Ordering (our first Jayco)Eagle 314BDS this weekend!

[EricRom]

We having been camping for the last two years and absolutely love it(10 times this year). We bought a 2011 Keystone passport 300bh as our first camper and it has served us well, but it is more of a entry level trailer and since we enjoy camping so much, We wanted to upgrade to a camper that has more amenities and features. After doing lots of research, we decide on Jayco because they are family owned, a two year warranty, and have been around for a while. Looking to order;
2013 Eagle 314BDS
Outside kitchen
Power tongue and stab jacks
15k AC
Bike rake
Alloy wheels
Trundle in bunkhouse
Any other suggestion on comments would greatly be appreciated!

My tow vehicle is a 2012 Ford F150 ecoboost with max tow(11,300 rated) E rated tires
I know some may think it is not enough truck but it tow my current 34' trailer with no problems.
I have owned an 06 Duramax and an 08 silverado 6liter gasser, there is no question that the diesel was the best, but I can tell you that the ecoboost out pulls the 6.0 liter gas by far.
Thanks again and look forward to collecting and sharing info with everyone.

[Terry]

Welcome to the forum! Glad you found us.

[usmc616]

We really wanted the 314 but settled on the 32BHDS because it was lighter. I see you are going to order the trundle bed option. I guess you also have a large family. Just keep in mind your F-150's tow rating will be decreased with every pound you add to the pick up.

[EricRom]

Usmc616,
It's me, my wife, and two kids(7&11) @500lbs for all of us and I think Ford's cargo capacity includes a full tank of gas and allows 150lbs for the driver in addition to the cargo weight posted in the door. So I guess with a high estimate of 1000lb hitch weight I am still left with@ 800lbs for people and gear. I do have the Reese wdh and my truck has built in brake control, sway control, and hill descent. Trundle option is for kids in our group of families that we go with so they can sleep in our trailer if they want.

[clutch]

On a big trailer a second AC is nice to have. Electric stabilizers and power tongue jack is also a nice option.

[Crabman]

Welcome to the forum and Enjoy that new Eagle!

[Dadof4Girls]

I love the J-cubes in ours. The kids can arrange them as necessary, and we have slept as many as 5 kids (under 10) on the two. It allows flexibility.

As for the tongue weight, your estimate may be light. When I picked my 32BHDS up, and put only my camping items in front compartment, my tongue weight was over 1400 lbs. This was without bedding, clothing, food, water, dishes, staples.

[pbohart]

Hey! I have the same trailer. You can check out my review on this site. It reads overly negative, but that is ONLY because I was attempting to point out every little flaw. All-in-all I LOVE my Eagle and would not trade it for any other trailer.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...ndid-review%29

Here are my thoughts on your question:
* Outside kitchen is a MUST. It is easily the coolest/awesomest thing about my new trailer. I use it EVERY TIME I CAMP.
* Get the glacier package. It is like $140 upgrade and it gives you a bigger furnace and better insulation. No brainer. Wish I had it No Dice since I bought off a lot.
* I wish I had the power stab jacks No Dice.
* Bunks with Trundle is the way to go. You can easily fit 4 adults back there. J-cubes are kind of cool...but trundle is far superior IMHO.
* You will want to have your dealer install brackets on the tongue so that you can add a second battery.
* When you get your unit, make sure you find the thread about water on the bathroom floor and perform the shower fix suggested by Shaner. Easy and TOTALLY effective.
* Also, I highly recommend the rear bumper mount for the BBQ from Jayco. $144 and it allows you to mount the BBQ right next to the kitchen and removes any insecurity that the BBQ will scorch the side of the trailer.

Enjoy! And post your experiences/thoughts on the site after you get it!!

[Rustic Eagle]

EricRom,

Welcome to JOF

I'm sure you will like the Eagle and it's standard amenities. I think Jayco has done a nice job on the color and graphics..., especially going to the fiberglass front cap!

On tongue weight, think in terms of "loaded" weights. With a 33ft TT a loaded tongue weight range of 13% to 15% of the loaded TT weight would be desirable. For example, with a 9,000lb loaded TT a loaded tongue weight range of 1,170lbs to 1,350lbs would be recommended.

Going with the 15K A/C minimum is a good move on a TT that long. Don't forget to post some inside/outside pics once you get the TT home!

Bob

[Boubou]

We have the eagle ht 23.5. Not a trailer, but a 5th wheel. I guess they are similar in features. We do enjoy the outside kitchen and bbq on bumper. The glacier package is great, the furnace kicked in the other day and is right in front of the bedroom. Hot!
We did not think we'd use the Outdoor shower but it's bery handy to wash the dog or in provincial parks where there is no sewer, can take a shower outside and not fill the grey tanks.

[dan222]

We just got our 2013 Eagle 284BHS. We ordered it, so we had the option to add what we wanted. We added the 15K Air Conditioner, Larger Refrigerator, Power Jack and Stabilizers, and Bike Cargo Tray. ( I haven't figured out how we will put the bikes on the tray and secure them, but have till spring to do so).
We are very happy with it, we only got one trip in this year but look forward to many more.

I also have the F150 EcoBoost w/ max tow and the truck pulled the trailer just fine.

Enjoy!

Dan

[EricRom]

Hey Dan looks like my tongue weight is about 95 heavier. Did they get your truck and camper to sit pretty level, not too much squat and do you have anything other than a weight disturbution hitch. I think I should be fine. Also if you have any pics of everything hooked up I would like to see it please. Thanks everyone else for your replies.

[mjwills]

Hello ~ we have the same camper as you and opted to go with the larger fridge also. My dealer did not recommend the power stabalizer jacks, but I do not have any experience with this to give an opinion (I didnt go with them). Tounge jack is a must!

[dan222]

EricRom

The truck is stock, I use the Equalizer 4PT sway WD hitch. Check out my albums, I added a couple pics. This is the one when we picked it up. DOn't think the ground was totally level but I do notice a little bit of the truck squatting. I have been watching what we load in the truck and front of the trailer. (http://www.jaycoowners.com/attachmen...0&d=1348831849) As I get a chance I will add more to my albums.

[TexasA&M]

If they would have had an Eagle that is this nice in 2010, I would have gotten it over the Jayflight G2 we ended up with. I like all of the features and really like the fact that you can get the trailer with 50amp power and a second A/C. In my opinion, a trailer this larger needs two A/Cs to keep cool. I'm going to add a second one to my 32BHDS this spring so that we'll be plenty cool in the summertime.

FYI, the tongue weight on my 32BHDS (same floor plan as the one you ordered) is 1280lbs when it's loaded to go camping. Total weight was 9600lbs on that trip.