Toy Hauler for Kids....

[jlud]

We think we want an XLR 300x12 over a bunkhouse model...for the following reasons...

1. Cargo area and room, we dont have a designated toy yet, lots of little stuff, but easy to load.
2. Room when we do have toys to move.
3. Flexibility for rear room...electric bed lifted up out of way, use the walk through dinette and table....seems like it would be an ideal place for them.
4. Kids sleep there at night would be the plan...

Now, those that have a hauler, please let me know if this would work ok? If you had 4 kids, would you just go the bunkhouse route or think this will be comfortable enough? I would have ducted heat and AC, as well as a 2nd ac.

The unit I am planning to get is about 8,500 more than a Jayco Bunkhouse...and the XLR comes equipped with auto leveling, thermal pack insulation and dual panes, touchscreen power remote, VIP party deck, GENERATOR 5.5 Onan, fuel station, dyson vac, washer dryer hook ups...just seems like so much more for the money...what am I missing?

Open for advice, its a major purchase, and if I order tomorrow can have it around April 20th with all options I want and weight my truck can handle...thanks!

[jlud]

They had a carbon close by that looked nice, 311 I think the tandem axle one. Was heavy though....only dealer I found that said they won't sell me a unit with hitch weight over my payload....most all of them say my truck is capable of whatever I can pay for...

I did see some real weight stickers from the xlr 300x12 and getting a little nervous....12400 dry instead of 10500 it says dry.

[nole_trainer]

jlud wrote:
I'm excited to get it, especially with all the feedback. Thinking about a golf cart too....

I'm gonna follow this thread for more feedback like you got. Any observations you have would be great. Looks like we have now narrowed our choice down to a TH over a BH. I like the Carbon 297, but I'm always open to options.

[jlud]

I'm excited to get it, especially with all the feedback. Thinking about a golf cart too....

[NMDoyle]

We went from a bunkhouse to a toyhauler a few years back (and purchased our second toyhauler too). We have four kids, from 8yrs on up. We use the back as a family room during the day, sleeping quarters for my older ones at night, and a transport area for our St Bernards while traveling. It's a great setup!!

[christopherglen]

I will say hi to mickey for you..

[jlud]

Good stuff, thanks all. Excited to get to pick up....just did a few days at the Dells with the kids and nothing reaffirmed it was not a bad buy like crowds of screaming kids. We are ready....plus buying it got me out of going to Disney land which in my mind was at least 5k....and misery....

[christopherglen]

I was bummed when we got out TH that it didn't have the deck / playpen from the dealer. They said I could add it aftermarket, but no go on that. In truth, in the three (almost 4) years we have owned it, the back door has been opened 3 times. Once when we bought it - to prove it worked. Once to load the old tires and rims into the garage when I upgraded to g rated tires, and once to unload them from it. The only time I could really see taking the time to set it up (other then to prove I could) would be to use the trailer as some kind of manned base camp. Like at the lake if there are more people then the boat can hold. For normal camping the effort involved in setting it all up and pulling it all down would get REAL old real fast. A set of jack stands (screw type) would make setting it flat (no playpen) almost as fast as opening it.

[lamopar]

Toy hauler in my mind is the best options for kids. I can haul bikes, ATVs and tons of toys for them to play with. With the outdoor TV attachment we were able to watch a Red Box movie waiting on the fireworks to go off in Boise last year which was a big bonus. I have 20 ft of storage in the unit and that is enough for us to sit in comfortably and roll out the ATVs at night. I also keep kid items like large kites in the unit at all times along with Estes rockets. As stated earlier having the generator and larger water and sewer tanks really helps when staying in the sticks. We went with an open (non-garage unit) as it allows us to easily move from front to the back. I like to have the kids sleep in the front with us as it is a king bed then when I get up I can have coffee and read the news on my lap top without waking them up. We have set the ramp up with a 2X6 two wooden blocks to keep it up in the air and make a platform for the kids to play on. With the back screen down the boys have a place to be up out of the dew in the morning and have a flat place to play with toys outside. Key note for us was to install a small portable three drawer plastic dresser that we keep swim gear and some clothes in at all times. One additional thing is the toy hauler makes a great place for a sleep over for birthday parties and the kids don't trash the house. In the morning I just lift the bunks, raise the couch and carry the chairs out then use the leaf blower to clean out the unit of potato chips and pop corn. vinyl floor are easy to mop up and we are back at it. Just some thoughts from someone using one for two year.

[rb71]

i switched last year from a bunkhouse (3 kids 8 and two 3 year olds) to toy hauler and it was worth it.

you should see if yo can get the thermo strip installed in the ac units for heat in the back.

good luck with your new toy hauler

[jlud]

We looked at that too. The off the campground grid part did seem very helpful. That was a big part of the decision, and being low enough weight that I can fill the tank and not put us over already with 800 pounds of water.

[Ric_Flair]

Let me also add something we have found important. Since toy haulers are designed to operate off the grid (hence the built in genny), they usually have more water capacity (fresh, gray and black). I was always finding my BH 5er running short around Saturday night/Sunday morning on a 3 day trip. Not anymore.

[TheBeag5plus]

We have a Vortex toyhauler that does not have ducted heat to the garage. We installed a catalytic heater that runs right off our propane tanks on the th. We did the portable heaters for awhile, but if your not at a campground with full hook ups your running the generator a lot for the heaters. It seems to work really well, we have just tried it out in the driveway though. We do not have small children with us all the time though. Our daughter that sleeps back there regularly is grown. We do have the grandkids with us sometimes. Hopefully touching the heater will not be too hard to keep them from doing.
Good luck! Enjoy!

[NCRugRat]

We just got our XLR Thunderbolt 415. It's been sitting in our driveway for the past week. So far we haven't found anything wrong and are looking forward to our first trip. Your going to love the space.

[4monkeys]

You guys will have a blast! And you'll be able to haul all the fun gear you need for your family. Enjoy!