Tired of Land Yacht Toy Haulers: Challenge to the Industry

[miboje]

You know, I think every toy hauler manufacturer out there has catered to all the elite toy hauler buyers. It's been overdone at this point. And it's frustrating to see that most of the new toy haulers being introduced are no different. There is little that is new or innovative at this time, and the toy haulers just seem to get bigger and heavier.

It would be nice to see some innovations that bring lighter, well-insulated, and more affordable luxury toy haulers to the rest of us. Just because I don't want to spend $50,000+ doesn't mean I deserve a piece of crap. So that's my challenge to the industry. We are just about slipping through the cracks with our one ton turbo diesel truck. There are just so few options. Many of us are not in a position, or do not want, to buy a special, expensive truck just to haul a toy hauler. That just doesn't make any financial sense to me, and my frugal mind cannot justify doing that unless you are going full-time. So, come on manufacturers - how about some more choices for the rest of us?

[4monkeys]

Have you looked at the all-aluminum VRVs? Originally made by Livin Lite but I think the company sold recently.

[mrkoje]

miboje wrote:

mrkoje wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

You know, I think every toy hauler manufacturer out there has catered to all the elite toy hauler buyers. It's been overdone at this point. And it's frustrating to see that most of the new toy haulers being introduced are no different. There is little that is new or innovative at this time, and the toy haulers just seem to get bigger and heavier.

It would be nice to see some innovations that bring lighter, well-insulated, and more affordable luxury toy haulers to the rest of us. Just because I don't want to spend $50,000+ doesn't mean I deserve a piece of crap. So that's my challenge to the industry. We are just about slipping through the cracks with our one ton turbo diesel truck. There are just so few options. Many of us are not in a position, or do not want, to buy a special, expensive truck just to haul a toy hauler. That just doesn't make any financial sense to me, and my frugal mind cannot justify doing that unless you are going full-time. So, come on manufacturers - how about some more choices for the rest of us?

Northwood Mfg. the maker of Arctic Fox truck campers, trailers and fifth wheels began to make what you might be looking for. Less frills, still strong frames, good insulation and a lower price for the truck campers, travel trailers and fifth wheels. I am not sure what they have done with their Desert Fox toyhaulers. But, for what you might be looking for it is a start. And as mentioned prior, there is always pre-owned.

Unfortunately the Desert Fox is not what you are looking for if you're looking for less $$. I ended up getting a darn good buy at $17k off of the MSRP but still to the point of ridiculousness. On the other side though I feel that the Desert Fox is made better than the Fuzion, Rubicon and some of the other brands I was looking at. Still though the price tags on Toy Haulers are absolutely insane.

I agree that the prices of toy haulers are pretty insane. It is, after all, a want and not a need, unless you are full-timing.

I was a bit disappointed with the newest Desert Fox toy haulers. They seem like they would be OK for a few people, but there will at least 5 of us, and more likely 6, most of the time. None of the floor plans even offer a single slide, so that would be too tight for us.

To the best of my knowledge the Desert Fox line never had slide outs except for maybe the FW version that is now discontinued. My wife and I thought about this very hard before purchasing and it turns out that it really was a non issue. We actually like NOT having to deal with the slide outs. We mostly travel with just 4 of us 2 adults and 2 kiddos. I'm always in favor of more space but it seemed the other TT TH models we were looking at felt like they had less space even with the slide out because of separate garages. Now not having a separate garage does increase set up time when you get on site but I feel like its an ok trade off so far.

[miboje]

mrkoje wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

You know, I think every toy hauler manufacturer out there has catered to all the elite toy hauler buyers. It's been overdone at this point. And it's frustrating to see that most of the new toy haulers being introduced are no different. There is little that is new or innovative at this time, and the toy haulers just seem to get bigger and heavier.

