So my husband and I are trying to decide which Toy Hauler to go with. We have been told time and time again that the Heartland Cyclone's are the best in the business. We are beginning to travel for nursing and we have a 200lb St. Bernard that needs his own space so we really liked the the toy haulers for the Mud Rooom/Garage. We have been looking at the 4200 series that has the two porches and a real sized fridge. It must also have the Arctic Package because we will be going to alaska. What are your opinions on this company? Toy hauler? What modifications do we need to do for it for permanent living? Our Truck: 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie, Aisin Transmission Tow Rate 30,000lbs and has every bell and whistle possible. It is already 5th wheel ready.What fifth wheels do you recommend?

The Cyclone is no better than any of the other mass produced trailers and not as good as a couple others that offer more customization. The arctic package means very little. If you think that's going to get you through winters in Alaska you will be sorely disappointed. I wouldn't want to spend winter in Alaska in any of the mass produced haulers. The garage would make a great meat locker in the winter. None of them are insulated and even though every brand puts a heat register in the garage no heat every makes it back that far.

Steve76eb Thank you for your information. Would you mind suggesting some of these other brands and companies. We have only started looking about a month ago. I have been reading several forums since I posted this and I am slowly finding out what you said is true. Unfortunately I don't know much about the RV world. Any more suggestions would be appreciated. I am under the impression we have a truck that can pull almost anything. Is this true as well?

We have looked at that model as well. It does have some really neat features! We have been looking for a TH to live in as well. I like heartland products, we have not owned one yet. We have decided to pass on the cy 4200 because I am not sure I would like the arrangement of the kitchen cupboards. Not too much space there and they are really high. But I hate to pass on the side patio! I do believe the arctic pkg is worth having. Most models that have the arctic pkg have heated and enclosed underbellies so you don't freeze as easily. We have a four seasons now and have not froze yet. We do not live in ours full time now though. We did spend one night traveling through Brothers Oregon with blowing snow and we did not freeze. I am sure Alaska may challenge this though! If you search for full time r.v.ing you can find an abundant amount of information on this subject from people who have done it and are willing to share information on tips and tricks they have found to work. There are some blogs with really good info. Google this as well. We have looked at a lot of different manufacturers and a lot of floor plans. It really pays to spend some time looking. You can tell a cheaper made model from a better made model pretty quickly. They may all have some faults and you may have to have some work done on your unit, unfortunately that is the world we live in. Some people I have read even park the camper in the driveway for a weekend and live in it just to find those issues. Great idea! We search on line for floor plans we like then go look at the dealer ships. R.V. shows are fantastic! So many companies so many units. We only have small ones around here. Would love to go to a big one! After looking at different units we have our list of must haves and that discounts a lot of units. We have a toy hauler and are not happy with the slides on ours. We are very attentive to this feature now. We bought a toy hauler from a company that is no longer in business so no worries for you buying one, unless you buy used I guess! Lots of good information on owners forums too! Good luck and enjoy your new lifestyle!

The extra party deck on the 4200 is ridiculous!

I can tell you the arctic package on my 5er is the real deal. I have spent several weeks at 0 deg outside and main body of the trailer was extremely warm. The garage is another story, no furnace heating makes it there, but I used a couple of small space heaters and the garage was no issue. Do your research on models you are interested in and I think you'll be alright.Mark

Cyclone Model: CY 4200 All New Concept! | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

trail-explorer
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
Ric Flair wrote:
I thought one of the main benefits to having a mobile domicile is the ability to get the hell out of places like Alaska in the winter

that's what I thought too....
paulcardoza
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
We took delivery of our 4100King in May. A few very minor issues, but nothing that has caused us any heartache. Everything works!

I had to tighten a few of the waterline connections at the faucets as they were very loose and dripping. 5min job.

My dealer rewired the 3 AC units so we could run the BR/LR units at the same time. Heartland only lets you run 2 AC units at a time, when you have 3 installed. The way it came wired from the factory allowed for the Garage/BR or Garage/LR to be run together as the only two options. Stupid design in my view and the dealer agreed.

Battery cable was too short to get allow the batter cover to be put in place, so that was replaced.

Nothing else so far!
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 30, 2014
For those cold temperatures, expect to remain plugged in to services since it will take a large amount of energy to keep anything warm.

I would suggest a car hauler style trailer with inboard tanks and double paned windows. The standard height ceiling in the living quarters will be easier to heat than the taller roof typical in a toy hauler. Although slides are available in the LQ, I would not suggest deploying them in extreme cold - Either find a floor plan you like without slides or one that allows use with the slide retracted. Connections to water and sewer will have to be insulated over electric heat tape to keep fluids going in out of the trailer from turning solid. If you plan to use propane, it will have to be in an insulated and heated compartment otherwise the regulator will freeze up and restrict flow.

I know of no mass produced trailers that fit the above description, but Millennium, In-Tech and Feather Lite could do a custom build with sufficient insulation to make this work for you. If you decide to go this route, also discuss roof load due to snow with the manufacturer. They can add additional trusses and spars that will bear heavy snowfall better than a toy hauler.
bobx2
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
I have had zero issues with my Heartland RV, as most other Heartland owners will agree, so I wouldn't let a couple of members opinions of a particular brand sway your choice. I had a Keystone TH previously that was nothing but problems for the first year that I owned it. Also have had a couple of Jayco TT's that were pretty much problem free. They are all pretty similar in how they are constructed, so pick the one you like best and enjoy. I doubt anyone builds one that is meant to be used up in Alaska during the winter. Summer months, no problem. There is a definite benefit to the cold weather package and double pane windows as well, but there is a limit where it is just too cold to be in any RV.
Ric_Flair
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
I thought one of the main benefits to having a mobile domicile is the ability to get the hell out of places like Alaska in the winter
steiny93
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
living full time in Alaska isn't going to work out well for you in any of the standard flavors; they all will cost you a fortune to heat and you'll be fighting freezing pipes a lot

you could go with one of these (spacecraft / new horizons / forks) but there will be a significant cost difference

we have had great luck with our cyclone; but living full time in a cold environment wouldn't be a pleasant experience, I think you'd have tons of moisture issues.
fly-boy
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
For Alaska winters and roads I would be looking at only non-slide, four season trailers- period.
A mass produced multi-slide trailer in Alaska is going to fall apart around you and be really expensive to heat.
Ric_Flair
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
We have the Heartland Road Warrior and have been please with it. But as noted above, there's not a lot of difference in quality among the standard brands.

Lawnspecialties is a regular contributor to any thread related to Heartland. Pick any other brand and you'll see similar pro's and con's posted. Everyone has their own experience and opinion.

I think the quality of the dealer has as much (maybe more) to do with ones satisfaction as does the quality of the unit.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
What Steve76eb said is spot on. We had a Cyclone for two years and will never have another Heartland camper again. For us, a very unreliable camper and a dismal company to deal with.

If I were getting another, KZ Infernos, Grand Design Momentum, and Jayco Seismics would top the list of the "cookie cutter" models.

Not sure which ones are being made now but there are some even better ones out there that are far more durable and built more for full-timing. Excel Wild Cargo and the New Horizons are amazing and expensive. But you get what you pay for.
Leroy2u
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
I can tell you the arctic package on my 5er is the real deal. I have spent several weeks at 0 deg outside and main body of the trailer was extremely warm. The garage is another story, no furnace heating makes it there, but I used a couple of small space heaters and the garage was no issue.

Do your research on models you are interested in and I think you'll be alright.

Mark