Looking at Toy Haulers and one of the models I like has a patio/ramp, but of course the price is higher by a few thousand than the ones that don't. I am trying to justify the extra price and looking for feedback from those who actually have a ramp/patio. Do you really use it? Or do you just find yourself sitting outside under the awning vs. the patio?Also, I assume the season to use it is short as most of the time it is either too hot or too cold. Just trying to figure out if folks really find themselves using this option or if it just turns out to be another marketing gimmick.

Marketing gimmick.We've never sat on our ramp. We do however sit in the garage with it's pull down screen down and the back ramp open. The ramp would need to have a leg supports and a cross support member made to support that kind of weight of say six to eight people safely without damaging the ramp or the ramp's cabling system if your think of using the cables for support.

I agree that it’s a gimmick. We are looking for a new trailer too and are not interested in the party deck. Unfortunately, most of the in stock units we are looking at have the party deck. So it’s either get one built or accept a unit with a party deck and haggle with the stealer to remove the cost of the party deck from the sales price.

My kids use the ramp as a patio all the time. Mostly as a "stage" or place to work on crafts. However, I have no cables or "patio kit". I just set a couple of jack stands under the rubber bumpers at the end to hold the ramp in a relatively level position. Of course this works fine for a couple of kids but I wouldn't put half a dozen adults on there like that.Eric

I made my own with our Raptor, used it a couple of times. If I was backed up to a nice river or ocean beach I'd use it more, but that just wasn't how we camped. I don't think I'd spend a couple grand on one though.

This is a manufacturer patio with fencing. While it looks neat, I am just not sure how often it would be used and can I justify the extra money.

Those who have a ramp patio, do you really use it?

jamesroadking
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
Marketing gimmick.
We've never sat on our ramp. We do however sit in the garage with it's pull down screen down and the back ramp open.
The ramp would need to have a leg supports and a cross support member made to support that kind of weight of say six to eight people safely without damaging the ramp or the ramp's cabling system if your think of using the cables for support.
ugeesta
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
I agree that it’s a gimmick. We are looking for a new trailer too and are not interested in the party deck. Unfortunately, most of the in stock units we are looking at have the party deck. So it’s either get one built or accept a unit with a party deck and haggle with the stealer to remove the cost of the party deck from the sales price.
eundercoffler
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
My kids use the ramp as a patio all the time. Mostly as a "stage" or place to work on crafts. However, I have no cables or "patio kit". I just set a couple of jack stands under the rubber bumpers at the end to hold the ramp in a relatively level position. Of course this works fine for a couple of kids but I wouldn't put half a dozen adults on there like that.
Eric
Y-Guy
Moderator
Mar 12, 2018
I made my own with our Raptor, used it a couple of times. If I was backed up to a nice river or ocean beach I'd use it more, but that just wasn't how we camped. I don't think I'd spend a couple grand on one though.
95jersey
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
This is a manufacturer patio with fencing. While it looks neat, I am just not sure how often it would be used and can I justify the extra money.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
We don't have a toy hauler but have a rear deck on Sierra 360PDEK and use all of the time. Our dog has a bad hip and he has issues with steps so he lays on the deck for hours at a time. Depending on where we stay will also set up our smoker on it. Always have a chair out there and I enjoy sitting out there as well watching the world go by.

With that being said, our next FW will not have a deck as it has limited us to certain spots to camp. With the deck down I'm at 50' long so spots are limited
JAC1982
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
Just mentioned this in your other thread, but we love the patio for our 3 dogs. We have the whole "patio kit" with the mesh walls, overhead awning, etc., so it's great for the dogs since they can sit outside without having to be tied up, or in a pen. The patio is also awesome for people watching at music festivals, if you do that kind of thing.
seagrace
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
Our TH wasn't designed with a ramp/patio, but by adding a cable kit, we made it one. There's no fence around it, so that first step is a big one, but we do use it all the time as a patio.

It is a great place to sit and enjoy the view, and the dogs enjoy sunning on the patio during the day. We also have the curtain wall and use that as well.
lightfoot
Explorer III
Mar 12, 2018
Our latest TH came with the patio option and the sliding door for when the ramp is down. Both have been removed and are in storage. This is our 3rd TH and we have not found a need for the patio. I did hang on to the cable kit just in case we did want to put the ramp out and sit under the awing. We do use the awing to keep the sun off the motorcycle seat.
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2018
I don't have a toy Hauler but each time I see those Patio option's, I tell myself that if I did have a 5th wheel/Toy Hauler, I'd have one of those. My type of camping(non ATV/ATC), a patio would be very welcome both for the wife and I plus the dog's.

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Those who have a ramp patio, do you really use it?

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