29.5 bhds question

[tim665214]

Wife and I finally decided on a floor plan. We were about to order a Eagle HT 29.5 BHDS with the exact options we wanted. However, we found one in stock from a dealer about 100 miles away with almost the exact options we want. The in-stock model is missing the TV in the outside kitchen but we figure we can buy one at Wal mart pretty cheaply. (Correct? )

My main concern is the in-stock model only has 15" wheels. I was going to order with the 16" wheels to make sure it would tow level. My TV is a 2016 F-250 4X4 with 20" factory rims. I haven't bought a hitch yet, but I am considering the Andersen Ultimate hitch. We really don't want to wait 3 months (or more) for our order to come in, but I don't want to have issues towing. What do you think?

Thanks

Tim

[SouthCo]

If you want the 16" wheels, ask the dealer if they'll swap them out. You could probably have the dealer add the tv also or do it yourself and save a few bucks.

[tim665214]

The dealer told me he has no way of swapping out the wheels. (I guess that means he doesn't have any with 16" wheels on his lot). He did tell me that if I brought him a TV and mount, that they would install it for me for free.

[Mopar_Earl]

I'd order the unit as you want. Upgrading to 16" wheels and tires will be much more expensive than the factory option costs. To buy 5 wheels and tires isn't cheap. Also the VIN sticker will show 15" and lower pressure. If you order the sticker will have the correct size and air pressure.

I just placed an order for a 2017 Eagle 293RKDS on 01/26/17. Last I heard looking at March for delivery.


Earl

[repacs0103]

I had wanted the 16" wheel option when we bought ours a few weeks ago and my dealer told me the same thing. Now that we have it, I'm not worried about switching anyway as the trailer sits nearly level behind my 2011 F350 4x4 with a Curt Q16 hitch. My truck sits 2" higher in back from the factory than yours, and at most I may lower the spring hangers to the lower positions. I did buy the Curt hitch, however in part because it adjusts the lowest of almost any hitch on the market.

As for the TV it's no big deal to buy a mount and tv and do it yourself or have your dealer install it. I just ordered a lockable rv specific mount and 32" tv from Amazon today for less than 200 bucks total.

[tim665214]

Originally Posted by repacs0103

I had wanted the 16" wheel option when we bought ours a few weeks ago and my dealer told me the same thing. Now that we have it, I'm not worried about switching anyway as the trailer sits nearly level behind my 2011 F350 4x4 with a Curt Q16 hitch. My truck sits 2" higher in back from the factory than yours, and at most I may lower the spring hangers to the lower positions. I did buy the Curt hitch, however in part because it adjusts the lowest of almost any hitch on the market.

As for the TV it's no big deal to buy a mount and tv and do it yourself or have your dealer install it. I just ordered a lockable rv specific mount and 32" tv from Amazon today for less than 200 bucks total.

Just to make sure I understand, you ended up WITHOUT the 16" wheels, and now that you have it, you are not as concerned with upgrading? Also, even though I have the stock 20" wheels on my truck, I should still be 1 or 2 inches lower? If so, that means that I shouldn't have any issues. (Hopefully)

As far as the extra tv is concerned, is there any truth to the statement I heard one salesman make that the tv's that come with the trailer are better suited to withstand the bumps of going down the road?

[Mopar_Earl]

Don't forget, 16" wheels and tires add more capacity over 15". So not only will it raise your trailer, it will add more margin to your wheel and tire loading.

I myself wouldn't own RV tandem trailer without 16" wheels unless it was tiny, but than I wouldn't own a tiny RV. Lol


Earl

[repacs0103]

Originally Posted by tim665214

Just to make sure I understand, you ended up WITHOUT the 16" wheels, and now that you have it, you are not as concerned with upgrading? Also, even though I have the stock 20" wheels on my truck, I should still be 1 or 2 inches lower? If so, that means that I shouldn't have any issues. (Hopefully)

As far as the extra tv is concerned, is there any truth to the statement I heard one salesman make that the tv's that come with the trailer are better suited to withstand the bumps of going down the road?

Correct, I have the 15" wheels/tires and am more than happy with the height.

Your 20" tires are very similar outside diameter to my 18" wheels...I just have more tire (that's why the heavy spec F350 package requires 18" wheels...the 20's can't match it) The F250 has a 2" lift block from Ford whereas the 350 has a 4", hence the extra height.

I'm not an expert, but I would say it's BS that the Jayco tv's are better...mostly because they pretty much install the cheapest ones they can find!

[repacs0103]

Originally Posted by Mopar_Earl

Don't forget, 16" wheels and tires add more capacity over 15". So not only will it raise your trailer, it will add more margin to your wheel and tire loading.

I myself wouldn't own RV tandem trailer without 16" wheels unless it was tiny, but than I wouldn't own a tiny RV. Lol


Earl

This isn't necessarily true- it depends on the individual tire. My lighter duty trailers at work are 12,000# GVW tandem axle flatbeds that ride on Dexter 5000# axles running 15" steel wheels and ST tires with the same 6 lug pattern as our Eagle HT's. A couple of our units are over 20 years old and we have very few tire problems as long as we run quality commercial tires, and we regularly run at or over GVW. In our case, we want as low a deck height as possible so the 15's are ideal and they hold up great to severe commercial duty.

[tim665214]

I just measured and my bed rail height is 56". Also the depth of my bed is 21.5"

[Mopar_Earl]

Originally Posted by repacs0103

This isn't necessarily true- it depends on the individual tire. My lighter duty trailers at work are 12,000# GVW tandem axle flatbeds that ride on Dexter 5000# axles running 15" steel wheels and ST tires with the same 6 lug pattern as our Eagle HT's. A couple of our units are over 20 years old and we have very few tire problems as long as we run quality commercial tires, and we regularly run at or over GVW. In our case, we want as low a deck height as possible so the 15's are ideal and they hold up great to severe commercial duty.

True but your commercial trailers aren't RV trailers. I specified RV trailers. Other trailers and commercial trailers are a whole other thing. Also you are using commercial grade tires as well. I fully stand by my statement on 15" vs 16" on tandem axle RV trailers.


Earl

[repacs0103]

Originally Posted by tim665214

I just measured and my bed rail height is 56". Also the depth of my bed is 21.5"

Just measured my 350 and I'm at 55.5" bedrail height, but I have at least 1000# in the bed right now between my sliding full bed box and all my "winter" tools and supplies. I haven't measured but I would say it comes up at least 2" when I empty it out. The height it's at right now with the weight in it is about how it rides with the trailer hooked up. Here's a couple pics of mine hooked up to our 29.5 with nothing in the bed except the hitch and nothing in the trailer.

[Cdash]

The main reason that I wanted 16" wheels was to allow for using LT tires when it comes time to replace the stock tires.

You could go either way. If you get out and find that you still want 16's, you can order aftermarket wheels to do it. I did just that on our previous fifth wheel, but that one had cheap white steel wheels that were cheap and easy to find in 16". There are some companies on EBay that get leftover parts and sell them cheap. May be able to find something closer to stock this way.