Reformed Toy Hauler member here. Your expertise needed

[bkirkpatrick]

We will be upgrading to a Class A after having our Toy Hauler for 10 years. Want something a little smaller and will be towing a box trailer behind it. Not looking for a Diesel pusher. I really liked the Itasca Suncruiser (2008) 32H for the following reasons:

1. Double Door (full size) fridge
2. Mid-area placement of TV so you can watch it from all chairs including driver's and passenger chair.
3. Couch/Bed option.
4. Oven (just like the smell of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls)
5. Under 34/35 feet in length




If you know of something similar, please let me know. My wife does not want a 40' pusher (which I would just as happy in). Thanks for your help.

[bshpilot]

msturtz wrote:

Yes a 39' DP plus a 20' cargo trailer would be long and heavy. Especially the older DP units that have a 40, 45 or 50 degree wheel cut. The new ones have 55 to 60 degree wheel cut. That's why we got a short DP (34' 5") with a 208" wheel base and a 55 degree wheel cut and a 10K tow rating worked for us. I also like the exhaust brake on the DP as well. We went from a gasser to a DP.

man you guys ever hear about this unique gear called REVERSE !?!?! USE it !!

funny when we bought our f350 long bed crew cab 4wd all i heard was how hard it was to deal with a truck so long (vs a short bed).

[msturtz]

bkirkpatrick wrote:
I looked at the 24' trailer and it weighs 2400 lbs. I have about 3000 in cargo so I am at around 5500 lbs pulling weight. I figure a V10 with 360 HP should be able to chug along just fine.

5500# is still over the 5000# legal tow rating for any gas rig.

[bkirkpatrick]

I looked at the 24' trailer and it weighs 2400 lbs. I have about 3000 in cargo so I am at around 5500 lbs pulling weight. I figure a V10 with 360 HP should be able to chug along just fine.

[Gjac]

If your trailer weights 4500 lbs a 32 ft gas MH should pull it fine just look at the weight specs and find one with a high CCC. Remember it is HP to wt that is important to performance a gas MH with 340 or 360 hp that weights 17,000 lbs will pull better than a 330 hp DP that weight 32.000 lbs. The Workhorse will be quieter than the Ford at WOT, but I would look at adding extra insulation under the doghouse. There are several on this forum that have done this.

[msturtz]

Blackdiamond wrote:

bkirkpatrick wrote:

msturtz wrote:
My wife didn't want a pusher either but there are no units based on the F53 gasser chassis that have more than 5K tow / 500# of tongue weight. I took my wife in a MH with a V10 gas engine and we couldn't hear each other without shouting. This is especially true on hills. I took her on a ride in a DP and there was no noise to speak of other than cabinets and the microwave. All of those can be dealt with easily. Dealing with the engine din is very expensive unless the manufacturer built it with special heat and sound insulation (Hush mat or Dynamat or similar). Take her on a test drive in a short class a DP such as a Thor Palazzo or other version that is short (34' or so) and then take her on a test drive in an F53 gasser. Make sure you go up a few hills if possible at full throttle in both. There is simply no comparison in noise levels. Most modern DP units have 10K hitches on them so towing isn't a problem either. BTW I have been where you are. Wife didn't want a DP because it has the image of grandpa and grandma full timing. We don't do that. We have two small children and a 10 year old. But we ended up with an entry level DP that was about the same cost of a high end gasser. With your requirements you should have no problem finding a shorter used DP at a reasonable cost. There are a ton of used DP units on the market that are in really good shape. Ours was a bit more difficult because we needed 3 bunks which is very hard to find in a short DP.

Good info. Thanks.

I like you started with a TH. Then moved to a 39' DP towing a 20' enclosed trailer. Last year I sold the DP and got a gas 32' A and couldn't be happier. Now everything has its trade offs things I miss about the DP are the lack of engine noise and it drives better in the wind. The gasser is way easier to drive/maneuver off the freeway, brakes better, funny thing it tows at the same speed up grades as the DP but it does get about 2 MPG less.

I think the choice you are looking at will serve you well.

