Jayco or Primetime?

[CGFamOf8]

We have a Nissan NV3500 SL that we bought with the tow package. The GVWR is 9500 lbs. We have 6 children and will be living in the RV fulltime for a couple years.

We are looking at either the Jayco Whitehawk 32dsbh or the Primetime Tracer Air305.

The Whitehawk 32dsbh is 36 ft 7 inches long, dry weight of 7,472 lbs. and max gvwr is 8,750 so 1278 lbs. of carrying capacity. Hitch weight of 750 lbs.

The Primetime Tracer Air305 is 33 ft 2 inches long, dry weight of 6,381 lbs. with 1,269 lbs. of GVWR of 7,650.

The floor plans are pretty much the same. They also carry about the same amount of water. The main differences are that the Whitehawk has a lot more storage available in the kitchen and bunkhouse, where the TracerAir has zero storage in the bunkhouse and very limited kitchen storage. Obviously, as a family of 8 storage space is a pretty big deal. We need room for clothing for 6 children, home school materials, all the food to feed our family etc. The Whitehawk is also 3 ft 5 inches longer, but 1,100 lbs. heavier fully loaded.

Which one would you choose? We will be fairly stationary for 1 year while my husband works and then we will travel fulltime. We plan to do a lot of traveling all throughout the west, so mountains, west coast and everything in between. Do you think we will have a substantial difference or any issues with a larger weight/length even with an equalizer or blue ox hitch? Will we have a harder time fitting in RV parks with the 36 ft. camper compared to the 33 ft? Is there a difference in the quality of the TracerAir and Whitehawk? Also I realize both are lightweight TT and neither will be ideal for the winter, but we plan to make it work with possibly skirting the trailer, winterizing and using a space heater. Changing our tow vehicle is not an option at this point.

Also, has anyone successfully put a miniature deep freezer in their TT? I would love to find a spot somewhere in the RV that we can add a few whole chickens, large bags of frozen fruit/veggies, meat. I saw it done in another fulltime family's RV but they had a C Class RV and I'm assuming a much higher carrying capacity.

Thanks!!

[CGFamOf8]

Well I appreciate the helpful responses.

We bought the Whitehawk and love it. We have more than enough storage space for what we actually use and we felt extremely comfortable towing it with the equalizer hitch we bought. We actually have spoken with many people who fulltime with the exact same vehicle, same # of children (or more) and are towing a heavier weight! Our vehicle is a beast if you haven't seen one in person. We do have the artic package on our RV and will skirt/winterize if needed. As for the deep freezer, we are considering taking out the mini fridge outside and seeing if we could fit one out there if even possible. We will likely switch out for a residential 10.7 cubic foot fridge that will fit perfectly in place of the 8 cubic foot one we have in the RV, that will help even if we can't get a deep freezer.

[MSGMadhatter]

I have owned 3 Jaycos. They offer an artic package. If you go Jayco, make
sure you have the artic package with the enclosed basement. I don't think any TT is really built to live in some of our states weather. Jayco Jayflight comes with more standard equipment than they used to. My preference is the Eagle.
You can buy one 25-30% off the list price. Shop around. Be prepared to eliminate some of the things you normally own that are used very little.
Good Luck!

[Mickey_D]

We have a Primetime LaCrosse 329 BHS which is bigger with more cargo capacity than both of the units that you are looking at. Four rainy winter days with two kids and dogs are all we and the RV can take. The holding tanks are all full and the propane tanks are empty and my patience with dogs and kids is all used up (and that is when nobody is fighting about what video to watch after being cooped up). I think the biggest problem that you are going to have is winter humidity buildup in the RV and EVERYTHING being damp and moldy (sort of like a small live aboard boat). I would seriously reconsider this plan.

[jaycocreek]

Also, has anyone successfully put a miniature deep freezer in their TT?

I have in a 34ft Terry..It will depend on your floor plan where and if it will fit.As far as fulltiming,I have in as small as an 18ft Ideal to a 35ft Jayco(RV wise) and in between about every size made.Again,floorplan is the key.Spent 7 years in a 24ft Beaver class C with three of us and animals with a Mazda pickup in tow.

Our family includes six kids the wife and I but I have never had everyone fulltiming with us at the same time.Usually it was three of us a dog and a cat which worked well,all eight would not have worked well gageing by the times all were present and just spent a night or two.

Closet/cupboard space is also important as well as the storage under the bed and dinette set.If your wife is happy with either setup for long term,then everyone else will be also for fulltiming.

I like fulltiming and would not hesitate to do it again,it just takes planning and how to use the space available the best way and things you do not "have to have" don't go.

[Dog_Trainer]

Sorry but your plan is full of flaws. Are you for real or just trolling.

