Need pin weight help buying new jayco

[Lakebum]

Just bought 2022 Chevy 2500 HiCountry 4x4 Club Cab with 6.6 gas

Specs
GVWR 10,650#
GCWR 24,000
RGAWR. 6,600
CURB WT 7,387
PAY LOAD 3,263
MAX TRAILER. 16,620
MAX PIN WEIGHT. 2,490

Looking at Jayco 2022 Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS with--
Actual Wt 9,480#. brochure shows 9,150#
Brochure Pin WT. 1,625
GVWR. 10,995
GCWR. 13,995

If take brochure pin of 1625
Add overage in actural wt. 330
If full loaded at 10,995 X 20% pin would be 2200# but could pin when weighed be as much as 25% which would be 2750# well over 2490# max. Won't have change to weigh before buying. Thoughts on pulling this unit with gas engine and being this close on pin weight. Looked at Grand Design Reflection 150 280 which brochure shows as 8566 # weight which is about 800# lighter but really like Jayco better. Thoughts?

Lake Bum
2022 Chevy HiCountry 2500 4x4 Crew Cab 6.6 gas
2018 Titan HD gas. Sold
2018 Lance 2375 w/Hensley Hitch Sold

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by Lakebum

Just bought 2022 Chevy 2500 HiCountry 4x4 Club Cab with 6.6 gas

Specs
GVWR 10,650#
GCWR 24,000
RGAWR. 6,600
CURB WT 7,387
PAY LOAD 3,263
MAX TRAILER. 16,620
MAX PIN WEIGHT. 2,490

Looking at Jayco 2022 Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS with--
Actual Wt 9,480#. brochure shows 9,150#
Brochure Pin WT. 1,625
GVWR. 10,995
GCWR. 13,995

If take brochure pin of 1625
Add overage in actural wt. 330
If full loaded at 10,995 X 20% pin would be 2200# but could pin when weighed be as much as 25% which would be 2750# well over 2490# max. Won't have change to weigh before buying. Thoughts on pulling this unit with gas engine and being this close on pin weight. Looked at Grand Design Reflection 150 280 which brochure shows as 8566 # weight which is about 800# lighter but really like Jayco better. Thoughts?

Lake Bum
2022 Chevy HiCountry 2500 4x4 Crew Cab 6.6 gas
2018 Titan HD gas. Sold
2018 Lance 2375 w/Hensley Hitch Sold

Looks like you are asking all the right questions. We have a 28.5 and a 10,000 GVWR gas truck, and are right at the limit when weighed- fully loaded, empty water tanks. You have 650# more wiggle room than we do, so that's good. Where did you get the 2490 pin weight? If your fully loaded and tanked up truck with hitch installed only has a curb weight of 7387 (did you weigh it?) you should still have 3263 available on the pin. The only real numbers are actual scale numbers, but I understand you have to guestimate the loaded trailer #before buying. I doubt you will ever have 25% pin weight, we are at about 18%. Remember you actually have MORE available pin weight with a gas engine than a diesel, because the engine is lighter. Bottom line, I would feel comfortable with the matchup you have, but would not go any heavier than an 11,000# 5th wheel. (Another thing- That 13,995 trailer GCWR can be confusing, but it's assuming that you are triple towing.)

[Stan&Sharon]

Much depends upon how much you have in your camper and truck. I weighed when we got the 5th wheel and again while we were out on our Florida trip.

Here is my first weigh and here is my second weigh. You'll see my weigh were in good shape with 270 pounds above max pin weight however, the next weigh with the 3 batteries and loads of stuff in our bedroom we are 90 pounds over (see image) - we have a very similar truck.

Here is a spreadsheet which you can use, simply download (or copy) it and replace my camper numbers with yours.

hints:
a) don't type into a cell that has formulas
b) each time you weigh, you weigh once with camper attached and once just the truck alone... this provides the pin weight. There are spots in the spreadsheet for weighing your truck and camper twice use this link to calculate your Cat Scale results - instructions on Cat Scale weighing is on this page too.

The 2nd weigh I had loads of clothes and stuff in the bedroom plus I installed 3 lead acid batteries (120+ lbs), our trip this coming winter will have one lithium (24 lbs) and if our pin weight gets near the max again I'll simply move more into the truck or further back in the camper.

[Jerry713]

I think you'll be fine on the payload. I would be more concerned with the RGAWR than the payload. As far as towing that unit truck will do fine on flat highway and struggle with hills some. I would expect 7-8 mpg towing.

