Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-19-2013, 09:36 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 30
Brand New Here...Need Some Help

just bought a used 197 and it looks like all that was on it was just a sway bar control. I talked with a local trailer hitch place this AM that i have been doing business with for years and was explaining to him that the furthest i will be towing my trailer is about 90 miles and is all i need is a sway bar control system....he agreed that is all i need...the RV place is trying to sell me a 500.00 unit for sway bay WD ect set up

like to know what your thoughts are on this...i am using a ford 150 FX4 4x4 as tow vehicle

thanks in advance...much appreciated
TheToaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 05:56 AM   #2
Member
 
Biker crd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Mendota Heights, MN
Posts: 37
Some sway bars need to be disconnected when you need to back up. I have the Equalizer hitch I like it.
__________________
Laurie and Josie (our Black Lab) all off to a Tri!
Skylark 21FKV 2012
Jeep Liberty 06 CRD diesel
Biker crd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 07:01 AM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Welcome to JOF

A little more information may help with the replies:

* What model year 197 did you purchase?
* Does your model 197 have any WDH rating limitations noted on it's A-frame near the coupler?
* What Brand/Model/Weight Rating WDH (Weight Distribution Hitch) is the hitch place offering @ $500?
* What is the "weight carrying" & "weight distribution" modes noted on your F150's receiver?

Depending on a couple weight factors you may not require a WDH, but a friction control sway bar at a minimum is recommended. If a WDH is required, and in some cases will enhance handling even if it's not required, it's important to have the WDH sized correctly for optimum performance.

Thanks in advance.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 09:33 AM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 30
its the 197 jay feather lite
my current hitch has a 600lbs tounge weight and 6000 lbs towing rate...

i believe the tounge weight on the TT is around 350lbs
TheToaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 06:31 PM   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
If your TT is a 2012 (please confirm) Jay Feather Ultra Lite 197, then the specs are:

GVWR: 4,750lbs
UVW: 3,425lbs
Ship Weight: 3,725lbs (assumed..., yellow sticker on TT identifies actual))
Dry Hitch: 455lbs

The most accurate way to respond to your original post is a CAT scale weight of your TV/TT under loaded conditions. This information eliminates guesswork. Since we all have different loading habits, results can very.

Jayco197 moderate loaded "assumption": (3,725lbs) + (battery, etc. @ 100lbs) + (cargo @ 600lbs, no fluids) = 4,425lbs loaded.

RV manufactures recommend a 10% to 15% loaded tongue weight (of loaded weight 4,425lbs) = 443lbs to 664lbs loaded tongue weight range.

If you can keep your loaded tongue weight range below your TV receiver's "weight carrying" weight limit, you don't necessarily need a WDH....., anything above requires a WDH (but can't exceed TV's "weight distribution" weight limit).

Based on worst loaded conditions at TT GVWR of 4,750lbs, tongue weight range = 475lbs to 713lbs.

So depending on your loading habits a WDH rated at 600lbs would work, but a WDH rated at 800lbs would accommodate worst case loaded scenario.

Hope this gives you something to work with..., but please note where I made assumptions (modify as required).

Bob

On Edit: Distance of travel doesn't influence WDH requirements.
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 07:48 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Boss Wagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Forest
Posts: 634
I don't use a WDH nor do I have a sway control at present.
__________________
2010 Jayco 17Z
99 Ford E-350 Chateau Super Duty V-10

"Roughing it Cheaply"
Albums:
https://www.jaycoowners.com/album.php?u=3163
Boss Wagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2013, 07:59 AM   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheToaster View Post
its the 197 jay feather lite..... snip
I see in another thread today you mentioned your Jayco is a 2007 model 197, this actually makes it a "Jay Feather Sport". Here are the specs for the 2007 Jay Feather Sport 197:

GVWR: 4,050lbs
UVW: 3,245lbs
Ship Weight: 3,500lbs (assumed..., sticker on TT identifies actual)
Dry Hitch: 330lbs

Bob

Ref: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...ike-your-input
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2013, 09:01 AM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 30
yes rustic it is a 2007..sorry for the lack of that infor...

is a sway bar and a brake controller all i need...like i said i will not be towing it more that 90 miles one way and will pretty much stay in that location over the summer...then tow it back about 45 miles to my hunting camp for the winter
TheToaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.