Future newbie looking for quality toy hauler for retirement

[clevebrowns]

Hi all! We are looking to travel extensively in retirement with our Harley and 2 dogs. We've been life long carotenoid and would like a WELL constructed toy hauler to live in, but I cannot find any definitive advice on which toy hauler to buy. We presently own a Dutchman pop up and really realized how poorly made it is. We don't want to repeat buying a shabbily constructed camper again.

[clevebrowns]

@dutchmansport why would anyone need to be able to walk thru the rv w/o opening the slides? If u don't mind me asking. My DH and I are wondering if this is something we need to keto an eye on.

[RedRocket204]

I was impressed at the build quality of Outdoors RV travel trailers when I went window shopping recently. I was actually there to look at some Lance trailers and truck campers hearing so much about the quality there... but I was very let down by Lance quality.

Back to Outdoors RV. No, there is not currently a toy hauler for sale by Outdoors RV but if you go to their website, THs by Outdoors RV are coming soon. I would definitely give them a look if the timing works out for you.

[DutchmenSport]

Halmfamily wrote:
Check out the Grand Design Solitude 374TH fifth wheel. It has a small garage under the rear bedroom, big enough for a motorcycle or golf cart. This will be our next unit after we purchase a new F450 in 2019.

A couple months ago, we came within a hairs breath of purchasing this exact same 5er. It's an awesome unit, big, and that garage under the bed in the back is fantastic.

We were about to pull the trigger when we thought, we better check this thing out for functionality with all the slides IN. Well, it became very obvious passage from the front to the back is impossible without going outside.

The dealer tried to convince us that would be no problem. But the fact is, we use our current camper with slides IN too much. (for lots of reasons). We walked, and decided to keep our current camper a bit longer until we could find a front living room 5er that had access from front to back with all slides in.

Still, that is one awesome 5er when all the slides are out!

[Halmfamily]

Check out the Grand Design Solitude 374TH fifth wheel. It has a small garage under the rear bedroom, big enough for a motorcycle or golf cart. This will be our next unit after we purchase a new F450 in 2019.

[Ralph_Cramden]

dedmiston wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:
As far as toy haulers the first thing I would search floor is one without a ramp door made by LCI. Horror stories abound regarding those doors falling apart quickly.

As someone who has read every thread in this Toy Hauler forum since its inception ~14 years ago, I can barely remember even a few ramp failures, let alone an epidemic with any particular brand.

I have to call shenanigans.

Call whatever suits you.....perhaps you should expand your HORIZONs

[DutchmenSport]

Well, I really hate to inform you, you probably won't find the quality you are seeking in any traditional RV toy hauler. If you really want something that will stand the test of time, get a livable horse trailer. Leave the horse stalls out and use the end for hauling your "toys" instead of horses. The "Quality" build of a horse trailer far exceeds that of any "conventional" RV Toy Hauler (Trailer or 5er).

If a horse trailer can withstand the weight of several horses, kicking the sides with their hooves, hauling bails of hay and straw and bridles and riding gear on the roof, and withstand all the poop and urine on the floors, those things are well built!

Just my thoughts, if you REALLY want something that is "quality".

And the human living quarters of those trailers are just as nice and comfortable as any conventional trailer.

[dedmiston]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
As far as toy haulers the first thing I would search floor is one without a ramp door made by LCI. Horror stories abound regarding those doors falling apart quickly.

As someone who has read every thread in this Toy Hauler forum since its inception ~14 years ago, I can barely remember even a few ramp failures, let alone an epidemic with any particular brand.

I have to call shenanigans.

[Ralph_Cramden]

If anyone truly thinks one brand is assembled better than another from better materials and components you have done a decent job of fooling yourself. I can line up 3 simular models on a dealers lot with the same build date and show you in detail the different defects among them. That stands for Northwood, Forest River, Thor, or anyone else.

Its more about luck of the draw and having good eyes when purchasing. Do a special order and what arrives with your name on it has a better than 50% chance of being a hastily assembled POS.

As far as toy haulers the first thing I would search floor is one without a ramp door made by LCI. Horror stories abound regarding those doors falling apart quickly.

[Y-Guy]

The reality is that what was once a well built toy hauler might not be today, some units are pushed out so fast that quality isn't job 1, its not even in the top 5. That said I hear pretty good consistent comments about the Northwood/Desert Fox, ATC, and Grand Design. There are some very high end custom units, but for most those are out of the price range. The Complete List of Toy Haulers (in the main Toy Hauler forum) lists those and many others.

Just as important though is a dealership. I've bought 3 from my local dealership, but before I bought one from them I spent a couple hours in the waiting room of the service center listening to people and hearing how they treated others. I talked to a lot of people to see if they stood behind their word or not.

Also you need to know about doing your own Pre-Delivery Inspection so you can inspect our new rig in detail. Also do not sign anything until after your PDI, once you do you own it. If you do your PDI before you can avoid problems before they start and the dealership is going to work to get things fixed faster.

Finally, don't rush. Spend time reading and once you narrow your list down check out dealerships and perhaps a factory tour.