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02-17-2019, 08:12 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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First timer
My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of getting a travel trailer for a few years now we finally pulled the thing this week. We bought a 2019 Jayco Jayflight SLX8 284bhs. Just trying to learn as much about the whole seen as I can. I’ve never towed a trailer before, I am a little nervous but a few friends tell me I’ll be fine. Plan on doing a mix of full hookup and dry. Just wanted to introduce myself and get as much info as I can. Thanks
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02-17-2019, 08:51 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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CONGRATULATIONS on the JAYCO!!!
...and WELCOME TO JOF!!! The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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02-17-2019, 08:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Picayune
Posts: 1,972
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Welcome to JOF! The folks on this forum are great! A lot of knowledge floating around here. Don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone was a newbe at one time.
__________________
Charlie & Lizzie the Mini Dachshunds
2008 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 30.5 RLS
2015 F350 Lariet Crew Cab Long Bed 6.7 Diesel B&W Companion Hitch
24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.
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02-17-2019, 08:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
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Congratulations and welcome!
Best advice we got when starting out was to take everything slow and easy, and if you have a question, don't be afraid to ask. Before you know it you'll be answering questions and giving folks advice...
__________________
Rob & Kelly, Bella & Brady (Miniature Schnauzers)
2022 Eagle HT 28.5RSTS
2017 RAM 3500 SRW CTD/AISIN CC LB
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02-17-2019, 08:59 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65
CONGRATULATIONS on the JAYCO!!!
...and WELCOME TO JOF!!! The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR |
No pictures yet I’m picking it up next Saturday but I will post some when I have them
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02-17-2019, 08:59 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Witt74
Welcome to JOF! The folks on this forum are great! A lot of knowledge floating around here. Don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone was a newbe at one time.
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Thanks I appreciate it
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02-17-2019, 09:02 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robkelly
Congratulations and welcome!
Best advice we got when starting out was to take everything slow and easy, and if you have a question, don't be afraid to ask. Before you know it you'll be answering questions and giving folks advice...
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That’s the one tip I’m getting from everyone but it’s so hard I want to do it all at once!! thanks for the welcome
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02-17-2019, 09:03 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,401
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Welcome and congrats on your 2019 Jayflight. Lots of friendly, knowledgeable and helpful people here to help you.
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02-17-2019, 09:04 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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One question I’ve been trying to find an answer on is the tongue on the Jayco. I’ve read in a couple places the the latch or coupling device is on the bottom so it doesn’t work with some hitches, is this true is this only certain trailers from jayco? The more I look into them I’m really leaning towards the trekker WDH with anti sway but some people say it won’t fit.
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02-17-2019, 09:12 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Jenningsville
Posts: 280
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Welcome friend. We were in your shoes just two years ago (not literally "in your shoes", but you know what I mean) and we had all sorts of apprehensions about campgrounds, towing, hooking up, backing in - you name it, we dreaded it. What we did for our shake-down cruise was to go local (an hour away) and we rented a pull-through site. That way we could learn the set-up/tear-down procedures without the pressures of towing a long distance and sticking the landing, and if we forgot something vital I could go home and get it. Really worked out well for us. Good luck.
__________________
2017 f350, 6.2, SRW, Crew Cab, long bed
2019 Eagle HT 27.5 RLTS
Jay Feather 23BHM (traded)
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02-17-2019, 09:16 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Jenningsville
Posts: 280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vento_R6
One question I’ve been trying to find an answer on is the tongue on the Jayco. I’ve read in a couple places the the latch or coupling device is on the bottom so it doesn’t work with some hitches, is this true is this only certain trailers from jayco? The more I look into them I’m really leaning towards the trekker WDH with anti sway but some people say it won’t fit.
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I have a Reese Steadi-Flex. It's one of those WDH/anti-sway all-in-ones and it is easy to set up and works very well.
__________________
2017 f350, 6.2, SRW, Crew Cab, long bed
2019 Eagle HT 27.5 RLTS
Jay Feather 23BHM (traded)
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02-17-2019, 09:19 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vento_R6
One question I’ve been trying to find an answer on is the tongue on the Jayco. I’ve read in a couple places the the latch or coupling device is on the bottom so it doesn’t work with some hitches, is this true is this only certain trailers from jayco? The more I look into them I’m really leaning towards the trekker WDH with anti sway but some people say it won’t fit.
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Congratulations on the trailer and welcome to the forum.
I didn't see where you mentioned your tow vehicle that would be a good idea.
And, personally, I've not heard of the 'Trekker' hitch so I can't help with that.
There is a search function on this site and there is a whole lot of helpful information. Grab the liquid refreshment of your choice and start looking. You'll probably find answers to questions you didn't know you had! 
