Jay Flight SLX8 212QB

[joe w]

Bottom line I'd seriously consider either a Hybrid or a pre-owned PU. You won't be a happy camper towing the 212 with your bimmer! Don't forget that any weight placed behind the rear axel is as well considered hitch weight! What about a brake controller as that is a must!

[Jaytow]

Thanks every one for their reply’s. Love the modifications you have all done to your 212QB’s!

[colby]

Originally Posted by joe w

I've never towed with an SUV so as far as that experience goes I'm no help. What I will tell you is that adding a weight distribution/anti sway hitch which is critical will add about another 100 lbs.

I used to tow my 212qb with my 2017 Explorer with the tow package. All of the numbers were good except the hitch weight. Loaded to about 5k, that made the tongue weight usually around 700 pounds which put me well over. It towed fine, even through the Laurentian mountains in Quebec (nothing like out west), but the tongue weight and the small gas tank (filling up every couple of hours with a 52L/13 gallon tank) was enough to make me buy a truck.

[Jaytow]

Originally Posted by colby

I used to tow my 212qb with my 2017 Explorer with the tow package. All of the numbers were good except the hitch weight. Loaded to about 5k, that made the tongue weight usually around 700 pounds which put me well over. It towed fine, even through the Laurentian mountains in Quebec (nothing like out west), but the tongue weight and the small gas tank (filling up every couple of hours with a 52L/13 gallon tank) was enough to make me buy a truck.

Thank you, my tank is 22 gallons (500 miles of normal driving) I know this will drop, but not worried about my range. Very encouraged buy your ability to tow this with an explorer.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by Jaytow

Thank you, my tank is 22 gallons (500 miles of normal driving) I know this will drop, but not worried about my range. Very encouraged buy your ability to tow this with an explorer.

Your mileage will drop by about 40 percent. Ours did. It drops a little less if we have canoes on the roof rack of the truck as the aerodynamics changes.. Less of a shoebox effect.

[joe w]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

Your mileage will drop by about 40 percent. Ours did. It drops a little less if we have canoes on the roof rack of the truck as the aerodynamics changes.. Less of a shoebox effect.

While I usually get around 22-24 MPG on the highway with our 21 RAM 1500 my mileage while towing is in the 9-12 MPG range terrain dependent. I drive at 70MPH not towing and 62 while towing.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Jaytow

Thank you, my tank is 22 gallons (500 miles of normal driving) I know this will drop, but not worried about my range. Very encouraged buy your ability to tow this with an explorer.

Gas mileage will be the least of your worries, although you won’t get anywhere close to 23. Probably closer to 10. I happily average 12 mpg traveling through multiple mountain passes of 3,000 feet or more with my old diesel. That’s with the same trailer packed for two, not three, which means you’ll have more food, more clothes and more bodies. Of much bigger concern than mpg is braking ability, sway and overall safety for your family and others.

[Jaytow]

How is everyone enjoying their 212QB? Are they holding up well?

[66lincoln]

Originally Posted by Jaytow

How is everyone enjoying their 212QB? Are they holding up well?

2nd trip in our 2022 in the books. Only 2 problems; infamous weak shelves that need reinforcement. One window next to the bed doesn't always want to slide all the way closed preventing locking; closer examination required as it is intermittent.

Battery power management is the learning curve; especially with AGM batteries. I'm surprised how much current just a single LED interior light uses. I had to double check to ensure they were not incandescent. I was expecting like 1/10 of an amp per LED; no they use a more than that.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Jaytow

How is everyone enjoying their 212QB? Are they holding up well?

We are well into our fifth year with ours and I’m happy with it. Like everyone, we’ve had some basic issues with sloppy workmanship and cosmetic stuff, but nothing that I couldn’t fix or that wasn’t handled under warranty. The same issues haunt all of them — fragile bed platform, weak shelves, loose plumbing fittings etc.

We have logged over 14k miles across the Western U.S. and it’s doing well. No leaks (knock on wood) and preventative maintenance has kept other issues at bay, I hope.

[mharrison]

Originally Posted by Jaytow

How is everyone enjoying their 212QB? Are they holding up well?

Great, beats the heck out of Motel 6, we'll keep the campfire on!

[ChiToones]

This is the fourth summer with ours and are we're still loving it. It's big enough for the two of us yet small enough to get into most campsites. The extra room provided by a slideout would give more living space but not having one reduces weight and potential maintenance/repair issues. Like many others, we had to reinforce the shelves in the pantry next to the fridge. No other repairs needed other than normal maintenance.

[Phil AZ]

I put 400w of solar and a 300Ah lithium battery. No power issues.
Don't fill the refrigerator door with beer, it will break off! I fixed it with a metal support.
Buy a new mattress, factory one is terrible.
Love the propane take off on the back, great for the Blackstone.
Expect things to break, nothing disastrous, but if you expect it, it won't ruin your vacation.
You get what you pay for, and I think you get a great camper for what you pay.