Looking for some advice
 

Im looking to purchase a 1996 Jayco 312 FKS, its a bumper pull and weighs in at 7600 lbs dry, cant imagine what actual weight would be. My truck is as listed below but has factory overloads on it. Is the factory hitch sufficent for a this rig? I think mine says 10,000 lbs if using weight distributing hitch. I had a brake controller but it stopped working so I plan on replacing it. In Missouri we have some pretty steep hills but they are not very long climbs/desents. I've pulled heavy trailers before just not this long/wide. Just curious on any thought or opinions as im new to this.

Thanks,
Dave

I pulled an 11lb. Travel Trailer for 8 years with my '98 12 valve with the Factory hitch, no problem . I had a plate and injectors and GSK and a couple other items and it pulled great thru the Rockies several times.
Early on I burned up the Tranny[Auto] but rebuilt it and installed a triple disc TC that solved the problem.
When climbing Mts. just watch your EGT's , I suspect your manuel trans will be good.

the nv4500 has a tendency to run low on oil to the front when loaded and climbing, i used to run the fast coolers to help keep it from getting damaged from the heat and low oil. just my op

whats a good/inexpensive brake controller for our trucks?

I use a Prodigy and am happy with the performance. Checkout pricing on the internet.

Just curious about the post on the nv4500 running dry, the fast cooler will keep it running cooler, how does it keep it from running dry? Also i hear some people put 5 qts. in there nv4500, im just running what the side of the trans says which is 4 qts. What is the benefit of 5?

more oil less likely to run dry

What is the GVWR of the trailer? That is a pretty good indicator of what it will weigh when loaded if you are an average RVer. If it is over 10,000 get a new hitch, they aren't that expensive. Exceeding the weights that are on the label will lead to eventual failure. Mine literally tore at the bends where the hitch attaches to the frame. Your NV4500 will be fine towing 10,000 to 11,000 pounds. I tried overfilling mine, plus had Fast coolers. Overfilling did no damage as some suggested, but transmissions didn't last any longer than 100k or so either.

For the price a Prodigy is a good controller.

If you want a REALLY good brake controller (no jerking or bucking, just smooth, controlled stops), get a Maxbrake. An amazing unit. Is it more money? Yes, but it works incredibly well.

Just my 2 cents.

I'll second that!

Well we bought the travel trailer and we are gonna pick it up next week. I asked them to throw in the hitch/stabilizer/weight distribution things so those come with the trailer. Going to pick up a prodigy brake controller this week. GVWR is 9900 lbs for the trailer. Some specs I read online say one 6700 lbs dry, previous owner says it weight 8300 lbs. Guess we might just have to scale it to know for sure. it does have a 12' slide though :) which makes it very roomy

Dave

The people who own the trailer in the link below, bought the trialer new in 1996 along with a new 96 3500 Dodge Cummins 12V. The truck has been pulling that trailer ever since. It has an aftermarket Torque Converter, Valve body, P-Pump Plate and 4.10 gears. I think the 5 speed you have is equal to or better than the automatic.

You should be ok. You will be over the recommended Gross Combined weight recommendation for 1996.

http://www.plugitright.com/5thwheelREDO.html

Looking in my owners manual im showing my GCVW rating with 5 speed and 3.54 gears is 16,000 lbs and max trailer weight of 11,900 lbs. So i dont believe id be over

Don't know if you have the truck set up yet for towing or not.

The Gross combined is the combination of the trailer weight (axles), the trucks Gross Vehicle Weight which includes, fuel, passengers, hitch, tool box, aux fuel tank, the driver, the pin weight of the trailer in the truck and anything else in the truck that I did not mention.

If your OK with the Gross combined, you still could be over with the trucks GVW with the pin weight and other factors mentioned above. You'll be fine
but check the tire maxis and make sure you don't exceed the tire rating.