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An Open Letter to the Toy Hauler Community

bkirkpatrick
Explorer
Explorer
I just finished selling my Toy Hauler and Tow Vehicle and am officially out of camping. The kids have grown and have their licenses and have kind of lost interest in the whole desert / riding thing. Additionally, we just bought a place in Big Bear and plan to begin a new chapter in our family life with Off-Road vehicles.

The members on this forum have been great with their knowledge and sense of humor. Although I have only met a few, it is proud and family oriented group which I have been proud to share info with and even give a jab or two. Just wanted to say thanks as I won't be on here much more and wish everyone safe journeys while out camping and riding.

Brendan
20 REPLIES 20

hone_eagle
Explorer
Explorer
And then come the grand kids - and it starts all over again 🙂
2005 Volvo 670 singled freedomline 12 speed
Newmar 34rsks 2008
Hensley trailersaver TSLB2H
directlink brake controller

-when overkill is cheaper-

nayther
Explorer
Explorer
For sure it evolves. We started out going play riding with family/friends. Then family dwindled but friend's circle got bigger. Then we started racing and the friends/family outings went to two or three a year only. Then the boys grew up and it was just me racing/riding. Now they have families of their own and we're starting over again with my grandson. However with only one dirtbike in the stable the next trailer will NOT be a toy hauler but a conventional fifth wheel with a rack for the bike.
DIRT BIKES RULE

'12 Duramax CC short bed
2019 Wildcat Maxx 285RKX

dedmiston
Moderator
Moderator
bkirkpatrick wrote:
lincster wrote:
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I think in a few years, I will come to the dark side with you.

Amen.

2014 RAM 3500 Diesel 4x4 Dually long bed. B&W RVK3600 hitch • 2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead Toy Hauler ("The Taj Mahauler") • <\br >Toys:

  • 18 Can Am Maverick x3
  • 05 Yamaha WR450
  • 07 Honda CRF250X
  • 05 Honda CRF230
  • 06 Honda CRF230

bkirkpatrick
Explorer
Explorer
lincster wrote:
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I think in a few years, I will come to the dark side with you.

lincster
Explorer
Explorer
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!
2022 F350 PSD CC 4X4 Dually to pull 2006 LE3905

Lincsters Truck/Trailer

Lincsters Rail

rkortes
Explorer
Explorer
From what I've observed, it appears that the dirt riding/ATV aspect of camping with the family has a shelf life that usually revolves around the kids getting their own wings. We experienced the same thing with our family and most of our riding friends and families around 8 years ago. My wife and I still enjoy riding with new friends, but It's pretty clear that we will divest ourselves from the TH and go to another RV solution within the next 7 or 8 years.
Truck - 2005 GMC 3500 SRW Duramax/Ali
Toy Hauler - 2008 Ragen FA3005
The Journey Is The Destination!

nayther
Explorer
Explorer
bkirkpatrick wrote:
What I found was that there aren't many trails and I the staging areas are limited.


unless you have a dual sport!

But as with any place eventually you'll get bored exploring the same trails. You can connect to the Lucerne Valley via Rattlesnake wash and then you're off across the desert.
DIRT BIKES RULE

'12 Duramax CC short bed
2019 Wildcat Maxx 285RKX

bkirkpatrick
Explorer
Explorer
Blackdiamond wrote:
I know the feeling, I have to force my 15 yo daughter out there, once she is there she has a good time but she never wants to go. 17 yo son still wants to go but only if nothing better is going on and certain other families go...and most have them have dropped out also.

Not something I want to give up, but I do struggle with it.

Basically the same here. Two boys, 14 & 17. Used to love to go when they were younger but now with sports and friends, tough to get them motivated. At least Big Bear is only 2 hours away (door to door). Kids like snow boarding and going to probably unload the off-road toys for a jeep or other 4x4 to go exploring up there. What I found was that there aren't many trails and I the staging areas are limited.

Blackdiamond
Explorer
Explorer
I know the feeling, I have to force my 15 yo daughter out there, once she is there she has a good time but she never wants to go. 17 yo son still wants to go but only if nothing better is going on and certain other families go...and most have them have dropped out also.

Not something I want to give up, but I do struggle with it.
03' Fleetwood Southwind 32VS
Enclosed Trailer hauling the toys
05 525 EXC KTM
15' FE350s Husqvarna/KTM
07 Rhino, long travel, 4 seater

Dirtclods
Explorer
Explorer
Big Bear is an awesome area if you get board check out this:


http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sbnf/workingtogether/volunteering

I belong to the motorcycle division but theirs quads,jeeps, UTV and so on if you still like to be involved.
AAA Motorcycle RV Plus

CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Explorer
I grew up in Big Bear. Both of my brothers still live there. They are active in the Off-road community there and know the area very well. I have fond memories of Van Duson Canyon, Holcomb Valley, Sky Line Drive.... Enjoy you new adventures and If you run into Larry or Ron tell them their little brother says Hi!
Cabinetmaker

2021 DRV 39 DBRS3
2017 F-450 4X4, Riece 24K Hitch
2011 F-450 4X4, Companion 18K Hitch, Air Bags (Retired)
2012 Cyclone 3800, 5th Airborne Kingpin (Retired)
2018 Polairs 1000 XP Side by Side

WhitehouseLV
Explorer III
Explorer III
This thread is almost depressing...reading about everyone's kids growing up & one of the old timers leaving. Hey Brendan, I sure enjoyed your posts over the years. I copied many of your modifications, so thanks for the pics and write ups on those! Big Bear was the first place we went with our 3612. Beautiful up there, enjoy your new adventure!

cheers,
Jason

Longtime Member of RV.net (since 2005) just trying to find my friends and way around in this new community.
40' Keystone Toyhauler
2017 Ram 3500 DRW
2019 KTM 300 XC-W tpi
Honda CRF 80F

Honda Rincon
Polaris RZR 800 Trail

2btowed
Explorer
Explorer
Have enjoyed all your upgrades on the ol'Raptor,still have mine,but I am now taking the grandkids camping and riding...another generation of ATV riders I guess.My daughter has moved to Huntington Beach so we camp there for a week in the summer.I have looked for riding spots that are kinda in the Big Bear area,esp for the summer.Let us know how it goes,and how the riding is.Will miss your 'classy'posts.
08 Ranger/sold/14 rzr900 4
08 Grizzly x2
06 400ex
06 Honda 90
08 f450
04 Kymco 110

TomAndJenn
Explorer
Explorer
Best of luck to you Brendan!
2013 F350 CC/LB 6.7 Powerstroke - full deletes, 20x10 Fuel's, 35X12.50 Toyo's, LED lighting

Former RV's - Coachman Leprachaun, Coachman PathFinder, Holiday Rambler Imperial, Coachman Catalina