Ok, let me start by saying this will be my first toyhauler, however defenitely not my first time hauling. Pulled some heavy boats.We are selling my lake house and considering getting a toyhauler instead of a lake property since we can go where ever we want with a toy hauler. Only downside to this is obviously on a lake home your home value typically stays the same or goes up were as on a toy hauler it decreases. Also, we wont be able to tow our boat and a toy hauler because we have a big boat (~7,500 pounds loaded and 24')Here are my needs:1) truck: 2500 or 3500 style truck perferably newer. I will not buy a Dual tire truck simply because I will use this truck as my everyday vehicle as well, and im in sales so having a standard single row tire is much easier day to day.2) considering I will be getting a 2500/3500 single row tire truck, what are my toy hauler options? see below for toy hauler specs I wantToy hauler specs needed1) Perfer to be atleast a 12' garage. I will be hauling polaris rzr in the back, a motorcycle at times, and the hope is to have enough room (12' garage should work) to put my jet ski in the RV so we can take it to the lake with us since we cant tow the boat with the RVNote: if a 10' garage works with keeping the sliding glass doors open then maybe thats a option 2) I want a seperate garage space3) As nice and as long as possible that will still be safe for be to drive with a 250 or a 350. I think the tow rating on those are 16k for a 5th wheel.4) Price is not as big of an issue since we are using this to replace our lakehome. And I know most MSRP numbers are a joke, I know several folks that get 30-35% off MSRP.I am in houston, but willing to travel to get the right toyhauler for me if texas doesnt sell it.

Other luxury wants for the toyhauler1) I actually need a built in generator2) I would perfer to have gas for the generator and for the toys built in3) Decent sized TV's (outdoor tv would be cool but not a neccessity)4) Nice outdoor stereo (or i can add later)5) water to hose off as i ride in alot of mud

Since price isn't an issue how 'bout going with a dually and another vehicle to use for your sales job. The dually will allow you to get a large toy hauler to meet your needs.I have a MDT to tow with and use a Toyota Avalon for my sales job. The truck was bought new in 2008 and only has a little over 10,000 miles on it. I plan on it being the last tow vehicle I will ever have to buy.By the way the MDT is very manueverable, it will actually turn circles inside of a single rear wheel truck turning radius. Here's another option... A heavy duty truck (semi) with an extended frame and a ramp for your boat, a 5th wheel hitch at the rear for your toy hauler.Here's a resource website with photos and info:http://www.hhrvresource.com/PhotoPages/TruckBeds.htmThe guy with the most toys WINS !!!

Ok, price isnt a huge concern however buying a semi is out of the question.I figure I have 60-70k for a truck and 50-100k for the toyhauler.I thought about the idea of just purchasing a seperate tow vehicle but then I would think the added maintenance would be annoying. Added insurance, ect...I would really just like to stick to having one vehicle that can do it all and that needs to be a single row wheel.So with that said what are my options with my above criteria?everything i find that has a 12' garage that looks like a very nice toyhauler is overweight.

Buy a used Diesel pusher, you can tow the boat and then buy a trailer for the toys. That's just another thought.

Y-Guy,I looked at that as well. The issue is I couldnt find any tow ratings for Diesel Pushers.Can a Class A or Class C handle ~8k of a boat?

Toy Hauler / Tow vehicle help picking out | Good Sam Community

wirenutz
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/551339179355067077/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/551339179355067049/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/551339179355067032/
wirenutz
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/551339179353517264/ heres our set up
wirenutz
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
taken wrote:
wirenutz wrote:
first off I'm surprised the RV.NET weight police haven't high jacked this thread yet, secondly why fight the real truth, your asking to much for a SWD diesel 1 ton, I did the same path your taking 41 foot toy hauler 14,400 empty with a SWD dodge 1 ton diesel, scared the @rap out of me going down passes, white knuckled and wondering if a run-a-way ramp was close, we stepped up and went with a FL-60 sport chassis now I go down passes with one hand on the wheel, radio cranked and seat leaned back no worries about stopping, if fact with that big PAC break slowing my CAT motor down I find I need to stab the right pedal once in a while just to keep up to the posted speed limit, BTW it can out turn any 4 door truck, just my 2 cents, ohh and my wife loves the WOW factor when other people stop and stare at our set up

It's amazing you have the courage to leave the house...

LOL thanks for the chuckle
taken
Explorer II
Jun 13, 2014
wirenutz wrote:
first off I'm surprised the RV.NET weight police haven't high jacked this thread yet, secondly why fight the real truth, your asking to much for a SWD diesel 1 ton, I did the same path your taking 41 foot toy hauler 14,400 empty with a SWD dodge 1 ton diesel, scared the @rap out of me going down passes, white knuckled and wondering if a run-a-way ramp was close, we stepped up and went with a FL-60 sport chassis now I go down passes with one hand on the wheel, radio cranked and seat leaned back no worries about stopping, if fact with that big PAC break slowing my CAT motor down I find I need to stab the right pedal once in a while just to keep up to the posted speed limit, BTW it can out turn any 4 door truck, just my 2 cents, ohh and my wife loves the WOW factor when other people stop and stare at our set up

It's amazing you have the courage to leave the house...
wirenutz
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
first off I'm surprised the RV.NET weight police haven't high jacked this thread yet, secondly why fight the real truth, your asking to much for a SWD diesel 1 ton, I did the same path your taking 41 foot toy hauler 14,400 empty with a SWD dodge 1 ton diesel, scared the @rap out of me going down passes, white knuckled and wondering if a run-a-way ramp was close, we stepped up and went with a FL-60 sport chassis now I go down passes with one hand on the wheel, radio cranked and seat leaned back no worries about stopping, if fact with that big PAC break slowing my CAT motor down I find I need to stab the right pedal once in a while just to keep up to the posted speed limit, BTW it can out turn any 4 door truck, just my 2 cents, ohh and my wife loves the WOW factor when other people stop and stare at our set up
bobx2
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
Heartland also has the new Torque series TH's. If you are getting a 5th wheel TH, you definitely should be looking for a 1 ton diesel pickup. They tend to be pretty heavy. I know a 3/4 ton could handle a lot, but if you are going to buy a truck, might as well get the one best suited for the job.
taken
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2014
I'm a Heartland fan but love the Voltage haulers too. Either Heartland brands (Road Warrior or Cyclone) can offer all your requirements. Just look at floorplans and specs. IMHO, with a SRW 350/3500, keep it at or under 40' and at or around 3k pin weight max and you'll be fine. We tow our Road Warrior 30C with a 2012 350 SRW and are right at 40 foot and 3k and it tows PERFECTLY and we've towed it a lot. Never a white knuckle moment... not once. Sits level when hooked up with no air bags.
djburkeen
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
im pulling a voltage 3600, just under 40 foot tri-axle, with a 2008 ford 350 srw with airbags(airbags are absolute necessity imo, i wouldnt pull mine without em) am i over on my weights? probably, but i think i am within limits on my tire, wheel, and axle ratings for the truck, which i think is the most important number.

i dont put alot of weight in the garage as i only haul bikes and general "junk" in the garage though

i dont ever feel unsafe pulling the rig and it stops just fine, a little common sense when pulling something this big goes a long way.

however i dont think i would be comfortable going "full size" 43-44 foot range with a srw truck, that is just a whole lotta camper on two wheels.
afishinado
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2014
You're exactly in the same shoes I was in 6 months ago. Especially the non-dually part. The reason I decided to go 5th wheel is there will be days we don't ride the bikes and need a vehicle to tour in, and prefer one we already have on site, already set up the we like it rather than a rental car. The big difference between us is I am testing the waters first, before it's -money no object- I have less than $40k in my TH & TV combined with all repairs and upgrades completed (closely fitting your bill). Both are 06's and I will do my first trip (a short weekend shake down) in a couple weeks, then 12-15,000 miles for about 10 weeks. After our trip, I will know what I like or dislike, and the next one (if that happens) will be correct. If I need to get out of either, I'm not going to take a big hit.

A good (and knowledgeable) friend, highly suggested I get the TH first so I knew what size TV would do the job... Long story short, when I scaled the TH that the mfg says weighs 13,500....... Yeah, that's on it's axles! Add another 3480 on the pin, just got a dually, been driving it around bob-tail for the last month and only jumped one curb so far LOL... It's not so bad, and since it is a Mega Cab, it has a ton of space inside which is nice.

Good luck on your search, I had fun so far in this endeavor. BTW, we have been using the TH as a get away, parked 240 miles away, and learning what we like and dislike about it. So far, I would like a bigger shower. This past weekend there was a RV show here, after walking through all that was there we like the one we already have! We could possibly go to class A motorhome (and tow the bikes and our Jeep in a trailer), we'll see how it goes on this trip.....
Bedlam
Moderator
Jun 11, 2014
You could get a bumper pull toy hauler and then have the truck bed to haul extra gear. You will find that pin weight is heavy on the toy haulers and once you load up the truck with people, you may not have the capacity for many of the models you wish to buy if it is a SRW.

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