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elc7593's avatar
elc7593
Explorer
Aug 15, 2013

Going from popup to X17Z Jayco Hybrid

OK folks, I am new here.
Tent camped for more than 15 years.
Then bought a StarCraft 1701 (8' x 8') popup. Loved it for 8 years.
As the family grew, and Grand kids came bought a Rockwood M-2280 popup (12' x 8' box) with toilet shower combo, couch, water heater etc....
2 car wrecks 8 months apart, left me unable to set up the popup, trading for a Jayco Z17Z this weekend.
Any words of wisdom, will I like pulling a 2900 pund camper, and does anyone think I need a Load leveling hitch, or anti-sway bar. Pulling with a 4.0 Nissan Pathfinder.
  • go_wild's avatar
    go_wild
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    You will definitly need a weight distribution hitch, I recommend the Equalizer 600/6000, works great for me. What's the tow rating on the Pathfinder and what's the max tongue weight? The 17Z will be close to 3500lbs when fully loaded.
  • popupcamping's avatar
    popupcamping
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    yes you need a sway and WDH.

    I don't think you will have any easier time with a Hybrid plus setting up the WDH than your pup though.

    good luck
  • Hoosierdaddy47's avatar
    Hoosierdaddy47
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    Welcome!
    A Pathfinder should do fine with a camper that small. Tow rating is probably 6K with the factory tow pkg. and the 4.0(Most Pathfinders are...). I yank around a camper that's nudging 5000 lbs without a WDH with no trouble whatsoever. I do plan to buy one, but the money hasn't freed itself up just yet.
    Just checked the Jayco Owners Group forum and people are pulling the X17Z with Honda Pilots, which have 1500 lbs less capacity. Nice trailer, BTW! Enjoy!
  • bovellois's avatar
    bovellois
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    WDH is not even negociable. I used to worry about which to get until I came upon the Equalizer. It's affordable, reliable, easy to set up.
  • wmoses's avatar
    wmoses
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    elc7593 wrote:
    Any words of wisdom, will I like pulling a 2900 pund camper, and does anyone think I need a Load leveling hitch, or anti-sway bar. Pulling with a 4.0 Nissan Pathfinder.

    Yes you need both. My RV is presently 3800# with 600# on the tongue so that is good for minimizing sway but I have a single friction type anti sway bar as extra insurance.
  • Padlin's avatar
    Padlin
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    "2 car wrecks 8 months apart, left me unable to set up the popup"

    I take it you've tried opening and closing the beds and it's not an issue, if not make sure you do so.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    if you'd read your Pathfinder's owner's manual, it should tell you the minimum tongue/trailer weight that requires you to use a WDH.

    i can tell you right now, though, that you'll definitely need one and sway control too.
    get one with built-in sway control, like the Equal-i-zer or Reese Dual-Cam.
    you'll also need a brake controller.

    this is all dependent on your Pathfinder having the factory tow package.
    if it doesn't, all bets are off.
  • ryanb-72's avatar
    ryanb-72
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    I tow our x17z with a Nissan frontier. it is not the perfect set up but handles the trailer fine. You will not pass many gas stations for sure! I would recommend the equalizer. It is what we use and I can say without question I would not want to tow without it! The trailer took us a little getting used to but have (after two years) come around to the hybrid way of thinking. It suits our family of three well. Good luck!
  • mileshuff's avatar
    mileshuff
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2013
    I used an Equalizer hitch for years with my hybrid. Very little sway and so much easier to use than conventional sway bars. Bought mine from RVWholesalers.com.

    Tip for Equalizer: I used tongue jack to lift trailer and truck just enough to slide bars onto L brackets. Much easier than using pry bar.

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