towing vehicle for a2021 Jayco Eagle 357MDOK

[FF Dan]

Hi,
We are looking to purchase an Eagle 2021 357mdok and are wondering if our 2019 F250 Lariat 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel superduty SRW would be enough to pull this rig.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by FF Dan

Hi,
We are looking to purchase an Eagle 2021 357mdok and are wondering if our 2019 F250 Lariat 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel superduty SRW would be enough to pull this rig.

What are the tow and payload capacities on your truck. My guess is no, I bought a 1 ton. My 2019 Mdok weighs 13,300lbs dry, my estimate of my payload was around 3,200lbs ( when I weighed it last year, probably more now).

Edit: checked my payload estimate and changed.

[FF Dan]

Hi Dargo,
Here is the info on my sticker. GVWR10000. REAR GAWR 6340. FRONT GAWR 5200

Payload is about 2100

[Rustic Eagle]

FF_Dan,

Welcome to JOF

One important piece of information that would be helpful to know prior to purchasing a new FW is how much actual "available" TV cargo capacity remains to support both the potential FW loaded pin weight and hitch weight.

I would consider taking your TV to a CAT scale ($9) under loaded conditions (full fuel, passengers, etc.) for a weigh-in, then subtract the CAT weight from your TV's specified GVWR = available cargo capacity.

Work with actual weights whenever possible....., the 357MDOK can produce some heavy loaded pin weights depending on you personal loading habits.

Just food for thought.....

Bob

[JaycoMLOK]

Spec shows dry weight of rv 12,545lb dry pin weight of 2,375lb.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by FF Dan

Hi Dargo,
Here is the info on my sticker. GVWR10000. REAR GAWR 6340. FRONT GAWR 5200

Payload is about 2100

I edited my post for my estimated payload, the payload is with my RV full of our belongings and no washer/dryer or generator.

Actual as deliver sticker weight was 13328, advertised around 12,800. So the advertised pin weight of 2,400 was already low.

Unless they do something to the 2021 to make them real light on the pin you would already be over your payload with it empty.

Maybe with the zero percent interest on the trucks right now you could upgrade your truck and still pay less?

On the other had we really love our 357mdok, meets our needs perfectly and I have done a few simple mods to it. If you are looking at this model already I think you would be happy with it.

[Big1]

20% of 15,000 lbs is going to be 3000 lbs, for what I was told and I go by you go by the GVWR of the RV, so you go by the total weight and not the UVW. I had a 2017 2500 CTD towing my 321rsts I did it a couple of times, oh, it tow it with no problem but my payload of my 2500 ram was 2100lb you have to add the weight of whatever hitch you have inside of the bed.

So I bought a new leftover 3500 2018 last year which give my now 3799 lbs of payload. When I finally took my truck and 321rsts to weight it I find out that my payload with everything in it was 2900lbs in the bed, so I was 800lbs over my payload with my 2500 ctd.

With that 5th wheel your UVW is 13,000lbs and 20% of that is going to be 2600lbs you will be way over at the gate but people do it all the time. Good luck and I hope it work out for you.

[TxLoser]

I’ll build on Big 1’s statement. I also have the lighter 321RSTS and for a short time pulled it with a 2500. I was nearly 900lbs over weight. Pulled it fine, but I had to add Sumo springs to help out the rear suspension. They did an admirable job and made for a nice ride. I later purchased a 3500 srw. Not so much for weight numbers but for other reasons and the weight stuff was an added benefit. In the GM world the only difference between the two trucks is the rear leafs, so in my case the Sumos compensated for my lack of metal back there. If you go this route, you’ll want to modify/add to the rear suspension. That trailer is heavier than my own, and towing it with an unmodified 2500 may not be a pleasant experience. A 3500 would be best and 3500 dually even better.

[FF Dan]

Thanks for all the input and information. It looks like I may need a larger TV with more payload than my F250 has, expecially if we really want this rig. It really fits our needs! This was my first post on here and it was really nice to get some great info. Looking forward to getting out and do some more camping with more available space!

[Big1]

Great, let us know what setup you finally decide.

[F350guy]

Ford has a good compromise between an F350 dually and a single short bed in the 2020/2021 line up. It requires a long bed, single rear wheel, 4X4, diesel, crew cab with 18 or 20 inch wheels with all terrain tires but raises the GVWR from 11,500 to 12,400. With ours having a 4562 pound payload it is more than adequate for our Pinnacle. Our previous 2 trucks were duallies, the last being a 17 F350. With both being long beds you would think they would be similar to drive but the new one just has a smaller driving feel to it. I was always aware of where the rear wheels of the dually were going but with this truck I don't have to pay a whole lot of attention to it, especially after I learned the feel of driving it.

[loxllxol]

I tow with this exact setup. 2020 F250 Lariat CCSB 7.3 Gas with my 357MDOK. The 7.3 Gas with 4.30 gears has the exact same rear axle as the F350.

Only difference would be one less leaf. When fully loaded for camping, the truck sits completely level. I added Airlift 7500 air bags just for piece of mind.

I've towed it through several interstate mountain passes in SoCal (cajon pass) and it tows confidently. If I were going to swap out the TV, I would be curious to see how a Diesel with an exhaust brake would handle the downhills..that's actually the only part of the towing experience I would change.

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by loxllxol

... If I were going to swap out the TV, I would be curious to see how a Diesel with an exhaust brake would handle the downhills..that's actually the only part of the towing experience I would change.

We just had our first taste of mountain passes. I drove the easy one, Raton Pass coming into NM from CO on I-25. 2-3% grades and I used the brakes only in response to brake lights in front of me.


Joan got to drive Bobcat Pass coming from Raton to Red River and Taos, NM. She used brakes mostly coming into tight switchbacks and and then dropping down to Red River at 5% grades, she felt that the use of brakes was more often to calm her nerves. It's quite remarkable how well the exhaust brake works. Our Pinnacle is 16,400 lbs GW
Angus

[FF Dan]

Hi, Would you still go with the airbags or upgrade to an F350 instead? Or is there no difference after you install the airbags?

[Big1]

I'm okay on my setup and I still have airbag it just cushion the ride when you go over bumps go to Salt Lake City, UT I was so glad to have airbag because they are repairing the Interstate and I was bouncing all over the place.

So as you know that airbag wont increase your payload it will just make the ride better.