New member. New everything.

neil0215.ns · 07-26-2017, 03:29 PM

I've been lurking on this forum for a couple weeks now and finally joined. Lots of good info, so I'm glad I did. A little bit of background experience.... I have absolutely none towing a camper, other than a pop-up that's about 18ft. That about sums it up.

My fiance and I are looking into buying a 17' Jayflight 26BH with elite package. So quite a bit larger than the pop-up. Obviously, I'm a little leary pulling the trigger on something that is 30ft long and could use any and all advice you all have to offer.

From what I've read, dry tongue weight is around 520, and dry manufacture weight is 4700 +/-. Wanted to get some real world tongue, and loaded weight numbers after propane, batteries, and normal items for a weekend camping.

I just bought a 17' Nissan Titan XD 5.6l V8. Max towing is 11k with WD hitch with an 1100lb tongue weight, so I know I won't be close to those numbers.

Any input is appreciated

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2nOZ · 07-26-2017, 04:58 PM

Welcome to JOF! The number you need to look at on your TV is the payload capacity. That will be your limiting factor.

oldmanAZ · 07-26-2017, 04:59 PM

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on the new Titan and WAITING to buy a TT until you get feedback from this group.

You'll need to check into the PAYLOAD of your truck. The PAYLOAD is everything in the truck cab (people, pets, etc.) and in the truck bed plus the trailer's calculated tongue weight (26BH is 7,000lbs gross x 0.15 = 1,050lbs). The PAYLOAD (look for a sticker on your truck's drivers door frame) is the limit most people hit first.

For a trailer that size, you'll need a weight distribution (WD) hitch and anti-sway (some hitches have anti-sway built in, others it's an add-on device). Search this site and the internet. There is lots of info out there. Lots of folks here, too, to answer any questions you may have.

neil0215.ns · 07-26-2017, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2nOZ

Welcome to JOF! The number you need to look at on your TV is the payload capacity. That will be your limiting factor.

Payload is 2500 lbs

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neil0215.ns · 07-26-2017, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on the new Titan and WAITING to buy a TT until you get feedback from this group.

You'll need to check into the PAYLOAD of your truck. The PAYLOAD is everything in the truck cab (people, pets, etc.) and in the truck bed plus the trailer's calculated tongue weight (26BH is 7,000lbs gross x 0.15 = 1,050lbs). The PAYLOAD (look for a sticker on your truck's drivers door frame) is the limit most people hit first.

For a trailer that size, you'll need a weight distribution (WD) hitch and anti-sway (some hitches have anti-sway built in, others it's an add-on device). Search this site and the internet. There is lots of info out there. Lots of folks here, too, to answer any questions you may have.

We're light packers, so I don't think I'll ever get close to the 7k lb GVWR of the trailer. We take what we need, and that's about it. Payload Capacity is 2500lbs. Even if we're at 1050 tongue weight (which I honestly don't think we'll get to that point) we more than likely wouldn't have more than 500lbs in the truck. Although, I could be completely wrong. And that's why I'm here because you all know more than I do!

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neil0215.ns · 07-26-2017, 06:17 PM

I forgot to mention I'll be having the Equalizer WD hitch with 4 point sway installed

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Marcm157 · 07-26-2017, 06:21 PM

Congratulations and welcome to the group!

2nOZ · 07-26-2017, 06:24 PM

Looks like good payload capacity and good choice on the WDH.

wags999 · 07-26-2017, 08:14 PM

2500 lbs seems very high for a half ton truck. A quick check shows a single cab can go UP TO 1930 lbs depending on add-ons. Extended cab go up to 1630 lbs... I would check the correct payload capacity as built. You could start bumping up against that number. You and the Ms plus "stuff" can quickly add 500 lbs, plus the tongue weight of the RV and the weight of the hitch.

Enjoy your new rig and happy camping

neil0215.ns · 07-26-2017, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

2500 lbs seems very high for a half ton truck. A quick check shows a single cab can go UP TO 1930 lbs depending on add-ons. Extended cab go up to 1630 lbs... I would check the correct payload capacity as built. You could start bumping up against that number. You and the Ms plus "stuff" can quickly add 500 lbs, plus the tongue weight of the RV and the weight of the hitch.

Enjoy your new rig and happy camping

I was wrong. I looked at the spec sheet for the Titan XD's and it said 2500. Sticker on the door says just over 2000. I still don't think I'll be over on payload. Technically it's not a 1/2 ton, but not a 3/4 ton either. Their calling it a 5/8 ton. It supposed to be for in-betweeners like myself who need more than a 1/2 ton, but not a 3/4 ton.

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**Mustang65** · 08-01-2017, 09:14 AM

WELCOME TO JOF!!!

