Is a toyhauler right for us?

[ckitto]

The wife and I are currently looking at going a different route for our camping excursions. Currently we have a 33ft. Open Range 5ver with bunks in the back. We absolutely love the trailer, it's got 1.5 baths and great for the kids...until they got too big. The bunks in the back are perfect for kids up to the age of 10 but now the top bunk is pretty cramped for our youngest, enter discussion of the toyhauler. I've looked at plenty of trailers and almost all of those with bunks are suited for smaller kids and not teenagers. I love the toyhauler concept of two large beds in the back along with the deck concept out the back. We do have a fourwheeler and I suppose we would throw it in at times, but most of our camping is at the lake with our boat, so we really don't need the toyhauler for toys but for room and again, I love the deck concept.

My first question is do those that have THs, do you like the back space for kids or is it too "garage like"?

Second question, I do like the Keystone Fuzions with the slide out bedrooms, is this a quality trailer? Any known issues with Keystone?

I'm limiting my search to tandem axle trailers as I don't want the triple axle. Please give me any thoughts to consider, experience, etc.

thanks,
Kitto

[stro1965]

Add me to the list of folks that use the garage as a second bedroom. Love the flexibility!

[Lantley]

I also own a Open Range bunkhouse and became interested with the idea of a toy hauler. I checked a few out at the Hershey RV show. In the end I still prefer the bunkhouse for kids. My bunkhouse is 39' so there is a bit more room vs. a 33' bunkhouse. My prior TT was a 32' bunkhouse and my kids did out grow the prior unit.
I consider Toy Haulers more flexible/versatile. The space can be adapted for lots of uses. However for kid space I prefer a larger bunkhouse.
While the bunkhouse is less flexible there is more dedicated space for living.
There are closets and cabinets for clothes and other storage. Beds are large enough for bigger kids/adults. The room does not need to be set up. The kids have there own dedicated space vs. a make shift space.
In the end I prefer the bunkhouse for kids simply because there is less work /set up to do. If you want/need the versatility the Toy Hauler has advantages.
I was intrigued by some of those advantages myself.
However if your usage is generally living space than I suggest sticking with a larger bunkhouse.

[is_it_friday_ye]

I know this doesn't answer your question but I just started a post a couple days ago about maybe getting a toy hauler. After weighing my current trailer, a 33' 5th wheel with my SRW 1 ton, I think a toy hauler is out of the question because of the weight. You may have a larger truck and if you do, please disregard this post. We have 2 teenage girls and I think a toy hauler would have worked for us. We currently have a rear bunk room for them.

[2500_Grunt]

We use the back 2 queen beds for our teenagers and when we have guests we also use it for them. A toy hauler definitely gives your more flexibility as appose to a non toy hauler trailer and you don't have to haul toys all the time either. Recently I pulled my TH to a high school cross country meet for my daughters school and used it for a place for them to hang out but was really useful when it came time to feed them. I opened up the back ramp door and used that for the exit they all entered thru the front door and served them off of the table in the middle of the TH. Made about 60 sandwiches and served them cafeteria style. Also, TH's are generally a little heavier per foot than a non toy hauler trailer and are also a little more pricey too.

[ckitto]

Thanks for all the replies! I'll be looking now for sure!

[WhitehouseLV]

one of the best things I love most about our Raptor is that we can put the kids in the garage, close the door and we don't see them, don't hear them or their movie. We can watch a movie in the living room and they don't hear our movie or us either. In fact it seems that same way for the loft. We've also used the garage space with the ramp down as a place for adults to gather and kids in the living area. The garage provides a great entry way when its raining and muddy outside.

Our old Raptor we negotiated a deal for $50 for a 12x8 rug with padding at Home Depot. The current Raptor we use the carpet that came with it. Not the thickest but it works.

[CarlT100]

We have now spent 5.5 months straight in our Fuzion Impact. We had a few minor problems that I took care of myself. I have two more for the dealer to take care of when we get home.

After we unload the motorcycles and bicycles, the garage becomes our dining room and work room. We also feed the dog and cat in the garage. A folding table came with the trailer and fits in between the two sofas (which convert to a bed).

[arhayes]

No kids, but when the Goldwing rolls our we lay down a carpet, I have a desk with my Ham radios in the garage and we set up a table for the wife to sew. Also have our Nordic Trak exerciser there. We have a TV, DVD etc out there, so it becomes an office/ second living area.

[tmm2good]

Yup, we use the back area for the boys bedroom or guests all the time. With or without taking the toys. The flexibility is great.

Your second question about Keystone . No specific issues, just another mass produced trailer. We had issues with ours at first that the dealer took care of. You might not have any issues or very small ones, or you can get into a real mess if it has bad problems...

[DutchmenSport]

I've seen some THs (5er's and TT's) that decked out the garage really comfortable. Throw down a carpet (if one is not provided with the camper), set up a table with a lamp, hang a television, and the kids will love it! If the kids are going to be sleeping there, get their opinion how they feel. Take them to look at some at the dealer lots, and ask them what they would do to make that space more comfortable for them. What needs to be added, what needs to be changed.

I think you'll be surprised what the kids have to say! When I was a kid, I would have loved to have a room in a camper that was more of an industrial feel than a grandma's bedroom feel any day! (Now I'm married to a grandma and don't have much choice! 🙂 )

[Bowhunter61]

We use the Garage space as a living space all the time. Easy to roll out the carpet after unloading the Harley or ATV's and it becomes a big addition for sleeping (if we have our grown up kids or another couple) or sometimes I turn it into my hunting room for my gear.

Own a Fuzion 302 Touring Edition and love it, no issues at all in 5+ years.

[joebedford]

We use the garage space for us - garage like and all. Have no use for the "deck".