thinking about a toy hauler toyhauler

[roverhybrids]

I'm starting to think about getting a toy hauler. I don't know what models are good and which are bad. I will be looking for a used model.
I have a 2004 dodge 2500 diesel truck to pull it. I have a family of four.

I think I want:
bumper pull
~24ft
queen front bed
twin electric queens in rear. Ideally easy to sleep 8 people.

 

[Rick]

Do you have a class A California license?

I've had both, pull behind and 5th wheel trailers. Both were 24 foot, none of which were toyhaulers.

I have a few friends that have Arctic Fox toyhaulers, they like them. Construction seems to be very good and well made.

The 5th wheel trailer will tow better, less sway, less hassle to couple and couple. Greater turning radius and when the hitch is installed properly will distribute weight more evenly onto your steering axle, better stopping and handling.

Receiver hitch trailers have a greater overall length, thus reducing turning radius. Requires " EZ Lift" type hitch, with weight distribution bars and the need for sway control.

Toy handlers are designed to carry more net weight and are generally heavier than conventional rv trailers.

5th wheels have a much nicer bed for adults, over the king pin area, which generally are a queen size. The benefit is not having to pull out the bed and put it away in order to get around in the trailer. The5th wheel bed does not require to be made and put away after a night's rest.

5th wheels tend to have more storage area as well.

After owning both, I'd never go back to a pull trailer!

The reason I ask about the class A license is because you can tow a additional trailer behind 5th wheel or pull type trailer as long as you don't exceed state length laws. I towed a 24ft 5th wheel with a Ford 150 and then my motorcycle trailer with 2 bike's behind my 5th wheel. I also would tow my 14ft Gregor aluminum fishing boat as well. It is legal and can be done. The reason I mention this is, "x" amount of living space is taken up by the "toy area". I know that beds fold down and the kitchen table area is now bike storage area.
To me it is a hassle. Been camping / riding with friends who had toy haulers and they seem to be always moving stuff around to eat or sleep. Just my observations. Again never owned one so I may be talking crap.

If you go to the DMV you can get info on getting a non commercial combination license. Which will allow you to tow combinations with a pickup truck.

Check out Trailer Life magazine as a guide.
Hope that helps.....

 

[roverhybrids]

I have a lumber rack on my truck, so a 5th wheel would be a pain.....
but I've seen a few nice looking adds for 5th wheel toy haulers for about $10k...

 

[Fred1956]

FWIW I had a 30' Keystone Hornet Hideaway, bumper pull & no slide out, and it was very cramped for the 2 of us. We occasionally had my 18 year old son and that added to the restrictions. The Hornet has a separate garage which may have contributed to that but my point is that a 24' may be a bit small for a family of 4. However if your choice doesn't have the separate garage it might work. I pulled the Hornet with a Ford Excursion and while I like my current F350/5th wheel toy hauler setup better, I didn't have any issues pulling the Hornet

 

[EnduroNut]

I want to really stress what Rick is talking about... I have owned a 30' toy box with a bumper pull - NEVER again, only fifth wheel. I have two different friends who's bumper pull yanked them off the highway and almost killed a friends wife... far to dangerous for my taste! It spooked me so much I spent 15k on a cheap motorhome!

 

[nknudsen]

My two cents. Once you go gooseneck or 5th wheel you'll never go back. (larger trailer of course) The truck sits much more level and they tow so nice in the wind and semi traffic. I love my 40' race car trailer.

 

[flo]

I live in a 32 ft bumper pull toyhauler with a large slide-out for most of the year, and while the comments above regarding 5th wheels are correct, they also have some disadvantages. For instance they are very high, and the height of truck and trailer must match exactly. Tough if you want to lift the trailer, which you probably will to have access to more riding areas.
Main disadvantage and my reason for not getting a 5er: can't use the bed of the truck. Very inconvenient!
With a high-end hitch with anti-sway and weight distribution, a bumper pull tows just fine in any situation I came across in the past 17k miles. Certainly better than a combo with a second trailer. This option would limit your access a lot.
Tip: Forget the generator and get an industrial type solar system. Best investment in a long time!

 

[gasgasman]

I want to really I have two different friends who's bumper pull yanked them off the highway and almost killed a friends wife...

I remember that, like it was yesterday.

 

[thumperrider1]

I remember that, like it was yesterday.

Was this due to weather or mechanical? I only ask because I pull a funfinder xt-247 (4710 lbs dry) with a 2013 F150 crew 4x4. I bought a high end blue ox hitch setup and it pulls great, but we've only towed around 1700 miles so far.

 

[bowhunter007]

Whether GN, 5w, or BP...Experience has a lot to do with what happens when things start to go wrong. Most folks I know, are relatively new to any sort of large trailer have no idea how to use the brakes, trailer brakes, or tow vehicle trans. That said, I pull around livestock, which makes someone's day very interesting when things turn south on a NB route.

 

[roostafish]

We have Rubicon 2900 garage type toy hauler. It's 34' tongue to bumper and is a behemoth going down the road. I've towed it with two different trucks. It goes down the road spectacular, we just moved into a house after living in it for ten months. Plenty of room for three. I would have loved to get the Voltage 5th wheel. But the extra $75,000 put it a little out of my price range.

 

[northernhammer]

I have a 20' bumper pull toy hauler with the twin queens in the back. To get the queens down you have to take down the table & fold down the benches. This is a hassle every evening and morning. Extra length would help this alot. If i were to do it over again i would go 5th wheel all the way. Separation from the kids in the back and the extra room will go a long way. With all campers they may say "sleeps 8" but you can never get that number in there happily. It will haul my rhino in the back so room for toys is not a problem. With my wife and 2 kids it gets very cramped over a weekend. With your truck, 5th wheel would be the way to go. Not sure on your local laws but here you can B-train a boat or utility trailer behind a 5th wheel if you need to bring ALL the toys. So that might be something to consider aswell.

 

[liv2day]

Holy old thread...LOL.

That said, I now have something to contribute

We'd been contemplating a toy hauler of some type to extend the camping season, but didn't want one of the traditional box types as we've been tent campers for years. I started looking into the tent trailer toy haulers and ended up getting the perfect thing for what we enjoy - a Rockwood 282TXR. Although it's 26' long, it doesn't weigh as much as most of the box haulers. One drawback is the lack of inside storage, but it can haul a bunch of stuff on the deck and anything that doesn't fit goes in the truck.

Here are a couple shots from our first two treks out in it.