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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | For all you mongoloid knuckle draggers out there that want to remove this because it ain't discussin' Victory, Kiss ma _____ (feel free to fill in the blank). No I didn't use search and the generator uses 10w-40 elixir. Now that the legal disclaimer is out of the way.
Someone had asked what kind of toyhauler I have. So here ya go.
Mine is a 2004 bought in 2002 (they are worse than autos for year made). It is a 30ft Weekend Warrior (out of business, new company uses the name now with a twist) bumper pull.
It definitely is not 1/2 ton friendly no matter what the salesman told me.
DRY WEIGHT was over 9000 lbs.
There are some very decent brands and like you have found out not so decent brands. I have seen quite a few of the Heartland Models but they tend to love their stuff($$$$).
Since I carry a ton of stuff and 8 off road vehicles I do not have the Garage option. If I was only carrying a couple of pieces of gear I would get the garage models. Allows you to sleep in the coach with all your gear inside it. When I stop I have to unload it all, but I am usually where I want to be anyway so no big deal yet!
I have to go back and look and see the other question.
Yes, there are other sites with more info like rv.net (good site) and others for answering these kinds of questions, but rarely is the mention of a Vision included. See now we are talking Visions so we're covered.
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | What do you want it to do?
What weather will you experience while using?
Bumper, fifth wheel?
Need generator?
How large tanks?
One of the biggest is how much can you spend to get all the niceties of home to go with you?
I have seen a small travel trailer with a small area in front to load your four wheeler or Vision on, I think somewhere in the high teens. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | ***This post is useless without photographs***
(with Visions, of course, and owners of Vision, spouses of Vision owners, on and on and on...)
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| Thanks for posting.
You have a big toy hauler. I was thinking something smaller say in the 22' range with a small front bedroom so I don't feel the need to unload the bike when we stop for the night.
All I really want are the basics, kitchen, bathroom, nothing crazy. 4 season would be nice
I have a 2011 Ecoboosted F150 that's good for more than 8000 pounds, so weight is a consideration. Most of the Toyhaulers I have been looking at are in the 5000 dry weight range.
Budget is not too tight so I have room to wiggle.
We will see what happens. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | I would think you would still need a garage if you don't want to unload it. That would be my recommendation.
Yes, it is big, triple axle and close to 13k loaded.
The four season part, you'll have to inspect and make sure it is a TRUE 4 season. Some of the manufacturers put a small layer of cardboard like material under the body and call that insulated. Others, can have upward of R-4 + heated tanks. Most of that of course will tend to shoot the price closer to 30k or more. They are real proud of that insulation.
It doesnt' look like you will be dry camping much so you won't need a lot of the bigger items that add weight. Most toy haulers are based on camping in the sand dunes and dry camping. So, they have generators, fuel tanks, and large fresh water tanks.
Kelvininin - throw us (me) a question, are you looking for recommendations or general info to get the grey matter moving.
I wouldn't trade the toyhauler for any other type. I like the openess of the layout. If I didn't have toys I'd probably still get one.
Highly recommend hooking to it and weighing it and seeing how it pulls. There is close to 1500 lbs on the tongue empty, salesman didn't say that either. It drops about 220 lbs when you put gear in the back.
CoolhandLuke - whats your setup? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 38
Prince George, BC, Canada | Check out VRV.com as an alternative. Lightweight aluminum construction and many configurations to be had. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Rhode Island | This is what I'm trying to talk the other half into.
http://www.livinlite.com/VRV-gallery.php
8.5x22 Basecamp
Jim
Edited by RhodeTrip 2012-08-24 7:25 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| .
Edited by Travelin Man 2012-08-24 7:40 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| This is another:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2012-COACHMEN-FREEDOM-EXPRESS-LTZ-30... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| This is what I've been looking at, it has a separated garage section, a walk around front queen bed and a slide for the couch, the only thing I don't like too much in this design are the fold down couches in the garage, I would prefer a single bed that raises to the ceiling for storage:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2012-FOREST-RIVER-WORK-N-PLAY-W-1-SL...
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | We run a HEMI 1500, 24.5' fifth wheel(no slides), and Alumna 6x10' bumper pull. Alberta, Saskatewan, and every thing south along I-15 allow the kingping/ball combination. Gives us best of both worlds, just camping we have full camp, with bike we have garage, and full camp. Drop enclosed, park 5th wheel, enclosed is light enough to spot by hand when empty for those older non drive through campsites. Boss won't camp in garage, trust me, I tried. lol I don't want to give up the ride of a 1/2 ton to tow a trailer for just a few thousand miles per year! Good luck with what works best for yourself. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | I have a Road Warrior toy hauler made by Heartland. I love it!! The Road Warrior line is a mirror to the Cyclone line. Cyclones outside walls are heavier and the interior will have more high end extras as standard equipment. Heartland equipment is not cheap but there is alot of value that you do not get with other brands. For example my Road Warrior has slam door latches on the outside storage areas that you would only see on high end motorhomes. Heartland also uses a two bed system in the garage. One is just a bed and the other folds out into a table but it allows you to walk through the garage at the same time. Both beds raise up to the cieling when hauling. Do yourself a favor and explore the complete Heartland RV line.