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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02-17-2019, 09:23 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KillerIsMe
Welcome friend. We were in your shoes just two years ago (not literally "in your shoes", but you know what I mean) and we had all sorts of apprehensions about campgrounds, towing, hooking up, backing in - you name it, we dreaded it. What we did for our shake-down cruise was to go local (an hour away) and we rented a pull-through site. That way we could learn the set-up/tear-down procedures without the pressures of towing a long distance and sticking the landing, and if we forgot something vital I could go home and get it. Really worked out well for us. Good luck.
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We already have our first trip booked for May and we are going with some friends who have a couple of seasons under their belts so I am leaning on them a lot for advice and help. And we are only about 45mins or so away.
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02-17-2019, 09:28 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmanAZ
Congratulations on the trailer and welcome to the forum.
I didn't see where you mentioned your tow vehicle that would be a good idea.
And, personally, I've not heard of the 'Trekker' hitch so I can't help with that.
There is a search function on this site and there is a whole lot of helpful information. Grab the liquid refreshment of your choice and start looking. You'll probably find answers to questions you didn't know you had! |
Sorry I thought I mentioned it. It’s a 2017 Ram 1500. The question is more about the tongue on the trailers then the hitch itself.
Thanks for the welcome and I will keep up my search.
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02-17-2019, 09:36 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Jenningsville
Posts: 280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vento_R6
We already have our first trip booked for May and we are going with some friends who have a couple of seasons under their belts so I am leaning on them a lot for advice and help. And we are only about 45mins or so away.
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It's surprisingly quick and easy to get your routine down. The little "campground secrets" require some time though. I backed in to tight spots on the weak side a few times before a fellow traveler clued me in on the "tell them when you reserve you have a bigger trailer than you have and they'll give you a bigger spot" trick, and he also told me you can actually get permission to go down the campground roads the wrong way in order to back in on the strong side. Those things made my life a lot easier.
As an aside, I see you're from Long Island. My wife works in that area sometimes and we have a few friends out there.
__________________
2017 f350, 6.2, SRW, Crew Cab, long bed
2019 Eagle HT 27.5 RLTS
Jay Feather 23BHM (traded)
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02-17-2019, 10:27 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KillerIsMe
It's surprisingly quick and easy to get your routine down. The little "campground secrets" require some time though. I backed in to tight spots on the weak side a few times before a fellow traveler clued me in on the "tell them when you reserve you have a bigger trailer than you have and they'll give you a bigger spot" trick, and he also told me you can actually get permission to go down the campground roads the wrong way in order to back in on the strong side. Those things made my life a lot easier.
As an aside, I see you're from Long Island. My wife works in that area sometimes and we have a few friends out there.
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Good to know I’ll keep my ears and eyes open for that thanks. Yea born and raised I didn’t realize how big the camper scene was until a few years ago there are so many places on the island to go and I really can’t wait to do outer beach camping need a lot more supplies before making that trip.
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02-17-2019, 12:24 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 1,984
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I would suggest getting a pull-thru campsite on your first few outings, that way you won't have to worry about backing up. We always use walkie-talkies when spotting the trailer...beats yelling at each other!
I drove a semi-tanker for 30 years and I still remember something I learned in truck driving school that may help you. My instructor said that when backing up, think of your rig like it was a long chain. If you start with a chain in a straight line you can push it backwards without a problem, but as soon as it goes off in one direction or another, stop and pull it straight again and start over. That works for a 10' trailer or one that is 50 foot long. Getting some practice in an empty parking lot will help immensely.
Good luck and have fun..... 
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02-17-2019, 01:59 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vento_R6
Sorry I thought I mentioned it. It’s a 2017 Ram 1500. The question is more about the tongue on the trailers then the hitch itself.
Thanks for the welcome and I will keep up my search.
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Thanks for the tow vehicle info.
Found your hitch: Camco Eaz-Lift Trekker. Its head and bar friction design is very similar, IMO, to the Equalizer brand design. I would expect it to have good anti-sway properties.
I can't help with your question about couplers (over slung vs under slung) being compatible with that hitch. You may have to ask the manufacturer about that.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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02-17-2019, 02:29 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Wakeman
Posts: 1,754
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Welcome! Pack up all of your stuff as if you were going on a trip. I mean everything like you've exhausted your list of all the stuff needed. Ask yourselves about the forgotten things, put that stuff in. Now camp in the driveway, and see how many times you run to the house for the more forgotten stuff. It happens to all of us! Happy Travels!
__________________
2019 Whitehawk 28RL
2018 Ford F150 3.5 Ecoboost w/3.55
Dennis, Cindy, Philip, and Sarah
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02-17-2019, 02:47 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Port Jefferson Station
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohiofinlander
Welcome! Pack up all of your stuff as if you were going on a trip. I mean everything like you've exhausted your list of all the stuff needed. Ask yourselves about the forgotten things, put that stuff in. Now camp in the driveway, and see how many times you run to the house for the more forgotten stuff. It happens to all of us! Happy Travels!
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I like this!! I think this may happen!
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