toy hauler FAQ's

[Jarand]

We are considering downsizing from our Montana 5th wheel to a toy hauler, thinking it will be suitable for several families to use. We wondered what are the things we really should watch for?

Desires:
~Pull trailer, not 5th wheel (flexibility for multiple families)
~Hauls two ATV's (Honda 680's)
~We're thinking we don't like the floor plans with the wall dividing the living space from the cargo space
~Flexibility; ability to sleep 6-8 with at least one comfortable permanent bed
~30' or so in length

What should we watch for? Advice appreciated! Thanks.

[micpib1]

cutty72 wrote:

micpib1 wrote:
Thank you moderator for the resize.
Our Octane has a queen size bed in the front that does not show in the photos. Odor has not been a problem within the coach... well not from the toys, haha. My drop down beds are queen width, but 8' long. I carry a memory foam pad on the upper bunk during transport and move it to the lower bed for sleep, just a little more comfort for the "old" bones. I also carry a Honda EU2000 to charge battery's and evening entertainment, I only use the on board Onan/Cummins 4000 when I run the AC and that is very rarely used.

Why the Honda? Wouldn't it be easier to just use the on board Onan?

Need to get a generator for mine, so just looking for your reasoning.

Cutty72, sorry to take so long to respond, I have not logged in recently. The Honda has two distinct advantages, major fuel savings and a lot less noise for my neighbors to listen to. JH

[porkchop1221]

Quick question... do you have smallish kids or will you be hauling anything that has gas in it? I personally like having a barrier wall (ours is a patio door) b/c it keeps the fumes from us when we have the toys in the back. Just a thought. Sorry no advise on TT toy haulers right now.

[WhitehouseLV]

micpib1 wrote:
For what it’s worth, we love our Jayco Octane. 24’, sleeps 8 easy, we did the “Super Seating” option that allows seating for 8-9 around the kitchen table, 2 electric beds in the garage and a built in bug screen for when the garage door is open. I did not want to give up my PU Bed, so bumper pull was our option. The TH is 8’6” wide, which is good for the interior space, but I notice the extra width during towing and we are 12’6” high at the AC. We like having the “garage” as usable space when we are not hauling our toys, anyway, just a few photos of our rig. JH




Moderators Edit: Adjusted photo width to 640 pixels per the forum guidelines. The Photo FAQ's has help & tips for posting photos.

Good looking TH :C

[TheLadyFreedom]

Y-Guy wrote:

MeandMyLabs wrote:
I guess my ATV must be different because I definately get a distinct gas oder if I leave it stored inside the garage for a couple of days.

What do you have? Didn't have the issue with our Toy Hauler once the kids out grew their 90cc quads.

We must have similar atv's, because in our Fuzion 305 we smell gas by the time we get to our destinations- usually 100-200 miles away, and that is with the sliding glass door closed, and usually the vents in the garage are open also.

[Jarand]

Appreciate the replies. I've learned several things to consider when we look seriously.

Are the "add a room" tent packages for the ramp available for most models?

[Y-Guy]

cutty72 wrote:
Why the Honda? Wouldn't it be easier to just use the on board Onan?

Friend of ours does the same thing. The Onan 4000 isn't that light on gas and it's pretty loud. He pulls out his Honda 2000 and let's it purr away, charging the batteries and things like the TV, etc. Might not pay for itself but he has other uses for it so makes sense. There are times I've thought about doing it too.

[KATOOM]

Seems like you have all your "wants" lined up, which is good. I dont know if all bumper pull TH's come with the same amenities as 5th wheel TH's, so the only thing I can think of is if I was to do it over again I'd make sure the garage floor was NOT a dovetail. Only because I liked the idea of using the garage door as a additional floor up off the dirt/sand but having the dovetail portion is minimally inconvenient. Especially if considering the tent which attaches to the door area and turns the door into additional sleeping area. Other than that.....hope you find whatever you're after. 🙂

[cutty72]

micpib1 wrote:
Thank you moderator for the resize.
Our Octane has a queen size bed in the front that does not show in the photos. Odor has not been a problem within the coach... well not from the toys, haha. My drop down beds are queen width, but 8' long. I carry a memory foam pad on the upper bunk during transport and move it to the lower bed for sleep, just a little more comfort for the "old" bones. I also carry a Honda EU2000 to charge battery's and evening entertainment, I only use the on board Onan/Cummins 4000 when I run the AC and that is very rarely used.

Why the Honda? Wouldn't it be easier to just use the on board Onan?

Need to get a generator for mine, so just looking for your reasoning.

[nayther]

Y-Guy wrote:

What do you have? Didn't have the issue with our Toy Hauler once the kids out grew their 90cc quads.

Same here, I've slept in mine many times with one or two bikes in the back. Can you "smell" them, sure. Does it smell like gas? No, it smells like a motorcycle. Smells a lot better than the library after I'm done reading Dirt Rider (if you know what I mean).

[Y-Guy]

MeandMyLabs wrote:
I guess my ATV must be different because I definately get a distinct gas oder if I leave it stored inside the garage for a couple of days.

What do you have? Didn't have the issue with our Toy Hauler once the kids out grew their 90cc quads.

[MeandMyLabs]

I guess my ATV must be different because I definately get a distinct gas oder if I leave it stored inside the garage for a couple of days.

[GT_Roach]

We have had two toy haulers now, both open style, and have never had a gas smell anywhere in our unit. I've asked our friends and they have never had a problem either.

[micpib1]

Thank you moderator for the resize.
Our Octane has a queen size bed in the front that does not show in the photos. Odor has not been a problem within the coach... well not from the toys, haha. My drop down beds are queen width, but 8' long. I carry a memory foam pad on the upper bunk during transport and move it to the lower bed for sleep, just a little more comfort for the "old" bones. I also carry a Honda EU2000 to charge battery's and evening entertainment, I only use the on board Onan/Cummins 4000 when I run the AC and that is very rarely used.

[MeandMyLabs]

I agree the more open floor plan gives you more options and does allow more toys to be hauled. We considered that type of floor plan very closely.

We did opt to get a plan with a separate garage however, and one advantage there is the gas smell is not in your main living area. I often do not unload the ATV when returning from a hunting trip until days later and be have the separate room the oder is not an issue.

The other thing we like is when another couple joins us, it is like a separate sleeping quarters with lots of privacy. Our needs may be different than yours but this has worked well for us.