Hello Everyone. I've been researching travel trailers for over 6 months and have found this forum extremely valuable. Thanks to all that take the time to respond to the questions posted by the members. It has become increasingly difficult to evaluate information you get from the RV dealerships on trailer/tow combinations. My family of four is looking at the Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH as our first travel trailer and thought this would be a good choice. The 28DSBH yellow sticker is around 5700 dry and 7500 max. In addition, I am looking at upgrading one of my vehicles to tow the Jayco and would appreciate anyone's experiences or comments including use of WDH, Sway controllers, and brake controllers. I want to "enjoy the tow" as much as the camping.1. 2013 Dodge Ram Express 4x4, Crew cab, Hemi, tow pkg with 3.92 gears (10,000 max tow)2. 2013 Chevy Silverado 4x4, Crew cab, 5.3, tow pkg(9,600 max tow)3. 2011 Nissan Armada SL 4x4, 5.6, tow pkg ( either the 2.93 or 3.35 rear end) (9000 max tow)4. 2013 Ford F150 FX4 4x4, crew cab, 3.5 Ecoboost, 3.73 gears(11,000 max tow)

Any one of those trucks has the tow capacity for your max 7500# trailer but do any of them have the payload?The payload is on the door sticker and will tell you how much you can safely load onto the truck. For a 7500# TT you will want a minimum 12% tongue weight to reduce sway. That's 900# right there. The hitch could weigh 50#. You're looking at Crew Cabs. Do you plan to fill them with people and gear? Firewood? You have to add it all up. Depending upon the options, and how many people you plan to carry, it may be that all of those trucks will be overloaded.As for brake controllers, get the OEM built in ones. Ford's is fantastic, and I heard that Chevy's is good too.

brulaz wrote:Any one of those trucks has the tow capacity for your max 7500# trailer but do any of them have the payload?The payload is on the door sticker and will tell you how much you can safely load onto the truck. For a 7500# TT you will want a minimum 12% tongue weight to reduce sway. That's 900# right there. The hitch could weigh 50#. You're looking at Crew Cabs. Do you plan to fill them with people and gear? Firewood? You have to add it all up. Depending upon the options, and how many people you plan to carry, it may be that all of those trucks will be overloaded.As for brake controllers, get the OEM built in ones. Ford's is fantastic, and I heard that Chevy's is good too.X2 on truck payload. Ram and Chevy half tons seems to come up short there, The F-150 with the Ecoboost, max tow/max payload package might do it for you, but at a price. Alternatively, the F-150 with the 5.0 V8 (not your father's 5.0) and the 8200 gvw package and max tow will you get you close to the EB version's numbers at a lower price.FWIW: I tow a WhiteHawk 27DSRL with similar hitch weight & GVW numbers to what you're looking at with a Ram 3500 (used to own a fifth wheel that weighed over 2x the Whitehawk's weight). Don't need that much truck now, but it's paid for. I also use a Reese Straitline Hitch, which some may say is totally unnecessary for such a light trailer hooked to a one ton truck. But, according to the truck's owners' manual, "some" would be wrong. :B

Thanks for the quick reply and the useful information. I "plan" to pack the truck pretty light with 2 adults, 2 small kids, and few lightweight items in the truck bed and pack most of the camping equipment including 4 bikes with the TT and don't see loading it with more than 1000#'s. I would rather not go above a 1/2 truck so I may need to look at a smaller/lighter TT with similar features.

thomasmnile wrote:X2 on truck payload. Ram and Chevy half tons seems to come up short there, The F-150 with the Ecoboost, max tow/max payload package might do it for you, but at a price. Alternatively, the F-150 with the 5.0 V8 (not your father's 5.0) and the 8200 gvw package and max tow will you get you close to the EB version's numbers at a lower price....Ford's HD Payload package (8200# GVWR) really turns the truck into a different beast, something in between an F150 and F250. Wish I had one.It comes with 7 lug wheels and HD rear axle (higher rGAWR), stiffer suspension (leafs and shocks) and LT tires instead of the P metrics. The suspension/tires alone would be worth it as the regular F150's is pretty wimpy.It's just not available in all models and usually has to be ordered. Hard to find a used one too.But I would never give up my Ecoboost. The low end torque is what you want for towing.

I think the EcoBoost F-150 may be a great option and found one local with low miles with Max Tow pkg for a pretty good deal. It's a certified 2011 but I've been reading there are a lot of customer complaints with EcoBoost for this year.

Looking at a Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH | Good Sam Community

brulaz
Explorer
Jun 23, 2013
Any one of those trucks has the tow capacity for your max 7500# trailer but do any of them have the payload?

The payload is on the door sticker and will tell you how much you can safely load onto the truck. For a 7500# TT you will want a minimum 12% tongue weight to reduce sway. That's 900# right there. The hitch could weigh 50#. You're looking at Crew Cabs. Do you plan to fill them with people and gear? Firewood? You have to add it all up. Depending upon the options, and how many people you plan to carry, it may be that all of those trucks will be overloaded.

As for brake controllers, get the OEM built in ones. Ford's is fantastic, and I heard that Chevy's is good too.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Jun 23, 2013
brulaz wrote:
Any one of those trucks has the tow capacity for your max 7500# trailer but do any of them have the payload?

