lacofdfireman wrote:
We are pretty torn what to do. I'm not sure if we even want a toyhauler again. Looking into all the options. We are even considering buying a standard fifth wheel and pulling doubles. We just have the 1 Polaris Ranger crew left and sometimes we leave it home. The standard fifth wheels are cheaper and have a lot more room. The only downside at all for me is the holding tanks are smaller. Oh and no generator. So dry camping is a little rougher. But still doable with a portable generator and some 5hallom water jugs. We are trying to stay under $35k which doesn't give you many options with toyhaulers anymore. But lots of regular fifth wheels in that price point. We'd also like a bunkhouse to.
If you go with a standard 5th wheel it's easy to get around smaller holding tanks. Four or five 7 gal Accutainers in the bed of your truck (along with a 12vdc pump), plus a portable black tank (and 12 vdc macerator) should more than suffice for the difference in capacity.
Yes, you can get by with a portable generator, but most will admit it is SO nice to not have to worry about theft, lugging around a/c cables, and the general overhead of a portable generator----simply pushing a button, anywhere, anytime, is a nice creature comfort.
As long as you don't have plans to drive through another state that restricts tandem towing you should be ok tandem towing with a standard 5th wheel.
In terms of air conditioning, a 15k unit is not a magic pill and won't provide a dramatic jump in cooling vs. a 13.5k unit. The numbers (15k BTU vs. 13,5k BTU) say it all---it's about a 10 percent increase in cooling---enough to cool an additional 2-3 ft. of living space vs. a 13.5k unit. Here in the desert SW any rig over 20 ft. with just one 13.5k or 15k a/c unit is going to see their comfort compromised when temps get above 100 degrees. If you're someone who feels comfortable with interior temps around 78-82 degrees maybe not an issue. However, if you're one that prefers temps 78 or lower, you may see your comfort compromised.
You mentioned you're trying to stay under $35k. Unfortunately, the smallest 5th wheel toy haulers, new, start around $38k-$40k discounted (not MSRP). Some of these entry level units only have a 4000 Onan and 1 a/c unit. Used, clean, un-abused, toy haulers are hard to find. If you have room in your budget for slightly more than $40k, there are some nice toy haulers with an Onan 5500 and 2 a/c units available.
It is a tough choice.
