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Old 02-14-2015, 03:26 PM   #1
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Pulling an Eagle Premier - what vehicle?

We were originally thinking of getting a Greyhawk 31DS, but after some discussion of what my needs/uses of a rig would be, we're leaning towards a 5th wheel.

And, of course, this is decided *after* I spent 2 days at the recent Seattle RV show looking at Class C vehicles and ignoring the trailers and 5th wheels. Of course!

Anyway, just got back from the local Jayco dealer and I rather like the Eagle Premier 331RKTS and 351RLTS.

We were wondering if a Toyota Tundra would be able to pull one of these without any problems? If not (we don't think it's rated for that much weight), what trucks would you folks suggest? And trucks without a ton of problems either. I'm not too keen on diesels as I HATE how noisy they are.

We would be purchasing a vehicle as neither of ours would be able to pull it (older Tacoma and FJ Cruiser - yeah, we like Toyotas!)

Thanks!
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Old 02-14-2015, 03:42 PM   #2
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well good luck I don't know as I have the 338 rets and I have a 1 ton f350 with the diesel ... totally not the info your looking for lol
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Old 02-14-2015, 03:43 PM   #3
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to the switch from motorhome to 5r I would say I know we switched because of mechanicals sitting for most of the year and dry rotting on my motorhome ... with the tt I just have to worry about mice and tires
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Old 02-14-2015, 03:47 PM   #4
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No way! You need at least a 3/4 ton TV (a 1 ton would be better). Diesels are a lot quieter than they used to be. I drove a 3/4 ton diesel with a heavy 5er and can tell you from experience, it's no fun "white-nuckling" a trip. No matter what people say on this forum (including me), you have to live with your decision. Towing capacity isn't as big a deal with a 5er as the hitch weight. You are looking at hitch weights around 2300# dry. You have to add cargo in the truck and 5er plus, ideally, have a 10 to 20% safety margin.
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Old 02-14-2015, 03:55 PM   #5
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and another option is to look at the travel trailers ... I know they pull differently but are lighter weight and less tongue weight ... I am fine with pulling a tt and having everything on one level
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Old 02-14-2015, 04:35 PM   #6
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After cruising the Jayco site a bit, another one that might be an option is the Eagle HT 265RKS. However, the local dealer doesn't have it in stock so I can't say for sure. I looked inside the Eagle 321RLDS tt and there wasn't enough head clearance room when getting off the couch (I'm 5'10"). I just barely kept myself from bonking my head.

The dealer did now show us any of the Eagle HTs they had in stock - that'll be the next time I go in.

The Jayco site does say a Tundra could pull the HTs, so this might be do-able.

What's a 338 rets? And a Super Lite HT? I can't find them on the site.

thanks
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Old 02-14-2015, 04:53 PM   #7
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The 338 rets is a 39 ft rear living with 3 slides two in the rear living area and front bedroom king slide weighs in around 9400 lbs
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Old 02-14-2015, 04:55 PM   #8
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Great floorplan and huge shower and bedroom closet but it is a travel trailer
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Old 02-14-2015, 05:29 PM   #9
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Don't go by what the dealer says you can tow. Get out your truck manual and see for yourself. There's no way a Tundra could haul our 321RLTS, and it's the smallest of the Eagle Premier line.

Do your homework, and you'll be happier (and safer) in the long run.
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Old 02-14-2015, 05:44 PM   #10
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We've got a 2013 351 RLTS. We love the camper!

We pull it with a '96 Chevy crew cab dually 454. I wouldn't dream of trying to pull it with any less truck. This camper is 12,000 pounds dry, and I figure it has to be at least 14,000 pounds with all of my crap loaded in it.
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Old 02-14-2015, 05:45 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by northmeck0255 View Post
Don't go by what the dealer says you can tow. Get out your truck manual and see for yourself. There's no way a Tundra could haul our 321RLTS, and it's the smallest of the Eagle Premier line.

Do your homework, and you'll be happier (and safer) in the long run.
X2
We originally used a 3/4t duramax to tow our 321RLTS & no problem but the dually we now tow it with is WAY better .
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Old 02-14-2015, 06:41 PM   #12
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I'd say with most any Pinnacle you would want a 1 ton. SRW would be good, DRW would be better, generally speaking. As far as diesels, the new ones like I have are as quiet as gas, don't blow black smoke, and don't stink of diesel fumes like the older ones. If you decide to go with a HT model, you should be able to pull it with a Toyota fairly well.

