Making the TT to FW Leap

[davisenvy]

I'm currently looking to purchase a Jayco Eagle HT 29.5bhds. My family needs/wants more room while camping.
First off, I have a 2006 Duramax crew 4x4 to pull the FW. The Jayco has a pin weight of 1,500, dry 8,500, gross weight of 10,000. Anyone see any weight problems?
Second, what can I expect from a FW as far as towing, backing up and overall handling? I have never towed a FW before, but have plenty experience towing TT's.
Third, my truck already has a gooseneck hitch from the previous owner. I plan on getting g the $900 adapter from etrailer. They say this is the safest route without frame damage.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome. The Jayco HT is said to be half ton towable. I would also love to hear from someone that has this model.
Thanks.

[davisenvy]

Great responses! I was also curious about the Anderson hitch. I'm looking forward to the extra room with a more enjoyable towing experience.

[RangerEZ]

davisenvy wrote:
I'm currently looking to purchase a Jayco Eagle HT 29.5bhds. My family needs/wants more room while camping.
First off, I have a 2006 Duramax crew 4x4 to pull the FW. The Jayco has a pin weight of 1,500, dry 8,500, gross weight of 10,000. Anyone see any weight problems?
Second, what can I expect from a FW as far as towing, backing up and overall handling? I have never towed a FW before, but have plenty experience towing TT's.
Third, my truck already has a gooseneck hitch from the previous owner. I plan on getting g the $900 adapter from etrailer. They say this is the safest route without frame damage.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome. The Jayco HT is said to be half ton towable. I would also love to hear from someone that has this model.
Thanks.

I love that camper. I think you will be fine. I pull double with a slightly lighter fiver and another 2500# behind it in a very similar truck. Your profile doesn't say, but if you have the short bed, you should be okay with a standard B&W Companion like a few others have discussed already. That is what I went with. My Cougar has the cut corners on the front cap and the Jayco is similar. I can back to a full 90 and I'm good on clearance.

The fiver towing experience for me so far has been wonderful. I am very pleased with my hitch as it seems to be solidly anchored to the truck. I have no sway and no chucking, just a nice smooth quiet pull. I also looked hard at the Andersen Ultimate. I went with the Companion because of my use double towing and am very pleased. I think the Andersen is a solid option for you too. I would not recommend a gooseneck style because of the lighter pinbox frames on the lightweight fivers like I have and you are looking at. I also read on here that using gooseneck hitches may cause universe ending calamities and such, so there is that to consider too.

Seriously, you should be good to go. Enjoy.

[laknox]

davisenvy wrote:
I'm currently looking to purchase a Jayco Eagle HT 29.5bhds. My family needs/wants more room while camping.
First off, I have a 2006 Duramax crew 4x4 to pull the FW. The Jayco has a pin weight of 1,500, dry 8,500, gross weight of 10,000. Anyone see any weight problems?
Second, what can I expect from a FW as far as towing, backing up and overall handling? I have never towed a FW before, but have plenty experience towing TT's.
Third, my truck already has a gooseneck hitch from the previous owner. I plan on getting g the $900 adapter from etrailer. They say this is the safest route without frame damage.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome. The Jayco HT is said to be half ton towable. I would also love to hear from someone that has this model.
Thanks.

First off, that "HT" is b.s. for all but 1 model of F-150, from everything I've read. Figure you could have 2000 lbs on the pin if loaded to max. Yes, it would be rare, but you need to plan for worst-case. With a 2500, you're good to go, IMO. Since the HTs all have the same basic GVW, double-check the cargo capacity. Some of them are pretty anemic, so you may have to be real careful on what you pack with you.

Second, check with Jayco on using a GN adapter. Almost certain that they'd void any frame warranty if you use one. Depending on what GN ball you already have, there are a number of options for you. A "proper" FW hitch would be best and you might be able to find a hitch that uses the GN base already installed. If this is a removable GN ball, and the insert is square, chance are you have a B&W Turnover Ball base. If round, it would likely be a Curt, I believe.

Personally, the Eagle HT 27.5RLTS is on my short list, so I'm learning all I can about it. That CCC I mentioned earlier, is one of the things that does concern me for my use, as does the relatively small black tank, at only 32.5 gallons. I'd give up nearly 13 gallons over my current, smaller, FW. Since we boondock a couple times a year, this is important to us.

As an aside, take a look at the KZ RV Durango 1500 line. Their D284RLT is the other one on my short list. Look at their D286BHD bunkhouse model. Slightly different arrangement inside, but has 2 awnings, for a total of 29' of shaded coverage vs only 21' for the Jayco. Big plus for me, were I interested, especially being in AZ! 🙂

Lyle

[sritter]

davisenvy wrote:

Second, what can I expect from a FW as far as towing, backing up and overall handling? I have never towed a FW before, but have plenty experience towing TT's.
Thanks.

You'll be amazed at how much better it feels towing. 5 minutes into our 5 hour ride after picking ours up I knew I'd never go back to a TT. It was a 4800lb 28' travel trailer with an equalizer hitch, no problem with towing it at all, there is just something better about towing a fifth wheel. You will see what I mean, there is just something less stressful about it. As far as backing there is a lot of talk of differences, I have to back down a long driveway and didn't notice much of a difference at all even at 37' compared to 28'.

[rhagfo]

CWSWine wrote:
If it was me I would call Lippert that makes your frame and ask them. I have heard from others that they void the frame warranty and I would call myself just to make sure one way or the other.

While I have seen before the Reese Goose Box is Lippert approved,
I would save $120 and get the B&W Companion. While I don't like that the pin weight is carried bed floor, rather than the frame, with as lite as that 5er is it should not be an issue.

[CWSWine]

If it was me I would call Lippert that makes your frame and ask them. I have heard from others that they void the frame warranty and I would call myself just to make sure one way or the other.

[4bearhug]

corvettekent wrote:
This is what you need.

Or look on Craigslist for a used one at $450-550. I see several listed in North Carolina. These things are built like tanks so used is a good way to save some $.

[corvettekent]

This is what you need.

[bpounds]

davisenvy wrote:
http://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Reese/RP94622.html

This

I would not recommend that. There are better ways to utilize the turn-over ball. Either the B&W Companion, or the Andersen system would be preferable. If it were my money, Andersen would get the nod.

[davisenvy]

http://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Reese/RP94622.html

This

[MFL]

If by $900 adapter, you mean the Companion FW hitch from e-trailer, yes, that is what you want.

Jerry

[davisenvy]

Don't know how to post links,but it says it replaces the FW pin box. The gooseneck is a B&W.
My truck is a SWB. Not sure if that matters or not.

[newman_fulltime]

DO NOT GET A ADAPTER !!!!! get a B&W companion instead

[corvettekent]

davisenvy wrote:
my truck already has a gooseneck hitch from the previous owner. I plan on getting g the $900 adapter from etrailer. They say this is the safest route without frame damage.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome. The Jayco HT is said to be half ton towable. I would also love to hear from someone that has this model.
Thanks.

What brand of gooseneck do you have?

What kind of adapter? Post a link for Etrailer.

[bpounds]

10k GWVR is perfect for a 3/4T truck.