The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

MrG · 08-01-2017, 10:19 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!,
Here's my one nugget from 20years of commercial driving/towing experience "when in doubt get out and look" there is no shame in checking clearances 👅

TWP723 · 08-01-2017, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil0215.ns

I forgot to mention I'll be having the Equalizer WD hitch with 4 point sway installed

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Good call!

need-a-vacation · 08-01-2017, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil0215.ns

I forgot to mention I'll be having the Equalizer WD hitch with 4 point sway installed

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Welcome and congrats on looking at a 26 BH!!!

Not sure if I would suggest a wdh with 800lb bars, or go ahead and get the 1000lb rated wd bars. A 520lb "brochure" tw is ~680lbs once the 2-30lb propane tanks and a battery are on the tongue. Even packing light, if you ever have water in the fresh tanks you will over 800lbs tw loaded. So if it was me, I would go for the 10k/1k model.

Also know that after you load the tt up for a trip, double check the wdh adjustment. The dealer is only setting up the hitch for an empty tt.

Good luck!!!

neil0215.ns · 08-01-2017, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang65

WELCOME TO JOF!!!

The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Thanks! I'm still working on the deal with Camping World. Needless to say, their finance department is painfully slow. We have a brand new pop-up at the moment, so even if the deal falls through.... I'm still camping!

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neil0215.ns · 08-01-2017, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrG

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!,
Here's my one nugget from 20years of commercial driving/towing experience "when in doubt get out and look" there is no shame in checking clearances [emoji104]

Absolutely! I have no shame in checking, double checking, and triple checking. I'd rather have people stare and possibly poke fun at me... Instead of making a bone head move and running into something!

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neil0215.ns · 08-01-2017, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need-a-vacation

Welcome and congrats on looking at a 26 BH!!!

Not sure if I would suggest a wdh with 800lb bars, or go ahead and get the 1000lb rated wd bars. A 520lb "brochure" tw is ~680lbs once the 2-30lb propane tanks and a battery are on the tongue. Even packing light, if you ever have water in the fresh tanks you will over 800lbs tw loaded. So if it was me, I would go for the 10k/1k model.

Also know that after you load the tt up for a trip, double check the wdh adjustment. The dealer is only setting up the hitch for an empty tt.

Good luck!!!

Thanks for the tip. I have the dealer throwing in the Equalizer with 4 point sway into the deal for free. It's the 1k/10k model. The WD hitch will be completely new territory for me, so I'm sure I'll have some colorful words and plenty of questions if I run into issues!

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Camper_bob · 08-01-2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need-a-vacation

...snip

Also know that after you load the tt up for a trip, double check the wdh adjustment. The dealer is only setting up the hitch for an empty tt.

Good luck!!!

That's assuming they set it up correctly in the first place, which is unfortunately unlikely.

Mine was so hopelessly wrong, I started from scratch.

Make sure you get the instructions and the extra washers with your hitch when you leave the lot. If you don't get the instructions, you can download them, and the washers can be had for about a nickel at your local home improvement or hardware store.

Once you get it home and loaded, take measurements (all listed in the instructions) and see where you're at. Once you're all set up and loaded, swing by a scale and see where you're REALLY at.

Congrats and welcome!

ETA: The Equal-i-zer is an excellent choice.

need-a-vacation · 08-01-2017, 01:21 PM

That is true Bob!!!

Neil,

Follow my signature links for a ton of wdh info!!! It wouldn't hurt to plan on buying the right size tools to be able to adjust the wdh yourself. I ended up buying a 3/4" breaker bar for more leverage, and use an impact adapter to 1/2" drive impact sockets. Even bought the correct 3/4" socket for a 1-1/4" shank ball.

Good luck, and ask away as needed!!!

neil0215.ns · 08-01-2017, 10:35 PM

Well, the deal is a no go. The dealer came back with some ridiculous numbers and a terrible offer (payments, trade in allowance), that we decided not to buy the 26BH right now. With our 750, and 770 credit scores, a combined $100k+ income, and a debt to income ratio of around 10%, they blamed it on our "lack of recent credit" and said we qualified for a $5k down payment, and $350/month for 12 years. the 26BH was just over 18k, so as you can see why the deal was ridiculous. Needless to say, I laughed at the guy on the phone. We have zero debt other than household utility bills and whatnot. No house payment, and just wrote a check for my new $40k truck. I didn't even ask the interest rate because their "best offer" was honestly insulting. So alas, I'll stick with our new pop-up until I feel like paying cash for another camper.

I plan on staying a member of this forum as I've learned a ton from the short time I've been here. I'll keep looking for that good deal!

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