Towing Question Here

[kfuller]

I am new here and have an 08 dblcab with the 5.7

I am considering buying two trailers.

The first ia s jayco Eagle 314bhds which is 7700lbs dry.

The second is a comparable cougar model but it weighs 6200lbs dry.

I know to add roughly 1000lbs for your extras such as dishes cloths grill BEER etc...


Prices are comperable on both but the Jayco Eagle seems much nicer inside

I guess the real question here is will the 1500lbs really make that much of a difference while being towed? I guess someone who went from an ultralite to a heavier unit would know best.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[daytripper]

I pull a 25' about 7500 lbs from Ohio to Florida and back with no problems with the 5.7. The boat has a T-Top and there is a lot of wind resistance as you will have with the travel trailer. I only get 8 mpg while towing

[kfuller]

Have you pulled any other lighter boats with it? If so was there a noticable difference?

Thanks

[kwarstler]

I tow a Jayco Jay Flight - 30' that weighs approximately 6600# dry. I load it up with a full tank of water and the wife has about everything else packed in there. I have absolutely no problem towing with the 5.7. I don't think the extra 1500# in trailer weight will make that big of a difference. I towed my trailer from Ohio to S.C. through the mountains of WV and Va. and I had no problems! Just make sure you have plenty of gas $$$. I averaged 8.5 miles per gallon. - ouch! As to trailers, I would go with the Jayco Eagle. Jayco builds a quality travel trailer.

[kfuller]

We liked the Jayco's cabinetry and amount of storage, and ceiling height was higher also. I will be pulling it around VA, WVA, MD, and maybe a trip or two to NC. Have you had any problems with the Jayco?

[kwarstler]

I've only had the Jayco for a year so far. It's an 07 and the wife and I are very pleased so far. Came with a 2 yr bumper to bumper warranty which is better than the industry standard. It's a 30 footer with a slideout. Absolutely no problems. Yes, the cabinets are generally nicer and constructed better. The appliances inside are top notch - reputable companies, and the ceiling heighth is higher. I'm 6'1" and I have plenty of room. I also like the insulated duct work in the ceiling for central air conditioning, and the floor ducts for central heat. Keeps the unit cool and warm when you need it. I purchased ours through a dealer who sold exclusively Jayco units (aside from used inventory). He really spent the time showing me the differences in the design and build of the Jayco which sets it apart from others. The Eagle is a notch above my Jay Flight so I don't think you will be disappointed. My dealer set me up with a weight distribution hitch and installed a prodigy brake controller in my Tundra. The first week we owned it, we took it to Myrtle Beach and the drive was easy especially considering the terrain in WV and Va. My Crewmax handled it with no problems.

[kfuller]

We did a lot of looking around before pinning it down to two of them. My wife is really stuck on the Jayco so that is what we will most likely end up with. I have an r-vision 243s Hybrid TT that is 3900dry now but have not pulled it with the Tundra. I will pull it about two miles Friday to trade it in on the Jayco though. I have most of the hitchwork I need already except for the weight distribution bars. My current set is 800lb rated and I have been told I need the 1000lb rated ones. I also installed the prodigy on the tundra real easily by purchasing a wiring harness made for the tundra and the prodigy (5 minute install ). This camping thing is addictive. we bought are last one at the beginning of the season last year and took it out every chance we got. Your right about the warrenty. Everyone else is a year and I thought that was awful short for something costing $30k.

What was the steepest grade between your place and SC? I am planning a few trips to Cumberland Md. this summer and there are two sections that are 6% if I remember right.

[kwarstler]

I think the steepest grade was around 7. I'm not exactly sure. I traveled the WV turnpike down into Va. and then continued on 77 through Bluefield. There are definately some steep grades. I've always been a camper (primitive) but the camper thing was my wife's idea. The in-laws have a big diesel pusher and they travel all over. As soon as I told the wife I was buying the Tundra, she was like "Great, now I can get my camper" She literally was picking out the Jayco before my truck arrived from the factory. I wouldn't let her put a down payment on the camper until the dealer called and said the Tundra was in (the GMC Envoy wasn't going to cut it). Who was I to argue, I just dropped 35k on a new truck! It's been enjoyable so far. Wife is getting anxious to get out again. She's a teacher and she has a springbreak coming up in late March and she's already talking about going somewhere! I just tell her to handle the plans and I will drive.

[kfuller]

Well we are definately getting the Jayco. Pick it up Saturday. My Brother in law and sister in law just picked up a Passport 30 footer and we went over there to take a look. It is only 5500lbs dry and it has two slides like the Jayco but as soon as we stepped in I thought I would be happier with the Jayco. There was a big interior difference. I hear ya, I like to camp and don't care if it is in a tent or a camper but the wife has to be comfy. She was totally against camping until her sister told her how much fun it was and kept pushing her to get one. To say the least I am glad we did it has been fun every time we have gone out. The biggest plus for her is you can go to the beach for $35 a night, then there is the bring your own toilet factor. Anyway thanks for your help and I will post a few pics of the new toys later this weekend.

[RunItHard]

Originally Posted by kfuller

I guess the real question here is will the 1500lbs really make that much of a difference while being towed? I guess someone who went from an ultralite to a heavier unit would know best.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Buy whatever trailer you like, the Tundra will tow it fine. I tow a 32', 8,200 lb TT at high altitude and steep grades here in Utah, and it's the best thing out there other than a turbo-diesel.

Even at 8,200 lbs my trailer tracks real nice behind the truck, and the manual stick mode on the 6 speed tranny comes in very handy descending steep grades.

[kfuller]

Is your TT 8200 dry or loaded? They say to add 1000lbs with your stuff but I unloaded my old TT the other night and there may be 500lbs if that.

Thanks for the advice.

[Tundra#2]

I am also new here. I tow a 31ft TT that weighs approx. 8,200lb loaded. The Tundra tows it no problem and the trailer tracks nice too. I have to agree with Run It Hard, the manual stick does come in handy.

[kfuller]

Well we pulled the trigger on it (Jayco Eagle 314BHDS). I only towed it 2 miles back to the house but could tell the Tundra would have no problem yanking this 2nd home around. I will report in a few weeks after we take it out on a real trip.


To everyone who replied:

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. They really helped out.

[tedstundra]

I have a question for all the Jayco lovers. How is that bed fit you? Jayco uses a RV queen (60X74) bed which is 6 inches shorter than a regular queen. That means you can't go down to the local linens store and buy your fitted sheets, mattress covers, etc. I'm just a little under 6 feet and when I tried the bed my feet hung over the end by quite a bit. I do agree on the quality and appearence of the Jayco however. Any comments?

[kfuller]

I have not slept in it yet but the dealer did say you can put a regular queen on it with no problem. I am 5'11" and I fit on it nicely. Six feet is 72" and the bed is 74" that gives me 3" to spare.When I first tried it out I had the same experiance then I tried it again moving the pillows all the way forward and it was fine. Is 74" standard for travel trailer beds??