Forum Discussion

Sorbemca's avatar
Sorbemca
Explorer
May 11, 2017

Need some advice on upgrading and returning to the RV life.

HI,

I could use some advice.

I've been away from the RV life for a few years, having lots of past experience with Pop Ups and TT's over the years. I've towed and backed boats, horses, cars, and every other manner of towed vehicle.

But now it's time to upgrade (maybe) and I need some advice on which would be the best rig configuration for long term and long distance RV travel.

Anticipating retirement in a few years, I'd like to get started on putting together the eventual rig I want to have. Maybe I start with the toad now and add the MH later, depending on the solution.

In my days since trailer'ing I've taken up motorcycle riding and now need to take my 900 lb bike too. But that can't be the only toad as I'd like to also have something 4 wheel at a toad. (small jeep?)

So which is the best type of rig;

Class A MH towing a 4WD pickup large enough to load the bike in? That would take a large pickup as the bike needs about 9 ft.

Class A towing a trailer with a small Jeep and the bike on it?

Class C towing a trailer with a small Jeep and the bike on it?

Toy Hauler? I'm really tired of towing, but a fiver could be a compromise if the creature comforts were good enough. I'm 6'4 and would really like a king bed.

Prefer diesel for reliability and torque. I have a feeling this rig is going to be heavy, no matter the configuration.

As I said, I'm not a newbie, but could use some advice from others on larger rig configurations and how best to deal with my toad needs.

This might be a full time life in the days of retirement so I'm looking for a quality long term solution. But, I'm not a bank robber either, so cost is a factor at some point.

Thanks, hope to see all of you in the RV parks soon.

Marc
  • Trackrig wrote:
    It all depends on the strength of your hitch and your wallet.....

    Put the bike on a hydraulic lift and the Jeep on a towbar.


    Or go to a truck and put the bike in or on top of the bed.


    Bill


    Bill,

    Thanks for the photos, this is exactly what I'm looking for. I like the lift for the bike and towbar for the 4 down toad. Lets me get by with a smaller, lighter toad. Jeep would seem perfect.

    thanks,
    Marc
  • Ivylog wrote:
    Yes, a hydraulic lift is the way to go but 1000 lbs of side by side plus 700 lbs of lift and hitch that far back is putting over 2700 lbs on the rear axle... overloading it. Very few 40' DPs have enough CCC to put that much additional weight on the rear axle. I'm picking up much the same weight BUT I have a tag axle coach.

    Some of the newer single axle DPs have 24,000 lb rear axles making it possible.



    Thanks for the info, additional weight is an issue I admit. I'd have to find a DP that has the capacity.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Some Monaco products around 2003-06 had 24K rear axles before an exemption was made for RVs to legally have 24K axles.
  • You can get a diesel pusher that can tow an open trailer and put the Jeep and the motorcycle on the trailer. You need to be sure the coach can pull the weight. You can get lightweight aluminum trailer. As already discussed, you an lift the motorcycle and flat tow the jeep if the coach is rated for that weight on the hitch. With a fifth wheel, you would need to get a toy hauler for the motorcycle and then you would use the truck you use to pull the toy hauler to travel in when you get to your destination. You can also double tow but you would need to check state laws to see which states allow it.