It would be nice to see some innovations that bring lighter, well-insulated, and more affordable luxury toy haulers to the rest of us. Just because I don't want to spend $50,000+ doesn't mean I deserve a piece of crap. So that's my challenge to the industry. We are just about slipping through the cracks with our one ton turbo diesel truck. There are just so few options. Many of us are not in a position, or do not want, to buy a special, expensive truck just to haul a toy hauler. That just doesn't make any financial sense to me, and my frugal mind cannot justify doing that unless you are going full-time. So, come on manufacturers - how about some more choices for the rest of us?

Northwood Mfg. the maker of Arctic Fox truck campers, trailers and fifth wheels began to make what you might be looking for. Less frills, still strong frames, good insulation and a lower price for the truck campers, travel trailers and fifth wheels. I am not sure what they have done with their Desert Fox toyhaulers. But, for what you might be looking for it is a start. And as mentioned prior, there is always pre-owned.

Unfortunately the Desert Fox is not what you are looking for if you're looking for less $$. I ended up getting a darn good buy at $17k off of the MSRP but still to the point of ridiculousness. On the other side though I feel that the Desert Fox is made better than the Fuzion, Rubicon and some of the other brands I was looking at. Still though the price tags on Toy Haulers are absolutely insane.

I agree that the prices of toy haulers are pretty insane. It is, after all, a want and not a need, unless you are full-timing.

I was a bit disappointed with the newest Desert Fox toy haulers. They seem like they would be OK for a few people, but there will at least 5 of us, and more likely 6, most of the time. None of the floor plans even offer a single slide, so that would be too tight for us.

[mrkoje]

jmtandem wrote:

You know, I think every toy hauler manufacturer out there has catered to all the elite toy hauler buyers. It's been overdone at this point. And it's frustrating to see that most of the new toy haulers being introduced are no different. There is little that is new or innovative at this time, and the toy haulers just seem to get bigger and heavier.

It would be nice to see some innovations that bring lighter, well-insulated, and more affordable luxury toy haulers to the rest of us. Just because I don't want to spend $50,000+ doesn't mean I deserve a piece of crap. So that's my challenge to the industry. We are just about slipping through the cracks with our one ton turbo diesel truck. There are just so few options. Many of us are not in a position, or do not want, to buy a special, expensive truck just to haul a toy hauler. That just doesn't make any financial sense to me, and my frugal mind cannot justify doing that unless you are going full-time. So, come on manufacturers - how about some more choices for the rest of us?

Northwood Mfg. the maker of Arctic Fox truck campers, trailers and fifth wheels began to make what you might be looking for. Less frills, still strong frames, good insulation and a lower price for the truck campers, travel trailers and fifth wheels. I am not sure what they have done with their Desert Fox toyhaulers. But, for what you might be looking for it is a start. And as mentioned prior, there is always pre-owned.

Unfortunately the Desert Fox is not what you are looking for if you're looking for less $$. I ended up getting a darn good buy at $17k off of the MSRP but still to the point of ridiculousness. On the other side though I feel that the Desert Fox is made better than the Fuzion, Rubicon and some of the other brands I was looking at. Still though the price tags on Toy Haulers are absolutely insane.

[Hokie_Camper]

I'd love to see more quality built entry level smaller toy haulers. The Coachmen Adrenaline Blast series and the Fun Finder XT-190 were the right idea IMHO. Toy haulers that one could pull with a 1/2 ton truck, and that didn't feel like a cargo trailer and didn't cost a fortune.

I don't know about others, but what I want is a solid trailer, that I can pull safely and easily. I want it as small as possible, but big enough to have a front bed, a shower and a toilet, can hold one Harley and not feel like I'm in a cargo trailer. It should have a small stove, a fridge, AC and heat and enough storage to hold what I need would be nice. It should have decent sized holding tanks but not ones that are tiny nor massive (and expensive).

Better yet, something that would allow me to customize it as I learn what I need would even be better. Give me the basics that don't fall apart, and I'm willing to pay for quality extras as I use it.

