Community Forums

itdave · 05-08-2010, 07:33 PM

Hi,
My Daughter and Son-in-Law are looking at buying a Travel Trailer and I was hoping some of you on this Forum could provide your opinion. I have a Diesel Pusher so don't know much about Travel Trailers. They are looking at a 2006 Jay Feather LTG by Jaco. It is 29 ft with bunk beds looks to be clean and in good shape. Dealer is asking 16K out the door. This will include a load equalizing hitch, adding brake control to their SUV a 2007 Ford Exposition. Please give me your thoughts or questions he should ask.

**NLOVNIT** · 05-08-2010, 10:02 PM

Jayco is a well trusted brand with a fine reputation.

Do you know the towing capacity for that Expedition (I think that's what you're referring to)? I thought they were around 6000 lbs unless it has a heavy duty towing package. If their Expedition doesn't have that, I believe that Jayco is over the towing capacity for that vehicle. It's also a long TT (isn't it close to 33 ft?) for an SUV.

Please check the GVWR on the Jayco plus the towing capacity & GCWR for the Expedition & let us know what you find out.

Lori-

SuperGewl · 05-13-2010, 09:58 PM

The Tow vehicle is very inportant, you want to be safe and that is the limiing factor in TT pulling. Remember that you need to take into account the weight of the people in the TR also. The more people you carry the less you can tow. The other option for TT is a Soft side or Pop out type, they genrally are lighter in weight and sleep a family of 4 or more.

Just food for advice

itdave · 05-17-2010, 05:16 PM

Turns out the SUV has a rating of 9200 towing capacity and tongue weight of 920 using a load equalizing hitch. So I think weight is not a factor.

450Donn · 05-17-2010, 08:29 PM

You need to remember that that towing rating is based on a bare bones vehicle. Everything you add above a 150 pound driver and a 1/4 tank of gas reduces your towing ratings. Load the SUV up like you were going camping and go to the scales. Subtract the scaled ready to camp weight from the GCWR and you will have a real world towing limit. You also need to remember that towing is not just about weight. It is also about wheel base. That trailer is pretty long for a short wheel base SUV. Personally having towed a 30 footer around with a long wheel base Ford Van, I would not consider it again unless I were using a hitch like the Hensley Arrow or similar setup.