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RE: Jayco 32BHDS owners
Just bringing this up as it seems it may be overlooked. Even if you have a hitch receiver that is rated to 1500 lbs tongue weight, when the truck itself has a tongue rating of 900 lbs, doesn't make having 1200 lbs alright.
From what I have seen, the truck's hitch rating has nothing to do with the hardware, hitch receiver, but the axles.
I totally understand where you're coming from with this comment. The whole picture has to be looked at when making changes and seeing what the impact will be.
The axle ratings and GVWR where taken into consideration when I had the custom hitch put on the excursion. I'm comforable of being within my ratings.
From my research there where no changes on the axle ratings (V10, 4x4) for any of the model years of the excursion (2000-2005). Howeve they did increase the tongue weight capcity of the receiver I believe it was mid 2001 model year. I've talked to a ford parts man about the receivers, from the information we found the only upgrade to the receiver was they used a slightly larger bolt with a higher grading.
It wasn't an option for me to switch to a newer model year hitch. You've got to drop the fuel tank in order to get access to putting the new bolts in. I just wasn't up for playing with things that much.
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areed
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11/25/09 10:05am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Jayco 32BHDS owners
I have a 2000 Excursion with the Jayco 32BHDS and have been running the Dual Cams with 1200lb bars.
The one difference for me is that I did have a custom hitch put on the Excursion from Eckhart Trailer hitches in Los Angeles. This way I could run with a tongue weight well over the 1000lb limit on the original hitch. They have to custom install it, it can't be shipped to you. I took the wife and kids to Palm Springs for a vacation and drove over one day to have the work done. We're from Canada and yes it was a long drive.
As you mentioned the 2000 Excursion has a max. tongue capacity of 1000lbs. I don't think there is anyway you'll stay at 1000lbs or under and be satisfied with the tow of the Jayco 32BHDS.
I find with the Reese set up, I need a minimum of 1200lbs (I use a Sherline scale) to have a pleaseant tow...that's my experience.
I've played with my set-up numerous times trying to dial everything in just right. It's pretty good now, but, yes there's a but.
I'm looking to upgrade to a Hensley or Propride. In heavy cross winds (30mph or more), especially gusting winds, I don't like the tow. It's a stressful drive for me in these conditions and I don't want to have my family or anybody else at risk. So for me, I'm going to make the swiych to Hensley or Propride...just in the process of trying to decide witch one.
There are so many other factors that come into play when towing. I'm only relating my experience with my set up and you can proceed however you wish.
Just make sure you take your time dialing things in and get a set up that's safe you and everyone else on the road.
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areed
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11/20/09 10:15am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: EX OWNERS, HELP!!
There could be a number of issues...
Here's what most find when researching on the Excursion:
1. As mentioned above, set of good E load range tires.
2. The Ex was given soft rear springs. So many go to airbags, timbrens, RAS (Road Active Suspension) or install F250 springs.
3. Many install a rear sway bar if the Ex doesn't have one.
4. The steering on the Ex cam feel sloppy at the best of times. Therefore tightening up the steering box is another adjustment many make.
I definitely don't know your situation but it sounds like you may be light on tongue weight for the trailer.
I hope you can get things figured out.
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areed
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06/22/09 10:48am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Jayco G2 32bhds Front Bedroom
I'm 6' and have to have the doors closed to get that extra bit of space, to truly make myself comfortable in bed. We don't have problems making the bed.
For our family of 6, this trailer has an awesome floorplan. I definitley wouldn't want this trailer any longer than it is already.
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areed
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06/22/09 10:08am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: unit total weight close to axle rating
I agree that you have to subtract your tongue weight off your total trailer weight to really get an understanding of weight on your axles...so you may actually have more room to play with that what you're thinking.
You'll also have to consider how much weight is distributed back to your trailer axles if you use a weight distribution setup...this points mute if you don't need to distribute tongue weight.
Have a great trip!
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areed
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06/22/09 09:57am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Looking at buying a used Hensley Arrow...questions
That's interesting information on the the springs bars Dan...I'll have to see what type of setup the previous owner had for his trailer. If I have to order much it probably worth just buying a new one to get the warranty included.
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areed
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06/11/09 10:08pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Looking at buying a used Hensley Arrow...questions
Thanks for the information everyone! Great help as always.
Dave...the coupler is mounted on the bottom of the A-frame. I'll check the height of it today if you wish?
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areed
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06/11/09 09:52am |
Travel Trailers
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Looking at buying a used Hensley Arrow...questions
I've found someone selling a used Hensley that lives fairly close to us and I'm going to take a look at it.
Couple of questions come up though. He said it's rated for 10,000 pounds (fits within my trailer specs). His bars are rated for 1000 pounds (this could be my problem).
My tongue weight runs in the 1100-1200 lb range depending on the trip. Can a person just order the 1400 lb bars from Hensley? Will they work with the current set-up?
Are there other things I should be aware of when going to look at this used Hensley?
Thanks for your time!
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areed
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06/11/09 09:16am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Wheel Bearings
I just stopped in at my RV dealer yesterday to talk to them about how often they recommend servicing the bearings. Normally I have been doing mine every year.
The service manager said that by the book they should be done every year...but did say he personally on his own trailer he would do them every other year.
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areed
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06/11/09 09:08am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Ford excursion owners
Our trailer runs right around 9500 pounds loaded.
I upgraded our receiver on the Excursion to a custom unit put on by Eckhart out of Los Angeles. Our 2000 Ex receiver was rated for 1000lbs max versus the newer year models at 1250lbs.
Other additions for our Ex. for towing included tightening the steering box, set of timbrens on the rear.
As far as performance towing, I've had one small climb in British Columbia that was 9-10% grade (yes, that's right, sign was posted) for about a 1/3 of a mile...diesel would be great was what I was thinking as I got to the top at 25mph. Other than that one climb I have no complaints at all with the performance of the V10 and 4:30 rear-end gear.
NOW the important part...ALL THE BEST TO YOU WITH YOUR TRIPLETS!! That's awesome...you'll have many awesome memories...once you recover.
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areed
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01/28/09 10:13am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Electric awnig Good or bad?
My wife and kids love ours...at least the fact that they can control it easily.
We did have a an issue last summer with heavy winds...We left for the day, me being on top of things (as usual) forgot to bring the awning in. Came home late afternoon after the wind was blowing at 40-50 mph, to find awning folded in half. YIKES! I thought we had serious issues but it didn't damage the trailer at all.
Someone came along and put in my sister-in-laws awning because they have a manual unit. Ours they couldn't do anything about with the controls inside the locked trailer.
That's my beef with the electric awing so far.
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areed
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01/27/09 11:25am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Towing Vehicle for Jay Flight G2 32BHDS
Hey there,
You could look at a 2500 Suburban with the 8.1 litre engine.
As in my sig, we are pulling the 32BHDS with our Excursion. Family of 6, so truck wasn't what we wanted. We've run the Rocky Mountains that past two summers and the V10 is working on some of the climbs fairly hard (doing a good job I'll say too)...but that 5.4 litre would be screaming if it were put through the same route.
For what it's worth, I know that trailer ways in at just over 8000 pounds dry. Weighed it on the way home from the dealer. Loaded up we are around 9500 pounds.
Depending on your family size you could look at a 1 ton van (E350, 3500).
It's a great trailer for bigger families...we just wish we were in a place to use it throughout the year, these Alberta winters are killer on RV families.
As far as other trailers go...you could looke at crossroadsrv.com (Zinger, Sunset Trail lines) they might have a few floorplans that would interest you.
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areed
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01/15/09 11:21am |
Travel Trailers
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