The reason that many toy haulers are not friendly to 1/2 ton trucks is very simple. To allow for more wieght in the rear of the trailer all toy haulers have their axels placed closer to the rear of the trailer. By doing this, it makes the king pin wieght (for 5th wheels) or hitch weight (for tow behinds) much greater for toy haulers. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Brian, my Keystone Raptor is a 36' 5th wheel with a 12' garage. I live in it full time so the extra cost was worth it. It has big holding tanks for grey and black water and a 110 gallon fresh water holding tank as well. It has 2 A/C's, 2 queen sized beds (1 I use for storage - "I've got too much stuff" says JB) a full kitchen. I pull it with a Ford F350 diesel dually which gets 8.5 miles to the gallon when pulling. So cost-wise, the '06 trailer I got used in '09 for $42k and change and the "Man-truck" is an '04 I got in '07 for $42k and change.
The Vision rides in the garage very nicely as I have a Condor front wheel chock installed on the "uni-rail" system.
Tried to include a picture of truck&trailer but it was too big :-(
Edited by CoolHandLuke 2012-08-27 10:13 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | CoolHandLuke - that sounds like one nice setup, except for that thing pulling it that started with an F! Just joshing! I got one of those big honking rigs that start with a G! Fuel mileage sounds about right for my rig also, I try to pull up next to refineries to refuel at the consumption levels we use. Kinda get spoiled with motorcycles averaging over 40mpg. HOWEVER, I wouldn't TRADE IT FOR NOTHING! I love me a toyhauler.
Since you full time in it, is it well insulated for the winter times or do you just stay south enough and milder climates for the time frame of winter?
Do you boondock with it? Generator or batteries / solar?
How long have you been living out of it?
Does it have heater vents all the way through the coach? Reason I ask, is mine stop where the loading area starts. Seems to still warm the coach even down into the 40's. That's the coldest I have been in it and the windows are full of water at that point.
Seen where the Heartland upper coaches have double insulated windows and insulation and a whole lot more put togetherness than the one I got, but I think I got in on the early toy haulers and most of them were being made for the desert and summer style camping.
Anything else?
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| Luke,
I damn near did what you do about 1.5 years ago, buy a trailer and live in it full time. I decided against it and moved in with my future wife instead. At the time I was just sick of apartment life and wanted a little more privacy and the ability to open my windows without worrying about some douche bag smoking on the lower level tainting my apartment.
I moved into a house that damn near has a 2x2 car garage, and aside from my commute and the area I like it.
Back to Toy Haulers. I have been looking at these for years and think its about time to pull the trigger.
Since its for a bike I am not worried about it carrying fuel, but will do some dry camping, but likely for short periods of time, a week or less.
I don't have much space to put a trailer, so size is a consideration, and my truck is a 1/2 ton. I am not in the position to trade my truck. Plus I get better mileage in my Ecoboost than I ever got out of my previous diesel trucks, combined with fact that diesel is often nearly a buck more per gallon out here on the Left Coast when compared to regular, I am not real motivated to get a HD truck. When the weather is too nasty to ride, I commute in the truck.
Although I would like to get a Toy hauler with a garage, I think a front bedroom rig is the way to go. I have shared sleeping space with motorcycles before so this will be nothing new. So no it just comes down to new or uses, brand, amenities, weight, size, want smooth side, and style (home like vs industrial). I am going pumper pull on this one, I will save the fifth wheel for retirement.
I am no rush, hope to have the thing for next season.
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | Heartland has double insulated windows as an option available throughout their lineup, the high end ones have it as a standard. The bad with that route is you are ordering a new heartland custom style and the dealers will want a pretty penny. My road warrior has ducting into the garage and the underbelly for air/heat. The tanks are supposed to be weather proof but I have never been in climates below 29 degrees and that was just. overnight. I do not full time but we love this decision.
I pull with a '06 2500 Dodge Mega Cab with the 5.9 liter cummins. I love it. I get 20.5 MPG empty and average 11.5 pulling our rig. Our trailer weighs in around 12,500 13k so I do not mind the milage I get at all. If you get a chance to see the advantages that heartland has, i think it would be worth it. I have seen used ones for sale in my travels. I just do not know that you will find many haulers that could be safely pulled with a 1/2 ton truck. The king pin weight is going to be too much. Good luck in your search. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| I know guys who pull a 22' toy hauler with a late model Dodge Dakota.
