Best hauler for our needs?

[smithlaw]

Guys I know I've asked several questions lately but this may sum it all up to help us decide. I'm hoping to use halls experience to guide us.

My wife, two daughters (5 and 3.5) and dog need a toy hauler to carry our golf cart and bicycles around with us when we go. We typically take 3-4 day weekend trips every 2-3 weeks during the summer and a few in the fall. I will be using a 2015 Chevy 3500 Duramax (single wheel). At most we will do 1 full week during the summer. Our typical trip is 1.5hrs to the beach.

We have wondered if we need the extra half bath and the side patio. While we love these designs, I also know they have reasons for us not to get them. For example - We used to have a 21ft center console that was the perfect boat for us. We then bought a bigger 26ft, dual engine center console to go offshore more. That extra 5ft made all the difference in the world. For a full day on the water, the larger boat was better. But, it was much more effort and made us dread going to put it in the water for small afternoon trips.

I don't want the RV purchase to be like that. Right now we have a Grand Design Imagime 3150 bunkhouse travel trailer. It's pretty easy, except for the loading everything on the back of the truck which is next to impossible if carrying the golf cart. We are going to continue doing the long weekend trips. I feel like if we were doing a few weeks at a time the larger, side patio, dual bathroom toy hauler would be best. But, to keep it fun, and less stressful doing the multiple, short trips, are we better to get a smaller toy hauler with two axles, less weight, less sewer hoses, etc? If so, any recommendations?

[Lantley]

I purchased my first RV in Danville. RV Outlet treated right. Better than my local guy.
You already heard my .02 on the 2nd bath. Here's my .05 on side porch.
Based on your boat story I suggest avoid the side porch.
While I'm not a toy hauler guy, but I have a big bunk house and sometimes wish I could take a golf cart!
I am also a weekend warrior like yourself. I have slowly learned to keep it simple. Everything you take out or set up must be put away. On week trips the additional set up maybe is worthwhile, but for a weekend keep it lean and mean.
Don't hesitate to get a few goodies out,but don't go all in and set up every gadget every trip just because you have them.
I've developed a less is more mentality. The idea is to relax and enjoy yourself Relaxing means doing nothing but cruising around in the golf cart or sitting at the camp fire or laying on the beach.
It does not mean setting up the side porch or stinging up a hammock or putting out pink flamingos!
There are enough basic task required to set up the RV. Be weary of adding gadgets and stuff to the list of chores. My camping chair will work just as well in the ground as it will on the side porch. My butt won't even know the difference!
On a routine WEEKEND trip keep set up minimal. Longer trips will allow more time to enjoy more things and gadgets, but for the weekend time is limited.
Yes that big boat was more enjoyable but it took too much effort to launch it just for a short trip.
Avoid the novelties stick to the necessities, minimize setup and eventually you will see that less is more....More time to chill that is!

[lawnspecialties]

smithlaw wrote:
I didn't mean a few times a year. We go every other weekend during the summer and probably once per month during the fall into winter.

Models we are looking at are:
Fuzion 369
Raptor 352
Voltage 3600
Edge 386
Voltage Triton 3551

The loft is pretty important to us, too.

For my little old opinion, I'd probably go with the order you listed them except I'd put the Edge at the bottom. In my opinion, Heartland still struggles with quality issues and poor customer service. That comes from personal experience and other dealers who actually carried their models.

We have dealt with RV Outlet in Danville several times. They now have one in Myrtle Beach. But the service manager in Danville once told me his favorite was the Fuzion because the Fuzion people were the best to work with on service and warranty issues. Most Fuzions nowadays also come with Sailun G rated tires. That's a HUGE plus these days.

Have fun shopping.:)

[arhayes]

On the 2nd bath, we full time and it's just the wife and I so we don't need one and after 3 years have no regrets. However, if we had anyone traveling with us I would have insisted on one - especially with 3 girls being involved.

We only have the rear porch on our TH and rarely use it. The side porch looks nice, but after 3 years on the road there would have been 50% or more of the campgrounds we'd not have been able to deploy it because of the space available. We sit outside in chairs and to me the side patio is one more novelty we'd wind up not using. The big question is - Do you really get a vote anyway? 😉

[smithlaw]

I didn't mean a few times a year. We go every other weekend during the summer and probably once per month during the fall into winter.

Models we are looking at are:
Fuzion 369
Raptor 352
Voltage 3600
Edge 386
Voltage Triton 3551

The loft is pretty important to us, too.

[NMDriver]

For 1.5 hr drive a few times a year, I would put the wife in a U-haul truck and let her follow with the extra stuff. Maybe it is just me but sometimes renting really is better than owning.

[lawnspecialties]

I'm opposite azdryheat. No big fan of half bath but LOVE the side patio. But that proves the point that everybody is different and only you know what will be the right camper for you.

I don't really mind the big size. One of my favorite destinations is a weekend to a local state park and lake about 30 miles from home. Its a great way to do a get-away quick. Our toy hauler is 43' long but the hassle of getting things ready for just a quick weekend trip is well worth it.

Do you have any particular models in mind? That could help us point out things that you may or may not have overlooked, both positive and negative.

[azdryheat]

I'm not all that sold on the side patio as far too many RV spaces aren't wide enough for it to be used. We have the rear door patio option and don't get to use it that much due to the short lengths of the RV spaces.

We do love the rear bath, though; wouldn't be without it.

Many of your points, though, won't matter as soon as your wife sees the perfect floor plan. She won't care about the wheels, sewer hoses, or how much it weighs.