Towing question

[MooManChu]

I am looking at a 2013 Jayco Eagle 314BDS this afternoon. The catalog has it dry at 7465, but also have the salesman pull the actual weight off the trailer. Question is , Can i safely tow with my 2011 F150 Supercrew Ecoboost. I have 3.55s and the factory towing package including the integrated brake controller. The Ford site has the max tow at 9700 for my vehicle. I ran the numbers with 800 lbs of people/stuff in the truck and 1,000 in the camper and looked just under the limit on paper, but paper and real life are two different things. I tow my hybrid now and cant feel a thing

Feedback appreciated.

Thanks

[MooManChu]

Thanks for the reply. I double-checked and thats from the towing guide Ford puts out.

[OnTheGo]

I deleted my previous post. You are correct.

[MooManChu]

No Need to delete, I assumed you meant that regardless what Ford states, you feel thats too much for 3.55s. I'm asking for any input. My wife and I really want the 314BDS and based on the numbers on paper, it looks OK, but I want real-world feedback. By the way, this setup would be driving from Ohio to West Yellowstone for the summer vaca.

[RightYouAreKen]

How do your payload figures look? A 7500 lb dry trailer that'll probably end up north of 8500 lbs loaded will be putting 850 - 1275 lbs on the hitch. Most F150s (and most half tons) have 1200-1600 lbs payload, so that's really not leaving much room for people and gear in your truck.

Look for a white and yellow sticker in your driver side door jam. Look for the number after "the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed:"

[Raugustin]

Hi,

The best way to determine this is to load your TV as if you are going camping, including all passengers and payload. Go to the CAT scale and weigh the the truck (both axles). Take that combined weight of both axles and subtract that from the GVWR, which is listed inside the door of your truck. You will now have your available payload. Once you have the actual weight of your trailer (yellow sticker) add 1000 lbs to the yellow sticker weight, now calculate 13% of the total....this will be a fairly accurate tongue weight. The available payload of the TV needs to be greater or equal to the trailers tongue weight.
The available payload is usually the Achilles heel of the 1/2 tons, however, you must also stay under the GAWR's of both the TV & TT, the GCVWR & TT's GVWR.

Ron

Originally Posted by MooManChu

No Need to delete, I assumed you meant that regardless what Ford states, you feel thats too much for 3.55s. I'm asking for any input. My wife and I really want the 314BDS and based on the numbers on paper, it looks OK, but I want real-world feedback. By the way, this setup would be driving from Ohio to West Yellowstone for the summer vaca.

[Rustic Eagle]

Welcome to JOF

Originally Posted by MooManChu

snip..... I ran the numbers with 800 lbs of people/stuff in the truck and 1,000 in the camper and looked just under the limit on paper, but paper and real life are two different things ....snip

Not knowing your specific TV weight limits, the following info may be helpful as you continue your do-diligence:

* Your TV's "actual" Tow Rating will be lower then it's published Tow Rating of 9,700lbs (based on curb weight), because the combined weights of the TV's passengers, options, cargo, etc., have yet to be subtracted: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...uot-Tow-Rating

* I would assume adding another 500lbs to the published 314BDS UVW of 7,465lbs would be representative of the Ship Weight (yellow sticker on TT), so assume a 7,965lbs factory Ship Weight: (7,965lb Ship Weight) + (125lbs RV Dealer battery, WDH, options, etc.) + (800lbs TT cargo, no fluids) = 8,890lbs Loaded Weight.

The TT's GVWR is 9,975lbs, so IMO a family loaded 'ready-to-camp' weight of 8,890lbs is very realistic for the 314BDS (fluids not included).

* Your TV's GVWR must be able to handle the combined weights of the TV's passengers, cargo, and the TT's "loaded" tongue weight. For example: With the 33 foot long 314BDS TT a 13% to 15% loaded tongue weight range would be desirable..., that's 1,156lb to 1,334lb loaded tongue weight range on a 8,890lb loaded TT.

I know that Ford offers with the F150 Ecoboost a HD Payload Package that I believe provides a Payload Capacity around 2,200lbs, is this what you have?

I also agree that since you already have the TV, a "loaded" trip to the CAT scale will provide you with a real GVW to work with in your TT selection process.

Bob

[MooManChu]

Great advice, we backed out of the deal on the 314. No way. We're now looking at the 28 foot Whitehawk 31DSLB with the three bunks. Weighs in at 6600 on the yellow sticker. How do you like your Whitehawk?

[Raugustin]

I don't take delivery of it until May, however, all the comments I've read on the White Hawks have been excellent.....I have attached a link for you to look at. It gives you a really good perspective into the White Hawk Line and will answer a lot of questions that you may have. We have gone to several RV shows in the last few months and as still very pleased with our choice. The quality of the workmanship make it standout from the competition.

Ron




http://i1.imagesrv.com/3/2475/docs/2475_1777.pdf

Originally Posted by MooManChu

Great advice, we backed out of the deal on the 314. No way. We're now looking at the 28 foot Whitehawk 31DSLB with the three bunks. Weighs in at 6600 on the yellow sticker. How do you like your Whitehawk?