24BH vs 28BH

So can your PAYLOAD capacity handle the extra weight. Look for the payload on the sticker on the drivers side door jamb.

"We will mostly be going to State Parks in MI,"

All those favorite places ok with the length of the 28BH?

darsben1 wrote:
So can your PAYLOAD capacity handle the extra weight. Look for the payload on the sticker on the drivers side door jamb.

I believe so, payload is 1150, hitch weight is 575 for the larger trailer.

Payload minus your family and gear in the truck is what's left for hitch weight. Is that the dry hitch weight? It will be much more in reality. I don't think's you'll have enough truck to carry the payload withing GVWR. If you don't go over the rear axle rating you should be fine.

If your rig can handle it, go longer. You'll appreciate the extra space.

You will like the added space, and a couch will be nice to relax while the kids are napping, or if it is raining.

Unfortunately I think they payload is going to really limit you, especially as the kids grow. Add the hitch, propane, batteries, food, toys, clothes etc to the camper, and you probably have 800-900lbs of tongue weight. That takes you to 250-350lbs of payload weight for the wife, kids, dog, firewood etc.

Unfortunately when you get in the 28' range you really need a payload of atleast 1400-1500lbs in most cases. That means you either need the max payload package in a 1/2 ton, or a 3/4 ton.

You'll be close on payload as the 575 dry tongue will be around 900-1000 in reality. Dont shy away because of that alone.

The length difference is more significant. The 28 model is probably 32' bumper to ball which can be very challenging for many State Park sites. And more challenging if this is your first TT.

Travel with a longer enclosed trailer is also more susceptible to wind effects. Time and time again, people do not feel stable towing that length trailer with a 1/2 ton without a Hensley or Propride hitch. They are expensive, but worth their weight when towing. Trust me! Or heck....any current user of them.

If you dont plan on spending actual living hours within and doing active State Park trips where you really only sleep in the unit except when its raining, then I'd go with the 24 hands down.

I speak reality having gone thru this exact experience, coming from a 23' TT and now having a 28' (32' total). We miss the 23' for general travel but love the 28 because we also use it as a living space (practically a 2nd home) far often more than we travel. The decision was practically made for us based on our actual use of the TT. So keep it real!

darsben1 wrote:
So can your PAYLOAD capacity handle the extra weight. Look for the payload on the sticker on the drivers side door jamb.

What configuration is your F150? Year, engine, rear end ratio, tow package or not, cab style?

If i had a family your size and your 150........
I would choose a non slide aluminum sided 26BH. If you pack light enough, your truck will handle it.
It will offer you, less weight than a slideout model with fiberglass sides and if you pack conservatively , manageable tongue weight which will be in the 900# range.
Remember, TW is distributed over all the axles with a WD hitch in use.
It offers you an island queen bed, sofa, dinette, bunks, and a bath large enough to get the job done.
This TT will roll down the road at 6500# or so , depending how you pack it.

If you read the Jayco owners forum, people who have this floorplan seem to be happy with the amount of room and storage it offers.
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2018-Jayco-Jay-Flight-26BH-122115739

Michigan state parks tend to have some pretty big sites....at least the ones I have been to. I towed a 30 Aerolite with a 2006 F 150 with the 5.0 liter engine. It towed great. The weight sticker on the door assumes a full tank of gas and about a 150 lb driver. Depending on what you have (tow package, rear end ratio, etc) you should be fine. I do not worry so much about GVWR as I do rear axle and tire limits. I tend to also look at how far down the truck sags and where it ends up in comparison to the "stops" above the axle. With a weight distributing hitch, I bet it won't sag much.