What SUV's will tow Jayco Jay Flight 32TSBH or Eagle 324BTS

[jerryrigged]

We will be full-timing. Space is an important topic.

Here is the respective limits of each:

32TSBH

Weight
7,750

Carrying capacity
2,725

Combined weight
10,475


324BTS
Weight
8,020

Carrying capacity
2,580

Combined weight
10,600

I researched every SUV listed (I need at least 8 seats, but 9+ is preferred) on some towing spec sites, but seems I might be pushing it with a vehicle that can only tow 11,000 lbs. 500 lbs is small margin of error. Will I have the RV loaded to the max? Probably because we will be full-timing with a full load of people.

Seems like a vehicle that tows 12,000+ is prob safe, but there is basically only one vehicle out there:

2003 - 2006 Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 8.1L V-8 12,000 (4WD and RWD)

However, this is an old vehicle, tends to have lots of mileage on them, and are really hard to find.

Is there another option?

[full_mosey]

carringb wrote:


One note about the Chevy vans... Their published ratings are like SUVs, where it is a best case scenario. There is actually no Chevy passenger van that can tow 10,000 pounds except the DuraMax, and just barely. The 6.0 vans are rated at 16,000 max GCWR. DuraMax is 17,000 combined.

Wow!?

I have just acquired a 2004 GMC G2500 passenger van rated at 9900lbs towing. Cargo rating is 2700+. Are you saying a 6.0L with 8-lug wheels is no better than an SUV?

HTH;
John

[jerryrigged]

Yes, Cherokee is out.

With the jayco 33RBTS, id have to be down to 1690 in added trailer weight, so thats out too, again, unless I am misunderstanding something about the hitches.

Even with the 32TSBH, I am limited to 1925 lbs, but since I plan to dry camp a lot (batteries, solar, lots of water, etc..) this would be tough too.

[dodge_guy]

Well I can tell you one thing. The Cherokee would be out for sure! With a full family and sleeping for 9 you will max it out right away on your first trip. 1400lbs is nothing. I've got 2100lbs of stuff in my trailer for a week long trip, and that's with just 2 kids (4people).

And yes 12% of the trailers loaded weight is perfect.

[jerryrigged]

carringb / others:

I dont understand the 12,000 towing weight hitch configuration, which is the max offered by Reese/Drawtite for the E350, because when you go up to 12,000 from the 10,000 the max hitch weight drops from 1,500 down to 1,200 (both Drawtite and Reese) so what I gain in towing, I basically lose in the hitch weight.

I am looking at both Jayco JAY FLIGHT 33RBTS and ForestRiver Cherokee 304BH. The cherokee has a dry hitch weight of 12 percent (1,043 lbs) and loaded to the max, assuming that same 12 percent, means I can only get about 1,300 lbs of cargo on the trailer (trailer supports up to 2,481)

Fully loaded, is 12 percent a safe guess?

[jerryrigged]

test

[jerryrigged]

shelbyj wrote:
F650 6 Door

If you have 80k to spare.

One problem with these custom jobs is the factory specs are probably no longer valid, so it seems risky.

If I do get a limo, i'd rather have a truck so I can get a 5th wheel.

[shelbyj]

F650 6 Door

If you have 80k to spare.

[Mike_Up]

NO SUVs today. They don't have the receiver hitch rating or the payload.

Vans are getting hard to find also but GM would be the only maker to offer one if it has the tow capacity. Ford and Dodge stopped making vans that have any real decent tow rating. The 1 ton van should have the payload needed but check the receiver hitch rating, I would want at least a 12,500/1,250 lbs rating for those heavy tongue weights.

[shelbyj]

I meant that one. It has military axles on it. Payload is not an issue. It was meant more as a joke than anything. If you wanted to buy one like that it would probably be over 100k.

[jerryrigged]

Dually on E350: 2500 extra pounds is a lot.

Dually on that F250: Not an option it looks like according to this
https://www.fordf150.net/2007/2007-ford-f250-superduty-specifications.php

Now that I think about it, maybe a 5th wheel is an option after all if I use an extended F-350 pickup, since they have much bigger payload, but only with dually since no other setup can pull the massive Jayco 325bhqs (GVWR 13,750):

https://www.fordf150.net/2007/2007-ford-f250-superduty-specifications.php

P.S. I think I'd also need 6.8L 4.30:1, stretched crew cab.

[carringb]

jerryrigged wrote:

I checked one of these that is for sale. Surprisingly, it actually fails the payload limits: F250 diesel with Excursion body. Curb weight was really high compared to max payload, unless the guy was guessing at curb weight, which it sorta seemed like.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/ctd/5465850804.html

Prob around 1000 lbs smaller payload capacity than the E-350.

Sounds about right. F250s are not light. Even when Ford made a factory Excursion, its payload was about half that of an E350.

[carringb]

jerryrigged wrote:
One mroe thing. A 4x4 mechanic was telling me that the newer e350's were not ideal for putting on the bigger hitches, due to some changes in the body/frame.

Can anyone confirm? If so, what years should I look for?

Not true. Frame is essentially the same from '92 to when the last E350 wagons rolled off the line, and even into the present 2016 cutaway chassis. Only major changes to the frame were the additions of various holes for mounting aftermarket equipment. The running gear did get some changes in '99 and in 2008, each time upgrading to better brakes. There's no reason you can't install any of aftermarket Class 5 hitches. You don't even need a shop to do it.

I'm wondering if you shop is confusing the T-series, which replaced the E-series vans last year . The T-series is most definitely a lighter vehicle. Payloads are the same and even higher, but tow ratings are half or less of what the E-series offered.

[jerryrigged]

One mroe thing. A 4x4 mechanic was telling me that the newer e350's were not ideal for putting on the bigger hitches, due to some changes in the body/frame.

Can anyone confirm? If so, what years should I look for?

[jerryrigged]

shelbyj wrote:


Here ya go...:)

Dont think those will work.

I checked one of these that is for sale. Surprisingly, it actually fails the payload limits: F250 diesel with Excursion body. Curb weight was really high compared to max payload, unless the guy was guessing at curb weight, which it sorta seemed like.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/ctd/5465850804.html

Prob around 1000 lbs smaller payload capacity than the E-350.