Importance of extra 1/2 bath?

[smithlaw]

So my wife and I are looking at toy haulers for us and our two daughters (age 5 and 2 1/2). We like several of them but some don't have the 1/2 bath in the back. Can anyone tell me that has first hand experience if this has been a big difference or not? We don't want to limit ourselves just looking at ones that have it but also want to be smart when making our purchase. Thanks!

[JAC1982]

Our neighbor just got one with an extra half bath. But they have 2 teenage girls, and a 10 year old girl. They could use all the bathrooms they can get!

[joebedford]

It was an excellent investment. We converted it to a cat potty and feeding station with scratching / climbing structure.

[smithlaw]

You guys are beyond helpful. We were just discussing it and I think we may steer away from the 1/2bath. The majority of what we do is long weekend camping. This summer, I have us taking 4 day weekends every other weekend or every 3 weeks at the most. All of the campgrounds have bathhouses if needed.

I actually just made the point to my wife- we are camping in it for a few days, not living in it. Our parents had 1 bath in their homes for the whole family to use when they were growing up. I think we can make it work for a few days at a time!

[lawnspecialties]

My .02 here. Half baths? Not a fan. But for us, its almost a necessity and it sounds like it will be for smithlaw, too.

Having the separate black tank is a pain. But our old Cyclone actually had the hook-up for the drain pipe behind the axle while all the other tanks drained in front of the axle. That really sucked because you had to hook up the drain pipe twice. Watch your step! But our Vengeance has all the tanks drain out of the same pipe. That helps a ton.

My son's fiance' goes with us from time to time. She sleeps in the garage. Its sort of her bedroom when we're camping. So having the half bath back there makes perfect sense. But if it wasn't for that, I think FR could have used that space for a pantry or something and it would be far more useful.

smithlaw. With your daughters sleeping back there, it may be best getting a half bath. Just be 100% sure the golf cart will fit; especially if you have three-season doors on the back. Our half bath takes up a small portion of a corner of the garage but we still have over 10' of room for the golf cart.

[DownTheAvenue]

There is very minimal living space in any RV. You can devote that space to whatever you choose, but think about where you spend the most time. If you spend the most time in the bathroom, then you want bigger and better. Personally, I think any family with kids would be better served with a larger kitchen and eating area than two bathrooms in a RV. Heck, until recently, most homes in the US only had one bathroom! And before that- none!!!!!

Next thing for RVs, I predict, will be walk in closets!

[Lantley]

The_real_wild1 wrote:
Not sure if you boondock for longer periods or not but two sets of tanks will hold more. If you only head out for a weekend it won't matter as much

How long you are out is a very important factor.
If you are a weekender 1 bath will always be enough.
I you stay for extended periods with a larger group. The additional tank capacity could be beneficial. Also if you stay for longer periods dumping 2 sets of tanks maybe worth the trouble vs. staying for a weekend where it's a hassle.
While I am very much against the 2nd bath. I am a weekend warrior.
THe tanks are a hassle.
What I really want to get across to prospective buyers is to consider how the tank and connections affect the 2nd bath equation.
It's not as simple as my little girls would like their own bath!
If you are a weekend camper that 2nd tank quickly become the deal breaker.
Don't make my same mistake I did consider the tank in addition to the toilet! I did a lot of thinking and floorplan analyzing before I purchased, but I never considered the 2 black tank dilemma.
The reality is not if 2 toilets are a good idea? The question is are 2 black tanks a good idea for me?

[tinner12002]

smithlaw wrote:
Our toy hauler would mainly be used for the lifted golf cart and some bikes. So a regular garage size will do. Once the toys roll out, it will be my two daughter's bunk house.

With that said, get the extra 1/2 bath...some models have showers also.

[smithlaw]

Our toy hauler would mainly be used for the lifted golf cart and some bikes. So a regular garage size will do. Once the toys roll out, it will be my two daughter's bunk house.

[lincster]

1/2 bath???
Never heard of such a thing.

My hauler is built to HAUL.
I got the most cargo space available when I bought mine.
21' of totally open cargo.
I can fit a 16' sand rail and 2 full size quads in my hauler.
If not having a kitchen was an option at the time, I would have done that.
So then I could haul my Sandrail AND a Razor.....

[smithlaw]

Good points. I didn't think about the extra maintenance and headache.

[The_real_wild1]

Not sure if you boondock for longer periods or not but two sets of tanks will hold more. If you only head out for a weekend it won't matter as much

[mudmaker]

We opted for not having one. Livable floor space is limited as it is (went from 38' 5vr to 32' livable space and 13' garage) and we didn't want to give up any more with something for guests. They don't make the payment, they don't clean the tank.

[Lantley]

The_real_wild1 wrote:
One of the things I wanted was a second bathroom. The odd time ill have friends stay in the garage or bunk. It is great for other people. Id rather they use that and stay out of my bathroom. I def think it is worth it.

Yes but if your buddy only uses it once for # 2. You now have to deal with dumping it. Since that tank has not been used much it will not be very full and will not dump well. Now you have to back flush it to get it reasonably clean. I 'm not obsessed with spotless tanks, but tanks that are fairly empty do not dump well.
You could substitute kid, wife,buddy or whomever as the culprit. Dumping the 2nd tank is not worth in convenience of the 2nd bath vs. just having one toilet with 1 tank.

[Lwiddis]

"It's not the toilet or floorplan I despise it's all the extra dumping and tank maintenance."

Good point, Lantley.