Newcomers in Michigan

[JandE90]

After many years on the Great Lakes we are adapting to vacationing near them. Renting houses has many limitations so we tried renting a travel trailer. After a taste of that, and many on-line and in-person explorations, we decided on what we wanted.

We really liked the full sized double bunk layout to accommodate our grandchildren and an extra adult or two. We also liked the two-door arrangement with the second door into the bathroom for easy access from outside. Our initial wish list included an extra outside kitchen, but we found this combination pretty much unavailable. We found a couple models with features we liked, but that lacked the quality construction we found in our final choice, a 2013 Eagle 284BHS. We had a few stays at two different locations before storing for the winter. We are quite pleased so far although we did find two small construction issues (more on those later).

We do not yet have a towing vehicle and have paid to have it hauled so far. This seemed practical for uses fairly localized in Michigan. Our longer trips await J’s retirement in a couple years. (E is already retired). We anticipate getting a tow-equipped diesel pickup with a back seat for grandchildren. We are thinking in terms of a GM with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. One source suggested a pre-owned about four years old. We had planned to wait a couple years on the truck but are getting the itch to be more versatile to take advantage of opportunities that come up. Suggestions about a towing vehicle would be appreciated.

We are also pondering whether or not to buy a breathable cover. Advice on that would be appreciated, especially from anyone who has experience with the newer breathable covers.

We have found the Jayco owners forums informative and appreciate the welcomes. We look forward to participating in the conversations.

J and E

[CruizinKim]

Welcome! I've enjoyed the past 2 summer vacations in your beautiful state!

[pm1stnau]

Welcome to the JOF from another Michigander. I have no advice to offer in terms of pickup trucks, other than to say get one that is more than you need in case you decide to upgrade your travel trailer. I married into Ford's A-plan, so buy a Ford!! Happy Camping!!

[Camping Couple]

Welcome! From Kalamazoo.

[owenssailor]

Welcome to the Jayco Forum. We continue to spend most of our summer on the water - specifically Lake Huron. You should find the transition to a trailer easy. There is more room in our Jayco than in our sailboat so travelling on land for months at a time is no problem.

Have fun!

[JandE90]

Originally Posted by owenssailor

Welcome to the Jayco Forum. We continue to spend most of our summer on the water - specifically Lake Huron. You should find the transition to a trailer easy. There is more room in our Jayco than in our sailboat so travelling on land for months at a time is no problem.

Have fun!

We docked our 24' Bayliner buccaneer at Yacht Haven on Drummond Island and did most of our sailing in the North Channel. Watching the moon reflecting on Lake Huron is one of our favorite memories and inspired our naming our Buccaneer "Moon Shadow" (Credit Cat Stevens also). I also sailed smaller boats on Lake Huron as well as the other great lakes (and NY's finger lakes and both oceans). At present we have only my first sailboat, a super sailfish I built from a kit in 1966. It awaits some repair from a fire some years ago.

Yes, the Eagle seems very roomy and luxurious by comparison. I still miss Moon Shadow. But, at my age and with 6 grandkids, the travel trailer makes a lot of sense.

[Crabman]

Welcome to the user friendly Jayco Owners forum! Our members just love to answer questions or help out other members when possible and have fun sharing their experiences . They also love pictures of your RV, tow vehicles, and campsites!! So do not hesitate to post pics of your Jayco in the "Pics of your Jayco forum" and pics of your tow vehicle in the "Tow Vehicle forum".

Feel free to participate in our many fun polls (JOF POLL CENTRAL located in the General Jayco chat forum). Post often, have fun with the forum, and enjoy your Jayco!

[dalenoel]

Welcome from another Michigander. I use the Adco cover for the past 5 years and am very happy with it. Keeps the unit clean and I can keep the vents open due to covers over them and the humidity never builds up inside. Stays just like outdoors and in MI that is low in the winter.

Wind has not been a problem but we also have the TT right next to the house.

[JandE90]

Thanks for the feedback. This is encouraging.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by JandE90

snip........ We are thinking in terms of a GM with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. One source suggested a pre-owned about four years old. We had planned to wait a couple years on the truck but are getting the itch to be more versatile to take advantage of opportunities that come up. Suggestions about a towing vehicle would be appreciated..........snip

The 2013 Eagle 284BHS has a GVWR of 9,000lbs and based on the potential "loaded" weight of the TT you would be best served looking at 3/4 ton TV's at a minimum. The "loaded" tongue weight of any TT is supported by the TV and is subtracted from the "Payload Capacity" of the TV. With the 248BHS falling under the heavier TT's a 1/2 ton TV will fall short in the required Payload Capacity department.

The 248BHS is a 32ft long TT, so for optimum TV handling the loaded tongue weight should be 13% to 15% of the TT's loaded weight. IMO the 248BHS under average loading conditions will produce a 1,040lb to 1,200lb loaded tongue weight (8,000lb TT)......., thus the need for a 3/4 ton TV minimum.

NOTE: Published TV Tow Ratings and Payload Capacities are based on the TV's "Curb Weight" which includes a 150lb driver and all fluids filled (including fuel). The combined weights of the TV's options, passengers, and cargo haven't been accounted for......., plus the TT's loaded tongue weight.

Hope this helps as you look into a future TV.

Bob

[mcfarmall]

Another "Welcome to the forum" from Kalamazoo!!

[JandE90]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

The 2013 Eagle 284BHS has a GVWR of 9,000lbs and based on the potential "loaded" weight of the TT you would be best served looking at 3/4 ton TV's at a minimum. The "loaded" tongue weight of any TT is supported by the TV and is subtracted from the "Payload Capacity" of the TV. With the 248BHS falling under the heavier TT's a 1/2 ton TV will fall short in the required Payload Capacity department.

The 248BHS is a 32ft long TT, so for optimum TV handling the loaded tongue weight should be 13% to 15% of the TT's loaded weight. IMO the 248BHS under average loading conditions will produce a 1,040lb to 1,200lb loaded tongue weight (8,000lb TT)......., thus the need for a 3/4 ton TV minimum.

NOTE: Published TV Tow Ratings and Payload Capacities are based on the TV's "Curb Weight" which includes a 150lb driver and all fluids filled (including fuel). The combined weights of the TV's options, passengers, and cargo haven't been accounted for......., plus the TT's loaded tongue weight.

Hope this helps as you look into a future TV.

Bob

Thanks for the information. This reinforces our sense that a 3/4 ton is necessary and will be helpful when we actually get our TV.

E

[JandE90]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

Another "Welcome to the forum" from Kalamazoo!!

We have a son and family (new grandson) in Kalamazoo and really like the city. I grew up with farmalls, including an A like this: