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Too many choices

robsb1234
Explorer
Explorer
Help. The family can't decide on our new camper. I like the floor plan of the Forest River Grey Wolf 26DBH. The wife likes the Jayco 28BHS, she thinks the quality is a little better, and she may be right. We originally loved the Prime Time Avenger ATI 27DBS, but for some reason didn't get it. I need some help deciding. Price is definitely a consideration. Avenger is cheapest, Grey Wolf is next, Jayco is most expensive. Grey Wolf is about 5800#, while the other 2 are around 6200# (towing with an F150). Help!!
26 REPLIES 26

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
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
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.

Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.

drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
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. ๐Ÿ™‚
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.

Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.

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

rfporzio
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2012 Tacoma 4WD
2012 Camplite 5.7

VolFan9183
Explorer
Explorer
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.

djcjc
Explorer
Explorer
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.

gmckenzie
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2015 GMC Sierra 4x4 CC SB Max Trailer
2010 Cougar 30RKS

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

gmckenzie
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2015 GMC Sierra 4x4 CC SB Max Trailer
2010 Cougar 30RKS

drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
robsb1234 wrote:
2014 F150 4x4 supercab 5.0L engine 3.55 axle ratio
Rated curb weight:5460#
GVWR:7350#
Payload: 1890#
GCW: 13500#
Max rated trailer weight:7800#
8000# e2 2 point sway control round bar weight distribution hitch
So, what do you think?


Is that the payload number from the door sticker on your truck? Or is it from a brochure or towing guide? You'll want to use the door sticker number, which is the actual payload of your particular vehicle, as equipped from the factory.
2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Based strictly on the floor plans, definitely the Jayco.

The Jayco is 33' long and the Grey Wolf is 31.7' These are both getting to be long-ish TTs...

Always ignore dry weights and go by GVWR. Jayco is 8750 lbs and Grey Wolf is 7725 lbs. Allow 12-13% for actual tongue weights. The Jayco could be as much as 1,100 lbs and the Grey Wolf 1,000 lbs. These TWs could be less but you won't know for sure until you go to a scale after it's fully loaded for camping. The WDH will add approx. 100 lbs. Sometimes TW can be up to around 15%, like in our case.

Truck has 1890 lbs payload rating. Similarly, you won't know exactly what it is for sure until you take it to a scale. If you've added any upgrades like a cap, bedliner for ex., that will take away from the rating. Load the truck up with all passengers, pets and camping stuff you'd typically take, fill up the fuel tank and get it weighed. The weight of all this additional payload could be in the 500-1,000 lb range or even higher.

Looks to me like you will be near or over the GCWR & payload rating on the truck. Even *if* just under the numbers, it doesn't mean it will be a good towing experience, especially if you plan to travel longer distances and often. Personally, I think both TTs are too much for the current truck.

What are the axle ratings on these TTs and what specs do the tires have? What frame type? One-piece I-beam or the 3-piece welded up type? Jayco used to be generally well regarded but Thor Industries bought them out (along with many other brands) and I don't know if the quality has gone downhill or not.

wanderingaimles
Explorer
Explorer
robsb1234 wrote:
2014 F150 4x4 supercab 5.0L engine 3.55 axle ratio
Rated curb weight:5460#
GVWR:7350#
Payload: 1890#
GCW: 13500#
Max rated trailer weight:7800#
8000# e2 2 point sway control round bar weight distribution hitch
So, what do you think?


You know the trailer will be right up against the tow weight.

OK so trailer at about 1000 lbs tongue against payload, add 100 for WDH.
You have 790 left for cargo in truck bed, passengers in cab and what the kids want to carry with them.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
โ€œRated tow weight on my truck is only 7800#,โ€œ

Thatโ€™s only one of the two most important numbers. Whatโ€™s your TV payload?
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad