Towing our Whitehawk 27DSRL

Mmitch · 03-26-2016, 08:47 PM

We are newbies and I am inquiring to calm my nerves. We traded our Jeep last fall for a new 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi V8 with the tow package. We thought(we hope and pray) we had done our research and that this vehicle will safely pull our Whitehawk 27 DSRL which specs say has a dry weight of 5980lbs and GVWR of 7500lbs. We ordered the trailer and are set to take delivery end of April. I am reading so much about tow ratings and all the different variables that I am becoming more nervous after each post I read. Does anyone have experience towing the Jayco Whitehawk 27 DSRL with a 1/2 ton pick-up. Dodge rates our truck to tow 8,000lbs. It has a 3:21 axle ratio. Truck is almost paid for and I am a nervous wife who doesn't want to be out on the road in an unsafe set-up. Thanks so much for your input and advice.

Murff · 03-26-2016, 08:59 PM

The Payload capacity might be a small concern. With a possible gross weight in your trailer of 7500 lbs your tongue weight could be over 1000 pounds. Your payload capacity is 1430, 1600 or 1610 lbs, depending on how the truck is configured. At 1000 lbs, you could only add 430 to 610 pounds of passengers & junk. If you have a canopy on the truck, that would also have to be considered.

Be sure to use a weight distributing hitch and you will be okay. My Sport Trac is pretty close or maybe just over the edge and no problems thus far.

Murff

IceOnFire · 03-27-2016, 02:16 AM

We tow a larger trailer with a 1/2 ton without any issues. You should be ok assuming you have a quality WDH such as an Equalizer or Blue Ox. Take your time and don't speed over 65. Good luck.

robkelly · 03-27-2016, 05:22 AM

We towed a WH 29REKS with a 1/2 ton (Tundra) with no issues. You'll be close to your limits, but as the others have suggested, a good WDH is a must, and the scale is your friend

Bsikes · 03-27-2016, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelly

We towed a WH 29REKS with a 1/2 ton (Tundra) with no issues. You'll be close to your limits, but as the others have suggested, a good WDH is a must, and the scale is your friend

X2

RSerendipity · 03-27-2016, 06:39 AM

We towed our 15 27DSRL for over a year & 1/2 with our GMC 1500 without issue. See our Pic, that was Florida after a 1100 mile trip from PA. Only reason I upgraded to the F-250 was I did not like the Transmission searching for the correct gear on long hills... But it would eventually find the correct gear and make it over the top. Never felt Unsafe towing with the 1500.

As others have said you could be close on Payload but otherwise OK. Use a good WDH.

SparkDr · 03-27-2016, 07:07 AM

No worries in the big picture. Your gear ratio isn't the greatest for the application, but it'll get the job done. It's gonna be thirsty, though. Expect single digit fuel mileage and forget about using overdrive - expect the truck will hunt through the gears if you try. We pull our 2016 27DSRL with a 2010 1500 series 1/2ton GMC 5.3L and have dragged it up over the top Of Killington Mtn in VT twice in the short time we have owned it. I actually think it pulls better than our old 26BH which was lighter. I put in some air bags to balance out the level kit I installed on the front of the truck, but that was a personal preference and not a necessity.

Bassdogs · 03-27-2016, 07:42 AM

Pulled our 2014 30DSRE with a 1/2 ton Silverado V8 without issues except for high tranny temps approaching 230. GM tech said that was not a problem but upgraded to a 3/4 ton Durimx a year later. The White Hawk is an easy pull and never had any problem with sway. You will forget its back there after you get use to the towing. That in itself is a problem if you forget and take a tight turn or pull into the wrong parking area. It really is a great TT to tow.

X2 what others have said. Slow down, don't push on the hills, and avoid unnecessary lane changes. You are at the edge of the limits which means you will have to watch what you add in the way of personal stuff and pick up the heavy stuff after you get to your destination. 6 cases of beer, 50 lb bag of dog food, and a full fresh water tank would not be a good idea.

StormPOD · 03-27-2016, 08:06 AM

Our tows very well. Never had a problem. Very Comfortable.

hemi8lonestar · 03-28-2016, 07:48 AM

I have the same rig, but in a 2013 Ram with 3.21 gears. The 2013 is rated to pull less than new versions of the same truck, so I had the same concerns when I ordered my 27DSRL. I am currently on my first major trip, sitting in Big Bend, Texas, having pulled from the Louisiana border. I was pleased with the pulling power, but you can forget about 7th and 8th gear with this rear end. We pulled in 20-30 mph crosswinds (40 mph gusts) on 2 of our days, and it was a little unsettling, but slowing down does make a big difference. I use the Anderson WDH that I had left over from pulling a 24RKS. I may look at the Equalizer or equivalent in the future, as I think this size trailer (length, not weight) would benefit from it, especially in the wind. And I agree with the above on gas mileage...averaged 8 during the crosswinds, but did get 13 once it became a tailwind, driving 55-60 mph.