[Lakebum]

I appreciate all replies, I get very confused looking at these numbers. Numbers i posted on truck are from sticker on door of truck. Jayco numbers are from actual GVW on unit i am looking at with rest entered from Jayco general numbers in brochure. Looks like i should be pretty close but while most say 20% of GVW should give pin number, I also know some units could come in at above 20% and that gets me wondering.

Unit i am looking at only has about 1500# load capacity, could drop back to a lighter unit weight model that would still have same gross amount but would have 2000-2400# capacity which shouldn't need near that and would help weights overall.

Add another question, saw this afternoon where several HT series units from 17-20 had frame weld brakes. Is this common or something resolved in current year models? Been looking at Jayco Eagle Ht but also Grand Design Reflection 150. Like Jayco in appearances best but wonder which has better built and warranty work resolved quickly.

Lake Bum

[RedHorse1]

Does your new TV specify a max PIN weight? Mine does not but it’s a different brand and is older (‘13 Ford).

If the number is from the “sticker” I’d wonder if it takes into account your accessories and trim level. Since it sounds like you have the TV in hand you could pay a visit to the local CAT Scale, the difference between the Rear GAWR and Rear axle weight from the scale will be how much weight can be added to the rear axle (pin weight, hitch, people and gear).

We tow with an F350 and our pin is right at 3000#.
edit; oops, I see you replied while I was typing.

My pin is 24.x% of my GVW.

[Cincinnati Kid]

They do try to make it more complicated than it is. Bottom line- you don't want to overload any component of your truck and trailer.
-Total truck weight, each truck axle max weight, trailer weight after you get it, of course.
-Total of truck and trailer combined.

Since you don't have your trailer and you know you don't plan to overload it, go with the max weight (10,995 for the weight, and it seems reasonable to estimate 20% of that will be on the pin.)

What you can do now is weigh your truck as loaded as you can with things you would take camping, including people and fuel. If you have your hitch installed, great, but realize it will can 150 or more pounds.

When you have an actual scaled weight of your truck, you will know from your sticker how much more you can put on each axle, and how much total pin weight you can add without going over 10,650#, and how much COMBINED weight after the trailer is attached. Those real numbers will help you estimate the effect of the trailer you're lookin at. Again, only use the MAX trailer weight for this, not the factory weight or factory pin weight.

But most people will tell you, it's probably going to be the pin weight that you will exceed, if anything.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by Lakebum

Add another question, saw this afternoon where several HT series units from 17-20 had frame weld brakes. Is this common or something resolved in current year models? Been looking at Jayco Eagle Ht but also Grand Design Reflection 150. Like Jayco in appearances best but wonder which has better built and warranty work resolved quickly.

Lake Bum

Lake Bum I'm not sure that one brand is actually better than the other. They all have issues. That said personally I would not buy a Grand Design I think they're by far the most overrated RV on the market. I've seen lots of YouTubers have myriads of problems with them. Just my thoughts.

[Rustic Eagle]

Lakebum,

Welcome to JOF

As a reference, there are two JOF members that posted their scaled Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS pin weights under loaded conditions..., 2,100lbs and 1,780lbs respectively. They also provided additional weight data at the JOF thread titled "What's Your Scaled Tongue/Pin Weight" (link below).

Reference their Posts #33 and #47 here:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...t-57188-5.html

Bob

[billcf7]

Remember that in most jurisdictions your TV is licensed for a GVW and exceeding that is breaking the law. Know numerous who have been charged here in Ontario for exceeding GVWR and not having the correct drivers license

[Lakebum]

Not sure I ever posted my pin weight I found on door sticker of new Chevy 2500. It shows Max tongue weight at 2490# and max bumper pin 1450#. I have been afraid that with other trailers posted weights in the 2000# range if I happened to come in at 25% I would be over.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by Lakebum

Not sure I ever posted my pin weight I found on door sticker of new Chevy 2500. It shows Max tongue weight at 2490# and max bumper pin 1450#. I have been afraid that with other trailers posted weights in the 2000# range if I happened to come in at 25% I would be over.

On the sticker, they are giving you the out the door weight from the factory. Yours will be more (remaining payload will be less).
Once you weigh your loaded truck by itself, whatever is below 10,650 is what you can add to it with your trailer and any camping stuff you don't have yet. If you come out at 8,000# for your loaded truck by itself, you will be able to put 2,650# more on it. So in that case, assuming 25% pin weight, your loaded trailer can be 10,600#. At 20% pin weight and an 8,000# truck, you can fully load the trailer to 10,995.

Always use max numbers when estimating load- you will fill things up more than you might think.

[Lakebum]

C Kid
You make a lot of sense and what conclusion I have been coming to. I hate to be close all time so am reconsidering which model to get that would be lighter weight and still have same gross which would give me more margin. The small bedroom slide is adding about 500# so if did without it could make it much easier to mange weights. Will do some thinking on that and probably go back to dealer and look inside other models again.

