Severe drag with towing Jayco 145RB

[WorldTraveler]

I just purchased a 2021 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 145RB, and I'm towing it with a Nissan Frontier 4 liter V6, 261 HP engine. I'm having a horrible time pulling it. Its dragging really badly. Even on a very slight incline, I can't get up to 60 MPG. I recently towed a River Forest RPod and didn't have this issue.

Does this sound like there is something wrong with my Jayco or is this normal and to be expected? Does anyone have these issues towing it? My truck should be able to handle its weight and the RPod was actually heavier and didn't have this problem. Any tips or ideas of how I can improve things or what to troubleshoot? The dealer was no help when I called. They just said that the RPod is more aerodynamic, and I can't compare it to that.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[NewBlackDak]

You went from a small aerodynamic trailer to a big brick. If you are certain the brakes aren’t hanging up then what the dealer told you is probably the truth.

[mokurt]

Make sure the trailer brakes are not on when towing.

[JFlightRisk]

The aerodynamics of your new trailer will have an affect. The only other items to consider are if the brakes are dragging, or the axles are severely out of alignment. And of course, if there's a headwind of any kind.

We had a 2004 Tundra with a 4.7L V8, which towed our then, Fleetwood Arcadia pop up just fine, and it was heavy. When we upgraded to a regular trailer it struggled like yours. That prompted us to upgrade the truck to a newer one with a 5.7L V8. That solved the issue.

[WorldTraveler]

How do I check to make sure the trailer brakes are not on when towing? How can I tell that the brakes are not dragging? Any ideas? Thanks.

[Kim Gass]

I am no mechanic but found this article
https://itstillruns.com/trailer-brak...d-4967718.html

Sounds like your brakes are on. We have had that happen when the brake controller was not adjusted correctly.

We tow the bigger 195RB with a 3.5 liter V-6 and it cruises easily at 75 which is not a great idea. The tires are rated for 81 mph but 65 really should be tops. The engine does struggle on hard grades like 10 percent and over but never below that grade.

[JFlightRisk]

You can jack it up from the frame on each side until the wheel is off the ground, and rotate it by hand. It should turn easily, and may have a very slight rubbing noise from the brake shoes. If the brakes are dragging going down the road, check each of the hub temperatures with a contactless laser thermometer.


They should both be about the same temperature, and not much more than 125* or so, depending on the ambient temps.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by WorldTraveler

How do I check to make sure the trailer brakes are not on when towing? How can I tell that the brakes are not dragging? Any ideas? Thanks.

If you wish to rule out the other possible causes at the same time (bearings) Hook it up to your tow vehicle and jack up each axle - spin the wheel and see if it rotates freely (with the brake controller hooked up).

If it does not, then start with disconnecting the 7-way connector. Then check that the breakaway switch is not energizing your brakes by disconnecting your trailer batteries. If it is still not rotating freely, you need to pull the wheels and check bearings, brake assy and other stuff ....

[mokurt]

To bad thier dealer was no help.

All of these suggestions are easy for us mechanically inclined others not.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by mokurt

To bad thier dealer was no help.

All of these suggestions are easy for us mechanically inclined others not.

Totally agree that the dealer can be a help or a hindrance. We had brake problems 3000 miles from home and our selling dealer at home helped us diagnose the issue.

Sometimes the relation after the sale really matters.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by mokurt

To bad thier dealer was no help.

All of these suggestions are easy for us mechanically inclined others not.

absolutely agree... If they are not mechanically inclined, They also can take it to any trailer shop and get an estimate to fix it.

-or take it to the dealer they got it from and leave it there for an undetermined length of time to have them inspect it and fix what they should have done before delivering it in the first place. If It were me - I would take it to an independent professional trailer shop.

[Tiguan Tow r]

We've towed our 145RB with a 2013 2.0L Turbo VW Tiguan for the past 3 years and while it's no rocket towing, it is more than adequate. We even did an axle flip which raised it approx. 4". The brakes must be dragging on yours. Other posters to this problem have provided some good things to check out.