Downsizing - 40' Raptor

[squidnapper]

I think I have the Raptor sold and am thinking about replacement... Really disliked a few things about the Raptor:
1. The size - it's a lot of trailer to pull and park. Also the height kept me out of a lot of campgrounds
2. The floor plan. I will never have a trailer with a freestanding bar again, it makes the space really cramped.
3. The u-shaoed dinette. Not comfortable to sit on

That said the Raptor was very plush, and I did like the master bedroom layout.

So for the replacement I have a couple problems to solve:
1. We have Harleys and a RZR4. I'd like to be able to take both if possible
2. We'd like to be in a smaller frailer as we think we would use it more.
3. Still have three children that camp with us

So thinking of a couple options:
1. Smaller fiver TH pulling the RZR behind (doubles)
2. Smaller bumper pull open floor
3. Bunkhouse fiver pulling doubles
4. Forego taking both toys and go with a 20-24 foot bumper pull


I'm really leaning towards option 4. I can pick up a nice 3-4 yr trailer for ~15K. This means I can't take the bikes and the rzr but it gets me in a lot smaller trailer which I think we would use more.

So I have two questions:
1. Anybody in a similar situation go through something similar? What did you do?
2. Would love recommendation for a smaller front-bedroom rig that will fit the rzr4 (11.5' long, 64" wide and 74" tall)

[ksss]

That was my thought when I first read the post. My 322 Fuzion (two axle) was 30' long behind the pickup. To get any meaningful toyhauler tag trailer you will be at or near that anyway. No doubt your Raptor pulls better than a TT that is 28-30'.

[squidnapper]

I'm really struggling to find a toyhauler that will haul the RZR and is a meaningful downsize. It seems like the smallest I can get to work is about 24' which is more like 28' with the interesting math RV manufacturers use. Then 4' for the tongue, most 24' TT are over 31' in length. And since a TT is all behind the truck I'm not sure I'm actually saving much length over the Raptor. I'm kind of starting to question the decision to sell the Raptor.

[64thunderbolt]

Couple of things to consider if you dry camp you will want a toyhauler. The tanks are much larger than most TT and almost all TH come with a gen.

[jonyb]

I've actually been looking for something bigger than what I have. I have a 2012 Jayco Octane T29A, with open floor plan, looking for something bigger with more living area. The T29A is a bumper pull, would fit a RZR4, and possibly something else that's 4' or less. I've used it to tow my Can Am Maverick and Commander, and still had a few feet left up front by fridge and oven. Has front bedroom with queen size, 2 queen-sized motorized bunks, and fold down couch and dinette. You can actually make a 14' bed in the rear of the camper, with another bed on top.

The comment about selling bigger ticket items - like your Raptor: I've made offers on 40' 5ers to places thinking that they'd sell mine quicker since it was more practical, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Anyway, if anyone in this thread is looking to downsize to something like mine, I'll disclose the details in a PM or email.

[racers1]

We were in the same boat also. We ended up with a Canyon Star 3940 motorhome toy hauler. Best purchase we have made. We can put the toys in the garage and tow a Jeep or toys in the garage and in an attached trailer. We sometimes just use an attached trailer to haul the toys and use the garage as additional living space. We use it much more than we ever did our Raptor.

[Y-Guy]

Yep I hear ya, we tend to get to our destination and stay there. For those trips when we do go into town we usually have friends or we drive the Jeep, but that's usually because I leave early and the wife and kid(s) follow. There are pluses and minuses either way. Just the fact I can bypass the rest stops gets me to where I need 10x faster - wife has no bladder I swear.

[squidnapper]

Y-Guy wrote:
We sold our Raptor and went to a smaller motorhome. Advantage for us was no more restroom stops, and no more tail wagging the dog. Also allowed me to not only tow our ATVs on a trailer but eventually our Boat and now our Jeep.

Just something to think about and consider as you look for another option.

We have kicked the MH idea around a bit. I guess what bothers me about the MH is once you get there and set up camp, you are 'there'. We like to travel around a bit, see the sights, maybe go into town for a meal here and there. So that leaves me pulling a vehicle + the toys, which in my mind means Super C or diesel pusher. I'm struggling with that kind of $$$ commit... I do think the MH would make the actual journey much more tolerable as the kids could be more entertained. But on the other hand I'm trying to simplify and make camping "grab and go" and a MH seems counter to that.

[squidnapper]

Dwight45 wrote:
By the way squidnapper how did you sell your Raptor? Craigslist, RV Traderonline, ???

Thanks
Dwight

Here in Utah the local news station has a very active classified section (ksl.com). I had it on there for about 6 months and only got 4 or 5 calls, but finally got a bite. The market for used big stuff seems really tough, I was priced near trade-in and it still took forever to even get lookers...

I think if I can just get something big enough for the RZR4 I'll call it good. It would be nice to take it all but really not practical...

I really think the idea of day trips becomes a lot more feasible with a smaller trailer, it was just too much to do with the 40' Raptor. Time will tell, hope I don't regret selling it...

[big_buford]

Think I'm going with option 5. Buy an older 20' toyhauler and make a rental out of it.Can't give up the big rig like it too much. Sure would like something smaller at times.

[mustangglp]

Dwight45 wrote:
Having to unload to use any of the facilities would be a deal breaker for us. Being from Kansas most of the good riding areas are several days away. If we are only going to stay 5 - 7 days we may just trailer out and stay in motels, longer trips are what we use the Raptor for. By the way squidnapper how did you sell your Raptor? Craigslist, RV Traderonline, ???

Thanks
Dwight

We just Have two quads so we don't have unload. That would be a bummer to have drive two days:(

[Y-Guy]

We sold our Raptor and went to a smaller motorhome. Advantage for us was no more restroom stops, and no more tail wagging the dog. Also allowed me to not only tow our ATVs on a trailer but eventually our Boat and now our Jeep.

Just something to think about and consider as you look for another option.

[Dwight45]

Having to unload to use any of the facilities would be a deal breaker for us. Being from Kansas most of the good riding areas are several days away. If we are only going to stay 5 - 7 days we may just trailer out and stay in motels, longer trips are what we use the Raptor for. By the way squidnapper how did you sell your Raptor? Craigslist, RV Traderonline, ???

Thanks
Dwight

[mustangglp]

I have a 04 Forest River sierra 29 foot 5th wheel my garage is 11 feet 8 inches rzr would fit in the garage and the bike in the kitchen? no slides and you would have to un load to use the kitchen or the beds in the garage I wouldn't want a bigger trailer as its just me and the wife so it works out good for us.

[cbigham]

Understandable.
We have a 40 ft diesel funmover. Does things well but right roads will wear you out and its a lot of work to pack, maintain. 3+ days is OK.

Looking myself at options for 1-2, maybe 3 nite trips with just a dirt bike on back. Probably a van and an air mattress or maybe a camper van..

Fwiw I had a 30 ft 5er toy box which worked well.