Travel Trailer - Motor Home -Travel Trailer

[BertD]

We had a Jayco 302FK for many years. Prior to retirement we bought a 40' Dutch Star and full timed for awhile after retirement. We just sold it because we were no longer using it enough to justify having it. We want to buy another used travel trailer so that we can still do some travelling. Also our 3 year old great-granddaughter loved going in the "mohome". We want to be able to take her, and her brother who is scheduled to arrive soon, with us. On occasion, if they have been very good, we might even let their parents tag along .
We pulled our 302FK with a RAM 1500 van, and then with a RAM 2500 pickup. Had no problems pulling it with either power unit. I currently have a RAM 1500 pickup. I don't want to buy another truck. With its 20" tires and 3.92 rear end the truck is rated for a max trailer weight of 7,650#. I could put a set of 17" wheels and tires on it when I want to pull the trailer and this would increase the max trailer weight to 8,750#. We probably don't want a trailer with slides because it seems that the floors in trailers with slides are a step or two higher than our 302FK.

Our 302FK served us well and suited our needs just fine. We would buy another one if we found a used one in good condition. We liked the front kitchen floor plan. We don't have any experience with other manufacturers. Any recommendations on models similar to our 302FK would be appreciated.

[1bigmess]

Go here to check the true capacity of that truck to tow: RV Tow Check 2.0 | Salesperson Fact Checker

Remember that when you go camping, what do you bring with you? Gennie? Firewood? Car top boat? That's all cargo weight. Tongue weight could be as high as 15% depending on the design and loading. Cargo capacity gets eaten up by passengers, options, light bars, even side steps, everyday things that you don't think about once you get acquainted with them.

I will not tell you right off the bat that your truck can't do it with that truck.

HOWEVER, since it is the safety of your family at risk, it is your responsibility to check that you are within the capacities of your vehicle. I give you a virtual pat on the back for checking into it before you haul off and buy something that might not be safe to tow.

Example: My truck has a front axle weight rating of 6,000, rear of 6,100, and a total weight rating of 10,000. My trailer has a GVWR of 7,000. I weighed it loaded for boondocking travel, and my weights are 4820, 4800, and 5120 for the trailer, total about 14,740. that includes full fuel tank, full fresh water, full propane, and loaded for full timing. I am well under my limits, but I planned it that way by buying a 250/2500 truck. It's easier to overload a 150/1500, but with small trailers it is very possible to tow a good camping trailer.

[Theberrys]

If you can do a Hybrid the Jay Feather SLX are really nice for about $15K new and coming in au under 3500 pounds.
Jay Feather SLX Travel Trailers | Jayco, Inc.

Here is an example in Ga. for $13,900
New 2015 Jayco Jay Feather Slx Hybrid Travel Trailer For Sale In Oakwood, GA - ORV1196724 - Camping World

I wouldn't do any cold weather camping in it but you didn't seem to be looking for that.

Dick

[BertD]

Thanks for the link. I put in the numbers from Dodge's published literature. For my truck with 17" tires. GCWR 14,000, GVWR 6,700, Scaled weight 5,200 (I added 100# for my steps), 150# of cargo in bed (light but I'll put everything I can in trailer), 500# of passengers and a 10% hitch weight. Results were that I am OK for an 8,150# trailer.

If I can find an old Jayco 302FK, like the one we had, the specs are 5,320 dry weight & 7,600# GVWR. Dry hitch weight is 685#. Even after deducting 500# for fresh water & propane I still would have 1,780# of cargo capacity in the trailer. There is no way we ever carried that much cargo.

We had our motorhome for 6 years. I haven't paid much attention to travel trailers for probably 15 years, since we were happy with our 302FK before the motorhome. When I started looking I was shocked to see how few non-slide models are available. (For us slides aren't worth the extra weight and height.) We just started searching and so far haven't found a floor plan we like nearly as well as the 302FK.

[1bigmess]

Just remember that depending on where the cargo gets loaded on the trailer, some of that weight becomes tongue weight, and some of it might lift the tongue. I only remind you of this because it seems like you might not be clear how loading affects tongue weight.

If your trailer does put more than 10% of it's weight on the tongue, will it tow within specs with 15% on the tongue? That is something that you won't really know for sure until you load it up for your style of travel and weigh it.

You also need to know your Rear Axle Weight Rating, which is most likely on a label on the door or door sill.

[Loraura]

Originally Posted by BertD

Thanks for the link. I put in the numbers from Dodge's published literature. For my truck with 17" tires. GCWR 14,000, GVWR 6,700, Scaled weight 5,200 (I added 100# for my steps), 150# of cargo in bed (light but I'll put everything I can in trailer), 500# of passengers and a 10% hitch weight. Results were that I am OK for an 8,150# trailer.

So you started with 1500 available payload (6700-5200).
subtract 150# for stuff in bed: new available payload 1350
subtract 500# of people in truck: new available payload 850
subtract forgotten weight of the WDH: new available payload 750

10% tongue weight is less than recommended for safety and stability. Tongue weight should be 12-15% of wet and loaded TT weight. So the heaviest TT you can purchase needs to have 750# = 12% of the total. Using a little math that means the heaviest WET AND LOADED weight you can handle the payload for is 6250. That means you are looking for dry weights <5000 lbs.