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Toy Hauler vs Below Floor Garage

Charlie_on_lake
Explorer
Explorer
I haven’t actually purchased my first RV, but I’m on the fence between a conventional toy hauler and the below floor garage style (only a few models - Momentum 376, Solitude 374, Montana High Country 381, Silverback 37RTH, etc.). What are the pros/cons of the different styles?
6 REPLIES 6

stro1965
Explorer
Explorer
I want one. Badly. I'd love a Grand Design but most that I've looked at would work! Jayco has a model now too.
2018 Ram DRW 3500 6.7
2019 Keystone Alpine 3021

ependydad
Explorer
Explorer
I'd have to see what the bedroom looks like with the toy in the garage. Can it still be used for overnighting? Can you get into the bedroom?
2017 Spartan 1245 by Prime Time
2018 Ram 3500 Crew Cab DRW w/ 4.10 gears and 8' bed
FW Hitch: TrailerSaver TS3
Learn to RV- learn about RVing - Towing Planner Calculators - Family Fulltiming FB page

loboclone
Explorer
Explorer
I would consider resale value-trade value, a conventional Toy Box has been the most popular version. I looked at the market segment for the below floor model Garage, it is limited to the motorcycle NICHE not the overall Toy hauler market.
Living in the SW US I frankly don't see many Below floor Garage units, dealers report longer in stock days for that floorplan.
2015 F-450 CC 440 HP 19.5 DRW. 26,500 Resse FW
Jayco Sesimic 4212 Toy Hauler
Oreion Sandreeper-Street Legal and tilted for the on road
480 Watts ZAMP 3 panel US made Solar system-Smart Glass panels

La_Gasser
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 2017 Jayco 310W Toy Hauler with a 12 1/2' garage. We use the garage to haul our golf cart, and once unloaded that area is additional living/sleeping area. Toy Haulers normally don't have as much living/kitchen areas like non toy hauler 5th wheel campers. So being able to use the garage as a dining or social meeting area is great, plus we can accomodate 4 or 5 additional sleepers. We have 2 small dogs that camp with us so it gives them more room to run around. We like most campers prefer to be outside when camping, but when inclement weather moves in, the garage space gives us much more room. Never been in a below floor garage toy hauler so not sure how the living area floor plan is laid out. Everyone's needs are different depending how they use a camper, so just make sure you buy one that meets your specific needs and then enjoy it.

arhayes
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 380th which has a 10’ garage with sliding glass door between the “living area” and garage. We bought this in ‘14 before the 376th came out. After 5 years of full-timing, and with our hobbies, we still prefer the traditional format. We have found that almost all of our socializing in campgrounds - other than bad weather - has been outside, so we don’t miss the larger living area. Once we unload our Goldwing, I am a Ham radio operator and my desk and radios all reside in the garage. I eliminated the garage bench seating and turned that into workspaces that raise and lower, so my wife has a 5’ table to do her sewing and crafts and we have an additional table on th either side for the printer, etc.

We have very good friends that have and love their 376, but neither have hobbies like ours. When we are at their place visiting, we still sit outside. Hope this helps. YMMV.
Alan and Kathleen
2015 Grand Design Momentum 380TH (RVD2)
2014 F350 6.7L Diesel DRW (Stormtrooper)
2012 Honda Goldwing NAVI/ABS (Land Speeder)

momentum_rv
Explorer
Explorer
It's all about what "toys" you want to haul and if they will fit in the smaller garages.
2015 Grand Design Momentum 385TH
2015 Ford F-350 DRW 4x4 Lariat