Noob Towing Question

[09InfernoBigHorn]

Hello everyone! We just purchased our first TT, a '17 Jay Flight 32BHDS. Our model has the thermal package and fiberglass sidewalls (along with a few other options that add weight). My chief concern at this point is my TV. It's a 2009 Ram 2500, quad cab, 4x4, with the 6.7 Cummins with the Fastway e2 hitch installed. My truck GVWR is 9000 lbs, which I feel I'll be really close to that with the TT and all of the cargo. Do I have a real concern or should I be ok?

Thank you for your time!

[Marcm157]

What is the Max LOADED weight of your trailer? What is the payload of your truck? The payload is the number on the yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb. Also, With a trailer that long I would go with a 4 point sway control Weight Distributing hitch like the Equalizer or similar.

Some more information is needed to provide even a fairly accurate response.

[Marcm157]

A quick search shows the following info for your trailer;

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) - 7595
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) - 955
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9975
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 2380

Given these numbers alone I believe you are going to be very close or over in many areas. Keep in mind the "Dry Hitch Weight" number is very misleading and often very understated.

Provide the other information on the truck and we will be able to give you a better idea of where you stand.

[09InfernoBigHorn]

I have the e2 sway control hitch installed (e2 hitch)
I do not have a yellow sticker referring to the payload. The best information I have is the GVWR which states it is 9000lbs which was found on a white sticker on the door jamb. The same sticker has the GAWR at 5200 lbs for the front and 6010 for the rear. Does that help?

[oldmanAZ]

As a start...
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9975 X 0.15 = 1,495 tongue weight estimate.
That's the amount you need for your hitch capacity and the amount to subtract from your truck's payload.

What is your hitch rated for and what is your truck's payload?

[09InfernoBigHorn]

Here is information found when doing a VIN decoder...I hope this helps:

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front 5200 lbs 5200.0 min 5200.0 max
Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear 6010 lbs 6010.0 min 6010.0 max
Curb Weight - Front 3262, 3727 lbs 3235.0 min 3727.0 max
Curb Weight - Rear 2174, 3049 lbs 2174.0 min 3049.0 max
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap 9000 lbs 8800.0 min 9000.0 max
Gross Combined Wt Rating 19000, 20000 lbs 15000.0 min 20000.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 5000.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 500 lbs 500.0 min 500.0 max Wt
Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 12900, 12850, 11850 lbs 8800.0 min 12900.0 max Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 1290, 1285, 1185 lbs 880.0 min 1290.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 13000, 13100, 8800 lbs 8800.0 min 13100.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 3250, 3275, 2200 lbs 2200.0 min 3275.0 max

[Ottawasteve]

Congrats on the new Jayco. Only way to get precise weights, is to hit the scales, but here are a few numbers to consider before you hit the scales. Depending on how you pack the TV and TT, you should be fine. The sticky at the top about weighing your TV/TT lays out the procedure really well.


Payload is generally the limiting factor when figuring out whether your TV is suitable to pull the trailer. Power won't be an issue with the Cummins but the diesel is a heavy motor and reduces available payload. Depending on what payload package is on your truck, (usually shown on the door jam of truck) and trim level (higher trim level means heavier options and reduced available payload). Some 250/2500 diesel owners are surprised to learn that they only have 2000 to 2300 lbs of available payload due to the weight of options. Your truck may have a lot more payload, you will have to verify your particular truck.


Some of the variables you will have to consider is how much stuff you pack in your trailer and the box of the truck. Many of us pack around 1000lbs in in the trailer, so that can be added to the dry weight or yellow as shipped weight sticker on your trailer. If you travel with full fresh water tanks, you'll have to add about 8.5 lbs per gallon to the weight of the trailer. Once you get the total weight of your trailer, ideally you want between 12% to 15% of tongue weight which will go against the payload of your trailer. 3% does not sound like a lot, but using the example of a loaded trailer that weighs 9500lbs, 12% will give you 1140 lbs tongue weight and 15%+ will give you 1425lbs of tongue weight. At 15% you would be exceeding the weight rating of the receiver on your TV and at 12% you would likely be within the rated limits of the receiver on your truck with a weight distributing hitch.


One of the other limiting factors that many run into is Rear Axle Weight Rating. Your truck with 6010 lbs capacity should be fine, however if you have a family of 5 and put an auxiliary tank in the box of your truck and a golf cart you would be pushing your limits. No two TV's on the road are packed the same but with a little work you can check your limits.


One other thing to consider now that your truck is likely out of warranty is a tuner, with a mild tune, as well as temp monitor. You can check out what's recommended for your truck on the Ram forums. I also tow with an 6/7 year old vehicle and like the piece of mind of knowing exactly what temp my trans and exhaust gases are running at while towing.


Feel free to post follow-up questions if you have any other specific issues.

[Rustic Eagle]

Welcome to JOF

Originally Posted by 09InfernoBigHorn

Do I have a real concern or should I be ok?

Since we all have different loading habits and towing expectations..., one's results can very.

You may find the Fastway e2 WDH being underrated for a moderately loaded 32BHDS loaded tongue weight....., I believe the largest e2 is rated at 1,200lbs. An underrated WDH will make it difficult to adjust and maintain proper/consistent weight distribution. IMO a 32BHDS loaded tongue weight in the 1,200lb to 1,400lb range isn't unusual (13% to 15% of the TT's gross weight is desirable).

A trip to your local CAT scale under "loaded" TV/TT conditions will tell you everything you need to know (all weights, WDH sizing/adjustments, etc.).

CAT scale how-to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...v-tt-3871.html

Hope this helps.

Bob