Bonedoc05

Really, does the risk of towing a camper ever match the reward no matter the weight? If a tire blows at 75% vs 100% your in trouble either way.

In regards to emergency maneuvers...I can say that most folks pulling trailers would be in trouble even if they are within limits. FYI, My trailer tires were replaced this spring, and like every spring before our first trip out the brakes inspected and bearings serviced/replaced if needed. Anytime you are pulling a trailer behind your vehicle your are at an increased risk if you were in a emergency situation. It is however, a nice passive/aggressive statement when someone posts "I don't want to come off as a safety nanny or know it all" and also make references to putting my family at risk by towing higher weights, when we all put our families at increased risk whenever we tow campers. I, too, have witnessed bad wrecks when a moron is pulling a lawn mower on a 6x9ft trailer with a dodge ton truck. Operator awareness and experience is just as important of a factor as being at 100% vs 75% of towing capacity.

Edited

No scales.

We pull a 35ft Jayco dry wt 7800lbs with no problem. We are a family of 8 and just got back from the Smoky Mountains about 500 miles round trip and had no issues at all. I wouldnt hesitate to pull it anywhere.

According to the sticker on the trailer The weight of 8200 lbs included full propane tanks and also generator tank full, if equipped. This unit doesn't have a generator.

I didn't weigh before making the trip. We pack very light and I am at least 1hr from scales. Our trip was only 30miles down the road. I will weigh in when we take it out next spring.

Trip update... We took the trailer out for our first trip with no issues. It pulled really well and braking was great and I felt in control the whole time. The guy that installed our WD hitch set the ball 2" lower than it needed to be and I adjusted that before the trip home. We were not loaded down heavy, but had what we needed. Looking forward to another trip out soon and maybe go a bit farther

We have 6 kids ages 12 down to 2months and traded our Sienna in for a 2015 3500HD SL. We have run upon a great deal on a 2011 Jayco G2 32bhds. We were looking at the Heartland Wilderness before this, but at less then half the cost and almost new condition its hard to pass up the jayco and its in the same town as we live. My question is the weight and sampsons post have help ease my worries and we will most likely pull the trigger on getting the TT. the trailer dry weight is 8200 and tongue weight is 1055. We will use a WD hitch witch seems like it will cover the tongue weight. I know we will be pushing it and we plan to stay close for the first 2-3 trips(1-2 hours away). Am I missing anything else with this? I have already told my wife we will have to stay as light as possible and leave the "kitchen sink" at home.