2016 Jayflight 28 BHBE Elite - towing with an F150

[OhioRVMom]

yes - this has been mentioned. We haven't yet because we were considering trading the truck in for a bigger one, and then thought about Motor homes- so we're only coming back to this line of thinking again. I will talk to hubs about that so we can find out.

[OhioRVMom]

"on Paper" it looks like we'd be right at payload or pushing it by maybe 100 lbs. I'm not sure how much of an issue that will create if we are a bit over. I don't see it being HUNDREDS of pounds over on payload, but we might be on the edge. Won't know until we weigh in though.

[spoon059]

I hope it works out for you. Just remember to BE SAFE about what you do and HAVE FUN!!! If you are getting close on the numbers, leave some stuff at home. The amount of "stuff" that we brig with us when we camp is absurd. Before kids it was my wife and I, some clothes, some sheets and pillows and some chairs. We went grocery shopping when we got to our destination.

To make things "easier", we now carry a absurd variety of EVERYTHING with us. Its not necessary for a fun trip. Have a great time!

[OhioRVMom]

Wish me luck. if we don't decide soon and find something we can agree on, this might just push us into divorce court. Maybe not quite, but the frustration levels are horrendous. Totally bummed.

[SkyBound]

What about buying the 28BHBE and just parking it seasonally somewhere for a couple of years until you can afford a new truck? That will allow good use of it, not stress your vehicle, and the cost will be pretty close to the gas you would have burned lugging that thing around on a regular basis.

Or a second thought is to only plan very short trips with it for the next couple years until you can get the bigger truck, like 50 miles or less. Not sure if that's even an option for where you live.

Either way you put it, if you buy that trailer, you will need a bigger truck. At least there are a couple options to allow you to get the trailer you want now and delay the inevitable vehicle upgrade a bit.

[Barry Katz]

I have a 2007 F-150 FX2 5.4 engine, I tow a 2015 26BHS Jayflight SLX. My question is while towing the weight isnt the problem but I feel the trailer is rocking side to side. I have a Pro Series weight distribution kit and the anti friction sway bar. The trailer doesnt sway , but I wonder is it the wind or is it just in my mind?

[Swinepartner]

We (family of 4) have the same trailer and are towing it w/ a 2012 1500 Burb w/ towing package. The camper weight from dealer w/ all accessories is 6911. Add in living stuff and I think I'm around 7500-7600. I'm looking to visit a CAT scale before long. Anyway, we towed from NC to Disney this summer on I95. I put new LT tires on, maxed out tire pressure all the way around and kept the speeds between 60-63. The burb pulled like a champ. And this is our first season with it. We've towed from Charlotte to Cape Hatteras to Williamsburg, Va with it this season. BUT...we are now looking for a 3/4 truck to make things easier on us b/c the family wants to take bikes and such and that's just gonna put me way over what I am comfortable with. It's prob gonna be a 3/4 gasser cause we don't pull a lot yearly and it will prob be the wife's DD....plus it's a cheaper truck. But we'll get the new truck at the beginning of next camping season.

[Idahoboy]

We were in a similar situation and we found a low Milage2012 f250 had 34-35k on it and paid 33.5k for it and was able get out of my f150 take your time. And look around. We new the f150 was not enough so we were going to buy the trailer the look around and find the right pickup it just happened to be the same time.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

snip ...

Or a second thought is to only plan very short trips with it for the next couple years until you can get the bigger truck, like 50 miles or less. Not sure if that's even an option for where you live.

Either way you put it, if you buy that trailer, you will need a bigger truck. At least there are a couple options to allow you to get the trailer you want now and delay the inevitable vehicle upgrade a bit.

That's kind of where we went (and I have to say, it worked out okay for us). When it was just me and DW and the Wondermutt, the Sierra did OK. Not great, but okay. Then my son was born and we were pushing the limits; still okay for short trips in flat terrain, and the Sierra is a nice DD, but I saw the writing on the wall.

Then DW said, "Okay, I'm ready to take longer trips with the trailer", and that's when I started shopping in earnest for my current truck. I already knew what I was going to buy, it was just a matter of finding the right one and negotiating the price. If I was going to be towing with this truck for multiple days in a row to get somewhere, I needed it to be more stout. Now I'll never worry about it again, and that peace of mind is worth the price of admission for me.

The funniest thing is that now I'm thinking my next truck might be a diesel! It just never stops does it?!

[luv2drum]

Camper Bob, what are the specs on your truck as far as weight and tow capabilities? I just posted some CAT scale results from our rig on your other post from a year or so ago.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...tml#post331423

We just got a 2016 28BHBE and are pulling it with a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500HD. We're on our first trip, and I stopped to weigh things. My results show we're within everything except the GCWR, which is 14,000 for our truck and we're around 14,700. Interestingly enough as well, and worth mentioning for those looking at the BHBE, the sticker on ours shows around 6900lbs off the factory and the weight, loaded with cargo, but no water, is around 8100lbs. So that sticker really doesn't tell the story.

I will say our 1500HD pulls the trailer ok, but only in third gear, as fourth just can't manage it unless it's totally level road. Third runs around 2500-2900 RPMS, with all temps well under any red line, and I'm getting about 7.5MPG. Not great, but doable for trips around the state. But again, our 1500HD (6.0L) has higher payload (2900lbs) and tow weight capabilities (8300lbs) than many 1/2 ton trucks. I don't think I'd want to try the 28BHBE with anything less for sure.

Anyway, I'm curious what your RAM has as specs as I definitely think we'll be looking for a new TV at some point in the next year or two.

