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Old 09-24-2013, 07:51 AM   #1
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Jayco 33 RLDS Travel Trailer

Would like some opinion regarding purchasing a truck to pull a Jayco Travel Trailer Model 33 RLDS. Dry weight is about 8000 lbs and max loaded weight is 10,300 lbs. We plan to travel a couple of times per year and the trailer would be parked at campground for use when not traveling. I have researched Ford, Ram, GMC and Chevrolet. All are good trucks. Chevrolet and their sister GMC will offer the Max Trailer Package with 3.73 axle and 6.2 l/V-8 this fall on the 1500 series trucks capable of about 11,300 trailer capacity. We also need some guidance with the hitch. Should we be looking at class IV or class V? In comparison the 2500HD series trucks appear to be overkill and more intended for snow plowing. I could be wrong and would like to ensure we purchase the right truck for the trailer. Gas mileage would be concern since the truck will replace one of our other vehicles.
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Old 09-24-2013, 08:02 AM   #2
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We bought a 2500 RAM HD Mega Cummins Diesel and it tows like a dream. Excellent power, decent (7-10 mpg) mileage towing and good (16-22 mpg) mileage unladen with our current overall average as 14.5 mpg. The truck is a little overkill for our current trailer (26 RLS) and boat (Bayliner Capri 17) but we plan to eventually upgrade to a 5er and don't want to buy a new truck at that time.

We love our RAM.
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Old 09-24-2013, 11:34 AM   #3
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Well, I have a 308RETS which is about 8K dry and 9.6K GVWR. I am glad I have a the truck in my signature. Anything less would struggle I think.

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Old 09-24-2013, 01:35 PM   #4
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Not trying to start the whole 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton debate here as there are plenty of post on this site and other travel trailer forums. Having owned a 1/2 ton and now a 3/4 ton pickup I can tell you that the issues you will run into are payload capacity and tow ability. Lest start with payload capacity as this is usually the most overlooked item.

You will need to find out what your payload capacity is for the 1/2 ton truck then take it to the CAT scales to weigh your vehicle to be sure it is accurate. Once you have you weights you can figure you payload capacity which will be you, your family, pets, bikes, animals, wood, etc. you put in the truck or in the bed of the truck. Next you will need to determine the tongue weight for the trailer which at a conservative 12% you will be somewhere around 1100lbs assuming you put about 1500 lbs of stuff in the trailer. You may say that I will not add 1500 lbs of stuff, but it adds up quickly with grill, tables, lights, leveling wood, propane, food, etc. With the tongue weight and all the other payload calculations you will find that you have exceeded your payload capacity. There may still be room for you total weight of the truck and trailer, but it won't matter.

Now the other issue - tow ability. I had a 1/2 ton and found that even with a lighter camper (dry 5850) I had issues with big semi trailers and hills. The 1/2 tons are designed to ride smoother so they are softer in the springs and tires. When you start to get blown big the big trucks or windy days you will eventually get scared enough to know you are at your limits in capacity. The truck may pull 11300lbs short hauls, but not long distances so if you are going more than an hour with the trailer I would not even attempt it. Also if you have any hills/mountains to go over the truck will struggle and you will find that you will burn up brakes and transmissions in a hurry due to the load.

There are many calculators on the internet for you to figure up all the weights for towing so I would encourage you to do your own calculations. Once you do that you will know the right answer which will be a 3/4 ton truck. Glad I have my F250 6.7 Diesel. It pulls my 2011 Jayco 29QB like a dream. Good luck in your decision making.
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Old 09-25-2013, 01:50 PM   #5
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My 33RLDS has a dry weight of 8504 lbs according to the sticker. The only storage is in the front pass through under the bed. I would bet tongue weight is around 1200 lbs. I wouldnt consider using a half ton rig. That alone with 4 people would exceed cargo capacity. Our last camper was half this weight and pulling with my old half ton Avalanche around the hills of central NY was not fun.
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Old 09-25-2013, 10:46 PM   #6
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Our trailer is just like yours except we have a bedroom slide. Our truck is a Dodge srw 1 ton with the Cummins engine. I really wouldn't want to tow it with a 3/4 ton. For me a 1/2 ton would be out of the question.
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Old 09-26-2013, 05:23 AM   #7
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My 33 RLDS has a bedroom slide for a total of 3.
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Old 09-29-2013, 06:08 PM   #8
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thanks. We now have a Ram 2500HD with Cummins Diesel. The next thing we need is sway bars, ect. Any recommendations? I am not new to camping just sold a motor home (class C) to purchase a travel trailer and truck. The truck has a class V hitch. I heard Equalizer to be a good brand. Any comments? Tongue weight 1060 lbs and loaded trailer 10,300 lbs.
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Old 09-30-2013, 06:53 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westie02 View Post
thanks. We now have a Ram 2500HD with Cummins Diesel. The next thing we need is sway bars, ect. Any recommendations? I am not new to camping just sold a motor home (class C) to purchase a travel trailer and truck. The truck has a class V hitch. I heard Equalizer to be a good brand. Any comments? Tongue weight 1060 lbs and loaded trailer 10,300 lbs.
My TT is a hair lighter and I use an Equal-i-zer 14K/1400 model. I can get pretty close on the tongue weight upper limit of this hitch if I really pack a lot of stuff in the TT, but that's the exception and not the norm. Most of the time loaded I am at about 1250K on tongue weight.

