Jay Flight 287BHSW or Forest River Wildwood 262BHXL

[kfballer22]

We are first time buyers and narrowing down our options between Jay Flight 287BHSW or Forest River Wildwood 262BHXL. Our towing vehicle has a maximum tow capacity of 8,000 lbs. Any options on these two would be greatly appreciated.

[handye9]

I looked at your other posts. Looks like your tow vehicle is an SUV, hauling four people, with their associated things to bring along.

I think you should take a really hard look at your payload and tow capacity, compared to the weight and size of those trailers.

Both trailers are 30+ feet long and when loaded for camping, they will be close, if not over 7000 lbs. They both have a GVWR that is 7500 lbs or higher. You will need about 950 lbs of available payload, to support the tongue weight and WD hitch.

In theory, your SUV could pull that 8000 lbs, if the driver weighed 150 lbs, he was alone, with no cargo, and the 8000 lbs was not a big box like a travel trailer. Add some people, cargo, or aftermarket accessories, it's max tow rating is no longer 8000 lbs.

Your max tow capacity and available payload are both reduced by the weight of cargo, accessories, passengers, and the weight of the WD hitch.

Add the weight of your family, accessories, and whatever you plan to take with you in (or on) the car. Add 100 lbs to that total. Then subtract all that weight from both your payload and tow capacity (8000). If you end up with 600 lbs, your actual max tow capacity would be 7400 lbs. That's less than GVWR on both trailers.

It's not uncommon to see an SUV with 11 - 1200 lbs of payload. With 600 lbs subtracted here, you would have 5 - 600 lbs of payload left to support 950 lbs of trailer weight.

Exceeding any of your ratings, can make towing an unpleasant experience.

[Iraqvet05]

spadoctor wrote:
It would help if you posted what your tow vehicle is.

x2

I can't speak for FR products but we have only had minor issues with our Jayco in the two years since we bought it. I was towing it (5000 lbs dry) initially with a Silverado 1500 and the truck had to work hard in the rolling hills of Missouri but since switching to a 2500HD, it's a less stressful towing experience.

[spadoctor]

Another vote for Jayco over Forest River. Keep in mind tow rating does NOT take into account of the wind resistance of the trailer....an importaint factor reducing capacity. It would help if you posted what your tow vehicle is.

[bucky]

Jayco over a FR any day quality wise.IMHO anyway.

[downtheroad]

No experience with either, but since you say you are new at this I just want to advise you so that you don't make the same mistake we did when we were new:

The Jay Flight is a 33+ footer and trip ready loaded will have around 900+ lbs of tongue weight (not including the weight of the hitch equip)...so, don't go by the 8000 lb. towing capacity that your vehicle has - check the PAYLOAD capacity of your vehicle and use that number.

Bunk house means family, kids, the dog and lots of gear so just make sure you have the capacity to carry the weight.

Good luck with you choice and enjoy your new adventure.