Forum Discussion

dabush's avatar
dabush
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014

I'm so confused!

My wife and I are trying to find a toy hauler that will fit our planned retirement lifestyle. We have two years until that happens so there's no rush. We will be spending extended time in the RV as we (I) want to get out of the Michigan winters and there are lots of places we want to see! But we will be returning to MI for the nice weather. ie snowbirds.

A little back ground. We have a 30 TT right now. I bought a RAM 3500 dully with the Cummins Diesel early last year. (Can't afford to pay for the truck and toy hauler at the same time!) I got this truck because I didn't want to be limited on which toy hauler we could get. I can pull just about anything out there with this truck.

We put the bikes (BMW R1200GSA and BMW 650CS) in the back of the truck and pull the TT when we go on trips currently. Loading and unloading is a big pain in the butt. Can't wait for the toy hauler.

All that being said, every time we go to an RV show and find a Toy Hauler that we like and think will work for us, we find something else that we like just a little better! We've gone from wanting a Fuzion, to a Voltage, to (currently) a Cyclone 4200. What changed our minds this last time was the manufacturer's rep at the RV show that pointed out some of the small details that Heartland does to make things easier and last longer.

Without having other manufacturer reps available at the show, I'm looking to your experience with your toy haulers to help us make our choice. Any tips or recommendations on what to look for in a new toy hauler would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!
Toy Haulers
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2014
    We put the bikes (BMW R1200GSA and BMW 650CS) in the back of the truck and pull the TT when we go on trips currently. Loading and unloading is a big pain in the butt.


    From a Ram 3500 dually driver and a BMW motorcycle owner. This is not exactly an answer to what toyhauler to get but Rampage makes a lift that is designed to load and unload large touring bikes into and out of pickups with ease. That way you could keep your travel trailer if you like it. Your 30 foot TT is probably a lot lighter than a toyhauler and could save you the money of buying one until you are sure that is the lifestyle you really want.
  • Aquaholic502's avatar
    Aquaholic502
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2014
    I second the recomendation of the DRV Fullhouse. I watched all the videos of their manufacturing process and they would be my #1 choice for a full time toyhouler.
  • trail-explorer's avatar
    trail-explorer
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2014
    Riding a big adventure touring bike up a ramp (steep) might be scary. You need the momentum (from speed) so you don't tip over going up it, then a handful of brakes to keep from slamming in to the wall at the front of the garage.... but it's probably easier than loading it in to your truck bed.
  • trail-explorer's avatar
    trail-explorer
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2014
    Going to RV shows and dealers is where you will get good information... keep doing it.

    Information posted on forums can be helpful as well, but sometimes not. You can have two people that own the same RV and one will swear it's the best unit they've bought, and another one will curse it because they think it's cheaply built and has to get repaired a lot.
  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Oct 26, 2014
    You didn't say what year your Ram 3500 is. If it's earlier than 2012, your selection of toy haulers is restricted by GVWR &/or GCWR.
  • steiny93's avatar
    steiny93
    Explorer
    Oct 27, 2014
    Keep going to shows and walking through rigs; what works for others may not be your cup of tea. Sooner or later you'll land on a rig; then go after that one :)

    My input
    When we switched to a TH we had the idea that we would be loading everything in the garage every time. Now that we've been through two summers we've figured out that 99% of the time we put the atvs / side x side / bikes / whatever on the truck and not in the TH. Frees up more room in the TH for 'stuff'.

    If I only hauled bikes I would have gone with a non TH 5er and put the bikes on the back of the truck; I can do 3 on the back of the truck in my sig. For a 5th I really like http://www.forksrv.com they make some very very nice 5ers or TH's; they do both.

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