Ohiomom...good luck in your search and purchase! If you go with the 28BHBE, you'll love the floorplan. This is our third rig as a family and first Jayco. We just got ours and are out on our first trip and love it! We're a family of 4 with my boys being 13 and 15.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by luv2drum

Camper Bob, what are the specs on your truck as far as weight and tow capabilities? I just posted some CAT scale results from our rig on your other post from a year or so ago.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...tml#post331423

We just got a 2016 28BHBE and are pulling it with a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500HD. We're on our first trip, and I stopped to weigh things. My results show we're within everything except the GCWR, which is 14,000 for our truck and we're around 14,700. Interestingly enough as well, and worth mentioning for those looking at the BHBE, the sticker on ours shows around 6900lbs off the factory and the weight, loaded with cargo, but no water, is around 8100lbs. So that sticker really doesn't tell the story.

I will say our 1500HD pulls the trailer ok, but only in third gear, as fourth just can't manage it unless it's totally level road. Third runs around 2500-2900 RPMS, with all temps well under any red line, and I'm getting about 7.5MPG. Not great, but doable for trips around the state. But again, our 1500HD (6.0L) has higher payload (2900lbs) and tow weight capabilities (8300lbs) than many 1/2 ton trucks. I don't think I'd want to try the 28BHBE with anything less for sure.

Anyway, I'm curious what your RAM has as specs as I definitely think we'll be looking for a new TV at some point in the next year or two.

Ohiomom...good luck in your search and purchase! If you go with the 28BHBE, you'll love the floorplan. This is our third rig as a family and first Jayco. We just got ours and are out on our first trip and love it! We're a family of 4 with my boys being 13 and 15.

Specs on my RAM (all weights in lbs, and according the actual placards on the vehicle):

2015 RAM 2500 Tradesman, Crew Cab, 6'4" box, 4x4, 6.4L HEMI, 3.73 Rear End.

Available Payload: 3130
GVWR: 10,000
GAWR Front: 5500
GAWR Rear: 6500
Tires: Firestone Transforce HT LT275/70R18E

According to RAM's towing/payload guide (Ram Trucks - Towing Capacity Chart):
Max Payload: 3281
Max Towing: 12,600


This truck is my daily driver. If I had a longer commute (7 miles one way) I might have considered a diesel in the same truck. That would drop payload to just over 2000, (and of course increase the price $6-8K). As it is, I only put about 12K miles on my truck every year, and I figured those short drives wouldn't be good for the Cummins Diesel (and I couldn't afford it anyway), so I went with the gasser. I get about the same mileage as I got with my GMC, unloaded. I get slightly better mileage with the trailer.

So far I have about 4600 miles on the truck, and 25% has been towing and I KNOW I made the right decision; I KNEW it about 3 minutes into my first tow with the new truck.

[tylersdad]

I so badly want to swap out my 3.31 for the 3.73 on my F-150.

[spoon059]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Specs on my RAM (all weights in lbs, and according the actual placards on the vehicle):

2015 RAM 2500 Tradesman, Crew Cab, 6'4" box, 4x4, 6.4L HEMI, 3.73 Rear End.

Available Payload: 3130
GVWR: 10,000
GAWR Front: 5500
GAWR Rear: 6500
Tires: Firestone Transforce HT LT275/70R18E

I have a 2015 2500 Tradesman, CC short bed, 4x4 with the Cummins. My payload is about 800 lbs lower at 2370. Wish it was higher, but we decided we wanted a diesel this time around.

[need-a-vacation]

Originally Posted by spoon059

I have a 2015 2500 Tradesman, CC short bed, 4x4 with the Cummins. My payload is about 800 lbs lower at 2370. Wish it was higher, but we decided we wanted a diesel this time around.

As a comparison my buddy has a '13 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4, Ram box, Cummins with 22xx+ lbs payload per the sticker (don't remember the exact amount!)

[SkyBound]

Does the payload suffer as much in the 3500 trucks when comparing gas to diesel? A diesel with 2200lbs of payload is nearly useless if you ask me. EcoBoost Max Tows can get you that much easily.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Does the payload suffer as much in the 3500 trucks when comparing gas to diesel? A diesel with 2200lbs of payload is nearly useless if you ask me. EcoBoost Max Tows can get you that much easily.

The same truck in 3500 with diesel has about 4k payload, according to the towing guide. Shave a bit off for options, but I'd say you're still well north of 3500 lbs in that truck.

It seems like we're getting into thread hijack territory....

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Does the payload suffer as much in the 3500 trucks when comparing gas to diesel? A diesel with 2200lbs of payload is nearly useless if you ask me. EcoBoost Max Tows can get you that much easily.

Diesel engine weigh about 800lbs more than the comparable gas. So yes, regardless if it's a 2500 or 3500 the payload will be about 800lbs less.

Regardless if an Eco boost can get 2k+ payload, it still isn't a diesel. After towing with a diesel--nothing else matters for me. Don't care if it cost more, fuel is higher or lower, or if the payload is lower than the gas equivalent. Towing with a diesel opposed to gas is that much better.

[OhioRVMom]

here is a sneak peak to what *might* be happening in the near future.. if it does.. I'll share.. a special thank you to all of you who have contributed so much. As painful as this has been, as frustrating and horrible and heartbreaking, we might finally be moving forward. Fingers crossed..

thanks again

[luv2drum]

Be anxious to hear more. We are going to be shopping soon for a new TV I think as the 28BHBE is just a tad too much for our current one. Good luck in your purchases and definitely post back!

[Country_Mouse]

Originally Posted by OhioRVMom

here is a sneak peak to what *might* be happening in the near future.. if it does.. I'll share.. a special thank you to all of you who have contributed so much. As painful as this has been, as frustrating and horrible and heartbreaking, we might finally be moving forward. Fingers crossed..

thanks again

Can't see the photo...Is anyone else able to?