Hey everyone, i'm looking to get a toy hauler (42ft raptor 425ts) and pull this thing from Cali to Breckenridge Co for a few days of skiing, then on to Virginia beach. there will be 3 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs on this journey. I've pulled many trailers up to 30 ft... I'll have some type of 350/3500 dually. I know pulling will be slower, but this seems more fun than checking into hotels, eating at restaurants, .... Am I crazy? Or using sound logic ....How taxing is it pulling something that big, that far?

With the correct truck not taxing at all. My fifth wheel is 42' and going down the interstate or major road you almost forget its back there. Just need to realize you need more acceleration, braking and turning room.Once you purchase find a large parking lot and learn how it maneuvers and in no time you have the hang of it. Good luck.

That would be awesome... Plan out your stops and roll!

Our hauler is 44.5' and hauling it is no different than any other trailer we have owned... which is to say, no problem. We went from a 32' TT to a 36' TT to a 40' 5th to current. Never really noticed any difference in towing any of them. A big trailer behind you is a big trailer behind you.... I really enjoy the towing part of every trip...

If it's for 1 trip, then it's crazy. Otherwise it's fine if a bit expensive.No reason you should go any slower than with a 30' rig.

Looking for opinions from experienced 5th wheelers

taken
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2015
CarlT100 wrote:
Hi, Rodney. Glad to see you here.

Howdy Carl! Been here and IRV2 a long time but post less than on FTE.
CarlT100
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
Hi, Rodney. Glad to see you here.
taken
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2015
Absolutely Carl. We use all of our garage space as living space when camping. Makes for a huge extra room and helps keep our three year old from being under foot. Roll out the carpet, drop down the dinette, pop in a DVD, and spread the toys. She's in heaven. Can do a load of laundry while back there too...
CarlT100
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
afishinado wrote:
You never mentioned any toys to put in the garage. If I didn't tow two Harleys, I would not have a toy hauler. Regular 5er campers are lighter, shorter....

You would certainly have more living space if you were not in a toyhauler. However, I have come to really like having a garage. When the bikes are not in it, we use it as living space; it becomes our dining room. I don't mind the weight and the length is not a problem.
afishinado
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2015
You never mentioned any toys to put in the garage. If I didn't tow two Harleys, I would not have a toy hauler. Regular 5er campers are lighter, shorter....
nayther
Explorer
Jul 22, 2015
CarlT100 wrote:
Snow is a four letter word to me. :)

Same on this side of the states. Keep that white stuff to yourself people.
CarlT100
Explorer
Jul 22, 2015
Snow is a four letter word to me. :)
WhitehouseLV
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2015
Manofsteel wrote:
Y-Guy wrote:
My only concern is knowing that dually's suck on snow, just make sure you've got good roads and enjoy yourself.

Yeah... snow... this is why i mentioned the Colorado part of the trip - we'd be leaving the end of November when the resorts open - we want there to be snow... just not that much snow -

TV will be a 2014 or new 350/3500.... haven't decided yet - this might be a topic for another forum..... i have a 2013 f250 6.7, and it has a big back seat, rides smooth, and super quiet -

road to Colorado is I-70.. i know its a big 4 lane....

what an adventure! If I was doing your trip, my only concern other than your typical trip and keeping things from freezing, would be the road conditions. I've towed enclosed snowmobile trailers on bad mountain roads with switchbacks and they are not fun. I've towed our toyhauler up the switchbacks when the roads were good to go snowmobiling. I couldn't imagine towing on roads that were snowpacked, black-ice, blowing & drifting snow. Given the time of year your planning on leaving there is a good possibility the roads won't be that bad. Sounds like fun!
tchil
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
Just a side note on Breck. There are very few places to park an RV. Tiger Run is the only park I think in the area esp that will take big rigs. Great fun resort though.
ramgunner
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015
Y-Guy wrote:
My only concern is knowing that dually's suck on snow, just make sure you've got good roads and enjoy yourself.

We have a hill that I have to go up every day to work. Last April we had a major snowstorm with a good layer of ice. Cars were going uphill and sliding off to the right. I put it in 4WD and drove up slow and steady and had no issue - even when the guy in front of me hit his brakes and came to a stop and slid right. I had to go around him.

The OP's trip sounds like fun.