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!!

[APT]

1200 pounds of cargo capacity for the RV is not enough for a family to full time IMHO. 1000 pounds is full of long weekend stuff for a family of 6. Expect to take a lot more. And therefore, lighter will be better.

[southernsky]

Owning a Primetime/Forest River, I would not suggest the Primetime for full timing. The quality of construction leaves a lot to be desired. With my Crusader it is a work in progress to keep things together. The latest project is the bed on the front slide. The screws pulled out of the wall for the second time. Made some revisions, hope it holds this time.

[Lantley]

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

[bucky]

You are in our prayers for trying this. I think a used entertainer or church bus with bunks would be a better fit.

[CGFamOf8]

It appears that the tow rating is 9500 lbs. for my van.
The payload is 2315. My calculated about 600 lbs. for my family (allowing extra weight as the kids grow, currently it's 500 lbs.) and then we are taking out the entire 4th row which is two bench seats for 4 people. I'm not sure of the weight of them but it is pretty substantial, those seats are incredibly heavy.

Thanks for the suggestion for the Jayco Jayflight, I will check it out.

[B_O__Plenty]

6 kids in an RV living in it full time..then staying in it in the Winter? This whole plan needs to be rewritten. Save the money and get an apartment.

B.O.

[jessjosh61]

Your van appears to be pretty capable. What is the payload capacity of it (yellow sticker shows it).

Look at the Jayco Jay Flight 29QBS. This model has a 2,565 lbs CCC - 1,200 lbs is nothing. It would also provide better sleeping capacity than the two you asked about. Those take bunks away to add sofas and outdoor kitchens.

[KD4UPL]

What's the tow rating of your Nissan? It's not the GVWR.