In other words, get me into a basic unit that I'll use for awhile, then either I'll put upgrades to it, or upgrade to a larger unit if/when my needs change.

[Erv8097]

miboje wrote:

Thank you for the suggestion. I have checked out the older Desert Fox toy haulers. They are just a bit too heavy for us, unfortunately. I heard that Lance is coming out with something early next year, so I am keeping an eye on their website.

I have an 07 Desert Fox 24AS with Aluminum sides that is about 7k empty and will haul most toys. It is a heavy sucker but it is a TANK! The insulation is top notch and we have camped in all kinds of weather. I can't say enough about the quality of the unit. It is not flashy or upscale in any way, but it is one of the few purchases I've ever made that I have felt I got my moneys worth. In seven years of ownership the only thing I have had to replace are tires. That's it! We camp about 8 times a year and routinely take it to Florida. It's too bad you can't get a DF on the East Coast like you could a few years ago.

As our boys are getting grown, we are looking at the newer fifth wheels and I'm definitely afraid that I will be disappointed after having this one!

[miboje]

CarterKraft wrote:

miboje wrote:

beyerjf wrote:
i just attended the RV show in Hershey, one of the largest in the land. I can see the problem. I have a Work and Play 34 FK with at least 5800# cargo capacity, 3000 # in the garage. Built exactly like the tractor trailers I deliver to East Penn Battery. But it is spartan inside and of course no insulation in the walls at all, and only R-10 in the all aluminum roof.
What you want is not available. they market the interior to the little woman, and a garage that will hold one motorcycle or an ATV. But you have 3 TV's mounted outside and a refrig because the customer is too lazy to walk inside to get a cool one.
I hope you get the point across.

Thank you! I'm SO glad someone else sees the problem!

We also attended the Hershey Show. We were hoping to discover new things that could work for us. Yes, the Work and Play could have some potential, but it is as you say.

As of now, there is one toy hauler that we like that is available, but it's the only one. It is this one:Heartland Torque 301 I hope other manufacturers will follow HL's lead with the Torque line and start focusing on mid-length, lighter toy haulers.

Funny you should mention the Torque line, over the weekend we likely switched our order from the Kodiak to the Torque 290 SS. It has more features that we really wanted and still had the sliding glass door vapor wall. I believe it is built better as well.

I'm glad you like it too. :>) Yes, the Torque definitely offers more features. I love that we can close off the garage if we want to. That will help on chilly nights when only one of the kiddos is with us, and we don't want to heat/cool the garage.
The Torque is better insulated than the Kodiak as well. I just checked the Dutchmen website. The available brochure (2012) says the Kodiak is R-11 in the roof and floor, and R-7 in the walls. The Torque has an R-24 roof, R-27 floor, and R-9 walls. I am hoping we can order ours with the astro-foil insulation, which is an option for the HL Cyclone and Road Warrior.

[CarterKraft]

miboje wrote:

beyerjf wrote:
i just attended the RV show in Hershey, one of the largest in the land. I can see the problem. I have a Work and Play 34 FK with at least 5800# cargo capacity, 3000 # in the garage. Built exactly like the tractor trailers I deliver to East Penn Battery. But it is spartan inside and of course no insulation in the walls at all, and only R-10 in the all aluminum roof.
What you want is not available. they market the interior to the little woman, and a garage that will hold one motorcycle or an ATV. But you have 3 TV's mounted outside and a refrig because the customer is too lazy to walk inside to get a cool one.
I hope you get the point across.

Thank you! I'm SO glad someone else sees the problem!

We also attended the Hershey Show. We were hoping to discover new things that could work for us. Yes, the Work and Play could have some potential, but it is as you say.

As of now, there is one toy hauler that we like that is available, but it's the only one. It is this one:Heartland Torque 301 I hope other manufacturers will follow HL's lead with the Torque line and start focusing on mid-length, lighter toy haulers.

