Very new to RVing, but have some small scale trailoring experience. Not sure if this is the right place to post this. We are looking to get an RV to use primarily for frequent long distance moves (every year or two) and some pleasure. I think we are leaning towards a fifth wheel. Ideally, I want one that will accomodate a 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI (est weigh 3230, width 70, length 179) inside (a toy hauler, right?), and that we can tow with a 5.7L V8 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (9500-9800 towing capacity, depending on which model we get). Does such a thing exist that would work with the towing capacity and dimensions given? It would be so nice to be able to transport both cars and not pay for hotel rooms or shipping a car across the country. We will have 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 dogs. We don't need fancy, just functional. Or am I going in the wrong direction for this?

Sorry but no, a toy hauler like that with the vehicle in it is going to weigh a LOT more than what your truck can handle.

inquiringminds wrote: We will have 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 dogs. We don't need fancy, just functional. Or am I going in the wrong direction for this?do both adults drive? that is going to require quite a TV for a 5er/toy hauler plus that vehicle. scale back and drive both vehicles.bumpy

Welcome to the forum. I like your train of thought but you may be looking at several obstacles. First, I think you will be over your payload on a Tundra. Sorry Tundra folks, I don't mean it personally. Most trailers are @ 96" wide on the outside, which will leave you with more like 92" interior. Are you really skinny?? I think you may want to look at a used motor home and a dolly, or have someone drive the Jetta for you. If you find a way to fit it into the 5er toy hauler, watch carefully your weight capacities. Seems like your TV need is more in the 3/4 ton range to me. Good Luck!!!

Hi,Your Tundra will limit your ability to tow something large enough to haul the VW. Most toy haulers only have a 1,000 pound rated ramp, and most will also be limited to about 2,000 pounds total cargo rating in a travel trailer configuration. Larger fifth wheels will have a 3,000 - 5,000 pound cargo rating, but also come with a 3,000 - 5,000 pound hitch weight, that your Tundra will not handle well. My suggestion is to find a lightweight travel trailer that your Tundra can tow, and then drive the car separately. Look at the Lance lineup, and other light weight travel trailer lines. Your truck should be able to handle about 800 - 900 pounds of hitch weight, not much more and still handle well. When moving, I would suggest that anything heavy be put into the car, not the truck. This will increase the overall load being carried by the car, and get the truck/trailer GCVWR as low as possible. If you had a dually F-350, then I would suggest several of the 38 -43' long toyhaulers, and then figure out a way to load the car without exceeding the ramp weight limit. But you don't have a dually with a 5,500 pound cargo rating. Those toyhaulers will have a 15,000 to 21,000 GVWR, that will exceed the GCVWR of your Tundra. The tundra tow rating is probably less than 10,000 pounds. Good Luck,Fred.

Here's some options if you want to carry the Jetta. Look on this website and you will see in order to carry a car you need to go with a really big truck. http://www.hhrvresource.com/An alternative for your needs is to get a lightweight 5th wheel or TT for fun trips. For the long distance moves, have the Jetta transported across country. Look at www.uship.com you can find transporters that will bid to carry your Jetta to whereever you need it.

Does this exist? | Good Sam Community

4x4van
Explorer III
Jun 21, 2014
Just throwing another idea out there; what about a long flatbed trailer with a truck camper on the front and the VW on the back? Hillbilly, I know, but...
bsinmich
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
One unanswered question is about the home furnishings and clothing you want to take along. These items can be fairly heavy, added to the weight problems mentioned previously.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
I calculated out a number of years back that if I averaged 300 or less miles a day, that RVing would about break even with motel stops, NOT including the cost of the RV. of course with the cost of gas now days, that is probably more like 100 miles. :)
bumpy
Speedogomer
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
There may be some "work and play" type trailers that would fit a jetta, but I doubt you'd be able to find one within your limits. That, and the work and play type trailers are very very sparse for actually camping in them.

