Forum Discussion

KillerIsMe's avatar
KillerIsMe
Explorer
Mar 05, 2017

I may have made a BIG mistake today...

Well, Mrs. Killer was big into small, light travel trailers and old Killer was gold...until I took her and the little Killer shopping at the RV store today. Our TV is a brand spanking new f150 5.0, supercab (not the Screw), tow package, 9000 lb. tow capacity, 2067 payload. As I said - gold. But today she went all Tom Selleck (not saying we're young) over a Jay Flight SLX 242BHSW. Now I can post the link but you can Google it if you're interested, but the main stats are 5390 lbs. dry, 7000 GVWR, length is 29'2". I'm thinking we're good payload-wise (hitch at 1050 maximum, 600 lbs. of "us" in the truck), and the weight is at a hair under 80% of the truck's max towing - so as a new member and new to TT towing rank newbie could I get an opinion of that set-up? I had to admit the trailer was nice - outdoor kitchen! - and I've been lurking long enough to know Jayco is a good trailer. I've grown conservative in my old age though and I'm not looking to tax the truck. Of course I'll use a weight distribution hitch and be careful when we pack (honestly, there's just us three and our dog - MAYBE my older daughter - and I can't imagine we'll pack right up to the weight limit). Anyways, is the f150 enough truck to handle a 7000 lb. GVWR?
  • KillerIsMe's avatar
    KillerIsMe
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2017
    BPRescue wrote:
    Hah, reading through your post and you have answered all of your own questions as long as you got that payload from the door sticker. Clearly you did the research and you are well within your specs as long as the tongue weight does not slaughter 1050. Like you said, get a good WD hitch and you are all set; (though add that weight too).

    BTW, I saw a Ford commercial where they showed an option for automatically backing up a trailer? What is that all about? Made me think of my wife and the assistance it would provide in launching the boat, hah... There are times she does the impossible in getting that thing out of whack... It has helped once I had her to put it in neutral and let the trailer "pull" the truck, but sheesh it can get funny.


    Welp, I see that auto back-up thing. It's a dial that works with the rear camera in some way. I haven't used it but supposedly you turn the dial the way you want to make the trailer go and it just...does it? I'll post something when I actually use it
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Mar 06, 2017
    I have an F-150 Supercab 4x4 with 1411 max cargo, It handle our 25 ft. Dutchmen quite well.

    The CAT scales show we are near our weight limit but we have had no issues towing in the Rockies or with rather stout cross winds. Our load is a bit lighter than yours with only two adults and a dog but we have less cargo capacity, owing to all the bell and whistles and the 4x4 drive.

    I opted for the 25 ft TT, because we do a lot of city driving maneuvering while we hunting down quilt shops in every town down the road. :) :) Plus out west we ran into a few old 1960's vintage campground with limited long TT capacity.

    I would think you combo should work just fine.
  • BPRescue's avatar
    BPRescue
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2017
    Hah, reading through your post and you have answered all of your own questions as long as you got that payload from the door sticker. Clearly you did the research and you are well within your specs as long as the tongue weight does not slaughter 1050. Like you said, get a good WD hitch and you are all set; (though add that weight too).

    BTW, I saw a Ford commercial where they showed an option for automatically backing up a trailer? What is that all about? Made me think of my wife and the assistance it would provide in launching the boat, hah... There are times she does the impossible in getting that thing out of whack... It has helped once I had her to put it in neutral and let the trailer "pull" the truck, but sheesh it can get funny.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Mar 06, 2017
    If you have the HD Trailer Tow Package (HD radiator, HD trans cooler, higher rear axle ratio) you should be good to go !
  • KillerIsMe's avatar
    KillerIsMe
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2017
    downtheroad wrote:
    Fun post....reads like a SNL skit for RV'ers.
    and....you Killers are good to go. Get on down the road.


    Thank you my Friend. You folks have been so very accommodating on this site it gives me a good feeling about hitting up campgrounds. We try not to take ourselves too seriously - just want to enjoy life. We're old parents with a young (11 years old just about) daughter. We want her to have a good life while we're still capable.
  • tragusa3's avatar
    tragusa3
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2017
    I tow GVWR of #7500. Last I was on a scale, I was about #7000. Does a great job! Watch your rear axle rating. That's the weak link.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,027 PostsLatest Activity: Apr 19, 2019