Suggestions for First TT (Maybe Jay Feather 25BH)

[MagnumP45]

Hi all,

My wife and I are looking at buying our first TT. We have two kids (7 and 9). My SUV is rated for 7385lbs. I am really drawn to the 2017-2018 Jay Feather 25BH. The dry weight is 5200 and max is 6700lbs. Do you see any problems for my vehicle to handle it? Unfortunately, they dropped that model for the 2019 and on. They went to a larger TT which is more than I think I can tow.

For those that have that model, can you give me any feedback, either good or bad? I'd love to hear opinions from owners.

Besides that model, are there any others I should be looking at? My primary requirements are having a master bedroom that can be closed for privacy (no murphy bed), double bunks, a couch and dining table (not one or the other), and outdoor kitchen.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[gpd2111]

More info on your tow vehicle would be helpful. There will be a sticker on the driver's door jam that has a payload rating. Also the axle ratings would be helpful. The tow capacity is the last thing you will run out of.

[MagnumP45]

Originally Posted by gpd2111

More info on your tow vehicle would be helpful. There will be a sticker on the driver's door jam that has a payload rating. Also the axle ratings would be helpful. The tow capacity is the last thing you will run out of.

The sticker on the door shows GVWR (7385lbs), GAWR front axle (3595lbs), and rear axle (4300lbs).

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by MagnumP45

The sticker on the door shows GVWR (7385lbs), GAWR front axle (3595lbs), and rear axle (4300lbs).

Thanks in advance for your reply.

We need your payload rating...the number that comes after the statement:

"The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed: ______lbs"

[jpgale]

If you know the weight of your tow vehicle when you have all of you in it and with all the stuff you intend to carry that would be helpful to the experts here as well.

Have you considered the Jay Flight SLX 264BH, it has no slide which can be a good thing and a bad thing. The SLX is lighter than the Jay Flight cousin 26BH. This one has a GVWR of 6000 and is still being made.

I rented a 26BH before I got my 32BHDS to do a test run it was a nice trailer but I we wanted a room we can close the kid into when he sleeps and an outside entry to the bathroom, and I had/have the tow vehicles for it.

[schrederman]

Generally an SUV isn't going to have as big a payload as a pickup truck. I know folks are not telling you what you want to hear, but they are telling you facts. Figure out your payload and subtract the weight of all the stuff, kids, dogs, etc that will be in the truck, and then you'll know the tongue weight your SUV will handle. Enjoy!

[MagnumP45]

There is no payload rating on the sticker on my SUV, but looking it up online it says 1385lbs. Also my vehicle weight is 6000lbs. I’m guessing that my family and gear would weigh 600lbs, but that is a pure guess.

Also, I’m not looking for a specific answer. I really am just curious about what trailer weight I should consider to safely tow. I have never done this before. Thanks for your time!

[RogerR]

Magnum could you please publish your tow vehicle year, make and model.



The reason is that others may have experience with similar trailers and your vehicle.


Sometimes what a vehicle is rated is just not reasonable.


For example, a short wheelbase Jeep might have the towing capabilites or a longer vehicle but not handle as well as a long base vehicle with the same specs.



I towed with a Jeep Liberty that pulled well and handled the weight but I never felt as confident as pulling with my Grand Cherokee that has a longer wheelbase.


Don't forget as your vehicle ages the sticker capacity may be overstated. Brakes, suspension, transmission may all degrade below listed and leave your underrated.

[MagnumP45]

Originally Posted by RogerR

Magnum could you please publish your tow vehicle year, make and model.



The reason is that others may have experience with similar trailers and your vehicle.


Sometimes what a vehicle is rated is just not reasonable.


For example, a short wheelbase Jeep might have the towing capabilites or a longer vehicle but not handle as well as a long base vehicle with the same specs.



I towed with a Jeep Liberty that pulled well and handled the weight but I never felt as confident as pulling with my Grand Cherokee that has a longer wheelbase.


Don't forget as your vehicle ages the sticker capacity may be overstated. Brakes, suspension, transmission may all degrade below listed and leave your underrated.

Sure. It is a 2015 Lexus LX570 with 5.7l V8.

[Midnightmoon]

The quickest and most accurate way to determine your available payload is to visit your local truck stop and use their CAT scale. Load up your vehicle with your family and all of the things you think you will be hauling in your vehicle with you, cooler, supplies for the kids, etc. After you weigh, subtract your actual weight from the CAT scale from your GVWR and that will give you your true available payload capacity.

