What is Best Tow Vehicle for Jayco 17' Featherlight

Raine · 05-23-2018, 11:06 AM

WE currently have a Ford Explorer that does the job but with great effort on hills. If we upgrade what would be the best option and the most economic? Thanks for your insights.

TWP723 · 05-23-2018, 11:24 AM

I think any half ton should be more than adequate. But there are others that can do it as well. Maybe an Expedition or a Suburban too. A lot of choices. What weights are you working with?

bankr63 · 05-23-2018, 11:33 AM

Are you looking to stay in an SUV/CUV or do you want to move to a pickup truck? Aside from the trailer, what do you carry in the tow vehicle? I.E just you and the wife, or a passel of kids? Lots of gear? Bikes, kayaks, etc?

bdreinv · 05-23-2018, 11:39 AM

If you move up in camper size, a lot of folks do. We bought a new 1 ton in 2006. One ton is over kill will never worry about weight its been 12 years now for us! Thanks

RogerR · 05-23-2018, 11:40 AM

If you want to stay with an SUV our Grand Cherokee 2014 with the standard engine does the trick. We pulled our 195RB over Monarch pass last summer with no complaints. Engine, transmission temps stayed normal at 45 MPH.

We have never weighed our camper loaded but I would guess close to 3400 LBS.

The round trip gas ran about 14 MPG overall but in mountains was much lower.

We have the Overland model with air ride that is really great when hitching and for rough camping areas.

Raine · 05-23-2018, 12:32 PM

Thank you all for your input. I suspect we are at around 4500 pds loaded. No additional heavy weight items and we are not likely to go any larger in RV size in the future. We want to make this as easy as possible. We would consider both truck and SUV options as long as we are not inching along mountain roads.

eagleback · 05-23-2018, 12:39 PM

If you have lots of hill travel then look at a diesel. Ram eco or a titan with a cummins if you still want to be in a 1/2 ton.

24travel · 05-23-2018, 04:27 PM

I have a 212QB. 2017 Colorado Dura-max diesel. TT weight is around 4800lbs. Carry about 500#in truck and have never had a problem.Love my truck, no problem pulling up grades and love the exhaust brake going down the grade.

vcbice · 05-30-2018, 10:57 AM

With that small a trailer most trucks should be able to handle it. Not sure what your SUV capacities are.

What do you mean when you say it has trouble on hills? You should be able to maintain 55mph on a 6% grade. Yes, the truck will downshift at least one gear, maybe two and the engine will sound louder. That is how it is designed. If you cannot maintain 55mph on the hills then you probably do want more truck.

Yes, you can upgrade to more power. The sky is the limit. I towed our old fifth wheel (7000lb) with a Dodge Cummins. It only downshifted if it was a long 6% grade and it maintained full speed (usually 65mph, but, 75mph was just as easy for it).

"Best" option depends on what you expect or want. If you tow a lot (10k miles a year) then get more power

If you are towing on weekends or one longer vacation a year, then you may be fine with what you have.

Colorado · 05-31-2018, 08:14 PM

You really need to start with your GVW and compare that to your GVWR. Once you KNOW what weights you're working with then you can actually start making informed decisions about what you need in a tow rig.

bankr63 · 06-05-2018, 08:30 PM

This is for a 17' feather light trailer. I'm thinkin' a class c or a diesel or even a RAM 3500 might be a bit of overkill?

Vasquez Kid · 06-05-2018, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24travel

I have a 212QB. 2017 Colorado Dura-max diesel. TT weight is around 4800lbs. Carry about 500#in truck and have never had a problem.Love my truck, no problem pulling up grades and love the exhaust brake going down the grade.

This sounds like a great way to go for one form-factor. The big three 1/2 ton with the diesels (Cummings or Ford/GM's new mills) would be sweet for a larger form-factor.

Is this vehicle dedicated to this task or more?

I love a good mystery.

Colorado · 06-06-2018, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

This is for a 17' feather light trailer. I'm thinkin' a class c or a diesel or even a RAM 3500 might be a bit of overkill?

IMO, Overkill is a good thing when towing. I'd rather have too much TV than not enough. I started out towing my Jeep on a trailer, 6700#, with a Jeep Commander 5.7L Hemi here in Colorado and it did it surprisingly well. However, in an OH **** moment I was felt a bigger TV would be a lot better. I bought a F350, CCLB, DRW, 7.3L and towing is a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience. Overkill is a good thing!

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