We think we want an XLR 300x12 over a bunkhouse model...for the following reasons...1. Cargo area and room, we dont have a designated toy yet, lots of little stuff, but easy to load.2. Room when we do have toys to move.3. Flexibility for rear room...electric bed lifted up out of way, use the walk through dinette and table....seems like it would be an ideal place for them.4. Kids sleep there at night would be the plan...Now, those that have a hauler, please let me know if this would work ok? If you had 4 kids, would you just go the bunkhouse route or think this will be comfortable enough? I would have ducted heat and AC, as well as a 2nd ac.The unit I am planning to get is about 8,500 more than a Jayco Bunkhouse...and the XLR comes equipped with auto leveling, thermal pack insulation and dual panes, touchscreen power remote, VIP party deck, GENERATOR 5.5 Onan, fuel station, dyson vac, washer dryer hook ups...just seems like so much more for the money...what am I missing?Open for advice, its a major purchase, and if I order tomorrow can have it around April 20th with all options I want and weight my truck can handle...thanks!

We got a toyhauler when we upgraded out of a bunkhouse. It didn't take long to figure out the kids were growing. The bunkhouse beds fit the little ones, but the 12 yr old (then) started growing. The oversize queen beds are more then large enough for 4-5 little ones on the bottom bunk, and as they get bigger I can double up two on top and two on the bottom. The garage is a playroom by day and a bedroom by night. Plus the added space to haul whatever (mine is good for just over 2500 lbs) bulky stuff need to me moved. We have the ducted heat - it is a joke - with an electric heater in back in the winter. I am going to put an AC in the roof this summer - electric fans littering the floor blowing cold are to the garage is getting old. Keep in mind, TH's are insanely nose heavy, they are designed to have toys in the back to balance themselves out. My kids Thomas the tank engine and matchbox cars don't help much in that department - go by the empty pinweight and add a few hundred for whatever you put in the wardrobe and basement.

You're spot on with the multi-function ability of the toy hauler. Wife and I seriously contemplated a diesel pusher this past winter, and just couldn't see our way past the usefulness of our toy hauler.I 2nd that the garage heat is a joke. Unless the XLR line has really stepped outside the norm, figure on a standalone heater to get the job done when the temp drops.They are heavy. Mine normally runs 16.5K. Probably close to 17.5k when I have the electric cart loaded.Figure on stated pin weight being a pipe dream. My stated was 3100#. In reality it's 4,300, verified. Make sure you've got the beef in truck dept.I would NEVER trade our toy hauler for a bunkhouse. I have a bunkhouse now, when I want it. And a garage, and a playroom, and a 2nd dining room, etc etc.

I just bought the 386x12 xlr and would agree that you would need to run a space heater in the garage. If I still had kids with us, I would love the idea of them having their own space.

Thanks for the feedback. I would expect the weight on the 300x12 to be better than ok for the truck, so hoping real world numbers dont dissapoint. I was planning the 2nd AC, sounds like definetely the place to put it would be the garage, not only for the kids comfort but the extra weight to the rear.Glad to know those who have had bunkhouses would rather have it. 2015 XLR 300x12 loaded with Extreme weather pack, auto level, 5.5 gen, touch screen remote, all the goodies sound pretty good at 46k?I had also heard that resale on toy haulers tends to be much higher than a bunkhouse.

We went from a bunkhouse to toy hauler and all of your rationale is valid.You have now been validated by Nature Boy Ric Flair. You are free to proceed to the next step in the process......

Toy Hauler for Kids.... | Good Sam Community

Strabo
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Any TH will work with kids, just be creative in sleeping arraingments, keep them occupied and hope for the best. All bets off tho when they become teenagers, leave them home, save yourself the stress.
jlud
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Well, after agonizing over the cost of a new one vs buying a used one, saying heck with it...you only live once and kids only young once...time to get one...gonna pull the trigger. Getting all the options mentioned above, and have one last question...

The "party deck" option with the railing and awning in the rear, how useful is this? Depending on the weather seems it might be hit or miss for usefulness, but thinking if nothing else might be a good "play pen" for our youngest...
deltabravo
Nomad
Mar 14, 2014
Party Deck with awning...Set-up, tear down is time consuming.

The longer I stayed at a placed, the more useful something like that would be, providing you are at camp all day. But if you leave to go run errands, go sight-seeing, etc, then you have to tear it down so you can lock up the rig.

If I were in the market for another TH, I'd probably not get the patio room or party deck equipment.

Also, it's a lot of extra pieces and parts to store away, which might get in the way of other storage space when not being used.
jlud
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Good feedback, thanks!
deltabravo
Nomad
Mar 14, 2014
Generally I only stayed at one location about 2-3 days when I had my toy hauler. 5 days was about the max, but I always left camp to go sight seeing or riding my motorcycle when I had it along. With that in mind, It would get cumbersome setting up and tearing down all the time. For the most part, I'm outside when I'm at camp anyway, and if the weather is bad I'm inside, and I wouldn't want the water or cold infiltrating through the patio room.

To top that off, once it comes time to pack up and leave, I don't want to spend more time than necessary gearing up to leave. What that means is the more stuff I have set up, the longer it takes to put all that stuff away.
jlud
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
more good points, think that settles that one. Saves about 1,500 or so.
Strabo
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
jlud wrote:
more good points, think that settles that one. Saves about 1,500 or so.

Useless expensive item, we never used ours.
deltabravo
Nomad
Mar 14, 2014
Strabo wrote:
jlud wrote:
more good points, think that settles that one. Saves about 1,500 or so.

Useless expensive item, we never used ours.

Pretty good summary.

I had a boat canvas style roll down flap with screens in it on my 2003 Desert Fox. I used it, but it was a nuisance, and if there weather was warm enough to want fresh air, I was outside anyway. If it was really warm, then I was running the A/C.

I think the biggest nuisance of a patio awning with rails and stuff, is how much space it would take up in the garage area. With a few kids, you already know that space is at a premium anyway.
2btowed
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Went from 32' bunkhouse to 40' TH,and its been GREAT.Gives Grandkids 6and 11 a place to call their own.We put down a heavy shag carpet after the toys are out and blow up the beds.They like the air mattereses from Costco for kids cause they can lay back and watch TV,movies etc.Our group has 9 girls under 12 and they usually end up in the back .If its wet, plenty of room to play in THEIR room.
jlud
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Ordered it today. Called other places and I can get a 2015 with more options and 5k less than a 2014.....makes no sense but I will take it. Compared to other haulers seems good, went with the xlr

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