Newbie needs help in towing

[Davetheslave]

Brand new member! Thank you to everyone for their past and future help in getting us into a 2018 Jay Flight SLX 284BHS. Question: 2009 Ford 150 5.4 L with tow package- can I safely tow this TT and feel confidant that I'm not over working the truck?
I have done the numbers and it looks ok, but there's so many variables that I would sure appreciate some of you veterans out there showing me some light in the tunnel.
Thank you in advance!
Davetheslave

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by Davetheslave

Brand new member! Thank you to everyone for their past and future help in getting us into a 2018 Jay Flight SLX 284BHS. Question: 2009 Ford 150 5.4 L with tow package- can I safely tow this TT and feel confidant that I'm not over working the truck?

I have done the numbers and it looks ok, but there's so many variables that I would sure appreciate some of you veterans out there showing me some light in the tunnel.

Thank you in advance!

Davetheslave

If you post the numbers we can check. I tried towing my 27dsrl with my f150 and found I was 300 lbs over weight. Although I had a 4x4 , a spray in bed liner, two kids, and some personal insulation that all contributed to,the extra weight


2016 WhiteHawk 27DSRL
2017 F250 (Diesel)

[jaycojay]

Not sure what your vehicle is rated at ..... but, it's not all that heavy of a trailer, i'm sure when you look at the numbers, u will be fine.
As for the Jayflight, the Wife n I looked at that model a few weeks back, and really liked it. Tons of storage, tons of room, and the outside kitchen a bonus. Only problem is, when we went out and measured, it would take up to much room in the driveway .... not allowing me to get my "stang" out for a Sunday drive without having to move the trailer. So we have opted for the 26BH Jayflight .... 3 feet shorter, but that was the difference of staying in driveway, or finding a storage area. You are gonna love it!

[DonaandDon]

The sticker in the door jam will tell you the GVWR. That's the max tow for you truck. Then it's just a matter of the numbers. What is your trailer empty vs trailer GVWR (max). Add the number of people in the truck and approx. cargo and there ya go. After your connected stop at a truck stop that has a scale (several are available). and weigh it twice. The cashier is very familiar and will assist to tell you your max total weight. (CGVWR). Sounds technical but it is just numbers. Do you have air shocks or Timbrens? Just in case?

[Iraqvet05]

At 6100 lbs the 284BHS seems pretty heavy for an F150. Run the numbers and see if you are within the limits then tow the camper a few times to see if the truck is up to the task. I pulled my 26BH the first season with a 1500 Silverado and found the truck wasn't up to the task...it constantly shifted gears in the rolling hills of Missouri and had to rev high to make power. The 1500 also porpoised greatly and the side winds really pushed it around. I sold the 1500 and bought an older 2500 the next season and never regretted the decision. The 2500 handles so much better, brakes better and has the added power to keep the transmission from constantly hunting for the right gear.

[GrumpyDad]

I have nearly that exact truck right now and while you won't win any races, you should be fine. Get that combination to a cat scale and get your load moved around, and yiur wdh adjusted and you will be good to go.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Davetheslave

snip.....can I safely tow this TT and feel confidant that I'm not over working the truck?.....snip

Welcome to JOF

The best thing you can do is take your TV/TT combination under loaded conditions (full fuel, passengers, cargo, etc.) and visit your local CAT scale. The CAT scale visit will take all the guess work to of dialing-in your TV/TT setup.

The CAT results will provide you with all your TV/TT loaded weights, confirm WDH size/adjustment, etc..

CAT scale how-to: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html

You can initially adjust your WDH with the TV fender height method and get yourself in the ballpark, but the CAT will confirm loaded weights and confirm and/or dial-in your WDH adjustment.

Bob

[Davetheslave]

Thanks for helping!
GVWR is 7100 The TT says it's 6100# I haven't bought the TT yet but I am trying to see if my truck can actually haul it without issues. So I really can't CAT Scale it at this point. I just don't want to buy one that I really like but then find out it won't pull it well.

[KCSA75]

Follow this link for all the straight poop on the F-150. Most of the information you're looking for is on page 17.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...9RVTTguide.pdf

[wags999]

Originally Posted by Davetheslave

Thanks for helping!
GVWR is 7100 The TT says it's 6100# I haven't bought the TT yet but I am trying to see if my truck can actually haul it without issues. So I really can't CAT Scale it at this point. I just don't want to buy one that I really like but then find out it won't pull it well.

As others have said, the cargo capacity of your vehicle is the important number. Typically a yellow sticker on the drivers door jamb will give you that number. Subtract from that the tongue weight of the RV, your hitch, cargo and people. That will tell you if your over weight or not. Figure about 12 - 13% of RV weight as tongue weight.

Than you can verify your numbers once you get your Rv.

Good Luck.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Davetheslave

snip....So I really can't CAT Scale it at this point. .....snip

Then I would recommend taking your TV under loaded conditions to a CAT scale and weigh it. Don't guess about payload capacity.

Your (TV's specified GVWR) minus (TV loaded CAT weight) = your "available" payload capacity. Available payload capacity is what you have for WDH weight (50lbs), loaded TT tongue weight (?), plus any other TV weight not present at the CAT.

Recommended loaded tongue weight for a 33ft TT would be 12% to 15% of the TT's loaded gross weight. The 284BHS has a 7,500lb GVWR..., worst case scenario loaded @ 7,500lbs = 975lbs to 1,125lbs loaded tongue weight range.

The 284BHS has a "published" UVW of 6,140lbs, but a realistic "as shipped" (yellow sticker on side of TT) would be around 6,300lbs. So a moderately loaded 284BHS could weigh: (6,300lbs) + (600lbs cargo - no fluids) + (50lbs dealer battery, etc.) = 6,950lbs loaded 284BHS weight

At 6,950lbs one's recommended loaded tongue weight range = 904lbs to 1,043lbs (12% to 15%). Most folks tend to find closer to 15% enhances TV handling, especially in less then desirable towing conditions (weather, wind, etc.)

Just food for thought.

Bob

[cekkk]

Just a general comment on F-150s and 1500. It seems like there are a large number of questions that really end up being a will it versus should it matter. The other day I was watching a Ford commercial touting the F-150 towing abilities. And I noticed it showed the truck pulling a boat, I believe some Ski-Doos or some such, the closest thing to a 12-foot sail behind it being a load of hay. Having hauled some hay in the past, I could not actually count the bails but it appeared to be around 70. That would be a load of in the neighborhood of 6500 lb including the trailer. That would leave a good safety margin. I have to wonder if those loads were governed more by their lawyers than by the truck's capabilities.

[Davetheslave]

Here's what I have put together: F-150- 3.55 ratio- 145" WB- 7100 GVWR- 15,300 GCW- 9800 Max Convent. hitch tow capacity-
TT- dry weight 6243- GCCC 1360- GVWR 7500- Dry hitch weight 695
Thanks to KCSA75 for supplying the link to the Ford page for some of this info.
From all I have been able to understand, the truck will be able to pull this TT, but probably not too fast and it'll struggle up hills. Does that sound close to everyone?
Thanks in advance for helping!!!!

[GrumpyDad]

Dave, that 5.4L engine isn't the greatest thing Ford ever made, but it's decent. I've owned three of them in various trucks.

My opinion is that you (and others who tow with half tons) just need to pay attention to your payload, how you distribute your load both within the trailer and in the bed of the truck, and then how you set up the WDH. CAT scales are your friend.

[GScott]

So I tow 6400 rt with a 4wd 1/2 ton GMC and IF you are willing to put on flashers and slow to 35 on hills and keep it below 60 on the flats you will be fine.