Buying a Toyhauler

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IROC-Z!

New member
I have a 30' 5th wheel that I pull a 20' trailer behind for the toys. I'd love to get into a toy hauler and get rid of the second trailer. My only input is to make sure your tow vehicle can handle the weight regardless of the GVW and tow rating. Mine is rated for the weight but I'm on my 3rd transmission and my next will be a $4000 rebuild to not have to do it again.
 
We looked for 2 years for a toy hauler for our Ultra. We finally found the 2011 Mountaineer 347 THT 5th wheel from Montana & Keystone. It had the classic 5th wheel interior we wanted and a den/garage with ramp door that fits the Ultra or a ATV perfectly. We also got the factory installed 5.5 KW generator. Tanks sizes are fine for us. So far we made it to Yellowstone and Las Vegas then back home, 5K miles this summer so far. Good luck and be safe.
 
+1 on inspection and make sure you use everything on it to see if it does work, AC, Heater, TV, shower, fuel station, etc. Take a list of what should come with it and make sure it is installed and is the correct part/item. Issues I have had are loose wires, inaccurate water level meter, drawers that open while driving, faucet head not installed correctly and dislodged under pressure. Get real friendly with the services department, you will be dealing with them. Also, do an inspection after the service department does what the claimed to have done. Sometimes they can fix something, and break something all at the same time. Ask me how I know.

Other than getting the service department to make it right I love being able to go anywhere and be self contained for a week or more. I have a 23ft Attitude by Eclipse and it perfect for two people. I have not taken my street bike anywhere, but it is wonderful to ride (dirt bikes/ATVs) in the winter here in So Cal.

Get ready to say yes to hot showers and a soft bed!!!
 
This one made me laugh. The car you ride in, the motorcycle you ride on, the beer you drink... I'm thinking there's a LOT of things built by assembly line type factories. Just being a smarta$$... but, I really did laugh.
 
Quality is not job 1 with this industry as a whole. Every camper I have spoke with has some issues. Make sure you get it checked out then put it to work so you can find out what is really going on while the warranty is still good. My first few trips were not too far from civilization incase I needed something.

Also, I recommend getting a thick memory foam pad after the stock mattress is beaten down or upgrade to a full memory foam mattress if you can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HAL7Zq3Ig4
 
Don't think I was laughing at hauling... the funny part was about assembly lines. But, hey... guess I'll find your interpretation good enough to laugh about too!
 
They are a lot of fun. I am on my 3rd camper and 2nd toy hauler. They are fun but dito on most of the other comments as far as checking it over. They normally come with at least a year warranty so get out and try it right away usuing everything and confirm what is or if everything is covered on the warranty. Be sure to keep the dealers number on your cell phone because you will be calling them for advise on what to dos and why its not working questions. The joys of owning a camper. There is good and bad to everything. Due to kids and their college mine has been more of a lawn ornament this year than anything else but when we do get it out we luv it.
 
I just traded my '06 37' Triple Slide Raptor for a 30' Airstream. Yes, it's fun to have, but if you're still working and don't have a lot of time then it'll sit for long periods of time. I found that it takes a full day to get it ready with loading bikes, fueling up, hitching up, checking tires, fill water tank, etc. and a full day to get it back to storage. That's two days out of your trip then in my F350 diesel I would get about 10mpg which is not bad imho. There's insurance, tow vehicle that can pull 17,000lbs, and regular M&O upkeep. Then there's pulling the beast in rush hour in big city traffic or in construction lanes that give you about four inches on each side to play with. Having said all that, if you can handle that, then it's fun. We'd load two ultras up and usually head to Big Bend area (once to Nemo, by Sturgis); park; unload the bikes; hookup the Toyhauler and then it's all fun since you've got it all: ride, home, tv, bbq, generator, beer, and friends. I'd recommend putting a lot of money down because they depreciate faster than traditional financing, just mho.
 
I have a 30' bumper hitch pull toy hauler and we enjoy using it as our base camp. I like to stay in State Parks when available in the area we are traveling to or a KOA when they are not. Have gone the gamut - motorhome pulling an enclosed trailer, truck camper pulling an enclosed trailer, and now the toy hauler. You need to have a tow vehicle that will pull the weight and handle the wind resistance. A diesel is best for power and mileage. I get about 11 mpg pulling my trailer with my Dodge Cummings (in the mountains). We have made three trips this year - Florida in the winter, Maine Coast, and North Carolina BRP this summer. We are planning the next. I hope you enjoy the hauler.
 
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