Class 3 hitch enough for a WH 28 DSBH?

[oldnnew]

I was looking at the class 3 hitch on my F-150 and noticed it has a rating of 800 lbs. tongue weight with WDH. I'm thinking the WH 28 DSBH is going to be more than 800 lbs. tongue weight? Anyone have a real world 28 DSBH tongue weight? Jayco lists it dry as 680 lbs. I think I may just upgrade to a class 4 hitch and be done with it.

[sennister]

You will be over 800#

Here is how I ran the numbers for my Jay Feather 25BH. My GVWR 6750. So that is worst case how heavy I can run the camper. Tongue weight should be minimum of 10% of the trailer weight. Never good to run and the mins so plan for 12-13% or worst case 15%. So that makes my worst case planning weight of 1012.5#.

For your camper your GVWR is 7500#. So if you are running max weight in your camper and 15% TW that is 1125#.

Keep in mind you need to add another 80 or so pounds to these numbers for the WD hitch. Also if you upgrade the receiver hitch on the truck the Class IV will weigh more you need to find out how much more than the original Class III and subtract the difference from your cargo capacity of your F150. Also don't forget that that 1125# well lets call it 1200# when you factor in the WD hitch also goes against the cargo capacity along with any other aftermarket accessories like bed liner, topper, passengers and other cargo. How you doing on that cargo number now?

Really where most of us get beat up is with the max cargo capacity on the truck. My Denali can tow 8100# on paper. There is no way I could ever do it safe because when I factor in a safe tongue weight, my realistic max trailer weight is right about where I am at with a 6750 GVWR camper all because of the cargo limit.

I always calculate on the worst case of GVWR because you will always add more stuff over time. It is a good idea every now and then to swing through a CAT Scale and check that you haven't gained too much weight in that camper. I can keep an eye on GVWR and not worry much about it and can check the TW at home.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by oldnnew

snip..... I'm thinking the WH 28 DSBH is going to be more than 800 lbs. tongue weight?......snip

I agree.

The 28DSBH UVW "as shipped" will be around 6,400lbs, and the ideal tongue weight even at an "unloaded" 6,400lbs would be 832lbs to 960lbs (13% - 15%, same applies when loaded)......, and it still needs the RV dealership's battery install and then there's all "your added cargo".



Source: 2017 Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH

Bob

[schrederman]

Mine's almost 1,000#............ Need class 4 or better.

[Crabman]

Check out Class V hitches on etrailer. Very reasonable.

[sennister]

Originally Posted by Crabman

Check out Class V hitches on etrailer. Very reasonable.

My only concern about jumping to Class V would be how much more does it weigh? That weight is going directly against cargo capacity on the TV and that is the number that most 1/2 ton trucks have issues with.

While I normally support going big it doesn't always pay off and may not make sense if the capacity can never be utilized.

EDIT: Also stepping up to Class V would mean 2.5" receiver and messing with sleeves where Class IV is still 2". Class IV supports up to 1400# TW which should be more than enough for this camper.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by sennister

snip.... Also stepping up to Class V would mean 2.5" receiver and messing with sleeves.....snip

Actually Class V receivers are available in both 2" and 2 1/2" pin boxes.

Bob

[sennister]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Actually Class V receivers are available in both 2" and 2 1/2" pin boxes.

Bob

Ok. The ones I have seen always seem to be 2.5". Well maybe I have seen them in 2" but assumed they were Class IV. Either way 1400# on a Class IV is all they need. Cargo capacity ratings on a F150 depending on how equipped will probably be not much more than 2000# in best case.

[cekkk]

Why push the envelope? Get the IV.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by sennister

snip.....Either way 1400# on a Class IV is all they need.....snip

I agree.

I recalled that the Class V was available in a 2" my prior 2002 2500HD had one that I installed replacing the worthless GM OEM receiver.

Bob