If you are unfamiliar with how to use a CAT scale, take a look at this thread.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html


Keep in mind that most travel trailers will end up with a tongue weight of 12%-15% of the trailers GVW (Completely ignore the trailer manufacturers listed tongue weight. They are never accurate). For example, my 5500# Jay Feather has a tongue weight of 800# as measured via the CAT scale. I believe it's published manufacturers dry tongue weight was listed at 475#.

Once you know your available payload for your current tow vehicle, you can more accurately shop for trailers that will fit your needs.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum.

[MagnumP45]

Thank you for the information. I will look into getting my vehicle weighed.

[mnaquaman]

Get all of your numbers and then decide how close to the max towing capacity your are comfortable with! I Try to keep my max trailer weight at 75% of the max towing capacity of your tow vehicle.


Some will agree with the 75% rule while others will laugh at it. I do it because I have towed at the max capacity and did not like how everything handled! I am currently under 75% by about 600 lbs & I like it.
Read every ones comments and then do what makes you comfortable!












Happy Camping and Safe travels!

[RogerR]

I like the 75% rule.


As your tow ages what ever the factory sets has to be a lowered over time.



It is a really good idea to help keep you safe!

[Tomsmith07401]

I have a 25 by, I tow it with a 2004 Tahoe. With the trailer loaded and after dry camping for 3 days it weighed 6250lbs. My Tahoe with 2 big dogs 2kids my wife, myself and my tool box weighed about 6100 so total across the scale was a few lbs over my max gcw. We are very conscious of what we put the trailer and only carry a few gallons of water to flush the toilet on the road. It tows well, and doesn't sway. A good weight distribution hitch is essential and making sure your checking weight and weight transfer to the front wheels. My kids are 12 and they love the bunks and having there own space, and even with the dogs we haven't felt cramped even during rainy days, there is plenty of space to sit. I did remove the outside kitchen to make more room for storage. the only 2 problems I have had was the windows leaked a little, had to put quad sealant around them, and lost an awning arm to a heavy rainstorm. Other than that my family has been really happy with our decision.

[MNWild]

WE have the 2018 Jayco 25bh and what you want to know is 6350 GVW of trailer loaded Thats whats on the sticker on TT

[MNWild]

WE have a 2018 Jayco 25BH we have had alot of problems with it 40 some small some large.
Dealer is trying to do best they can to fix them.
With that said all and all we like it not love but like

We tow ours with a 2012 Lincoln Nav. rated at 8700 no problems

[CBCOCRBO]

What is the gear ratio of your tow vehicle? I have a 2015 Chev Silverado LTZ Crew Cab with a weight rating sufficient tho tow near 8000# but the gear ratio sucks. They are 3:42 gears. I've had lots of trucks and SUV's that I used for towing and my opinion is that the gear ratio should be at least 3:73 or 3:83. I.m okay towing my 19" boat but when towing my TT you can tell it is working way too hard. Trannie temp goes waaay up. My next vehicle will definitely be ordered with 3:73 or 3:83 gears no matter what the dealers tell me.

[robert9999]

I have a 2017 25 BH. I use an F150 , v8 engine (5.0), 3:31 rear gears, tow package. This is a minimal truck for this 30 foot long unit. I have taken it across country twice. I have a 6.5 foot bed 145” Wheelbase. If I had a 3:73 rear gear & A larger gas tank it would be fine for two people. I wouldn’t ever consider an SUV to pull. Sway would be an issue, you need the tow package also. I weighed in at 12,100 lbs with a 700 lbs tongue weight( truck loaded was 6,050 lbs & trailer was the same loaded . I have since lightened my load by about 200 lbs. I wish I had An F250 to pull but with my rear gears I average 11.3 mpg on a cross country trip.

[SAMM Kinder]

Depending on where you live makes a BIG difference .... I live where to go in any direction there is a mountain range so I keep my trailer at slightly over 1/2 of my max GVW My 185RB trailer is rated at 3500 lbs but I know im closer to 4000 loaded to the hilt .. Pulled with 1/2 ton chev 4.8 v8 just fine ...No 40 miles an hour over mountains for me !!! 55-70 just fine

[Joy]

I purchased a new Jay Feather 25bh in 2017 after much research. I am very satisfied and fortunately have only had a few minor issues, most of which I was able to fix myself. I tow it with a 2008 Ford Expedition, which has a towing capacity of 9k pounds and 900 tongue weight if using a weight distribution hitch. I purchased a Blue Ox Sway Pro and haven’t had any issues after distributing cargo and getting the tongue weight at 13%.
Good Luck and hopefully you will be as happy as me with this model!