This is MHO and very general. If you are open to many different kinds of vehicles, find a trailer that you really like and then find a vehicle size that will suit it specifically. Or decide you want to keep the Toyota and find a trailer to fit it.
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Old 02-14-2015, 06:59 PM   #13
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If you are not wanting a 1 ton diesel, you need to think smaller. My opinion.
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Old 02-14-2015, 07:39 PM   #14
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I just got back from our local RV show and I also looked closely at the 331RKTS. We really liked it but even with my 2500HD I just didn't think it was going to do the trick. Yes, it will pull it ok but should we start taking it long distances, I feel I would want at least a 3500 and probably a dually. Even my salesman agreed with me, or as an alternative, he suggested bagging the rear of my truck. For peace of mind, get the biggest TV you can get cause even though that 331 is not the largest Premier, it is still plenty heavy with a dry weight of 11045 and gross of 14995.
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Old 02-14-2015, 07:57 PM   #15
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When we up graded our TV my wife said she didn't want a diesel because of the noise, odor and smoke. She was thinking it was like our Freightliners it is not. The diesel are quite and odorless and smoke free. The new diesels are more "sport car" like than the older ones. We went with the Duramax and we love it. And it does tow geat.
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Old 02-14-2015, 08:55 PM   #16
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Tundra

Quote:
Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner View Post
After cruising the Jayco site a bit, another one that might be an option is the Eagle HT 265RKS. However, the local dealer doesn't have it in stock so I can't say for sure. I looked inside the Eagle 321RLDS tt and there wasn't enough head clearance room when getting off the couch (I'm 5'10"). I just barely kept myself from bonking my head.

The dealer did now show us any of the Eagle HTs they had in stock - that'll be the next time I go in.

The Jayco site does say a Tundra could pull the HTs, so this might be do-able.

What's a 338 rets? And a Super Lite HT? I can't find them on the site.

thanks
I purchased a Eagle HT 29.5BHDS thinking I would pull it with my Tundra, if you look at the brochure it says 2WD REG CAB LONG BOX! If you have a double cab it drops the payload by about 600 lbs and then makes it untowable with a double cab. I have since upgraded my vehicle.
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Old 02-14-2015, 09:00 PM   #17
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I purchased a Eagle HT 29.5BHDS thinking I would pull it with my Tundra, if you look at the brochure it says 2WD REG CAB LONG BOX! If you have a double cab it drops the payload by about 600 lbs and then makes it untowable with a double cab. I have since upgraded my vehicle.
I have the exact same setup and it is great! BTW, not to nit pick but I think you have a 6.7 Powerstroke, not a 5.7.
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Old 02-15-2015, 06:07 AM   #18
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The other thing to consider is that the closer you are to the max towing capacity of your truck, the harder the wear and tear on the components. If you have something that can "just barely" pull your coach, there will be more strain on the engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes.

All of that translates into poor performance in the mountains, increased wear, and potential breakdowns.

There's no such thing as "too much truck".
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Old 02-15-2015, 10:09 AM   #19
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I just went through the same process and have just ordered the truck I mentioned below in the post I copied where I asked a similar question on another forum. Hope this helps.

"I will be replacing my current truck and travel trailer with a new truck and my first Fifth Wheel camper this year and I'm in the planning stages of the purchase of both these items.

First, the camper I'm looking at is a:
Jayco Eagle Premier 331RETS
Dry Weight 11,150
GVWR 14,900
Ext. Length 38.5'
My wife and I are retired but not full timers. Primarily camp in the Midwest and south and will take at most one trip west each year.

The truck I am looking at matching with it is:
2015 Ram 3500 Crew Cab SRW 4x4 w/6.4 Hemi, 6.4 Box and 4.10 rear end

Looking at the 2015 chart, this truck has a 4,010 payload and towing capacity of 15,590 with 4.10 rear end. I'm thinking I would put a Pullrite Slider hitch in the 6.4 box if Dodge meshes with this hitch?

I understand the benefits of a diesel and DRW but do not want either of these for various reasons. I will not keep vehicle longer than 4 years. Based on that, I'm trying to find a gasser that will pull this fiver. I'm thinking this might be a good choice."
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Old 02-15-2015, 01:46 PM   #20
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Our 351 weighs in at 12,700# which we pull with the F350. I think our diesel is pretty quiet. The 6.7 turbo is an ox and it loves to pull. I average 13's while towing (level ground). I read in another of your posts about the gear you will be hauling. Have you thought about a bumper-pull and something like a heavy-duty van?
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