Commercial RV hauling

[greenenvy1]

Off to jayco to pick up a 28DSBH for delivery to sault ste marie, ontario.

[jdorant]

Nice...my trailer! Be safe.

[greenenvy1]

Picked up another jayco today. 26.5 rks 5 th wheel. On my way to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Pics of both to follow.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by greenenvy1

Picked up another jayco today. 26.5 rks 5 th wheel. On my way to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Pics of both to follow.

We looked at one of those at a mini RV show at a campground and the wife loved it. IIRC it was an Eagle HT. Let me know what your thoughts are on that rig, towing, etc.....

[greenenvy1]

Originally Posted by Crabman

We looked at one of those at a mini RV show at a campground and the wife loved it. IIRC it was an Eagle HT. Let me know what your thoughts are on that rig, towing, etc.....

I just towed it 990 miles and honestly I did not enjoy it. I've towed a few other rear kitchen floorplans and they don't feel "balanced" if that makes sense. In all fairness it is designed as a half ton towable unit and I am overkill with the my one ton. Also my hitch is likely higher than it should be perhaps. It seemed to porpoise a fair bit. In my experience the larger / heavier the 5er the smoother towing. These are only MY thoughts and on a "properly" set up truck I think it would deliver a better towing experience.

[jdorant]

Originally Posted by greenenvy1

Off to jayco to pick up a 28DSBH for delivery to sault ste marie, ontario.

Just curious to know what you thought about towing this trailer with the wide stance axles and all?

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by greenenvy1

I just towed it 990 miles and honestly I did not enjoy it. I've towed a few other rear kitchen floorplans and they don't feel "balanced" if that makes sense. In all fairness it is designed as a half ton towable unit and I am overkill with the my one ton. Also my hitch is likely higher than it should be perhaps. It seemed to porpoise a fair bit. In my experience the larger / heavier the 5er the smoother towing. These are only MY thoughts and on a "properly" set up truck I think it would deliver a better towing experience.

Thanks for the review, there is not one in my immediate future anyway but I was just curious.....

[greenenvy1]

Originally Posted by jdorant

Just curious to know what you thought about towing this trailer with the wide stance axles and all?

This one hauled really well for a 31 ft TT. Extremely lightweight and hardly noticed it on the truck. This is the 2nd or 3rd of the spread axles I've hauled and IMHO it makes a substantial difference in the towing experience.

[jdorant]

Originally Posted by greenenvy1

This one hauled really well for a 31 ft TT. Extremely lightweight and hardly noticed it on the truck. This is the 2nd or 3rd of the spread axles I've hauled and IMHO it makes a substantial difference in the towing experience.

Thanks, I've only towed it a short way home from the dealer, but in that short ride I have to agree with what you said. Barely noticed it. Towed better than the x23J which is lighter.

[greenenvy1]

Ok finally about to upload some pics of the last two trailers (# 24 and 25 in case anyone was counting). Few stats for you that are interested as well:
since Nov 22/2012
total KILOMETRES 110,000
repairs radiator $790
water pump and new belt $398
front driver wheel bearing $390
4 shocks $308
pinion seal $45
sway bar end links (today) $160
7 oil changes approx. $350
4 fuel filters approx. $60
3 air filters approx. $90
and approx. $60 in misc light bulbs

Ok some trailer details!!!! This thing was a dream to tow. I think shipping weight was actually just under 5000lbs IIR. It had the spread axles and towed VERY smoothly, fuel mileage was up a bit from normal. For a long TT this behaved very nicely on the road. Only towed this one 400 miles but I hardly noticed it was there, in fact I found myself checking my mirrors more frequently to ensure I had not forgotten it somewhere lol. I enjoy this exterior color scheme as well.
2013 Jayco 28DSBH
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 5,290
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 590
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 7,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 2,210
Exterior Length 31' 11"
Exterior Width 96"



Then I went back to Jayco and picked up a 2013 Jayco 26.5 RKS. Crabman asked me about this one in an earlier post and I'll repeat what I told him " I just towed it 990 miles and honestly I did not enjoy it. I've towed a few other rear kitchen floorplans and they don't feel "balanced" if that makes sense. In all fairness it is designed as a half ton towable unit and I am overkill with the my one ton. Also my hitch is likely higher than it should be perhaps. It seemed to porpoise a fair bit. In my experience the larger / heavier the 5er the smoother towing. These are only MY thoughts and on a "properly" set up truck I think it would deliver a better towing experience"
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 6,920
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 1,320
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9,950
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 3,030
Exterior Length 30'
Exterior Width 96"

[Denise]

These are great updates! Thanks for keeping it current and taking the time to share your experiences as an RV Transporter. Anyone picking up a new rv at a dealer appreciates what you do!

