New to Toy Haulers ( RVs in general ) - looking for advice

[Txsurfer]

Hello new guy here..

Starting to look for a BP Toy Hauler that can be towed by a 5.7 Tundra 4x4. I am thinking somewhere in the 21-24' box length range and around 7500# loaded. My truck is rated for 9800# but won't to stat lower than that. Planning on using at state/nat'l parks for a week or two at a time from Ca to Fl and mountains in between. Not looking for a mobile luxury condo but rather comfy beds and decent bathroom. It will only be my young son,wife, and I only so trying to keep it conservative in size. Plan to haul a golf cart from time to time , kayaks, paddle boards, etc.. My first observation is that most of the units in this category seem rather cheaply made. The only unit that appears ( net research ) to be made better in my opinion would be the livin Lite product with its alum frame, floor, superstructure. I consider myself very handy so a used model is not out of the question. I guess my biggest fear of used would be rot. Anyway so for the long narrative - all advice is welcomed.

[Txsurfer]

I here you - personally being an ex racer, I like the alum finish over the particle wood panel stuff but my wife not so much. The Livin Lites seem vastly superior in the durability dept. I just hate cheap ****. I like to buy high end used rather than new cheap but that's just me.

[Ericunder]

OK so to start with I will say that my experience is limited. That said..... if I had it to do over again I would look for a used Livin Lite. I currently own a Weekend Warrior though I don't think it's issues are exclusive to that brand. The biggest issue with these trailers is water. Either coming in from the outside or leaking from the plumbing. It will ruin your camper in a hurry. It seems like I am always chasing down leaks (I'm in the process now of swapping out all of the stupid swedge hose clamps with high pressure fuel line clamps).

I'm not being sarcastic when I say that worrying about this thing gives me heartburn. It would be so nice to know that the water that got into the subfloor from the leak behind the sink cabinet that I have no way of drying out (unless I want to pull out the cabinets and pull up the vinyl flooring) is not going to ruin my camper.

I will say that the Livin Lites do leave something to be desired in the interior finish department. Lots of other brands have nicer interiors but who cares! Aluminum cabinets and full aluminum deck! I'll take that any day. To top it off they seem to much lighter than most other things out there.

Just my $0.02

Eric

[Txsurfer]

Jlud - I am thinking the same but even the smaller 24 hyper lite or if I can find one a livin-lite axxess 26'. Really do not want to go any bigger than 26' box length 30' OA.

[jlud]

Xlr 27hfs or 29hfs might work for you...

[Bedlam]

The Tundras are outfitted with 4000 lb rated front axles and 4250 lb rated rear. If you get the actual weight of your truck front and rear, you will see how heavy you can go before running into axle issues. This is not to say that your OEM suspension or tires are up to the task, but spring helpers are easy modifications as well as upgrading to LT tires.

[Txsurfer]

I believe my tundra had a 1500# payload rating. Will airbags change that or not? Seemsl ike there are several "lite" models out there that weigh around 5500# empty and should meet my needs. I do have a height constraint of 12' max as I have covered storage for the unit at my residence. It appears that some units are mounted high on the frames ( ex FR nitro ) and have higher clearance requirements while others ( ex FR Hyper lite) are lower to the ground and meet my requirements. Any benefits to one type or the other. Seems like the higher the profile the more wind resistance. As info I have a 2500 CD 4X4 that I tow a 9000# boat with and can also use it to tow the RV but want to get something the Tundra can handle if I ever sell the 2500.

[Rbertalotto]

I'm loving my Forest River Cherokee 19RR....Plenty of room for two. Easily fit one large bike or two small dirt bikes. Under 5000# so no load equalizing hitch needed on my 2500 Dodge. Pulls like it's not there!

One of the few TH that you can actually use the bed without having to remove the bikes. Very important for pulling into a rest stop, truck stop or Walmart for the night.

I simply couldn't be more pleased!

You can read all about it on my web site

www.rvbprecision.com

Good Luck!

[Bedlam]

It does reduce some of the tongue weight, but TH's typically have the axles pushed farther back, so you really need a fat heavy toy pushed all the way back to see any change in tongue weight. The biggest change you will see in tongue weight is whether your tanks are full or empty since they typically sit over the axle or forward of it.

My Weekend Warrior had two 75 gallon fresh tanks and two 50 gallon waste tanks. one fresh tank was over the axles and the rest were forward of it. I was able to negate some of the tongue weight by keeping my 40 gallon fuel tank full which sat rear of the axles.

[Txsurfer]

Boogie - thanks very informative

Bedlam - question does adding payload to the TH counter some of the tongue weight?

[porkchop1221]

beemerphile1 wrote:


If you want a separate walled garage your choices will be very limited in that size.

Do you have any suggestions on TT that have a separate walled garage? In the 30 foot range or less? Starting to look into downsizing and not sure if that really exists or not.

Thanks!

[Bedlam]

With the limited payload of the Tundra, you will need to watch your tongue weight. Many toy haulers have 1000 lb tongue weights or greater which may leave you with no payload remaining to carry anything in your truck bed once the two of you load up into cab. Depending on your truck's configuration, you may have less 1000 lbs payload because you chose every option available or you may have 2000 lbs because you chose a stripper model truck - The first thing you need to know is how much weight to do you plan to carry in the truck and how much is left for tongue weight. Then you can choose a properly sized toy hauler.

[boogie_4wheel]

My Forest River Shockwave has proved itself to be a good trailer.
The specific model is T21FS (it is the MX Series). I just looked at the current floorplan for this model, and it has changed slightly than my '10 model (the bathroom now includes the sink, mine does not). I do not know the overall length. I'd check, but my parents are bumming it off of me right now.

My trailer before toys/water is right at 6k, and the tongue weight is around 750lbs. Fresh is direct over the axles, black and gray are toward the tongue. F53, G40, B40 on water capacities. I think the DX model has larger tanks.

I do dislike the sideways front bed since it is hard to make, but it is what it is, and is functional. I replaced the cheap supplied pad with a real mattress and it works great.

Forest River may be a little lower on the quality scale, but I lived in the trailer during weekdays for 26mo straight for work, plus over 6mo combined on other job related travels. I cycled the doors and drawers a lot during that time, and nothing has broken. I was in it at -22*F and probably 108 at the hottest. The only items that have required replacing is the roof vent covers, the weatherstripping on the ramp, and the power cord end, which are all to be expected in 5yrs. Oh wait, I lied, the fuel station pump stopped working awhile back.

[Txsurfer]

Thanks beemerphile1

Sorry - yes a bumper pull and looking for 21-24' box length or 27-30' OA length.

[beemerphile1]

Does BP mean 'bumper pull'? That would be considered a TT TH (travel trailer toy hauler).

Our Weekend Warrior and others of the same size would be what you are looking for. Our FK1900 is a 24' long trailer.

If you want a separate walled garage your choices will be very limited in that size.