Will this combo work??

[glsimms]

Hey Gang,

I generally hang out in the hybrid section as we own an X23B.

The DW and I recently bought a 2014 Ford Expy with the factory installed HD tow pkg. It has the over-sized radiator, tranny cooler and built-in brake contoller with tow sway control. It is the 4x2 and regular wheel base. I would get an Equalizer hitch with the integrated sway control.

We are looking at possibly trading the X23B for a TT. My wife and I are in our sixties and not too fond of crawling over each other in the middle of the night to use the RR. And we like the idea of a walk around bed. We are not interested in a bunk house as our grandkids go camping with their parents.

We both really like the Whitehawk 27DSRL
2015 White Hawk 27DSRL | Jayco, Inc.

According to the Ford specs, we should be able to tow up to 9,200 lbs with the HD tow pkg. The one thing that concerns me is the length of the TT. It is almost 31 feet long. Since I don't have the EL version Expy, will this combo work?? Most of our camping travels are around an hour away if that helps.

Thanks.... Gerard

[Tunce the traveler]

I wouldn't be afraid to do do it, your only at 5435 lbs. unloaded with a dry hitch weight of 510. And I'm sure you travel about 57-60 mph and at that speed and the weight of your EXP you won't even know it's there.
That White Hawk has a good amount of floor space for 2 people.

[Camper_bob]

I agree. Those Expys are tow beasts, and that trailer looks like a good match for the truck. With just the 2 of you, that looks like a nice setup.

Of course, if you're in doubt about the weights, take the Expy fully loaded to a CAT scale and do the math. Add about 1000-1500 lbs to the empty trailer (or 500-700 to the yellow weight sticker on the door of the trailer, all depending on how you load out for a trip), multiply that by 15% to get an upper end for your estimated tongue weight and see that your TV has enough payload to carry the tongue weight. Invest in a high quality WDH with integrated sway and the short wheel base of the Expy will be less of an issue.

Just my pair o' pennies, but that looks like a nice setup!

[Camping Couple]

My mom & dad just ordered the 27 DSRL. They plan on towing with a 2013 Toyota Tundra.

[glsimms]

Thanks fellas....

Yeah I felt pretty confident about the weights, but glad to hear some confirmations.

My one concern is the length of the TT, it's almost 31 feet long. I've seen incredible videos on youtube where the TT flipped over because the TT was too long for the TV.

[RedHorse1]

I agree with Tunce and Camper. Camper's 2nd point is also spot on (visit the CAT Scale). We towed our X23B with our '03 Expedition and it did a credible job. I do not believe it had the tow pkg and we were 200# shy of the Rear GAWR even tho we were way under the max tow weight. Doing the weigh with the 23B will also give you a hint of how much "stuff" you pack. Our first trip over the scale was intimidating but painless (thanks to advise on this board). Drive on the scale, push the intercom button and tell the person you're weighing a TT and will make 3 passes. The first pass is abt $10 and the re-weighs are $3 I think.
The CAT Scale is your friend.
The bride and I are also in our 60's and agree about the climbing over.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

...snip..
The bride and I are also in our 60's and agree about the climbing over.

Same here. That reason, and the lack of a real toilet at '0 dark thirty', plus the lack of a real shower were the reasons we caved in and sold our class-B that we had for MANY years. It was fine and it didn't change, we got older.

[cekkk]

We are on our fourth Expedition, and now DW has a 2013 Expy with that package + 4WD. But she only tows a 16' flatbed with toys aboard, so her experience isn't comparable to what yours will be. But addressing your concern with wheelbase and TT length, I'd imagine your main concern would be crosswinds. We've crossed Indiana on I-70 many times, and if your neighborhood is that flat, you probably get some of those winds. Just take it slow if that happens and avoid white knuckling.

