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Old 09-10-2016, 04:24 PM   #1
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Looking for a bunkhouse and towing question

We sold our 23B Jayco hybrid camper and are looking for a bunkhouse model. We have a 2016 Ford F-150 v8 with the tow package. I would love some input on what we can safely tow. We live in SW Michigan and te surrounding area we camp at is fairly flat. We are a family of 5 plus a 25 pound dog and usually carry 5 bikes in the truck bed. We usually camp an hour or less from home and usually one 3 hour trip to Pentwater once a year. I am trying to attach some pics so hopefully that works. I have seen the instructions and understand going to the scale is the way to do it right but I am the wife and a little boggled by all the numbers lol, but I do want to make sure we don't end up needing a new truck.

Some models we are looking at are

Jay flight 27BHS 6,065 unloaded and 620 hitch weight l
Jay Flight SLX 287BHSW 6,090 pounds and 645 hitch weight
Looked today at a 2015 used White Hawk 6,020 and 655 hitch weight
Love the 28BHBE but from reading on here that may be too much to tow.

Passenger weights of all 5 plus dog is about 625
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Old 09-10-2016, 04:29 PM   #2
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working on the yellow sticker info
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Old 09-10-2016, 04:30 PM   #3
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sorry for the sideways pics
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Old 09-10-2016, 04:36 PM   #4
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We owned a 287 bhsw. Loved it. Main reason for trading was an outdoor kitchen. I regretted not having one. Towed and camped great though. Great floor plan.


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Old 09-10-2016, 04:39 PM   #5
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You have a fairly good payload number at 1969 - you will certainly get mixed answers but I will tell you I tow a 2016 28bhbe with my F150 with a payload of 2013. My truck does fine with an average tongue weight of about 900 pounds depending on how I load up. A good weight distribution hitch is a must. I started with a 10k but upgraded fairly quickly to a 12k and the truck tows beautifully.

I will quantify the above by saying I would like more truck but don't necessarily need more truck for our current situation. Our camping matches yours fairly closely with a couple of extra 3 hour trips and a smaller family but much bigger dog!
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Old 09-10-2016, 04:54 PM   #6
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Oh my, my husband might like that response a little too much. There are plenty of 2017 BHBE's on lots here!
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Old 09-10-2016, 05:53 PM   #7
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Swik,

Just how much is the family weight? With kids still growing, obviously you will want some extra payload available as they grow.

For the bikes, depending on models, I would guess 200lbs for 5 to be safe. Is there anything else in the truck bed? Have you added (or plan to add) any accessories to the truck: spray in bed liner, step bars, truck cap/topper, etc??? Accessories count toward the total payload also.

What axle ratio does your truck have??? You stated you have the 5.0?

From the sounds of it, pending the family weight and other answers, the 28 BHBE may be a possible option..... Part of it will depend on how and what you pack in the pass through storage. Some have reported having a tw of anywhere from maybe 900lbs up to 1200lbs for that model. Do you usually tow with a full fresh water tank?

Check my CAT Scale link which should have a locate link in it and go weigh your truck with the family and five bikes (and anything else you may have in the truck bed) for a more accurate amount of payload that is left for the wdh and the tt tw.

Get a good wdh with integrated sway control. The Reese Dual Cam, Reese SC, and the Equal-I-Zer 4 way system are all very good models. If you choose the Dual Cam, make sure the dealer knows how to install it properly!!! I would probably go with the 1200lb bars as well if you decide on the 28 BHBE. The Reese hitch head (both models) does allow a little more fine tuning of the wd bar angle vs the Equal-I-Zer model, but you can't go wrong regardless of which model you buy!!!

Good luck and keep us posted!!!
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Old 09-10-2016, 06:45 PM   #8
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Thanks. Ill look into the things you said. My kids are 6,11 and 13, so there will be some growth. So far everyone is average size The truck doesn't have anything other than a mat in the back(I think) and we have never carried water, just fill up at the park. Its hard to decide what camper will fit us best for right now and 5 years from now when the 13 year old will probably have a job and such. I just realized the 28bhbe is taller than the 27BH, will that make a huge difference. my sensible instinct says the 27BHS but the I want more part says the 28BHBE lol
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Old 09-10-2016, 07:01 PM   #9
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We did a lot of research prior to buying and like I've said we couldn't be happier with our camper. Well maybe we COULD be happier but that's a topic for another post...
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Old 09-10-2016, 07:07 PM   #10
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what did you have before? It seems soooooo long after having a small camper lol.
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Old 09-10-2016, 07:13 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swik23 View Post
what did you have before? It seems soooooo long after having a small camper lol.
Tents! Compared to that I feel like I died and went to heaven... 34 feet is not a small trailer. I have towed various trailers for years so pulling this one was easy!
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Old 09-10-2016, 07:15 PM   #12
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Not to twist your arm, but having an entrance directly into the bathroom is awesome!!! It helps keep dirt out of the tt from traffic walking through to get to the bathroom.....

How much difference is there in height? Shouldn't make that much of a difference. Possible when in some high winds, but otherwise you probably wouldn't notice it.

Roughly what is the total family weight? Maybe 700lbs?

If I remember right, the optional rear cargo hitch is available for the 28 BHBE, so if you had that and the proper bike rack, you could move some of the bikes out of the truck bed and to the rear of the tt. Just make sure you do not end up with to light of a tw by hailing bikes on the rear of the tt!!! To light of a tw can and will cause sway!!!!
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Old 09-10-2016, 07:56 PM   #13
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Right now about 625 with the dog
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Old 09-10-2016, 10:29 PM   #14
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Right now about 625 with the dog
Have you found what axle ratio you have?

Something I didn't see posted yet is what cab/bed combo do you have? The longer the wheelbase the truck has, the more stable it will be towing.
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WDH SET UP. HOW A WDH WORKS. CAT SCALE HOW TO.
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Old 09-10-2016, 10:51 PM   #15
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I tow my 27bhs with a 2012 f150 here in Colorado... No problems. I'm rated to tow 11000 pounds with my trucks config..I have a 10k equalizer hitch.. Mandatory. I would not tow anything heavier than this TT.. You will be fine.
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Old 09-11-2016, 05:57 AM   #16
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we have the short bed with the I am going to have to see about the axel ratio. Thanks
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Old 09-11-2016, 06:00 AM   #17
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Here's the truck and sideways lol
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Old 09-11-2016, 06:17 AM   #18
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The 5'8" (or whatever the exact measurement is) bed? If you had the 6'6" bed I would say the 28 BHBE at 33'5" oal sounds like it is very possible. But having the shorter bed towing the 28 is definitely on the long side for the shorter wb of the truck. You definitely want a good wdh for the 28, but you should get one regardless.
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WDH SET UP. HOW A WDH WORKS. CAT SCALE HOW TO.
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Old 09-11-2016, 06:27 AM   #19
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I don't think wheelbase or rear axle ratio play into your decision. I've always had a long trailer (33+ tongue to bumper), and I've towed with a Ram 1500 and Excursion, both with a wheelbase shorter than your F-150. With WD properly setup, it has always felt stable.

As far as the rear axle ratio is concerned, with that payload, you obviously have the tow package, which means your final gear ratio will be just fine for towing.

Best advice as stated above is to weigh the truck ready to camp (family, dog, bikes, etc.) to see how much true tongue weight you can load.
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Old 09-11-2016, 07:08 AM   #20
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Husband said its the 3.55. Forgot to look for axel ratio
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