Community Forums

slyjeffb · 07-14-2007, 09:40 AM

Hi. I've been lurking for a couple of days and thought I'd dive right in. We are in the market for a TT possibly after a tree fell on our Coleman Pop-up and totaled it last month. We are looking at Jayco Flight TT. We know we will need to upgrade our tow vehicle. From what I've been reading, I know I need to look at GCWR. We are looking at a 26' no slide with GCWR 7500. I guess I'm wondering what tow vehicle would you choose. We are considering Suburbans or Pickups. What about hitch? What do you tow with? Thanks.

slyjeffb · 07-14-2007, 09:40 AM

Hi. I've been lurking for a couple of days and thought I'd dive right in. We are in the market for a TT possibly after a tree fell on our Coleman Pop-up and totaled it last month. We are looking at Jayco Flight TT. We know we will need to upgrade our tow vehicle. From what I've been reading, I know I need to look at GCWR. We are looking at a 26' no slide with GCWR 7500. I guess I'm wondering what tow vehicle would you choose. We are considering Suburbans or Pickups. What about hitch? What do you tow with? Thanks.

Terry and Sallie · 07-14-2007, 06:25 PM

i would go with the suburban. if you have kids all ot their stuff will be under cover vers an open pick-up. that is a pretty good size tt. you probvabley should have a 5.7 engine and 373 gears.
i am a chev guys but suit yourself. we have a 30 foot cardinal with a 03 2500 chev hd. jsut put a chip in it with the k and n filter. don[t know how much it helped the gas het.

Frank P. Martin · 07-15-2007, 03:33 AM

GCWR of 7,500 lb? Don't you mean GVWR (Gross Vehicle Wwight Rating? GCWR is the combined (TV + TT + everything you put into them including passengers) weight. Assuming the number you gave is actually the GVWR, that's only 1,000 lbs less than my Jayco Eagle. If you can afford it, go with a minimum of a 3/4 ton. You won't regret it. I bought my current TV (see sig below) when I still owned a pop-up because I knew I was going to be upgrading to a TT. Like a Boy Scout, I was prepared.

xc-mark · 07-15-2007, 05:48 AM

3/4 ton rated pick up or FULL size suv. it must have 3.73 rear end gears or 4.10 gears with stock size tires and load range "D" at a min. If you can find a 8.1 liter Avolanch or suburban used they will pull much better then a 6 liter . stock hitch is fine on any of them as long as it rated IV (class 4)

slyjeffb · 07-15-2007, 06:40 AM

oh yes, I did mean GVWR. Sorry!

slyjeffb · 07-15-2007, 06:49 AM

Thanks for the replies. We test drove some Suburbans yesterday. We liked the vehicle. We haven't made a purchase yet. We want to be sure about the TT. Again, thanks for the input!

Frank P. Martin: Have you had your Jayco Eagle since 2000? Do you really like it, then?

Frank P. Martin · 07-15-2007, 07:48 AM

It's always good to have another "editor" look over your work. It helps ensure that we're all "on the same page"... so to speak.

About the Jayco Eagle, Yes, I'm the original owner. It was purchased new in January 2000 at the Pittsburgh RV Show. Like anything of this nature you buy (i.e. vehicles, RVs, homes, etc), there are going to be problems from time to time, but nothing major (so far... knock on wood) with Jayco. In fact, almost all of our problems were with vendor products that were used in the manufacture of the TT; not the TT itself. The toilet, refrigerator, hot water heater, CD player/radio, and awning have all been faulty. And, there have been upgrades I've installed on my own to make the TT more enjoyable; Quickie flusher on the black tank, an accumulator water tank to reduce the amount of on/off cycling of the water pump, Maxx/Air cover and Turbo/Maxx fan.

Unless something unfortunate occurs, I'm anticipating the Jayco to be around for a long time. It's just the right size for my wife and I (we're empty nesters). I keep the TT in a limestone mine during the winter which helps keep it looking good, so the only time it's out in the elements is from around April to October.

Randy the sly old fox · 07-21-2007, 07:30 PM

If you are going with a Burb I would either find a used 3/4T with the 8.1L or go for a new 2008 3/4T unit with the new 6.0L and 6Speed transmission. The better solution (unless you need the third row seats) is a 2500HD crew cab with either size box. You can get either the Dmax or the 6.0L 6 speed (07NBS or 08)and with 4.10 rear end you have a tow rating of 12,000 lbs. or more. Enough for you 7000 lb Jayco. IMHO you can not have too much TV.

JONCAR · 07-22-2007, 10:58 AM

keep doing your home work, and then you can make an educated decision..do not go too small..happy camping..joncar..

slyjeffb · 07-31-2007, 09:45 AM

I wanted to say thanks for all of the help. An update: we bought a used 1 ton chevy dually with extended cab(we have a nine year old daughter) standard bed, not disel. When my grandparents learned we were TT shopping, they offered us their 5th wheel that they haven't taken out in years. It has some hail damage, but it's free! So this is our route for now. Now we need a 5th wheel hitch. . .