bigben55
Cincinnati
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Joined: 08/20/2008
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First post here. Though we've owned a pop-up for several years, we are new to RVing, so be gentle. In May we bought a new 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHS which will spend the vast majority of the year at a private campground in Indiana. It's close, the inlaws and such also have spots there and it's nice. We go there all the time. BUT, we want to be able to tow it once or twice a year on vacation to parks and such. The camper weighs 5215 lbs empty and we haven't packed it to the gills. 7500 lbs is the max weight. I just bought a used 2006 Ford F250 superduty FX4 with the 5.4L V-8 and a 3.73 LS rear axle. Got a great deal on way clean truck with 20K on it. Now I know that many have said these leave lots to be desired in terms of towning and I believe it. BUT, we love our TT, will NOT outgrow it, and have no reason or desire to upgrade. We will be going pretty much strictly to campgrounds with hook-ups so we won't need to carry water. Basically, 6000lbs is what I'll be towing.
1. Will/should my truck handle this fine?
2. The truck has the tow pkg with the factory receiver and integrated trailer brake controller. The receiver says over 6000 lbs you need a weight distributing hitch. I'll be under that or close to it. Do I need to get one anyway?
Ben
2008 Jayco 28BHS TT
1986 Coleman Chesapeke pop-up
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab, Z71, 6.0L gas, 4:10 gears
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MadMav
Colorado Springs, CO
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Joined: 03/12/2007
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Welcome!
And the truck will handle it just fine! I would get the weight distributing hitch with sway control for those trips though. Check out the Equal-i-zer hitch. It's very good.
Mav
Maverick
'08 Dodge 3500 SLT Mega Cab Dually, 6.7l/6 speed. Oh yeah!
'08 Winners Circle 36SRV-H5
1 wife, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 1 cat
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benbovac
KY
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Joined: 03/13/2005
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I think your truck will handle the TT fine. Yes you should get a WD hitch with sway control, it will improve your towing comfort quite a bit.
My uncle has the same truck as you pulling a 7000# TT and says it handles fine only wishes for more power on the hills. He tows I-71 from Cinti to Lousiville quite a bit and says the truck scrams on the hills.
Good luck
BenBovAC
2008 GMC 2500HD SLT Z71 Duramax  What Trailer?
TC 30 QBSS 06
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have" Thomas Jefferson
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mecreature
Indianapolis, IN
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Joined: 09/27/2004
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I say sweet combo.
But the you could be towing that trailer with a Mini Van group will be by shortly.
98 Skyline Nomad 1950 Compact
2004 Silverado 1500 EXT. 5.3 3.42 Axle 2wd
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Bearnkat
Fort Worth, Texas
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Joined: 07/30/2004
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Hi Ben,
First off welcome to the Open Road Forums! We're all glad you've joined us.
To answer your questions, yes, your new truck should handle the load.
Also, most definitely use a weight distribution setup with anti-sway. That's a must. I have an F250 PSD (Power Stroke Diesel) and I use a weight-distribution hitch, with anti-sway, on my truck. I wouldn't tow without it.
Good luck and congratulations on the new Jayco as well as the "new to you" TV (tow vehicle).
Happy RVing and we wish you and your family safe travels.
Chuck & Terry
2005 Pilgrim 281RB-S
2006 Ford F250 Lariat CC 4x2 PSD
My Lap-Band Journey!
Chuck and Terry's Pilgrim Adventures
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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You will be fine. I tow my trailer at 8500 lbs with the same basic set up. Don't listen to all the naysayers. You will need a WD hitch with a good integrated sway control.
05 Super Duty XLT CC 5.4/3.73 5 sp auto Torqshift
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The"Cracker Cabana")
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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The main thing I see lacking there is the 3.73 axle ratio. 4.10 gears will improve the towing capability of that 5.4L engine.
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Your truck will handle that TT beautifully! You will need a WDH, though.
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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The truck will handle that size trailer fine...problem is the 5.4L just lacks the gut to pull and you will get about 7 mpg in rolling hills. I have never been impressed with the 5.4L Ford engine.
ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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I think the 5.4 is a fine engine, as long as it can rev up into it's powerband. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen with the factory high ratio (numerically low) gearing. Lower ratio gears are needed to make these high revving engines sing their song.
All the manufacturers need to get back to making gas engines that develop their power lower in the rpm range. They keep putting these car engines in trucks and then putting too high of gearing in them so the engines are lugging instead of revving like they were made to.
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