[slabat]

If you put an equalizer hitch on you should be fine. I would NOT tow this with out some sort of additional sway control

[Paintinfool3]

If they flipped it something was haywire , the only one I saw was with major crosswinds and they weren't traveling fast and had a huge trailer .... I towed a 32 footer heavier than that with a 2005 Yukon and other than its ability to do a hill without downshifting it was fine

[glsimms]

Thanks gang.....

We are going to a Jayco dealer next week-end to look at one.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by glsimms

snip.......My one concern is the length of the TT, it's almost 31 feet long.....snip

As your aware, staying within your TV's weight limits, a properly sized/adjusted WDH, and a lot of common sense keeps most of us out of trouble.

As mentioned earlier, taking your SUV to a CAT scale under loaded camping conditions and weighing it is a good start...., then subtracting your CAT scale weight from your TV's GVWR will tell you how much "available" payload capacity you have for a TT's loaded tongue weight (and a 50lb WDH). Knowing this information prior to an RV dealer visit would be very helpful with your do diligence.

As you stated the 27DSRL is a 31ft long TT, and having adequate tongue weight on the TV's hitch ball will enhance a TV's the handling of a heavy/long TT. IMO you would want nothing less then a 13% loaded tongue weight, but 15% would be my ideal comfort zone.

I agree with "Camper_bob" in using a "15%" loaded tongue weight with your estimated 27DSRL loaded weight.

Also, towing with an "LT" tire on your SUV will enhance it's handling characteristics with the heavier/longer TT.

Bob

[glsimms]

I will definately take the TV to a CAT scale and do the math as you guys say.

On the LT tires, any particular tire you guys would recommend??

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by glsimms

On the LT tires, any particular tire you guys would recommend??

Hey Gerard, when my Michelins wear out on my F-250, I'm replacing them with Firestone Transforce AT's. Heard good things about them. Most manufacturers make a pretty decent LT tire. I think your new Expy would pull that Whitehawk just fine. We have the same floorplan in our Eagle except our queen bed slides out and we love it. Lots of room. Keep us posted.

[sugarray]

I read the survey and reviews on Tire Rack and the Transforce A/Ts did not get good reviews there. I am going to swap out my new A/Ts for Cooper Discoverer AT3. Nothing but good for them locally and what I read on the internet. You will always find someone who expects ATs to be mud tires or gets a bad tire every now and then. I'd look at tire rack and read surveys and reviews

[Paintinfool3]

I switched out the michelens on mine for disoverer at3s and i love them ... they are quiet for heavy tread tires ... i havent got stuck in the snow once this year and they track so much better in the slush... they have deeper tread than most other tires ... like i think 17/32s of tread or 19 i cant remember. I ordered mine from discount tire.com and got free shipping as they were cheaper than anyone with free shipping .

[cekkk]

My Michilens were showing tread separation on two of four rear wheels after 20k and had to be replaced. Used the warranty and paid $118/tire but will not be using that brand again.

[oldmanAZ]

Over the years I've had the best 'luck' with Continental ContiTrac LT 18" load range E tires. I've tried Michilens, Goodyear Silent Armor, and Goodrich Commercial T/A none of them gave me the tread wear etc. that the Continental tires did. I had sidewall bulges on the Goodyear Silent Armor and the company I worked for had reoccurring tread separation problems with load range E tires on both Michilens and Goodrich Commercial T/A tires.

Continental ContiTrac do not have a serious snow tread (so they are not for everyone everywhere), but when they were new - over 50% of tread still left - I did not have a problem on the interstates and light snow.

I just recently bought 4 new Continental ContiTrac LT tires.

[ninjahbob]

Great setup!! You shouldn't have a problem.

[sask934]

Love the floor plan, the door directly into the bedroom is a very nice plus. I have been looking at floor plans that I like so that when my wife and I retire that I can tow around the Southern states in the winter. I want a TT that is big enough to live in but easy to tow.

Looks like your set up will be more than fine....it is payload that gets used up first and the hitch weight dry seems fine.