Looking at a Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH

bbweasel wrote:
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)

bbweasel wrote:
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.

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.

bbweasel wrote:
Hello again everyone. To update my progress on selecting a tow vehicle, I have narrowed down my choices to pull a loaded 7500# TT or less (if I go with a smaller unit) Any input would be greatly appreciated.

2013 RAM 1500 Big Horn with 3.92 gears, 10,000 tow, 1430 payload
2013 Ford F-150 Super Crew Ecoboost, Max tow pkg, 11,000 tow, 1800 payload.
2013 RAM 2500 Big Horn, 6.7 Diesel, 17,000 tow, 2400 payload (overkill????)

There are some really great incentives on the 2013's right now. The Ford is sounding pretty good with the larger payload capacity to accommodate hitch weight.

Since I just did the same as you, and your camper is only 700 lbs more than mine, I can tell you why I didn't go with any of the options.

I really couldn't choose Ram because of it's super low payload as well as it's poorly geared transmission.

The Armada is a short wheelbase vehicle which is terrible for towing, the Armada is using yesteryears technology with a 5 speed transmission, and after owning several Nissan truck based vehicles, I'd never do it again. They are designed to be people haulers, not work horses, and aren't really reliable doing even that.

I didn't choose the Ecoboost because the condensation problem in the intercooler. It causes missing and stumbling and can even lead to limp mode. It also can damage the catalytic converter. Until this problem is fixed, I didn't want the gamble. And I certainly wouldn't recommend it to someone if I am not willing to buy it.

Even though you can't get the Max Tow package on the 5.0L, in standard tow package form, it has a higher GVWR/payload than the Ecoboost. The Ecoboost Crew Cab 4WD 5.5' bed truck has a GVWR of 7200 lbs while a 5.0L Crew Cab 4WD 5.5' bed truck has a GVWR of 7350 lbs. Still 300 lbs less than a Max Tow package but the Max Tow package weighs about 75 lbs. so you actually have only a 225 lbs. net gain with all things being equal. The Ecoboost weighs about 10 lbs so truck for truck with all options the same except engine and tow package, you'll only lose ~212 lbs with the 5.0L compared to the Ecoboost Max Tow Package.

If you really think about it, the tow rating for a Max Tow truck will never be seen towing a travel trailer due to the travel trailer's average 13% tongue weight. Now the Standard Tow package intergrated hitch receiver's rating is 10,500 lbs towing/1,050 lbs tongue weight while the Max Tow Package's integrated hitch receiver's rating is 11,500 towing/1,150 lbs tongue weight. 1,150 / .13 tongue weight is a max loaded trailer weight of 8846 lbs !! That's much less than the 5.0L truck's 9300 lbs tow rating! If you used the standard tow package's hitch of 1,050 / .13 tongue weight, you'd have 8,077 max loaded travel trailer weight.

Towing a travel trailer, you really only gain ~800 lbs of tow rating with the Ecoboost Max Tow package over a 5.0L Standard Tow package.

So what you gain is a ~200 lbs of payload and 800 lbs of tow rating. The brake controller can be purchased as an option for $230 and the Tow Mirrors can be purchased from the dealer for $400 installed if you want them. I had them on my last truck. Right now, I like the original mirrors with the Cipa Custom slide over tow mirrors better.

I also found my 5.0L tows great as you can read here.

It's your money but since you asked, I wanted you to see all the angles.

Good luck in your choice, no matter what maker or engine you end with.

BTW, I intentionally left GM out as I wouldn't push them on my worst enemy. ;)