Community Forums

Superbee24 · 05-02-2006, 05:17 AM

We are trading up from a pop=up to a 2006 JayFlight 27.5 RBH 5th Wheel.

I am set up to get the above trailer with slider hitch installed in truck and generator for $24,000 out the door.

Having not ever owned a 5th wheel, what is the general concesus here on pricing and towing ability of complete set up.

Truck is a 2004 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with 5.4 and 3.73 rated at 9200lbs towing. GVW on trailer is listed at 6300 lbs dry.

Comments on set up? JayFlight? Advise?

THanks all.

Pablo

Superbee24 · 05-02-2006, 05:17 AM

We are trading up from a pop=up to a 2006 JayFlight 27.5 RBH 5th Wheel.

I am set up to get the above trailer with slider hitch installed in truck and generator for $24,000 out the door.

Having not ever owned a 5th wheel, what is the general concesus here on pricing and towing ability of complete set up.

Truck is a 2004 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with 5.4 and 3.73 rated at 9200lbs towing. GVW on trailer is listed at 6300 lbs dry.

Comments on set up? JayFlight? Advise?

THanks all.

Pablo

Hitchhiker · 05-02-2006, 05:51 AM

Pablo,

Welcome to iRV2, we're really glad to have you here as a new member and are looking forward to reading your posts about your RVing experiences and adventures n your new fifth wheel. You'll find a great bunch of folks on this site who are very knowledgeable of RVing, the rigs we use, and the places we go in them.

As you'll see, they're eager to help and share their knowledge and experiences with others.

Take a real hard look at the towing weight limits for your F-150. You don't say whether it's a crew cab or what axle ratio it has, those factors will make a difference. The Trailer Life 2006 Towing Guide indicates an F150 SuperCrew SWB 4x4 with the 5.4l and a 3.73 axle can tow up to 9200#. With the 3.55 axle it's 8200#.

Also, the 6300# UVW for the trailer is most likely on the low side, I wouldn't be surprised if it weighed a few hundred pounds more. Load it up with your stuff, food, clothes, water, propane, etc. and it gets heavier.

Find out what the GCWR is for your truck and then load it up with all your usual stuff, including the passengers it'll be hauling while towing. Take it to a scale and weigh it, subtract that weight from the GCWR and the answer you get is how much you should tow.

Also, subtract that weight from the Ford's GVWR and that's how much pin weight you can handle. You may be surprised at how little carrying capacity you have with the Ford, the only way to find out is to do the math.

Most folks towing fivers with 1/2 tons are disappointed in the performance.

Again, welcome to iRV2, we're glad you joined. :wave

Superbee24 · 05-02-2006, 08:01 AM

3.73 tow rating of 9200lbs.

In 2004 Ford went with 3valve 5.4.

I am pretty sure that It will be OK.

I towed my buddy's 7900lb. 31 ft TT across Texas and it did fine.

Thanks for the input.

Pablo

RustyJC · 05-02-2006, 08:14 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Superbee24:
tow rating of 9200lbs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>A "manufacturer's tow rating" is a marketing number normally computed by subtracting the weight of a base truck (no options or accessories) with only a 150 lb driver from the truck's GCWR. That's why Richard was asking for your truck's GCWR and laden curb weight (LCW) as well as the GVWR of the 5th wheel. If you want to stay within your truck's ratings, this information can be used in the following calculations:

Truck's GCWR - Truck's LCW = Maximum total weight of loaded trailer

Truck's GVWR - Truck's LCW = Maximum pin or hitch weight of loaded trailer

Rusty

Superbee24 · 05-02-2006, 08:47 AM

I appreciate the info.

I understand that both the truck and trailer manufacturers "fudge" their numbers.

I am going to try this setup for now ( hopefully the trailer will be at the dealer in a few days ). If it doesn't work out there's this turbo diesel I have been looking at......

Hitchhiker · 05-02-2006, 10:38 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If it doesn't work out there's this turbo diesel I have been looking at...... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now you're talkin'!

Frank P. Martin · 05-02-2006, 02:46 PM

Yeah, the 5.3 will probably do OK pulling the 5er on level roads like in Texas. But get into some hills and I can assure you that it will be a D-O-G !

My Jayco Eagle TT is about the same empty weight (6,300 lb) and has a max gross of 8,500 lb as that Jay Flight you're considering. I would not be happy towing it here in the hills of Pennsylvania with anything less than a diesel.

Edmund A Skibinski · 05-03-2006, 02:07 AM

Pablo, Welcome to the IRV2 website and congratulations on getting your Jayco fifth-wheel, I would consider a 3/4 to a 1 ton a much better fit to haul your fifth-wheel, if not now then in the immediate future. If your travelling on flat ground you should not experience any problems, if you start pulling hills the combination you have will put a strain on your current truck. Ed.S

Superbee24 · 05-08-2006, 05:37 AM

Well, I picked up the 5ver after spending the night in it and took the scenic way home just to do a little test. ALL my concerns were unfounded.

The 5.4 with 3.73's pulled the trailer EASILY. I pulled the trailer on some Farm to Market roads, Some Interstate and some city roads. Total miles for first trip 65.

I had plenty of stopping power and at one point on the Interstate while going up hill ( This is the Texas Hill Country) my wife pointed out that I may want to slow down as I was at around 70 mph.

Will it handle the Colorado Mountain Ranges? Who knows, This summer I have 4 weeks of vacation that we plan to spend all over Texas.

IF and that's a big IF, I am not completed satisfied I can always change trucks next year, but based on my trip home I don't believe that is going to be the case.

BEFORE everyone chimes in, Yes the trailer was loaded within 200lbs of what we would normally carry clothes, sleeping gear, utensils etc. The only thing missing was the food and ice chest. The truck was loaded with the full family and one extra guest.

Thanks to everyone for your support and responses. See ya in the parks!

Pablo

Superbee24 · 05-08-2006, 05:42 AM

Just as a little heads up to Short bed 2004-present F150 owners.

The only hitch that would work on our bed was the SUPERGLIDE 12K super expensive job.

The dealer had quoted me a price on the trailer with a hitch thrown in. When I dropped off the truck to put the hitch in the service department informed the dealership that the SUPERGLIDE hitch was required. (Much more expensive than a regular slider hitch)

Since I had been quoted a price with hitch INSTALLED the dealership went ahead and ate the differce and I paid nothing extra for a SUPERGLIDE installed ! Can you say LUCKKKY !

Pablo