Jayco 287BHSW

sportsmen · 07-20-2015, 03:40 PM

My wife and I have sold our 2002 Sportsman and are considering a new Jayco 287BHSW. My concern is whether I have enough truck for a trailer this size. I am presently towing with a 2007 F150 5.4l with a 7800 lb. tow rating. The 287BHWS is 6250 lbs. per the sticker @ 33' long. Does anyone have any experience towing this trailer with a truck similar to mine ? Also, living in Houston during the dreadful summer heat can I expect a 15K A/C unit to adequately cool this tailer down ??

Thanks for your time !

SkyBound · 07-20-2015, 04:37 PM

Your truck will struggle with that beast and you will definitely be over one rating or another. That trailer really is 3/4 territory. If you're going to drag it a few miles to and from the local park then you might be okay but your towing experience will be disappointing to say the least. Sorry to be a downer about it but it's the reality of the situation... If you go ahead with it anyways I see a new truck coming your way next summer. Good for you for asking questions first on a place like this though instead of letting a dumb salesman push you into something.

RedHorse1 · 07-20-2015, 06:24 PM

I agree with Sky. That close to the max tow number I'd expect you to be over the rear axle max. Estimating a loaded weight of 7000# would give you an estimated tongue weight of 1050#. This is a bit of an apple/orange analysis but we pulled our X23B with an 03 Expedition. It had a max tow number of 8900# (who dreams this crap up?) but we were a little over 200# from the rear axle max (600# tongue). You could hit the scales and get your unloaded axle weights which would let you know if you'd likely be over/under. It's only an estimate but gathering info before purchase, priceless.
The CAT Scale is your friend.

gofishtx · 07-27-2015, 08:44 PM

Maybe consider something smaller like the 26 BHS which is a similar floor plan but rear beds and bath are opposite and no rear door. You can still access the bathroom without putting the slide out. It is lighter and still a lot of beds and seating. We just got ours and love it, tons of beds and storage.

Pcschwenke · 07-28-2015, 04:11 AM

To be honest, the truck will most likely have enough power to tow the camper. The truck will squat, but it should be adequate. We are towing a 28BHBE with our 1/2 ton RAM. Wish at times we had a 3/4 ton, but only, only to help with sag. Not pulling power. I installed airbags and it seems to help a lot!

SkyBound · 07-28-2015, 07:30 AM

Is your Ram one of the new ones with the 8spd tranny by any chance? That alone will make a huge difference, but I stick to my original recommendation. Are you towing within all of your specified limits, including payload? Tongue weight alone on that trailer is 1200lbs easily.

Pcschwenke · 07-28-2015, 07:40 AM

Yes, I have the & speed & 3:21 years. We are within the limits of the truck. A 3/4 to allow more tongue weight and higher payload. If I were to do it over; I would have jumped up to the 3/4 ton. Just for reassurance, not because our truck can not pull it safely.

NewBlackDak · 07-28-2015, 04:50 PM

I have a 287BHBE. Very similar size and weights. I towed it with a Titan for exactly 1 summer. Plenty of power, but the trailer "handled" the truck. It was a white knuckle tow every time. Now, I set the cruise control on 63, and point the truck in the right direction.

Pcschwenke · 07-28-2015, 06:35 PM

I think it all depends on the vehicle. In the past 2 months, not once did j have a white knuckle moment. We have camped every weekend. I did have an idiot pull in front of me, but haning and brakes on the RAM were more than enough. Maybe after our 10 day excursion in a couple weeks I will change my mind. I will repost afterwards.

You may also like: