Took Delivery of Our New 29.5BHDS!!

tularockstar · 11-16-2015, 08:26 PM

After weeks of finalizing the deal with our dealer, we finally took delivery of our 2016 Eagle HT 29.5BHDS this past weekend! Both my wife and I spent Friday and Saturday nights in this new unit and worked with the dealer to fix several items we'd found. The only major item that had to be done was the trailer had to be raised at the axles, so we can achieve enough clearance between the trailer and the bed of our Ram 2500. We are hoping that the truck's suspension will settle down a bit more after more towing.

All in all, our overall experience was very positive. Our dealer and its service team did a great job in making sure our issues were resolved and our questions fully answered.

We now look forward to be a part of the Jayco family and tour the USA in our new 29.5BHDS!

Blue Deuce · 11-16-2015, 08:34 PM

Great looking set up...I was wondering what my Ram 2500 would look like with an Eagle back there instead of the White Hawk!

Congrats!

Jhowemca · 11-16-2015, 08:39 PM

Congrats on the new trailer!
Once you get moved in the trailer with all your gear you should have added enough weight to level out better.

Cdash · 11-16-2015, 08:46 PM

Congrats! Pretty sure we are going to be ordering that same model very soon!

tularockstar · 11-16-2015, 10:24 PM

Thank you everyone. We also towed her back home in the rain for about 200 miles, and it was smooth as silk. The MorRyde rubber pin box reduced the jolts and chucking pretty well--we thought. We can't wait for our next trip coming up in December. The weather is finally great in the Phoenix area and we're taking advantage of it by camping more at a few local State Park sites.

TWP723 · 11-17-2015, 06:14 AM

Very nice rig there! Congrats!!

Aero_Dave · 11-17-2015, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tularockstar

The only major item that had to be done was the trailer had to be raised at the axles, so we can achieve enough clearance between the trailer and the bed of our Ram 2500.

Can you tell me what the Dealer had to due to the camper? We have the same exact 5'ver on order and the same TV. So if there is something the dealer needs to due on mine as well, I'd like to let them know ahead of time. Nice Color Combo too.

BTW, what are you using in the bed for a connection?
Thanks and Great Setup

Dave...

tularockstar · 11-17-2015, 08:50 AM

Hello Dave,

My wife also commented about how lucky we were to have the truck and trailer colors matched! LOL!

For our trailer, the dealer had to raise it up to the higher hole on each side of the axles. There are upper and lower holes on the shackles. By doing this it raised the trailer up about 3 inches. We were also glad that the trailer came with the 16" wheels and larger tires option--it helped with the height. We were also told that if we wanted the trailer to be 'exactly' leveled, we will need to have new/higher shackles welded on our axles, so we can raise the trailer another 4 inches. But, with our current set-up we were told by the dealer that it was within tolerance--when they measured the trailer's bottom from the ground (both front and rear) and it was within 8 inches. Ours was 5-inches. We think that with more miles towing with our 2015 Ram 2500, the rear suspension would settle down a few more inches. We are trying not to go with new shackles.

Regarding the hitch, we went with the 18k B&W Companion slider hitch with the turnover ball set-up. Although it is removable, the foot print is larger and much heavier than the non-sliding model. One thing to also consider: if you have the 6-foot short bed, you will need to get a different tailgate with a V cut out. If you want to use the hitch's slide feature. This will be necessary when you pull the manual slider handle to allow the pin box to move backward--when backing up and need tighter angle. When we activated the slide feature, the pin box slid back and hit the tailgate. So, we will not use the slide feature until we get a different tailgate with a V cut out.

The hitch worked great with normal towing the turning corners. There was plenty of space between our truck cab and the RV--even with tighter turns.

Hope this helps you with your set-up. We are very excited about the new rig and can't wait to take her out again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero_Dave

Can you tell me what the Dealer had to due to the camper? We have the same exact 5'ver on order and the same TV. So if there is something the dealer needs to due on mine as well, I'd like to let them know ahead of time. Nice Color Combo too.

BTW, what are you using in the bed for a connection?
Thanks and Great Setup

Dave...

Aero_Dave · 11-17-2015, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tularockstar

For our trailer, the dealer had to raise it up to the higher hole on each side of the axles. There are upper and lower holes on the shackles. By doing this it raised the trailer up about 3 inches.

Regarding the hitch, we went with the 18k B&W Companion slider hitch with the turnover ball set-up. Although it is removable, the foot print is larger and much heavier than the non-sliding model. One thing to also consider: if you have the 6-foot short bed, you will need to get a different tailgate with a V cut out. If you want to use the hitch's slide feature. This will be necessary when you pull the manual slider handle to allow the pin box to move backward--when backing up and need tighter angle. When we activated the slide feature, the pin box slid back and hit the tailgate. So, we will not use the slide feature until we get a different tailgate with a V cut out.

Hope this helps you with your set-up. We are very excited about the new rig and can't wait to take her out again.

Thanks for the info. I have a Long bed so I won't need a slider hitch. I'm installing the B&W Turnover Ball shortly. My 2500 is stock height as well.

Dave...

fielro · 11-17-2015, 06:43 PM

Congrats, great looking rig

tularockstar · 11-19-2015, 02:19 PM

Some more recent pictures...

Aero_Dave · 11-19-2015, 03:16 PM

nice setup.

Dave...

Big1 · 11-19-2015, 05:29 PM

Congrats! Man what a sweet setup, looking at your setup it make me happy, let us know how your first camping goes.

Big1 · 11-19-2015, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tularockstar

Some more recent pictures...

That setup is just beautiful, I see that God have been good to you guys, enjoy.

tularockstar · 11-19-2015, 06:18 PM

Big1,

Yes, that was our thought exactly! We thank the Lord for his grace and our health be able to enjoy and appreciate what we have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big1

That setup is just beautiful, I see that God have been good to you guys, enjoy.

**Crabman** · 11-19-2015, 06:30 PM

Very nice combo!

Big1 · 11-19-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tularockstar

Big1,

Yes, that was our thought exactly! We thank the Lord for his grace and our health be able to enjoy and appreciate what we have.

Yes, I thank Him every day He have bless my family in a special way and when He bless us with ours things and health it's a blessing. I'm still waiting for Him to bless my wife and I with a TT, hopefully it will be something the beginning of next year. God bless you my friend and enjoy life to the fullest.

tularockstar · 11-19-2015, 07:28 PM

We sure will. Our next trip is New Year weekend. Can't wait!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big1

Congrats! Man what a sweet setup, looking at your setup it make me happy, let us know how your first camping goes.

Aero_Dave · 11-24-2015, 12:34 PM

I forgot to ask, but do you have the factory air suspension? Just wondering because I don't and I was thinking of adding Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags. But it was suggested that I wait to see how everything rides before adding them. I was told I may not need them at all. Does our truck squat any, after the trailer is loaded on? It sure doesn't look like it. My Truck is a 2013 2550 CTD and stock height. Plus if you could do me favor and measure your ride height unloaded at the rear wheel wells, that would be great. Then I can compare it to mine.

Thanks,
Dave...

tularockstar · 11-27-2015, 09:36 AM

Hi Dave,

I will measure the height once we're back from vacation. Regarding the air bags, I don't think you'll need them. Our new 5th Wheel did not drop the truck's rear end that much, maybe inch and a half max. Our problem is more like how to get our trailer more leveled at the rear. The best solution provided to us, so far, is to add a sub frame. This will lift the rear to whatever height we need to level our trailer. Of course, this will void our frame warranty. So, we're still contemplating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero_Dave

I forgot to ask, but do you have the factory air suspension? Just wondering because I don't and I was thinking of adding Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags. But it was suggested that I wait to see how everything rides before adding them. I was told I may not need them at all. Does our truck squat any, after the trailer is loaded on? It sure doesn't look like it. My Truck is a 2013 2550 CTD and stock height. Plus if you could do me favor and measure your ride height unloaded at the rear wheel wells, that would be great. Then I can compare it to mine.

Thanks,
Dave...

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