I hope that anyone considering doing what you do for a career will find your posts here at JOF extremely helpful

[greenenvy1]

Originally Posted by Tharrison

I have a new White Hawk that is very similar to the one you recently towed. The spread axles make for a better towing experience---with one exception. I get a lot of "creaking" and "popping" during slow speed turns and backing up while parking it. I assume that this is normal with a spread axle. Is this a common experience? Any cause for concern?

To be honest once I'm hooked up I hit the interstate and rarely drop below 63 MPH. Don"t think I backed up at all with this unit. Also hard to hear anything over the
Cummins lol.

Originally Posted by healthi

These are great updates! Thanks for keeping it current and taking the time to share your experiences as an RV Transporter. Anyone picking up a new rv at a dealer appreciates what you do!

I hope that anyone considering doing what you do for a career will find your posts here at JOF extremely helpful

I enjoy posting here and hearing the comments. My wife is always asking if I updated the thread yet after I deliver lol. I got to get around to ordering a JOF decal for my truck so others might recognize me on the road!

[Denise]

Originally Posted by greenenvy1

I enjoy posting here and hearing the comments. My wife is always asking if I updated the thread yet after I deliver lol. I got to get around to ordering a JOF decal for my truck so others might recognize me on the road!

There ya go! Definitely gotta get that JOF decal

[greenenvy1]

Off to pick up another one. Not sure what yet but I know I'm heading back to the east coast.....home!!!

[greenenvy1]

Nothing exciting this time.....picked up a USED 2008 or 09 not sure Coachman Chaparral 268 RL 5th wheel. It had been send back to coachman to have an entire new side installed due to water damage. The fact that trailer belongs to father in law of a coachman salesman would be my guess on how they got warranty work done on a unit this old.

[Derek700]

I just started reading this thread after travelling 4000 miles from BC to a small town between Fargo and Grand Forks ND round trip. I noticed a large number of new looking trailers being towed with dually pickups. I finally figured out that they were being delivered to dealerships. We followed I-5 then over to I-90 then I-94. I started wondering about how one would go about doing it, although it is not for me right now. I also noticed lots heading north from Fargo towards Winnipeg. I am only 11 pages into it so far. I am glad you did your homework doing this a used pickup is a good move due to the high miles that get put on the truck. If it is a way to go broke then judging by the amount of people doing it lots of people are not making any money. I know I will have some questions and lots are being answered as I read along. Drive safe and enjoy the new job. I admire people who aren't afraid to take a chance and going against the nay sayers.

[Derek700]

One thing I was wondering is would a used Freightliner FL70 with a sleeper be practical? I bought my truck used last year and it is an 08 that had 37000km or 24000 miles on it, I am guessing that is the type of used specs you would look for although mine isn't a dually. How many miles do you get out of a set of tires. I did notice that your truck was definitely the vehicle of choice amongst the guys hauling trailers. I seemed to notice more Fords than Chev or GM, but Dodge was the most common.

[greenenvy1]

Derek700 thanks for your comments. Feel free to ask questions as this was the intent of this thread.
There are a few guys out there running medium duty trucks hauling singles but typically it is all 3/4 and 1 tons. Medium duty trucks are usually set up as a haul and tow meaning they haul one and tow one. (see link)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7y6Sr-rt-D...ul+and+tow.JPG
Lots or SRW trucks on the road doing this and lots of DRW seems to be a matter of preference. I prefer DRW and you could not sway my opinion the other way after approx. 60,000 KMS of towing since Nov 2012. Current set of tires are due for replacement next week and they will have 120,000 kms on them, they are Goodyear Wrangler Pro Grade IIRC. Replacing them with a set of Firestone TransForce HTs based on what I have heard from others doing this they are a good lasting tire.
You say you are still reading this thread so post # 170 has a break down of repairs to that date. SInce then I've done another oil change, replaced a wheel bearing under warranty (got to love lifetime warranty parts), identified the passenger side wheel bearing is on the way out, and my batteries are no long for this world lol.
It is not a job for everyone that is certain, it comes with many challenges and is not an overly easy way to make a living. I have meet several people that have been doing this for 5-6 years and they have passed along some good advice.
One upside is I have been home since last Thursday so I could take care of some family / house things and I should be on the road again this Sunday am!

[greenenvy1]

Moved my fathers TT to the beach today where it will stay for the summer. Took a week and a half off to do stuff around the house and get the wife's motorcycle on the road for the summer. Leaving home first thing tomorrow morning to pick up something, details to follow.

[certified106]

Really enjoyed your updates and reading the opinions on how a trailer tows! Stay safe out there and keep us updated.