Truck and RV Combo

[new rv owner]

Good Morning! This is my first post on the Jayco forum!

I just purchased a 2017 Jayco Jay Flight 28RLS loaded with all the pkgs including the fiberglass outside and would like some feedback on how this is going to pull (long term) with 2015 F150 3.5L Ecoboost w/5.5 bed and 3.13 axle ratio? I purchased RV in another state and drove almost 1000 miles home. But want to know if this is too much trailer for the truck. I also have an Equalizer WDH. Also gas mileage was dismal, stopping every 150 -170 miles for gas. Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks

[Desert RVers]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new Jayco! I recommend doing a search here as there are numerous threads about maximum weights.
The gearing on your truck will limit you to lower weights than if it had say 4.10 gears or 3.73's. A trip to the scales would also be a good start. Gas mileage will be bad pulling a big box (I learned all of this here on the Jayco forum). We tend to drive between 55-60 to help with mileage and get between 9-11 mpg while towing.
Have fun and stay safe!

[NVGun40]

I know others are going to say it as well, but the question of whether this trailer is too much for the TV can't be answered without more information.
Vehicle weight specifications (not factory specs listed in books or online, but the specs on the door stickers/yellow stickers on the truck)
Trailer weight specifications (again, not the factory or book specs, but the specs on the yellow sticker)
Weight of camping gear, weight of passengers, weight of hitch, batteries, cargo in the truck and trailer, etc.
Where will the trailer cargo be stored at? (this will have impact on the tongue weight)

If you are concerned for safety, also consider one thing people rarely think about. Length. Overall trailer length, length of the TV, wheel base, distance from hitch to trailer wheels. When the trailer is hooked up, there are two fulcrum points to consider, one at the trailer wheels, which does in fact have a limited horizontal twist, and a higher vertical twist. Then the other at the hitch with has a high degree of horizontal twist and a fair amount of vertical twist. When loaded weights of both vehicles get to be close or marginal, the forces exerted on tail whip and bounce can throw both rigs around creating unsafe maneuvering at highway speeds.

[Mustang65]

The EcoBoost is an amazing engine. Coupled with the proper rear axle ratio that meets your needs (towing) it will perform flawlessly. The 3:15 is an economy axel ratio and it will tow a good size load (see FORD towing chart on the link below) but the mpg will suffer and 6th gear towing at 60mph or lower could be a burden on the engine.

The 3:73 - 4:11 axel ratio is the recommended towing ratio. Our 2012 EcoBoost has the 3:73 and cruising at 62mph the engine is purring along at 1600rpm's in 6th gear, tow-haul mode. All temperatures are normal and there is a lot of power. If I had the 3:15 axle I would tow in 5th gear to get the rpm's up a little. If you are traveling on level road and the trans shifts up and down, select 5th gear. Watch your temperatures.

So how does the EcoBoost handle mountain climbing with the trailer, Unbelievable!!!! We were in Colorado heading up the 6% grades and we were passing up the diesel's like they were standing still. Got to love it!!!

Check the weight specifications on the inside of your drivers door for your calculations.

Don

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...0_r1_Jan12.pdf

[Heady]

We have a 2013 F150 3.5 EB with the 3.73 backend and it does a great job pulling our 2013 Jayflight 26RKS. It did take some time to dial in the hitch and we also upgraded to LT tires. We are very close on our trucks payload so most of our gear goes in the trailer.

[new rv owner]

I appreciate all the feedback! I did notice on our trip home in the tow haul mode the truck did shift back and forth on level ground between 5th and 6th gear. I may of made the mistake of running most of the way when I could in cruise which probably did not help.

I am considering moving up to 2016 F250 6.2L SRW XLT crew cab V8 gas 4 x 2 with 3.73 ratio. How would this do in comparison to my F150?

Any thoughts?

[need-a-vacation]

Welcome and congrats on the new rig!!!

To fully understand what all info is needed, please read through this recent thread for a ton of info. I would repost the info, but only have a few minutes before getting back to work!

As for the move to a 250, not knowing the exact specs of the tt (guessing they are at least what the 27 in the linked thread are), I think it would be a great move. Depending on he family weight, cargo weight I. The bed (coolers, firewood, etc), any accessories added to the truck, the wdh, and the tt tw, you may end up exceeding the payload of your truck.

Post back with more info.

Hope this helps!

[new rv owner]

F150 3.5L ecoboost 4/2 with 3.13 axle ratio
Curb weight 4602#
Payload weight 2120#
GVWR 6800#
Tow Rating 10600#
GCWR 15800#
Passengers (2) 350#
Cargo ?

Tongue Weight ?

Jayco 28RLS
Dry weight (yellow sticker) 7087#
GVWR 8750#

Hopefully this provides enough details for additional feedback! Again thanks for everyones input!

Have a great Day!

[NVGun40]

The F250 would be a noticeable difference in towing and hauling. That's not to say your F150 isn't capable of doing the job, but the 250 will do it better.
As some would say, "I have never heard anyone complain about having too much truck." The F250 is a different class of truck, that is why the 3/4 tons and up are considered heavy duty trucks.
However, because of the nature of the beast, with the 250, when you are not towing or hauling, you will notice a big difference as well. They ride stiffer, the turn radius isn't as tight, etc and so on.

[need-a-vacation]

New,

Where did you get the curb weight and the payload weight from, the website or brochure???

There is a yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb of your truck. It states "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed: XXXXLbs". How much does it state?

Have you added any accessories to the truck: tonneau cover/ truck topper, step bars, spray in bed liner, etc...?

What do you think you would carry in the bed: cooler(s), firewood, etc?

[new rv owner]

I just checked, my sticker is white and it says GVWR 6800#It also has a front GAWR and rear GAWR number. I do have a tonneau cover and it does have a bed liner. I bought the truck used and the window sticker shows both items on the spec sheet. I do plan on carrying chairs and a cooler and also looking at 1 or 2 small inverter generators. Thanks for your feedback and responses!

[need-a-vacation]

Maybe the window sticker shows your trucks payload.... Look again in the drivers door jamb (or on the door itself) for: http://www.f150forum.com/attachments...on-sticker.jpg

If the loaded tt weighs ~8000lbs, you could have a tw of ~960-1200lbs (12-15%of loaded trailer weight). Some trailers like more, others are happy at the lower end. But you should be somewhere in that area for a safe, stable tow. Having to light of a tw can, and usually causes sway to happen.

As for your truck with the 3.13 gears towing ~8000lbs, hard to say. That is something you will have to see what your truck is rated for, and how it does.

Is the tonneau cover a fiberglass or vinyl model?

[drk98]

Once you get the truck and trailer loaded I think you're going to find you are over the weight requirements.... One of the members should be along shortly to give you the CAT scales are your friend lesson (he's spot on).

The gearing of that truck is pretty weak for that load so I hope you're sticking to the flat lands.

If it were me... I'd want a better equipped truck for that trailer.