Too many choices

The sad truth is buying a TT is a three legged stool.

1. Cost - must not be burdensome, it is a hobby not a necessity.
2. Tow vehicle - most vehicles can pull a lot more than they can carry. That means you run out of payload or maximum cargo capacity before you run out of towing capacity. So bigger truck or smaller trailer.
3. Floor plan - if the floor plan is not correct you are stuck. There are a few mods you can make but most items cover other items.

All three of these legs have to be right. But only you can tell if they are right for you.

My plan was to replace our dinette benches with chairs and forgo the extra bed. But, one bench covered the furnace the other the water pump. I now have one bench, one chair and a small box over the pump.

My wife and I come from 20 years of canoe and tent background. There in little in our RV world that is more than a large or small annoyances. However, it can be costly at times.

Good luck

robsb1234 wrote:
So, what I'm hearing is that I should just buy a new truck. Thanks, I'll let the wife know.

Well, a smaller TT is also an option... but don't tell your wife.

Why Guess? Rent a TT similar to what you think want for a week or so of camping.

You will learn a lot about towing, camping, handling and how much **** you really take. Plus you can even take it across the CAT scales to see how much of a load you are really adding to the truck, when loaded for the road.

All this before you have spent the big bucks.

We did and spent a week in the Ozarks; I definitely knew I needed more horse power after that trip. :)

So, what I'm hearing is that I should just buy a new truck. Thanks, I'll let the wife know.

Have you checked out Taylor Coach??
Talk with Brad before you commit to an American built unit.
It may be out of your price point but you won't be disappointed in the build quality.
Brad will not sell you anything your truck can't handle
Good Luck in your search.
30 years RV'ing and 8 campers.

My opinion is that even if you find yourself OK on weights, any of those trailers are getting too long for a half ton...been there, done that. 30 ft from bumper to ball hitch is personally where I would draw the line. There's more to towing than the ability to pull, and that's a lot of vertical wall to catch wind and get pushed around, taking the rear-end of your truck with it.
The softer suspension on half tons made that no fun for me. Have fun and be safe.

You do not have enough truck for the Jayco 28BHS. Used to pull one with a 3/4 ton truck and at times in heavy winds it was nerve racking with a half ton you will not be comfortable towing. From experience to much truck is a lot better than not enough.

robsb1234 wrote:
Good points everyone. Payload from door sticker is 1644#.

You will have a tough time with any of the trailers you are looking at.

Realize that the ~250 lb difference in payload numbers, from the brochure to the sticker, equates to ~ 2,000 lbs less trailer weight (using 12.5% for tongue weight).

So a 5,000 lb trailer will have a tongue weight of ~625 lbs.
A 7,000 lb trailer will have a tongue weight of ~875 lbs.

Good points everyone. Payload from door sticker is 1644#.

From the numbers above, the Jayco is too much weight and the Grey Wolf would be pushing it.

I've got a 2015 GMC with a payload of 2015 (from the door sticker) and am maxed with my Cougar gross weight of 8,200 lbs. My max trailer is 10,800, but I run out of payload.