Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-30-2012, 10:45 PM   #1
Member
 
eatmorebacon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indiana
Posts: 46
What I've learned about towing (thanks JOF)

For the past week I have been researching my TV and TT towing capacities. What I've learned I can't believe I didn't research two years ago when I started camping with my family. I felt like I was within my load range for my TV, I just didn't know what I had.
The most important thing I learned is you have to know your equipment. The second most important thing I learned is you are restrained by the piece of equipment that has the lowest tow rating. For me, it is the GCWR of the TV and the WD hitch round bars tongue weight rating. Here is a breakdown of my tow capacity per piece of equipment (all are based on using a weight distributing hitch).

Valley WD hitch: 1200 lbs max tongue weight, 12000 lbs max trailer weight
V-5 Talon hitch on TV: 1500 lbs max tongue weight, 12000 lbs max trailer weight
03 Chevy 1500HD: 1500 lbs max tongue weight, 10200 lbs max trailer weight, 5506 curb weight, 3094 max payload, 8600 GVWR, 14000 max GCWR.
10 Jayco 25BHS: 800 lbs tongue weight (using bathroom scale method), 6000 lbs dry weight (propane and battery attached), 8180 GVWR.

Using educated estimates, I have determined my TV weighs about 6500 lbs loaded, and my TT weighs about 7500 lbs loaded. My tongue weight is 1000 lbs or less (probably more like 900 lbs).

Therefore I feel I am in a good range for my tongue weight on all equipment, and the weight of the TT is under recommended range for all equipment as well. The only grey area I see is the GCWR for my TV (14000 lbs) My estimate of TV weight + TT weight is right at 14000 lbs. That is not over, but certainly does not leave any room for a safety factor.

Hopefully, this posting will inspire others who are perhaps in the same situation as me (thought their truck was up to the task of pulling their trailer but didn't really have the numbers all figured out) to take the time to research everything they need to know to stay safe. This forum got me interested in doing the research.
__________________
Eatmorebacon
2010 Jayflight 25BHS
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500HD 6.0L
V-5 Talon hitch
Valley 1200 WD hitch w/ Valley sway
eatmorebacon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2012, 06:11 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: "Where we Park It"
Posts: 1,071
We had a 2003 GMC 1500HD before buying our current Chevy DuraMax, it was a great Tow Vehicle.
At the time we had a 26 Foot Sunnybrook TT which was approx the same weight ar your trailer.
We pulled the Sunnybrook all over the country with our 1500HD, great combination, great truck, never had any problems.
__________________
Robert & Bale the "Traveling Dog"
SOB
2012 GMC 3500HD DRW
Rob_Fla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2012, 10:18 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Denver
Posts: 148
eatmorebacon - now all you have left is to head for the nearest CAT scales and weigh all the axles. that will tell you how well you estimated. Just thinking
__________________
Gma-n-Gpa
2017 Precept 31 UL
2006 Ranger Reata 1850
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Gma-n-Gpa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2012, 02:52 PM   #4
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Eatmorebacon,

Just knowing what the different specified weight limits mean, dry versus loaded weights, and how they relate to your specific TV/TT combination can in itself be extremely useful, as you found out.

As mentioned, a trip to the CAT scale can provide specific weight data and may confirm that you have additional weight wiggle room under your 14,000lb GCVWR then you estimated.

Even if you are at your GCVWR and within the remaining weight limits, IMO your TV should tow your TT just fine.

Bob

ps: Keep an eye on the GM OEM receiver for any pin box flexing when you engage the WDH spring bars, flexing can compromise consistent weight distribution.
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2012, 03:21 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 552
Now, if your WD setup is transfering the right amount of weight of the front axle to return it to the specs in your TV owner's manual, you're in good shape.
__________________
2010 22FB(Ret)
2013 F250 XLT
I now have a Keystone Outback, but I try to help when I can.
---------------------
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
Bob Landry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2012, 08:06 PM   #6
Member
 
Leroy2u's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gma-n-Gpa View Post
eatmorebacon - now all you have left is to head for the nearest CAT scales and weigh all the axles. that will tell you how well you estimated. Just thinking
I couldn't agree more, (I was) and you will probably be VERY suprised in the what the scale tells you.
__________________
2012 Chev 2500 DMax 4x4
2009 Octane 24ZX
2008 Artic Cat 500 TRV
2008 Artic Cat 650 TRV

Leroy2u is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 08:08 AM   #7
Member
 
eatmorebacon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indiana
Posts: 46
thanks everyone. I do plan to make sure my WD hitch is set up correctly. I have some research on how to check that as well. I will also try to make it to a scale soon.

Leroy, surprised that I have overestimated, or the other way?

Rustic, is this a prob with the v-5 Talon GM OEM? Inferior product? So far everything looks straight and tight, but i will watch next time I attach it to spring bars. thx.
__________________
Eatmorebacon
2010 Jayflight 25BHS
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500HD 6.0L
V-5 Talon hitch
Valley 1200 WD hitch w/ Valley sway
eatmorebacon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 07:24 PM   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by eatmorebacon View Post
snip..... Rustic, is this a prob with the v-5 Talon GM OEM? Inferior product? ....snip
Eatmorebacon,

Well, in cases where heavy tongue weights (1,200lbs plus) are used the GM OEM receivers (2000 thru early 2007) can be a little problematic. A google search on "GM Hitch Problems" will provide you with some interesting reading material.

Also, here is a thread that may give you a little insight as well: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...eceiver&page=3

If you have any additional questions after reviewing the reference material, please post back.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:52 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.