Funny you should mention the Torque line, over the weekend we likely switched our order from the Kodiak to the Torque 290 SS. It has more features that we really wanted and still had the sliding glass door vapor wall. I believe it is built better as well.

[miboje]

JIMNLIN wrote:

And to reiterate, something towable by a 1-ton turbo diesel rather than a land yacht.

A one ton TD can be a one ton SRW with a 10xxx gvwr and 6200 rawr or a one ton DRW with a 14000 gvwr and 9800 lb rawr.

Maybe you don't have the best size one ton with DRW's for pulling a big toy hauler.

Right, if we had a bigger truck, we could tow a bigger trailer, but
my point was that we don't want/need a big toy hauler. 36' seems sufficient to us,especially since we can add space with the ramp patio and use the garage as a common space, bedroom and dining area, plus I don't want something that will just cost us more in fuel for every trip.

[miboje]

Oaklevel wrote:
We are very happy with our 2013 Puma Unleashed 35.5 ft fiver 12" garage, can sleep 10 nicely..... Price tag out the door was under 30K. But does have the old school Alum siding.

Thank you for the suggestion, Oaklevel. I did take a look at the Puma, but the insulation just isn't too good.

[miboje]

otrfun wrote:

CarterKraft wrote:
. . . in my limited experience all brands in the lower $ range have some QC problems . . .

IMO, the majority of the RV industry lacks the refined quality and consistency that the auto industry has managed to refine to a fine art.

Yes, this is also a good point. And I don't think it's necessarily limited to the lower cost RVs, either. There are QC complaints with expensive motor homes as well.
It really shouldn't be this way, but apparently it is working for the RV industry.

[miboje]

CarterKraft wrote:
While the trailer I have ordered is surely not a "luxury" model or brand it does strike me as a different style of toy hauler. It's sub 10,000lb and has some nicer features of other trailers in the same price range, I know there are some issues with this brand but in my limited experience all brands in the lower $ range have some QC problems, I am hoping mine is more sound than not.
Under 30K for a 30+ ft. trailer with separate 10' garage fits the bill for me.
Kodiak 292TQB

Thanks for the suggestion, CarterKraft. The Kodiak is nice, but we want something with some better insulation. We live in PA, and want to extend the camping season as long as possible.

[miboje]

beyerjf wrote:
i just attended the RV show in Hershey, one of the largest in the land. I can see the problem. I have a Work and Play 34 FK with at least 5800# cargo capacity, 3000 # in the garage. Built exactly like the tractor trailers I deliver to East Penn Battery. But it is spartan inside and of course no insulation in the walls at all, and only R-10 in the all aluminum roof.
What you want is not available. they market the interior to the little woman, and a garage that will hold one motorcycle or an ATV. But you have 3 TV's mounted outside and a refrig because the customer is too lazy to walk inside to get a cool one.
I hope you get the point across.

Thank you! I'm SO glad someone else sees the problem!

We also attended the Hershey Show. We were hoping to discover new things that could work for us. Yes, the Work and Play could have some potential, but it is as you say.

As of now, there is one toy hauler that we like that is available, but it's the only one. It is this one:Heartland Torque 301 I hope other manufacturers will follow HL's lead with the Torque line and start focusing on mid-length, lighter toy haulers.

[Bedlam]

Work and Play is spartan but there are others out there. The ones built off horse trailers or car haulers can handle your garage requirements and still have nice amenities. Look further back in this thread for links and pictures.

[beyerjf]

i just attended the RV show in Hershey, one of the largest in the land. I can see the problem. I have a Work and Play 34 FK with at least 5800# cargo capacity, 3000 # in the garage. Built exactly like the tractor trailers I deliver to East Penn Battery. But it is spartan inside and of course no insulation in the walls at all, and only R-10 in the all aluminum roof.
What you want is not available. they market the interior to the little woman, and a garage that will hold one motorcycle or an ATV. But you have 3 TV's mounted outside and a refrig because the customer is too lazy to walk inside to get a cool one.
I hope you get the point across.