far off here, but I've been eying the 2500 and 3500 model RAM trucks pretty closely. My cousin works in the industry and says there is some scuttle butt around the office about major redesigns slated for 2018... Incidentally, he has a 1500 with the Hemi and LOVES it, but then he only tows a small flat bed with a motorcycle or quad in it.

[JamesA]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

You'll want to watch the payload on that RAM too. IIRC, they have coil springs on the drive axle (as opposed to the more standard leaf springs; makes for a nice ride, but doesn't handle as much payload) in the 1/2 tons, so the payload has been very minimal in the past (read worst in segment).

Not trying to get you too far off here, but I've been eying the 2500 and 3500 model RAM trucks pretty closely. My cousin works in the industry and says there is some scuttle butt around the office about major redesigns slated for 2018... Incidentally, he has a 1500 with the Hemi and LOVES it, but then he only tows a small flat bed with a motorcycle or quad in it.

my buddy just got a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 loaded with the Cummins Diesel. It is sick. He loves it.

Good call on the RAM 1500 payload. It's only 1650 lbs. I believe the F150 and GMC 1500 is 1900ish.

[Daveak]

Just note that regardless what the brochures and websites say, all truck models within each brand are different. The addition of options and the like effect the maximum available payload. All trucks should have a sticker, usually on the driver's door, that will show the maximum payload for that vehicle. The maximum on the pretty brochure is usually a bone stock, non-optioned vehicle. Older vehicles may not have a similar sticker.

TV payload and GCVW will get you if you are not careful.

[SouthCo]

If you have any plans to go bigger trailer wise in the future and are thinking of a bigger TV, I would just skip the 1500 step and go right to a 2500. I had a 2010 gmc 1500 that I really loved but sold it to get a gmc 2500 when we decided we were going to get a trailer.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by JamesA

my buddy just got a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 loaded with the Cummins Diesel. It is sick. He loves it.

Good call on the RAM 1500 payload. It's only 1650 lbs. I believe the F150 and GMC 1500 is 1900ish.

That's the one I've been looking at too. That's a nice truck! Although I was a little confused when I was looking at payload for the 2500 trucks with the CTD vs the 6.4L Hemi gasser. The difference in payload is quite significant with the CTD being WAY less than I would expect.

With the Hemi, payload is listed at ~3,280 lbs; same truck (2500, Crew Cab, Short Box, Tradesman Package, 4x4) with 6.7L CTD listed at ~2,330 lbs. Is the Diesel really that much heavier than the gasser?

[Jwunsch]

I am picking up my Jayco Jay Flight 26bh this Friday!. Same as mention above. Jayco brochure and the yellow sticker that you seen on the did not match exact. I knew it would be off a bit but the yellow sticker shows 500 lbs heavier because of the options that was added. Many Dealership now taking pictures of the yellow sticker to give you a head up, which is nice since it save my phone calls. Good luck and Happy Camping!

[cekkk]

Ram 1500, max towing is only just over 10,000# with payload of only 1,800#. The 2500 rates at 18,000 and 3,000. You don't have to pay for a diesel, although they rock. But with the 2500 you've got a real tow vehicle. Of course, I'd recommend a Ford, but that's just me.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SouthCo

If you have any plans to go bigger trailer wise in the future and are thinking of a bigger TV, I would just skip the 1500 step and go right to a 2500. I had a 2010 gmc 1500 that I really loved but sold it to get a gmc 2500 when we decided we were going to get a trailer.

+1, I LOVE my truck, but if I had it to do over, I would get at least a 2500. I've been looking a lot, and the additional expense to go all the way up to a 3500 isn't that great a jump. But most of the 3500s I've seen don't offer gas engines; diesel only.

On the other hand, I don't really tow all that much, so the 1/2 ton makes a nice daily driver. The other, other hand: my commute is only 7 miles a day...

decisions decisions...

[newrvguy68]

As stated by a few of the people in here, the payload issue is indeed the hidden flaw in your calculations and one that you do not want to ignore. I had the same kind of issue when I owned my '07 Chevy Avalanche. It COULD tow the trailer but once that same trailer was loaded and a couple of extra family members were thrown in - not to mention anything in the box - it just wasn't as comfortable a set up. Now that I moved up to a '12 Chevy 2500HD I certainly don't have to worry about those payload issues or how comfortable the tow experience will be. And I really liked my Avalanche but it just wasn't the most suited to towing our 26BH. Bite the bullet...move on up to a different tv for your own peace of mind.