Mike
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Old 09-30-2013, 10:13 PM   #10
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My 33 RLDS has a bedroom slide for a total of 3.
Rear Living Double Slide. If you have three slides you should have a 330RLTS. You are looking at a dry tongue weight of 1500 lbs and more like 1800 lbs loaded. I have a 330RLTS and with the truck and trailer both loaded I am pushing dually territory.
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Old 10-01-2013, 07:23 AM   #11
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Looking at the Jayco site, the current 33RLDS does have 3 slides, with a small wardrobe slide up front. Interesting that they didn't give it a "TS" designation.
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Old 10-01-2013, 10:23 AM   #12
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Rear Living Double Slide. If you have three slides you should have a 330RLTS. You are looking at a dry tongue weight of 1500 lbs and more like 1800 lbs loaded. I have a 330RLTS and with the truck and trailer both loaded I am pushing dually territory.

I have 2 rear living slides and one in the bedroom/bathroom and its a 33 RLDS. Maybe earlier models didnt have 3rd slide ? I don't know, but I do.. The slide is half in the bathroom for tons of towel storage and half in the bedroom for tons of wardrode storage. We really like it..
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Old 10-01-2013, 12:10 PM   #13
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I know it sounds cliche but you will never regret having too much truck when towing. I just went from a F150 Max tow ecoboost which had a payload of 1640. After towing to California from Washington, I realized that I needed more truck as even with my lightweight trailer, I only had about 300lbs payload remaining after occupants and loading the trailer conservatively.

If you are dead set on a 1/2 ton, consider the F150 Max Tow HD package, which gives you an extra 500lbs payload. You will be stuck however with the 6.2 V8 or ecoboost engine options.

Good luck with your search.
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Old 10-01-2013, 12:36 PM   #14
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Oops, I missed the part where you got the Ram. Congratulations!
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Old 10-01-2013, 09:37 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by 33 RLDS View Post
I have 2 rear living slides and one in the bedroom/bathroom and its a 33 RLDS. Maybe earlier models didnt have 3rd slide ? I don't know, but I do.. The slide is half in the bathroom for tons of towel storage and half in the bedroom for tons of wardrobe storage. We really like it..
We haven't looked at any new Jayco floor plans for a while. I wonder why they didn't label it a TS.
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Old 10-02-2013, 07:09 AM   #16
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Never though much about what RLDS meant. I guess Rear Living Dual Slide? So with 3 slides it should be RLTS for triple slide? Whatever you call it, we like the floor plan. Lots of room for rainy days and the bathroom is 2 steps from our bed
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Old 10-02-2013, 08:20 AM   #17
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I pull a 338RLTS with a 3/4 ton, no issues. The Equalizer is a great hitch and the one use.
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Old 10-06-2013, 03:29 AM   #18
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As a lot of people have said already.A half ton is gonna be iffy at best.What a lot of people dont realize is ,how fast do you wanna STOP.For the most part 3/4 and 1 tons have larger brakes with greater stopping force.This would be a main reason not to go with a 1/2 ton IMO.Scott
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Old 06-14-2014, 06:38 AM   #19
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We have a Ford F250...6.2 Liter V8...3.73 Rear end. Pulls 33RLDS very well.
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Old 06-14-2014, 11:22 AM   #20
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thanks. We now have a Ram 2500HD with Cummins Diesel. The next thing we need is sway bars, ect. Any recommendations? I am not new to camping just sold a motor home (class C) to purchase a travel trailer and truck. The truck has a class V hitch. I heard Equalizer to be a good brand. Any comments? Tongue weight 1060 lbs and loaded trailer 10,300 lbs.

You now have a really nice combination. It will tow and you won't even know it's back there.
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