The payload is on the door sticker and will tell you how much you can safely load onto the truck. For a 7500# TT you will want a minimum 12% tongue weight to reduce sway. That's 900# right there. The hitch could weigh 50#. You're looking at Crew Cabs. Do you plan to fill them with people and gear? Firewood? You have to add it all up. Depending upon the options, and how many people you plan to carry, it may be that all of those trucks will be overloaded.

As for brake controllers, get the OEM built in ones. Ford's is fantastic, and I heard that Chevy's is good too.

X2 on truck payload. Ram and Chevy half tons seems to come up short there, The F-150 with the Ecoboost, max tow/max payload package might do it for you, but at a price. Alternatively, the F-150 with the 5.0 V8 (not your father's 5.0) and the 8200 gvw package and max tow will you get you close to the EB version's numbers at a lower price.

FWIW: I tow a WhiteHawk 27DSRL with similar hitch weight & GVW numbers to what you're looking at with a Ram 3500 (used to own a fifth wheel that weighed over 2x the Whitehawk's weight). Don't need that much truck now, but it's paid for. I also use a Reese Straitline Hitch, which some may say is totally unnecessary for such a light trailer hooked to a one ton truck. But, according to the truck's owners' manual, "some" would be wrong. :B
bbweasel
Explorer
Jun 23, 2013
Thanks for the quick reply and the useful information. I "plan" to pack the truck pretty light with 2 adults, 2 small kids, and few lightweight items in the truck bed and pack most of the camping equipment including 4 bikes with the TT and don't see loading it with more than 1000#'s. I would rather not go above a 1/2 truck so I may need to look at a smaller/lighter TT with similar features.
brulaz
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
thomasmnile wrote:

X2 on truck payload. Ram and Chevy half tons seems to come up short there, The F-150 with the Ecoboost, max tow/max payload package might do it for you, but at a price. Alternatively, the F-150 with the 5.0 V8 (not your father's 5.0) and the 8200 gvw package and max tow will you get you close to the EB version's numbers at a lower price.
...

Ford's HD Payload package (8200# GVWR) really turns the truck into a different beast, something in between an F150 and F250. Wish I had one.

It comes with 7 lug wheels and HD rear axle (higher rGAWR), stiffer suspension (leafs and shocks) and LT tires instead of the P metrics. The suspension/tires alone would be worth it as the regular F150's is pretty wimpy.

It's just not available in all models and usually has to be ordered. Hard to find a used one too.

But I would never give up my Ecoboost. The low end torque is what you want for towing.
bbweasel
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
I think the EcoBoost F-150 may be a great option and found one local with low miles with Max Tow pkg for a pretty good deal. It's a certified 2011 but I've been reading there are a lot of customer complaints with EcoBoost for this year.
PopsRacer
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
A Nissan Armada will tow it well. We're currently looking at getting another TT and that one is at the top of my list.
brulaz
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
bbweasel wrote:
I think the EcoBoost F-150 may be a great option and found one local with low miles with Max Tow pkg for a pretty good deal. It's a certified 2011 but I've been reading there are a lot of customer complaints with EcoBoost for this year.

The main complaint I've heard is that in very humid, muggy conditions, you may get water condensation in turbo's air intercooler. Then if you step on it hard, the engine may hesitate cause of the water being blown into the engine. Apparently Ford came up with a different design last year or so, but there's been no recall, yet, although the USgov is looking at it. Most people have never had the problem. I haven't; the truck has been flawless so far.

AFAIK this is Ford's best selling vehicle, and the Ecoboost is the best selling engine. There's a lot of them out there. A good choice in used vehicles I would think. But it's still hard to find a HD Payload model. Be sure to check the actual payload # on the door sticker.
APT
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
They all have plenty of power and tow rating. Get one with as equipped payload at least 1500 pounds. 900-1000 pounds of trailer tongue weight, a family, and a bed full of camping gear requires it. As you shop, look for this sticker on the driver's door or door jam. Note what each has compared to mine @ 2051.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
brulaz wrote:
thomasmnile wrote:

X2 on truck payload. Ram and Chevy half tons seems to come up short there, The F-150 with the Ecoboost, max tow/max payload package might do it for you, but at a price. Alternatively, the F-150 with the 5.0 V8 (not your father's 5.0) and the 8200 gvw package and max tow will you get you close to the EB version's numbers at a lower price.
...

Ford's HD Payload package (8200# GVWR) really turns the truck into a different beast, something in between an F150 and F250. Wish I had one.

It comes with 7 lug wheels and HD rear axle (higher rGAWR), stiffer suspension (leafs and shocks) and LT tires instead of the P metrics. The suspension/tires alone would be worth it as the regular F150's is pretty wimpy.

It's just not available in all models and usually has to be ordered. Hard to find a used one too.

You're right, here in the States, Ford dealers don't seem to stock a lot of the 5.0 versions with the 8200 GVW option and Max Tow. Played around with Ford's build and price on their website and then directed to dealer inventory looking for a match. Found a few in 4WD version only, and one 2WD among dealerships within 200 miles of me.
jonitza
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
I own the White hawk 28dsbh and tow it with a 06 Armada. It does a fantastic job as a TV. We are a family of 4 and pack the armada pretty lite on trips. We love the trailer and have only had one small issue with the radio. This is a great TT.

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