Reformed Toy Hauler member here. Your expertise needed

bshpilot wrote:
Have you looked at Haulmark (coaches), Renegade, Showhauler etc ??
You can beat the power, gearing & Hauling capacity of coaches like ours !

Yes but trying to stay under 90k

bkirkpatrick wrote:
I think I would be at about 4500 pounds. Gasser or Diesel.

Trailer Setup: Two Axle, 26'
Cargo: 2010 Polaris Ranger Crew (900cc)
1 adult quad
1 child's quad (150)
1 CR500
1 IT 250
4 6v batteries
1 Might end up taking another UTV SXS

That trailer is very heavy likely has Dexter 3500# axles for a gross weight of 7500#. It is very easy to overload and not even know it. I would not want to be towing a trailer with a GVWR over the rating for my rig. Too much risk.

bkirkpatrick wrote:

Yes but trying to stay under 90k

completely loaded (220g Fresh Water, 140g Fuel, 50g propane, beer, food & clothing for 4) i tip the scale at 32k lbs - even with my single (screw) rear, puts me 8k UNDER my GCWR.

add a 2nd rear axle (driven/lockable diff, w/ 4 tires) and you increase you capacity by at least another 22k lbs.

Lots of people on this forum are funky souls. The OP said he did not want a DP but the majority of the replies are about getting the OP to change their mind and go with a DP. Guess what, not everyone wants a DP.

It sounds like the OP want something on the short side, gas powered and with a big fridge. The V10 will have plenty of power for a 32' coach and a utility trailer. Yes the OP will need to be mindful not to overload the trailer but that is part of life for all of us. We all have to use things within their limits or risk the consequences.

There are a lot of 32' MH out there. having a driver side door will cut that list quite a bit. Having a 4 door fridge will cut it down even more. They are out there but not common. Keep looking for what YOU want and don't buy something that you don't want just because the diesel bullies pushed you into something else. :)

bkirkpatrick wrote:

msturtz wrote:
My wife didn't want a pusher either but there are no units based on the F53 gasser chassis that have more than 5K tow / 500# of tongue weight. I took my wife in a MH with a V10 gas engine and we couldn't hear each other without shouting. This is especially true on hills. I took her on a ride in a DP and there was no noise to speak of other than cabinets and the microwave. All of those can be dealt with easily. Dealing with the engine din is very expensive unless the manufacturer built it with special heat and sound insulation (Hush mat or Dynamat or similar). Take her on a test drive in a short class a DP such as a Thor Palazzo or other version that is short (34' or so) and then take her on a test drive in an F53 gasser. Make sure you go up a few hills if possible at full throttle in both. There is simply no comparison in noise levels. Most modern DP units have 10K hitches on them so towing isn't a problem either. BTW I have been where you are. Wife didn't want a DP because it has the image of grandpa and grandma full timing. We don't do that. We have two small children and a 10 year old. But we ended up with an entry level DP that was about the same cost of a high end gasser. With your requirements you should have no problem finding a shorter used DP at a reasonable cost. There are a ton of used DP units on the market that are in really good shape. Ours was a bit more difficult because we needed 3 bunks which is very hard to find in a short DP.

Good info. Thanks.

I like you started with a TH. Then moved to a 39' DP towing a 20' enclosed trailer. Last year I sold the DP and got a gas 32' A and couldn't be happier. Now everything has its trade offs things I miss about the DP are the lack of engine noise and it drives better in the wind. The gasser is way easier to drive/maneuver off the freeway, brakes better, funny thing it tows at the same speed up grades as the DP but it does get about 2 MPG less.

I think the choice you are looking at will serve you well.

Blackdiamond wrote:

bkirkpatrick wrote:

msturtz wrote:
My wife didn't want a pusher either but there are no units based on the F53 gasser chassis that have more than 5K tow / 500# of tongue weight. I took my wife in a MH with a V10 gas engine and we couldn't hear each other without shouting. This is especially true on hills. I took her on a ride in a DP and there was no noise to speak of other than cabinets and the microwave. All of those can be dealt with easily. Dealing with the engine din is very expensive unless the manufacturer built it with special heat and sound insulation (Hush mat or Dynamat or similar). Take her on a test drive in a short class a DP such as a Thor Palazzo or other version that is short (34' or so) and then take her on a test drive in an F53 gasser. Make sure you go up a few hills if possible at full throttle in both. There is simply no comparison in noise levels. Most modern DP units have 10K hitches on them so towing isn't a problem either. BTW I have been where you are. Wife didn't want a DP because it has the image of grandpa and grandma full timing. We don't do that. We have two small children and a 10 year old. But we ended up with an entry level DP that was about the same cost of a high end gasser. With your requirements you should have no problem finding a shorter used DP at a reasonable cost. There are a ton of used DP units on the market that are in really good shape. Ours was a bit more difficult because we needed 3 bunks which is very hard to find in a short DP.

Good info. Thanks.

I like you started with a TH. Then moved to a 39' DP towing a 20' enclosed trailer. Last year I sold the DP and got a gas 32' A and couldn't be happier. Now everything has its trade offs things I miss about the DP are the lack of engine noise and it drives better in the wind. The gasser is way easier to drive/maneuver off the freeway, brakes better, funny thing it tows at the same speed up grades as the DP but it does get about 2 MPG less.

I think the choice you are looking at will serve you well.

Yes a 39' DP plus a 20' cargo trailer would be long and heavy. Especially the older DP units that have a 40, 45 or 50 degree wheel cut. The new ones have 55 to 60 degree wheel cut. That's why we got a short DP (34' 5") with a 208" wheel base and a 55 degree wheel cut and a 10K tow rating worked for us. I also like the exhaust brake on the DP as well. We went from a gasser to a DP.

If your trailer weights 4500 lbs a 32 ft gas MH should pull it fine just look at the weight specs and find one with a high CCC. Remember it is HP to wt that is important to performance a gas MH with 340 or 360 hp that weights 17,000 lbs will pull better than a 330 hp DP that weight 32.000 lbs. The Workhorse will be quieter than the Ford at WOT, but I would look at adding extra insulation under the doghouse. There are several on this forum that have done this.

I looked at the 24' trailer and it weighs 2400 lbs. I have about 3000 in cargo so I am at around 5500 lbs pulling weight. I figure a V10 with 360 HP should be able to chug along just fine.

bkirkpatrick wrote:
I looked at the 24' trailer and it weighs 2400 lbs. I have about 3000 in cargo so I am at around 5500 lbs pulling weight. I figure a V10 with 360 HP should be able to chug along just fine.

5500# is still over the 5000# legal tow rating for any gas rig.

msturtz wrote:

Yes a 39' DP plus a 20' cargo trailer would be long and heavy. Especially the older DP units that have a 40, 45 or 50 degree wheel cut. The new ones have 55 to 60 degree wheel cut. That's why we got a short DP (34' 5") with a 208" wheel base and a 55 degree wheel cut and a 10K tow rating worked for us. I also like the exhaust brake on the DP as well. We went from a gasser to a DP.

man you guys ever hear about this unique gear called REVERSE !?!?! USE it !!

funny when we bought our f350 long bed crew cab 4wd all i heard was how hard it was to deal with a truck so long (vs a short bed).