The Nissan Titan has a similar rear window, but it's about 75% of the window that rolls down, not the entire thing. I test drove one, but it's a dated truck and probably not a big upgrade over your tundra. I'd take a tundra over a titan any day.

I second notion that RVing will not save money. It's a purely luxury item, and with it comes added expenses. All of us here LOVE RVing which is why we do it.... none of us do it to save money. On a trip vs trip basis, yes you'll save on hotel costs if you're normally staying in nicer hotels... but the high $ entry fee into the world of RV's, coupled with the extra fuel spent, regular maintinence, and all the extra stuff you will inevitably buy, will put you way over the cost of a few hotel rooms.

That said, it truly is a wonderful way to vacation. I really feel my family is as close knit as we are, due to our camping trips growing up. It's hard to describe the joy it brings us "campers", it's hard to say why exactly we love it. If you DO buy an RV, you're entering a world of wonderful helpful people, endless vacation possibilities, and a lifetime of memories for you and your family.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 20, 2014
So you move every year or 2 and are considering investing in a bigger truck and a huge 5ver if you can find one big enough just to not stay in a hotel while on the road for a few nights a year tops and a few family camping trips?
First, if you have some "light duty" towing experience, a 30+' 5ver with a 3klb car wagging it's tail is a Whole different level of towing.
Second, you'd be spending $50-100k to save like $500 a year in hotel bills? Plus if you move that often, does your employer not pay for that stuff?
Third, if you are buying a truck and camper anyway and insist on towing the car with the same rig then think truck camper on top of that big 1 ton you'd need for the 5ver then you can tow dolly or flat tow the car behind with ease.
Last, I've moved every 2-1/2 years avg or less for the last 15 years and the last thing I want to do is set up a camper every night when I'm in moving mode. Except for the trip to AK last year, camped a few times on the way up for fun. Typically I want to shut the truck off, feed the family and dogs and catch a comfortable bed in a hotel. And while I always end up towing something substantial on the moving road trip, frankly it's a pain in the @ss on the longer trips.
I don't see where this plan is anything but a money pit and by your questions, you are planning on breaking even or saving $ by doing this.
IMO get a camper if you want to go camping, make things easy on yourself while you're moving.
Not trying to be a duck, but offering another perspective from someone who moves long distances often as well.
timmac
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
buy the unit at Zombie Apocalypse Escape Home/RV
bumpy

LOL :B
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
buy the unit at Zombie Apocalypse Escape Home/RV
bumpy
timmac
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
inquiringminds wrote:
Very new to RVing, but have some small scale trailoring experience. Not sure if this is the right place to post this. We are looking to get an RV to use primarily for frequent long distance moves (every year or two) and some pleasure. I think we are leaning towards a fifth wheel. Ideally, I want one that will accomodate a 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI (est weigh 3230, width 70, length 179) inside (a toy hauler, right?), and that we can tow with a 5.7L V8 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (9500-9800 towing capacity, depending on which model we get). Does such a thing exist that would work with the towing capacity and dimensions given? It would be so nice to be able to transport both cars and not pay for hotel rooms or shipping a car across the country. We will have 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 dogs. We don't need fancy, just functional. Or am I going in the wrong direction for this?

Why do you want to bring along a car when you will have a truck to go do things in, maybe you should look into a motorhome, class A or C and tow the car behind.
:h
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
APT wrote:

Something you maybe could do is truck + 5th wheel RV plus tow dolly for the JSW, but the truck will need to be a 3/4+ ton and you'll want a diesel for the power to tow 10k RV and 4k of car+dolly.

will that be road legal the entire trip?
bumpy
APT
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
The cost of fuel for that TDI is tiny compared to buying any RV, or even a campsite fee. Just drive both. :)

RV because you like the experience, not to save money. Oh, and Toy Haulers + half tons do not mix well.

Something you maybe could do is truck + 5th wheel RV plus tow dolly for the JSW, but the truck will need to be a 3/4+ ton and you'll want a diesel for the power to tow 10k RV and 4k of car+dolly.