Can I Tow a Jayco Jayflight That Weighs 8250-lbs with a 2016 Ram Sport
Updated 12/11/2020 | Published 12/10/2020
Question:
I have a 2016 Ram Sport. 5.7 Hemi and 3.92 rear end. We are wanting to get a camper soon but Ive found many different specs on towing and payload. It has the towing package also. What Ive found with VIN search is: towing 10,200Lbs and payload of 1,264Lbs. The camper we are looking at is the Jayco Jay Flight SLX 294QBS. Its specs that I have found are: Dry weight 6880Lbs and loaded up to 8250Lbs. Hitch weight of 800Lbs. Should I be ok with this? Thank you for your time!!
asked by: Tom G
Expert Reply:
To put it in simple terms, the payload capacity refers to what can be carried inside the truck and the towing capacity is what can be pulled behind the truck. Judging by the numbers you've presented you're going to be just fine and have more than enough truck to tow a Jayco Jay Flight SLX 294QBS that weighs 8250-lbs and has a dry tongue weight of 800-lbs.
With that said, because of the size of the trailer you may want to consider adding a weight distribution hitch to your setup, which will help distribute the tongue weight of the trailer more evenly over the 2 axles of the truck. This is especially helpful for helping keep the truck and trailer under better control and will help reduce trailer sway events while also prolonging the life of your 2016 Ram Sport's rear suspension.
Because you want to choose your weight distribution system based off of the tongue weight of your trailer, and you want your tongue weight to fall towards the middle of the range of use for that system, I recommend using the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 12K GTW, 1.2K TW # RP66560 which has a range of 600-1200-lbs. This system will be perfectly rated for your Jayco Jay Flight and provide you with both weight distribution and sway control all at the same time, so towing a trailer of that size will be a breeze and limit the white knuckling.
I've linked a short video review of this system for you to check out.
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