Wireman · 03-29-2016, 08:23 AM

Axle ratio may be a slight issue, especially in any mountains. I suggest transmission and filter changes earlier than factory specs because of towing.

That's what I plan to do. Expensive if you have the 8 speed but cheaper than a new tranny.

I have a 2015 jeep grand cherokee V6 diesel with the 8 speed tranny. I plan on transmission service every 40K miles or so for piece of mind. Over kill, maybe.

Wireman

jbnimble · 03-29-2016, 06:40 PM

I have the same setup 27DSRL with 14 Ram 1500 5.7 w3.21. The 8 speed works nicely when pulling. Just leave it in tow/haul mode and you will be fine. In hilly terrains I sometimes manually dropped it to 4th gear. I have logged around 3K miles with no issues. Averaged 12mpg no exceeding 60mph. Payload was not an issue account I travelled light. Keep most of the items in the trailer. I used the Blue Ox sway pro WDH, performed well.

Vaneta · 03-29-2016, 08:41 PM

And when you buy a weight distribution system, be sure to specify that your coupler is underslung so that you get the right parts and don't have such an issue releasing tension

Subaru297 · 04-07-2016, 03:14 PM

The axle ratio won't be an issue with your 8 speed transmission. Don't worry about that. Power and breaking will likely be fine too.

Payload will be the only limiting factor in what you can tow comfortably. What is your payload from your doorjamb yellow sticker?

Ram pickups tend to be a little low on payload but if it is just you and one other passenger you will likely be fine.

Looks like payload ranges from ~1200 to 1400lbs based on trim package. Tongue weight for that trailer will likely be around 900lbs. Hopefully you are closer to 1400lbs payload....

Cheers

rgchak · 04-13-2016, 06:40 AM

I have a 2015 27DSRL and tow with my '91 Ford Bronco which is a short, short F-150. Because of the short wheelbase I use the Pro Pride hitch and love it. Towed 4K miles last summer without any trailer sway. My Bronco came with 3.55:1 which was way too high for towing and re-geared to 4.56:1. Which works perfect for my combo we traveled through the Eisenhower Tunnel, CO at 11,013' at a decent 45 - 50 mph.

jestoy7 · 04-13-2016, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgchak

I have a 2015 27DSRL and tow with my '91 Ford Bronco which is a short, short F-150. Because of the short wheelbase I use the Pro Pride hitch and love it. Towed 4K miles last summer without any trailer sway. My Bronco came with 3.55:1 which was way too high for towing and re-geared to 4.56:1. Which works perfect for my combo we traveled through the Eisenhower Tunnel, CO at 11,013' at a decent 45 - 50 mph.

The Ike gauntlet!

mikmurphy · 04-16-2016, 06:19 PM

I'll cheat to save time, and refer y'all to this:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...ton-15074.html

And, see my most recent post on how well we like our newest TV, a diesel.

Remember to visit your nearby CAT scale to be sure of ALL the weights, too. I found it quite distressing to learn that the 1/2 ton truck I thought ever-so-capable with 7000 lbs of GVWR weighed 6400 lbs by itself, with me and a buddy, a full tank of gas; and none of the stuff we'd typically pile in the back of the truck for a typical run with the RV. Just throwing the tongue weight of the new TT onto the truck's WDH put the rig over the recommended limits. NOT a problem in easy tows; potentially very problematic in troublesome tows. To paraphrase Outlaw Josey Wales, a TV driver's gotta know his limits!

rockyroads · 05-18-2016, 04:21 PM

I will be towing my 27ft Whitehawk DSRL to Alaska from New Jersey. TV is a 2010 F-150 Lariat Screw with full tow package. Did it a few years ago with a Jayco FB22 with no probs.
Have towed the new trailer From NJ to Florida then to NOLA. Also Towed from NJ to Nova Scotia no probs. One difference on the upcoming trip is I will have a Honda EU3000 genny sitting on the bed of the truck.

ykcamom · 05-18-2016, 04:43 PM

We just bought a 27 DSRL (loaded with usual gear) and pulled it home through a very mountainous drive with our 2010 F150. It handled the trailer with no problems whatsoever.

I admit, I was worried how the truck would handle the additional 3 feet in length and 800lbs in overall weight from our 24FBS, but it really isn't a problem at all.

Bsikes · 05-18-2016, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ykcamom

We just bought a 27 DSRL (loaded with usual gear) and pulled it home through a very mountainous drive with our 2010 F150. It handled the trailer with no problems whatsoever.

I admit, I was worried how the truck would handle the additional 3 feet in length and 800lbs in overall weight from our 24FBS, but it really isn't a problem at all.

How was the fuel consumption in the mountains?

You may also like: