Please help with toy hauler selection
03-31-2018, 11:34 AM
#11
5.0 DOHC V8
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Start out small, find out if it is really what you want, then move on up to where you want to be. In the long run it can save you thousands.
This is outstanding advice.
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acdii (03-31-2018)
03-31-2018, 04:47 PM
#12
Bingo.
We are still on our first trailer... a 2004 Kodiak 25ft quad bump. We bought it for $3200, or about half the price of a Disney vacation. Considering we have 4-5 trips with it already, I consider it paid for!
Start off small (or cheap) and grow... especially because you need a bigger truck as well. You are looking at a SUBSTAINTIAL investment, make sure you’re ready for it.
Another option, not sure if you have a second vehicle, but you could always tow the toys with the second vehicle. Most toy haulers are really a compromise. It’s either too much hauler, or too much Camper.
We are still on our first trailer... a 2004 Kodiak 25ft quad bump. We bought it for $3200, or about half the price of a Disney vacation. Considering we have 4-5 trips with it already, I consider it paid for!
Start off small (or cheap) and grow... especially because you need a bigger truck as well. You are looking at a SUBSTAINTIAL investment, make sure you’re ready for it.
Another option, not sure if you have a second vehicle, but you could always tow the toys with the second vehicle. Most toy haulers are really a compromise. It’s either too much hauler, or too much Camper.
03-31-2018, 07:46 PM
#13
One thing to consider, and a lot of people do this, is if you have never done RV camping before, and invest a huge sum into a truck and trailer, only to find it is not to your liking, you are now stuck with some very expensive yard ornaments. Start out small, find out if it is really what you want, then move on up to where you want to be. In the long run it can save you thousands. I know I would have gone the dually route, 5th wheel right off the bat if I could, and then after a few years decided I had enough, then the trailer would sit, and I would have a huge truck to drive to work every day. Our first year we did 6 trips, last year I think we did 4. and this year, have 2 planned, which may not happen due to issues with the truck, so unless I can replace my truck in the next 2 months, we will be down to one planned trip in August.
I should add, if your truck does not tow well because it it too light in the payload department, too much trailer, or has issues while towing, it drastically cuts into your want to camp. That's what happened last year with me, and continues through this year, the truck is not very good at towing, even though the previous 2014 towed it just fine.
What you might want to do is rent a trailer similar in size/weight to what you are looking to get, and go for a drive to see how it handles. If it tows nice, then you know to go ahead with what you want, if not, then you know to look at other options.
I should add, if your truck does not tow well because it it too light in the payload department, too much trailer, or has issues while towing, it drastically cuts into your want to camp. That's what happened last year with me, and continues through this year, the truck is not very good at towing, even though the previous 2014 towed it just fine.
What you might want to do is rent a trailer similar in size/weight to what you are looking to get, and go for a drive to see how it handles. If it tows nice, then you know to go ahead with what you want, if not, then you know to look at other options.
Very good advice, thanks. I'm going to see if we can try pulling one of our friend's trailers (or renting) to see how it goes. I'm already drastically cutting back my thoughts on what is reasonable... Looking at something like the Jayco Octane Superlight 161 now - 20 feet and 7000 GVWR. Still more research and thinking to do but it's definitely a little more reasonable than the trailer I posted above.
Thanks to all for the input so far!
03-31-2018, 08:21 PM
#14
I’ve had my eye on the forest river grey wolf 27rr. It doesn’t sleep as many as the Jayco, but half the price and has a slide out. Might be worth a check. The weights are well within your towing spec as long as you don’t put anything in the truck
04-04-2018, 09:59 AM
#15
I have a 2017 Lariat Crew Cab, 3.5 Eco with max towing package, and a 2016 Cherokee Grey Wolf 27RR toy hauler. We have been taking this thing all over to MX races in the Eastern part of the country. No issues at all going from NE Ohio through the mountains down south on the way to the Carolina's and Florida.
Typically sleeping 3-4 people in there, but have had as many as eight (some were kids and teenagers).
I am maxed out on the trailer weight as well. I have a couple of work benches/cabinets in the back, (2) 250F's, a pit bike, power washer, barrel, grill, generator, bicycles, pop-up tent, 2-1/2 ton floor jack, tools, you get the picture. Only getting about 8 to 8-1/2 MPG going in that direction, a little better to the East, and about 10 MPG going West into Indiana or up to Michigan.
I had an older Ram 1500 with a Hemi which did fine pulling this locally but really struggled pulling it through the mountains on Interstate 77 ( I was way over on payload as well). Real happy with our current set-up.
Typically sleeping 3-4 people in there, but have had as many as eight (some were kids and teenagers).
I am maxed out on the trailer weight as well. I have a couple of work benches/cabinets in the back, (2) 250F's, a pit bike, power washer, barrel, grill, generator, bicycles, pop-up tent, 2-1/2 ton floor jack, tools, you get the picture. Only getting about 8 to 8-1/2 MPG going in that direction, a little better to the East, and about 10 MPG going West into Indiana or up to Michigan.
I had an older Ram 1500 with a Hemi which did fine pulling this locally but really struggled pulling it through the mountains on Interstate 77 ( I was way over on payload as well). Real happy with our current set-up.
04-04-2018, 02:02 PM
#16
I have a 2017 Lariat Crew Cab, 3.5 Eco with max towing package, and a 2016 Cherokee Grey Wolf 27RR toy hauler. We have been taking this thing all over to MX races in the Eastern part of the country. No issues at all going from NE Ohio through the mountains down south on the way to the Carolina's and Florida.
Typically sleeping 3-4 people in there, but have had as many as eight (some were kids and teenagers).
I am maxed out on the trailer weight as well. I have a couple of work benches/cabinets in the back, (2) 250F's, a pit bike, power washer, barrel, grill, generator, bicycles, pop-up tent, 2-1/2 ton floor jack, tools, you get the picture. Only getting about 8 to 8-1/2 MPG going in that direction, a little better to the East, and about 10 MPG going West into Indiana or up to Michigan.
I had an older Ram 1500 with a Hemi which did fine pulling this locally but really struggled pulling it through the mountains on Interstate 77 ( I was way over on payload as well). Real happy with our current set-up.
Typically sleeping 3-4 people in there, but have had as many as eight (some were kids and teenagers).
I am maxed out on the trailer weight as well. I have a couple of work benches/cabinets in the back, (2) 250F's, a pit bike, power washer, barrel, grill, generator, bicycles, pop-up tent, 2-1/2 ton floor jack, tools, you get the picture. Only getting about 8 to 8-1/2 MPG going in that direction, a little better to the East, and about 10 MPG going West into Indiana or up to Michigan.
I had an older Ram 1500 with a Hemi which did fine pulling this locally but really struggled pulling it through the mountains on Interstate 77 ( I was way over on payload as well). Real happy with our current set-up.
I'm interested in better understanding how there can be such a wide range of opinions on towing with our trucks. I see a bunch of pictures of people towing pretty big things (in my opinon the Greywolf 27RR falls into that category which is also a REALLY cool trailer, BTW), then others have the opinion that half of what I was looking at originally would be just in the realm of reasonable. Is it just different levels of risk tolerance for different people?
Thanks to everyone for their input!
04-04-2018, 02:25 PM
#17
30 years with a Class A CDL, seeing what happens when someone screws up with an improper rig setup, etc. Sure the truck can tow more than stated, but there is a reason that the manufacturers limit the amount of weight on the trucks. Seeing an F 150 towing a 35' travel trailer just creeps me out knowing that is a LOT of sail behind the light truck. The driver may think he can handle it, but when that trailer is hit with enough force and the driver is not paying full attention, next thing you know the trailer is splattered all over the road.
If the truck is configured to tow the weight, and the length is reasonable for the mass of the truck, go for it, but one should always make 100% sure that everything is within the specs of the truck, and many times that is what gets overlooked and problems happen that endanger not just the driver and passengers of the tow vehicle, but every single person on the road around them.
Use Common Sense if you have it. Read the Fine Print too!
If the truck is configured to tow the weight, and the length is reasonable for the mass of the truck, go for it, but one should always make 100% sure that everything is within the specs of the truck, and many times that is what gets overlooked and problems happen that endanger not just the driver and passengers of the tow vehicle, but every single person on the road around them.
Use Common Sense if you have it. Read the Fine Print too!
04-04-2018, 08:36 PM
#18
Thanks for posting your experience and truck information. Out of curiosity can you tell me what your payload is?
I'm interested in better understanding how there can be such a wide range of opinions on towing with our trucks. I see a bunch of pictures of people towing pretty big things (in my opinon the Greywolf 27RR falls into that category which is also a REALLY cool trailer, BTW), then others have the opinion that half of what I was looking at originally would be just in the realm of reasonable. Is it just different levels of risk tolerance for different people?
Thanks to everyone for their input!
I'm interested in better understanding how there can be such a wide range of opinions on towing with our trucks. I see a bunch of pictures of people towing pretty big things (in my opinon the Greywolf 27RR falls into that category which is also a REALLY cool trailer, BTW), then others have the opinion that half of what I was looking at originally would be just in the realm of reasonable. Is it just different levels of risk tolerance for different people?
Thanks to everyone for their input!
Dont really carry anything else in the truck except a purse (wife’s, not mine) and sometimes the spare for the trailer in the bed. My truck ends up having a 11,500# tow rating but you would never get there with my payload.
Using a Husky Centerline WDH that is 85#. Just put on Carlisle 8-ply radials, load range D on there. Don’t run any faster than 65 and the China bombs that were on there lasted two years with no blow outs.
Gross on the trailer is about 8,000, and like I said, with all the stuff we have in there it’s maxed out.
The toy hauler is a “entry level” trailer and for what we use it for it does the job. Used it a few times last year just for camping and not races and it was fine for a family of five.
Like most campers/trailers they are cheaply made so it helps if you can do some modifications or repairs yourself.
04-04-2018, 09:07 PM
#19
The sage advice on this thread is to rent a few and give them a try. That way you'll know first hand what you like. You have different layouts, beds, bath, kitchens etc. and until you use them you won't know what will work in your situation. The other great tip was too stay conservative since that avoids making another large item purchase (truck) to haul your new rig. I've owned several toy haulers fifth wheels and other types of rv's and figuring what types of toys & gear fit you situation is always a plus.. Those rentals will save you $$$$$ and you can make sure it works before you shop which helps uncomplicate the process. Generators, solar, fuel stations, water capacity and many other options can be very beneficial if using your unit away from the crowd, and can all make your outing a huge success. Good luck with your choice and have fun!
Last edited by Skeets; 04-04-2018 at 09:10 PM.
04-14-2018, 05:25 AM
#20
We have a Jayco 26' toy hauler and tow with a 2015 F150 with max trailer package. Some unique things about a toy hauler are the tongue weight is more than typical travel trailers as the dual axles are further back, has a built in generator mounted forward, and is built heavier to haul toys.
Out next step in the RV world is to replace the toy hauler with a smaller, tow friendly travel trailer and a better WDH hitch with a better sway control.
Out next step in the RV world is to replace the toy hauler with a smaller, tow friendly travel trailer and a better WDH hitch with a better sway control.