[spadoctor]

I just replace my rusted 2000 Excursion with a 2003 Excuraion....both v10...from AZ with 61000 miles. Its like new and was under 12k. Used vehicles are out there just look.

[tshirtman]

You really need to think about a larger tow vehicle. Ford and Ram both make 3 row trucks. Looks like your in for a huge investment as they run over 60K. What about having the rig transported to your site and use the family vehicle for a year then buy the larger TV? You will also need to think where your going to store all the stuff for 8 people?? A permanent set up with a shed is not a bad idea or a storage unit in that town for off season items.
Good luck:)

[3CampPrincesses]

CGFamOf8 wrote:
I double checked the Jayco website and it actually says that the Whitehawk 32dsbh has a CC of 1610. Wouldn't we be able to keep about 1,000 lbs in our van if payload is 2,315 lbs? I know my family won't get over 600 lbs. combined, a full gas tank from my google search would be about 168 lbs...we would have a payload of about 1,768 lbs. (with maxed out gas and passenger weight). We are taking the entire 4th row out and I'm not sure the exact weight but I'm betting it's around 150 lbs or more. Wouldn't that compensate for the lower carrying capacity of the TT?

After having owned 4 trailers, I learned the hard way, if you have to calculate the weight of every last pound, you don't have enough tow rig. Just my Opinion...

Have you thought about a bus and a Toad?

[B_O__Plenty]

spadoctor wrote:
Also keep in mind....you will have no warranty using it full time. In my opinion you are asking way too much of that truck with either camper.

And 8 people living full time in that camper is asking way too much also

B.O.

[spadoctor]

Also keep in mind....you will have no warranty using it full time. In my opinion you are asking way too much of that truck with either camper.

[goducks10]

CGFamOf8 wrote:
I double checked the Jayco website and it actually says that the Whitehawk 32dsbh has a CC of 1610. Wouldn't we be able to keep about 1,000 lbs in our van if payload is 2,315 lbs? I know my family won't get over 600 lbs. combined, a full gas tank from my google search would be about 168 lbs...we would have a payload of about 1,768 lbs. (with maxed out gas and passenger weight). We are taking the entire 4th row out and I'm not sure the exact weight but I'm betting it's around 150 lbs or more. Wouldn't that compensate for the lower carrying capacity of the TT?

You forgot about the TTs tongue weight. It counts as payload.
It will be around 950-1050lbs after loaded for camping.
1000lbs for gear in the van
600lbs for passengers
1000lbs for tongue weight
2600lbs added towards the payload. You'll be over the 2315lbs payload rating.

[CGFamOf8]

I really like the Jayco Jayflight 29qbs but we would lose bunk space since there are no slides in the bunkhouse and we would have to choose between a 4th bed and outside kitchen. With the Whitehawk we can have the outside kitchen, a large bunkhouse that actually sleeps 5. So that is a big deal for our family size and needs (We plan to do a lot of cooking outside since I pretty much cook every meal and need space to cook for 8 people).

We found a local Whitehawk 32dsbh which they say is marked down to invoice at $26,100. Does that seem about accurate or can we talk them down lower?

[CGFamOf8]

I double checked the Jayco website and it actually says that the Whitehawk 32dsbh has a CC of 1610. Wouldn't we be able to keep about 1,000 lbs in our van if payload is 2,315 lbs? I know my family won't get over 600 lbs. combined, a full gas tank from my google search would be about 168 lbs...we would have a payload of about 1,768 lbs. (with maxed out gas and passenger weight). We are taking the entire 4th row out and I'm not sure the exact weight but I'm betting it's around 150 lbs or more. Wouldn't that compensate for the lower carrying capacity of the TT?

[goducks10]

Lantley wrote:
Neither of the trailers mentioned have adequate cargo capacity for full time living.

That^ and barley enough closet space for a weeks worth of camping for just two adults. Neither of those units are rated any where near for full timing. Very low R values, small holding tanks, no storage space. If your going to be stationary for a year why not rent a house? The cost of renting an RV spot won't be cheap. They'll charge you for elec if you're staying long term. Factor in the cost of the trailer and I'm not sure that the TT wouldn't cost you more. Another thing to consider is almost every RV out there requires some work right out off the dealers lot. Some have to go back for warranty work. Are you handy enough to maintain one?
JMHO but if you're dead set on it then you need to either look for a better floor plan in a TT. Or get a TT toy hauler.
I wouldn't even want to take all 5 of my grandkids in one for a week. Small hot water heater, small fridge, hardly any counter space, very little space for food storage and where are you going to put clothes for 6 kids for just 2 weeks? You'll be at the laundromat every other day.
Neither of those TTs are built strong enough to with stand the rigors of 8 people living full time.