We have a 2004 fifth wheel bunk but now our life has evolved and would like a toy hauler or Class A with a trailer so that we can take our motorcycle with us. Going to Sturgis this year with another couple and hate to take two vehicles. One pulling a camper and one a trailer.We aren't looking at something for just this trip as we enjoy taking longer motorcycle trips but living in Vt. find that it's nice to drive a few hundred miles and base for day rides. Also like going to different rallies, etc. I have a F350 SRW and any toy haulers we really like or gravitate toward are 18K GVW which would require a DRW. Not into trading trucks and using a dully as a daily driver. Anyone have experience with both? Advantages, disadvantages?

Hmmmm your right about the weights of a well equipped fifth wheel toy hauler, it is and I have seen many SRW one ton trucks towing them, I towed mine from Souix Falls to Seattle with a SRW Dodge Diesel, it was stoping them that had me looking for a used MDT when I got home.

Howdy!We fulltime and just moved from a 36' 5er to a 43' Heartland Cyclone 4000. You might want to look at the Cyclone 300c its come in at a CCW 16,000 and dry weight 11,755. "Heartland Cyclone 300c""Happy Trails"Chiefneon

Just some more options to make your decision harder:We went from a toy hauler to a truck camper pulling an enclosed trailer. We did this because we wanted a bigger garage without a bigger footprint We are 45' long with trailer). You will have to compromise some living space in a truck camper, but you can take your garage with you when you have toys or leave it behind when you don't. My truck with camper is under 22' long so fits most regular parking spots which opens up many areas we could not go when towing something.

Total newbie here starting out with a 5er toy hauler. Original owner pulled it with a 3/4, previous owner happened to have a F550, so that's what he used. I want a 3/4 or 1 ton SRW and will know after it hits the scales loaded on the 19th (I'm moving it). There are quite a few available that should be towable with the 1 ton SRW that are nearly 40' (mine is 39'OAL). Since I haven't purchased yet, and I'm a newbie, I've been vacillating wildly on which to buy. Want a short wheelbase SRW, today it's a dually....All that said, I could see myself in a Thor Outlaw and tow my Wrangler (or my boat occasionally). Then I could have it ALL with me.See you in the Black Hills (along with another half million of my closest friends)

Watch your rear axle and wheel capacities. Toy haulers have heavy pin weights that can exceed wheel capacity of a SRW.

Anyone gone from Class A to 5er toy hauler or visa versa?

12 Replies

Tom46
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
We had a Discovery Diesel pusher for 14 years. Just sold it and went to a Heartland Torque TQ 325 for several reasons. 2 bathrooms and GVW of 14,000 with a dry weight of 11,470 2 bathrooms and pull down Queen beds means 2 couples can travel nicey.

I pull it with a 2012 F250 SD crew cab with no problems.
azdryheat
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
One other thought, our toy hauler has a patio ramp which we absolutely love and gives us more living area.
Vt_Rv
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Thank you for all the input and thoughts to ponder.

Keep vacillating between the two, and or just keeping with I have.
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 08, 2014
That makes my 8'x9' of floor space and 8'x7' sleeping loft in my truck camper sound like a closet compared to your rig.

We have 60 lbs of LPG and 42 gal of fresh water in our camper. Our trailer has has 100 lbs more of LPG (used for generator, heat, cooking and fires) and 84 gal of fresh water. If our 35 gallon gray fills up, we have a rolling tote that will off load 30 gallons. A 12VDC transfer pump allows me to refill the camper fresh tank or use a hose to clean off the toys.
Steve_O_Reno
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
We just sold a 3912 raptor and pulled it with a FL-60 freightliner sportchasis

It worked great but as strange as it s was short on living space. Just bought a 40 ft class A pusher and getting a 20' enclosed trailer to haul the toys. Even with 12' of toy space it only left 30' of living space. Now we will have full 40' of living space and 20 for the toys. We will still put a awning and water/toilet in the trailer.
Havesafetyhitch
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
Check this site. automated safety hitch.com I have one it works great with my 3/4 ton single wheel duramax short bed pick up with a flat cover over the bed. Started with a 3/4 ton suburban pulling a 12000 lb 310 fuzion worked great then went to the duramax for more pulling power two years into this and love it. You will hear all the negatives but these people don't own one I do so check out the site.
Blackdiamond
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
I started with a TH and went to a class A. Both have their pros and cons as I see it. I just sold the class A and we have discussed going to a TH again but came up with that another A is what works best for us.

Class A
Pros;
Nicer ride/drive, just easier
vacation starts when you leave the house
no pulling over (except for driver) to use the bathroom
if you are camping without toys, easier to get into/out of places, smaller footprint
Cons;
no truck to get broken down toys, shop for supplies, travel to off site excursions.

TH
Pros;
Have TV to take to get supplies or broken down toys
floor plans are often pretty cool if you have a big enough truck to pull it.
cons;
see class A pros
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 08, 2014
Watch your rear axle and wheel capacities. Toy haulers have heavy pin weights that can exceed wheel capacity of a SRW.
afishinado
Explorer II
Apr 08, 2014
Total newbie here starting out with a 5er toy hauler. Original owner pulled it with a 3/4, previous owner happened to have a F550, so that's what he used. I want a 3/4 or 1 ton SRW and will know after it hits the scales loaded on the 19th (I'm moving it). There are quite a few available that should be towable with the 1 ton SRW that are nearly 40' (mine is 39'OAL). Since I haven't purchased yet, and I'm a newbie, I've been vacillating wildly on which to buy. Want a short wheelbase SRW, today it's a dually....

All that said, I could see myself in a Thor Outlaw and tow my Wrangler (or my boat occasionally). Then I could have it ALL with me.
See you in the Black Hills (along with another half million of my closest friends)
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 08, 2014
Just some more options to make your decision harder:

We went from a toy hauler to a truck camper pulling an enclosed trailer. We did this because we wanted a bigger garage without a bigger footprint We are 45' long with trailer). You will have to compromise some living space in a truck camper, but you can take your garage with you when you have toys or leave it behind when you don't. My truck with camper is under 22' long so fits most regular parking spots which opens up many areas we could not go when towing something.