Its all about respecting the limits of the tow vehicle. I have a 4x4 F150 with the tow package and factory trailer break controller. The truck in its current configuration is good for 8100 pounds of towing capacity with a class IV hitch rated for 1000 lbm of tongue weight.
This is well within the limits and capacities of a 20-24' toy hauler with a dry weight of around 4500 pounds.
I would be anticipating a fully loaded toy hauler in my range of specification to weigh around 7000 pounds with a tongue weight of 700 pounds.
Not exactly a 4X8 foot open bed trailer but still well within the capacity of the truck. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | I hope that you find what you are looking for. There is no better way to see this country than with an RV. 5th wheel toy hauler have king pin weights that are about 25% of the trailers total weight. That means an 8000 lb fiver would have a 2000 lb king pin weight. That would be too much for most 1/2 ton trucks. I have seen pull behind trailers with garages that you might be able to get away with. Just be safe and respect your tow vehicle limits. I have seen what happens when tow vehicles are overloaded it is not a pretty sight. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| My new 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4x4 with the 5.7L Hemi, factory brake controller and 3.92 rear end ratio is rated to tow 10,500 pounds. The toyhaulers that I have been looking at are all right around 6000 empty and even fully loaded with my Vision, my wife's Burgman 650 and full fresh water and propane tanks I don't see us coming anywhere near that max towing figure. Also, I'm not planning on going over any mountain passes so that will help as well. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| taz456 - 2012-08-27 5:15 PM
I hope that you find what you are looking for. There is no better way to see this country than with an RV. 5th wheel toy hauler have king pin weights that are about 25% of the trailers total weight. That means an 8000 lb fiver would have a 2000 lb king pin weight. That would be too much for most 1/2 ton trucks. I have seen pull behind trailers with garages that you might be able to get away with. Just be safe and respect your tow vehicle limits. I have seen what happens when tow vehicles are overloaded it is not a pretty sight.
Perhaps one day I will have the space and the money for a nice 5th wheel and the 3/4 to 1 ton truck to pull it with. In the mean time this is my entry in to the RV world, and I'll make the best of it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | pollolittle - 2012-08-27 11:44 AM
Since you full time in it, is it well insulated for the winter times or do you just stay south enough and milder climates for the time frame of winter? I live in Florida full time now-no more traveling.
Do you boondock with it? Generator or batteries / solar? No, generator doesn't work & too much $ to fix it. Never 'boondocked'. always in an RV park or state park.
How long have you been living out of it? I gave up my rental house in '08 and went full time.
Does it have heater vents all the way through the coach? Reason I ask, is mine stop where the loading area starts. Seems to still warm the coach even down into the 40's. That's the coldest I have been in it and the windows are full of water at that point. Never had a problem staying warm.The furnace does NOT serve the garage, just the living area. I do use an electric blanket on the coldest nights. Have had nights down to 23 F when I was out at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and stayed "toasty" inside.
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Cruiser
Posts: 228
| I have an 07 Victory Lane 36' fifth wheel I pull with an 06 one ton 4wd dually Ram 5.9 Cummins with a 6 speed manual. The toy hauler weighs appros. 13K dry. It has a 12' separate garage space, two slides, two A/C units, full kitchen with a fully enclosed underbelly and the arctic insulation package. The generator has a 40 gal. fuel tank w/pump and hose to fuel the XCT. The Ram gets 18-20 mpg empty and 9-11 mpg pulling the fifth wheel. This is absolutely the best way to travel as far as I'm concerned. I get to sleep in my own bed every night, don't need to pack luggage into the motel room every night and can fix my own meals. We went to Buena Vista CO for a week in July rode several passes, Skyline Drive in Canon City (not for the faint of heart) and saw a lot of beautiful scenery. We rode 1600 mi. while we were there and had a great time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Kelvininin - Don't be surprised when you finally do weigh it fully loaded and you wind up at or near your max posted limit. It is amazing, what the contents of the fridge weigh, and then spoons, pans, coffee pot, LCD TV, blankets, trinkets the female persuasion "JUST HAS TO HAVE!" I forgot food, clothes, etc. Not counting vehicles, I wind up putting over a ton (2000 lbs) of stuff in my hauler. I forgot tools, sun shade, folding chairs and table for outside, grill, horseshoe set, jungle gym, and small pool.
I agree you should be able to find a 20-24 ft, post it up and we'll see what we say about it. Stay with the bumper pull, like you are talking about, pending on the tongue weight whether you will need to upgrade the hitch and/or get helper air bags for the rear suspension. Just because the manufacturer posted the weights, I wouldn't trust them to be close within 10%. Most are going to be off by a long way. If you find a used one, WEIGHT IT! |
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Toyhaulers and their conveniences.