[goducks]

Originally Posted by Lakebum

I appreciate all replies, I get very confused looking at these numbers. Numbers i posted on truck are from sticker on door of truck. Jayco numbers are from actual GVW on unit i am looking at with rest entered from Jayco general numbers in brochure. Looks like i should be pretty close but while most say 20% of GVW should give pin number, I also know some units could come in at above 20% and that gets me wondering.

Unit i am looking at only has about 1500# load capacity, could drop back to a lighter unit weight model that would still have same gross amount but would have 2000-2400# capacity which shouldn't need near that and would help weights overall.

Add another question, saw this afternoon where several HT series units from 17-20 had frame weld brakes. Is this common or something resolved in current year models? Been looking at Jayco Eagle Ht but also Grand Design Reflection 150. Like Jayco in appearances best but wonder which has better built and warranty work resolved quickly.

Lake Bum

Just an FYI. GD Reflection 150's only have 1" aluminum studs for walls vs the industry standard of 1.5". Less strength and less ability to cool and keep heat in.

[Lakebum]

I talked to Rob, a national Jayco sales manager about construction some. Seen several different things floating on internet. Anyway he me below on Eagle HT--

Floor is 5/8" Plywood
Roof is 3/8" Plywood
Wall Studs are 1" Alum tube with 1 1/2" total thickness with walls
Drum Brakes, I had ask about Curt ABS brakes GD is offering as option on Reflections and he thought that was overkill.

I found a Jayco Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS with a list price of $72,107 we have been considering, I had thought they had just reduced sales price from what I had seen on another dealer lot for same unit with same options of $83,108 and ask for a copy of MSRP and it shows the $72,107 dealer had on his site. I haven't ask since figuring this out but looks like this 2022 unit must have been on dealer lot for 6-18 months of the 2022 model year and Jayco had about $11,000 price increase along way. Now trying to figure out with the pretty good deal they have offered is it worth same as a unit only on lot a short time sitting outside or how much do you discount a new unit which has sit outside with tires suffering and roof as well from sitting in elements that long. Hard to say, many leave their trailers out all time, we are fortunate enough to have a heated insulated barn we keep ours in.

Going back today to relook both Jayco and Grand Designs. Getting closer to making up mind. Like the Jayco best but like the dealer who sells Grand Design best out of 3 dealers i have been talking to, all from 1-1.5 hours from me with ok service reputations with GD dealer probably best on service and easy to get to location. Appreciate everyone's help and comments as go thru the process.

Lake Bum

[superbgt]

I have a very similar setup. 2022 Silverado LT 2500 Gas and a 2020 285RSTS.
Here are my spec
Truck RGAWR on the truck is 6586 lbs
Actual truck rear axle weight empty is 3630 lbs
Actual truck rear axle weight with trailer on and loaded is 5412 lbs
So trailer tongue weight is 1782 lbs
Spare RGAWR is 1174 lbs
My experience tells me that GRAWR is the most important factor. So you should be fine.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by superbgt

I have a very similar setup. 2022 Silverado LT 2500 Gas and a 2020 285RSTS.
Here are my spec
Truck RGAWR on the truck is 6586 lbs
Actual truck rear axle weight empty is 3630 lbs
Actual truck rear axle weight with trailer on and loaded is 5412 lbs
So trailer tongue weight is 1782 lbs
Spare RGAWR is 1174 lbs
My experience tells me that GRAWR is the most important factor. So you should be fine.

How do like that Chevy in terms of pulling your RV?

[superbgt]

Originally Posted by Jerry713

How do like that Chevy in terms of pulling your RV?

Meh, my F150 with the 5.0 had more power and actually shifted a lot better but I was over on my RGAWR. The 6.6 does have more torque though so you're not revving as high.
I would switch back to an F150 but the only model I can get with a high enough RGAWR was a regular cab plain jane model.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by superbgt

Meh, my F150 with the 5.0 had more power and actually shifted a lot better but I was over on my RGAWR. The 6.6 does have more torque though so you're not revving as high.
I would switch back to an F150 but the only model I can get with a high enough RGAWR was a regular cab plain jane model.

I've had similar experience. I switched from 2017 F150 3.5 Ecoboost to a Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi. The Ecoboost had more towing power. I knew a 38' travel trailer was too much trailer for that truck though. You'd think a 3/4 ton would have more towing power than a 1/2 ton.

OP sorry not trying to hijack the thread.

[Lakebum]

Your reply does make me feel much better. Thanks for all the info you provided.