TV and TT compatible?

[Gravesmd]

Hi we are brand new campers, and we recently purchased a new 2015 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 264BHW. We figured it's a great starter camper, has some space but isn't elaborate (for beginners). We have a 2007 Ford Expedition 4x4 with HD tow package. We brought the trailer home and boy was it rocking all the way home. We wouldn't have anymore than 2 adults, growing currently 3year old, and possibly 2 40# dogs, at the most to travel. We plan to go diesel bigger in a few years but wanted to see if anyone thinks or knows if a WD hitch would help stop the ridiculous sway? Also is this a good vehicle to maybe do a 2000mile round trip from chicago to Florida, once a year for 2-3 years, as well as some local and shorter trips. Again we plan to upgrade vehicle later but this is what we have for now. Any advise would be super thanks.
Mel

[Skaling]

A good WD hitch with sway control will help for sure.
As for TV, a bit more info would help..Axle ratio, trim package. Depending on your truck, tow capacities vary between 6000 and 9000 lbs..
How much does your trailer weigh and how much gear will you add to it?

[klpoppe]

Congrats on your new camper. Yes.. I can't believe the dealer let you go without one... I am guessing the empty weight is about 4500 lbs and that thing had to be bouncing like crazy... U need a wdh and sway control (and I hope u had a brake controller!) Regarding it being a good vehicle for a long trip, I am not familiar with the weight capacities and it would also depend on mechanical condition. I am sure someone else on here can give you better advice on that. Enjoy your new camper.

[Gravesmd]

Yep bouncing like crazy. We have the brake controller but no sway/WD hitch. We have the HD Tow package so according to ford fleet it is 3:73, 9000# tow max, it's a 5.3 V8. It is 8 years old and has about 100k miles on it also. Mechanically in great shape probably could use new shocks. Guessing we could get a new truck not diesel tho, now for it and then upgrade to a nice beefy diesel for mountain and Alaska travel later. I'm guessing we would want a new beefy trailer for that too? Any thoughts?

[Seann45]

Questions.. is the trailer level when hooked up? it should be..
Tongue weight is the most important thing to control sway make sure you have 10-15% of the trailer weight on the tongue..
Tire pressure are all tires properly inflated?

[RedHorse1]

We pulled our first TT (X23B) with the 03 Expe 5.4 (2WD) and it did an adequate job. I think a WDH would be in order. My real suggestion is to load up and hit the CAT Scale. That's a good way to know if you are balanced and within the weight limits. I was surprised to discover that we were well below the max tow weight for our Expe we were about 200# shy of the Rear GAWR.
The CAT Scale is your friend.

[Skaling]

Was it rocking( like you said in your first post) side to side? Or bouncing (like you said in your second post) up and down? 2 different issues IMO

[Gravesmd]

It was bouncing for sure and made the expedition fell like it was pulling side to side. The trailer did also have some slight sway with the bounce, make sense? Also we are considering a 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab V8 for a few years then upgrading to the beefy truck in 3-4 years. Thoughts anyone?

[sugarray]

I would say, get a good WD hitch with sway control. Then check your loaded weights at the CAT scale. This will tell you if you are good or not. If you are good, then ride the Expedition until you are able to get the final vehicle you want. This way you know and don't waste money if you don't need a new truck.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by sugarray

I would say, get a good WD hitch with sway control. Then check your loaded weights at the CAT scale. This will tell you if you are good or not. If you are good, then ride the Expedition until you are able to get the final vehicle you want. This way you know and don't waste money if you don't need a new truck.

Like he said...
... get a good WD hitch with sway control (you'll need this with any TV)
... check your loaded weights at the CAT scale
KNOW the load limits of your present TV; total weight and on the rear axle.
... If the weights are good, then GET NEW SHOCKS; at 100,000 miles they need replacing! That should get your vertical bouncing under control.
If your tires are in great shape, then air them up to the maximum; especially the trailer tires and the rear TV tires. If your tires need replacing, going to a higher load range will have stiffer sidewalls. That change will also reduce your side-to-side sway.

Like sugarray, if the weights are in line, IMHO I would try to get the best out of a vehicle I already had.

[Gravesmd]

As rookies to this - if given a choice between the 2007 Ford 5.4L V8 HD tow package 9000# tow capacity 3.73 rear axle ratio expedition And the 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab 5.3L V8 3.42 rear axle ratio z71 package including trailer package, which would you use to pull this trailer.

We have the following trailer- specs right from jayco site
29.1'
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 4,425
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 510
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 6,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 2075


Looking for opinions on the better vehicle putting aside the $$ right now. Again the diesel is the preference but I don't know that we can afford one for several years. For now this will be all local and short trip travel with an occasional 1-2x year long distance - no major mountains at least not yet.

[Gravesmd]

Also thanks to everyone for your advice so far, super helpful

[ctbailey]

Originally Posted by Gravesmd

As rookies to this - if given a choice between the 2007 Ford 5.4L V8 HD tow package 9000# tow capacity 3.73 rear axle ratio expedition And the 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab 5.3L V8 3.42 rear axle ratio z71 package including trailer package, which would you use to pull this trailer.

We have the following trailer- specs right from jayco site
29.1'
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 4,425
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 510
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 6,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 2075


Looking for opinions on the better vehicle putting aside the $$ right now. Again the diesel is the preference but I don't know that we can afford one for several years. For now this will be all local and short trip travel with an occasional 1-2x year long distance - no major mountains at least not yet.

I prefer the lower gears of the 3.73, And agree with the notion to not "settle" for a truck that you don't see yourself in for the next ten years.

You'll be taking a big enough bath on RV trade in values if you're all ready planning on upgrading. Get your ideal truck, wait if you must, but don't waste time and money on some sort of "stepping stone" truck. Look into a three year old used 2500 crew.

[klpoppe]

I would say get your wdh and sway setup and see how the expedition tows. I tow a 264bh (5089 empty weight) with a 2014 Sierra 5.3 with tow package and it tows great. But, if you have bigger and better plans to upgrade to a larger trailer in the near future (one that will probably require a diesel or at least a heavy duty), then I agree to hold off if you can and don't settle for less. As long as the expedition is mechanically sound and able then save your money.

[BCguy]

Good advice here because "bouncing" and "swaying" is a serious problem. With an 8 year old tv I'd certainly look at a new set of heavy duty shocks to help with the bounce. What kind of tires are on your tv? You need LT not P rated tires for more stability. Also make sure your rig is set up properly with a slight downward angle to the tt when on level ground and enough hitch weight.

Good luck on getting your rig dialed in.

[UPCamper]

Like others have said, get a good WDH. Even if you get a truck you will still need it so you won't be out anything extra. Then try towing it before you upgrade your truck. I would think your vehicle should tow it fine with the proper hitch. I don't think its worth going from what you have to a truck, only to plan on another truck in a couple of years. But again, try it with the hitch first. Those things are great. Also, bouncing could be due to lack weight in the trailer. Once you start putting your stuff in it, and get a real hitch, all of it should settle down.

[Nighthawk 96]

You don't need LT tires for a trailer of that size and weight.

I love my Tundra, but if I were moving up I would get a 3/4 ton gasser.

As to answering your question. I would get the Silverado.

[Witt74]

I think the LT tires were recommended for the tow vehicle, not the trailer

[Nighthawk 96]

To clarify: Don't need LT tires on a truck to pull a trailer that size and weight