Yes a 39' DP plus a 20' cargo trailer would be long and heavy. Especially the older DP units that have a 40, 45 or 50 degree wheel cut. The new ones have 55 to 60 degree wheel cut. That's why we got a short DP (34' 5") with a 208" wheel base and a 55 degree wheel cut and a 10K tow rating worked for us. I also like the exhaust brake on the DP as well. We went from a gasser to a DP.

[Blackdiamond]

bkirkpatrick wrote:

msturtz wrote:
My wife didn't want a pusher either but there are no units based on the F53 gasser chassis that have more than 5K tow / 500# of tongue weight. I took my wife in a MH with a V10 gas engine and we couldn't hear each other without shouting. This is especially true on hills. I took her on a ride in a DP and there was no noise to speak of other than cabinets and the microwave. All of those can be dealt with easily. Dealing with the engine din is very expensive unless the manufacturer built it with special heat and sound insulation (Hush mat or Dynamat or similar). Take her on a test drive in a short class a DP such as a Thor Palazzo or other version that is short (34' or so) and then take her on a test drive in an F53 gasser. Make sure you go up a few hills if possible at full throttle in both. There is simply no comparison in noise levels. Most modern DP units have 10K hitches on them so towing isn't a problem either. BTW I have been where you are. Wife didn't want a DP because it has the image of grandpa and grandma full timing. We don't do that. We have two small children and a 10 year old. But we ended up with an entry level DP that was about the same cost of a high end gasser. With your requirements you should have no problem finding a shorter used DP at a reasonable cost. There are a ton of used DP units on the market that are in really good shape. Ours was a bit more difficult because we needed 3 bunks which is very hard to find in a short DP.

Good info. Thanks.

I like you started with a TH. Then moved to a 39' DP towing a 20' enclosed trailer. Last year I sold the DP and got a gas 32' A and couldn't be happier. Now everything has its trade offs things I miss about the DP are the lack of engine noise and it drives better in the wind. The gasser is way easier to drive/maneuver off the freeway, brakes better, funny thing it tows at the same speed up grades as the DP but it does get about 2 MPG less.

I think the choice you are looking at will serve you well.

[MagillaGorilla]

Lots of people on this forum are funky souls. The OP said he did not want a DP but the majority of the replies are about getting the OP to change their mind and go with a DP. Guess what, not everyone wants a DP.

It sounds like the OP want something on the short side, gas powered and with a big fridge. The V10 will have plenty of power for a 32' coach and a utility trailer. Yes the OP will need to be mindful not to overload the trailer but that is part of life for all of us. We all have to use things within their limits or risk the consequences.

There are a lot of 32' MH out there. having a driver side door will cut that list quite a bit. Having a 4 door fridge will cut it down even more. They are out there but not common. Keep looking for what YOU want and don't buy something that you don't want just because the diesel bullies pushed you into something else. 🙂

[bshpilot]

bkirkpatrick wrote:

Yes but trying to stay under 90k

completely loaded (220g Fresh Water, 140g Fuel, 50g propane, beer, food & clothing for 4) i tip the scale at 32k lbs - even with my single (screw) rear, puts me 8k UNDER my GCWR.

add a 2nd rear axle (driven/lockable diff, w/ 4 tires) and you increase you capacity by at least another 22k lbs.

[msturtz]

bkirkpatrick wrote:
I think I would be at about 4500 pounds. Gasser or Diesel.

Trailer Setup: Two Axle, 26'
Cargo: 2010 Polaris Ranger Crew (900cc)
1 adult quad
1 child's quad (150)
1 CR500
1 IT 250
4 6v batteries
1 Might end up taking another UTV SXS

That trailer is very heavy likely has Dexter 3500# axles for a gross weight of 7500#. It is very easy to overload and not even know it. I would not want to be towing a trailer with a GVWR over the rating for my rig. Too much risk.

[bkirkpatrick]

bshpilot wrote:
Have you looked at Haulmark (coaches), Renegade, Showhauler etc ??
You can beat the power, gearing & Hauling capacity of coaches like ours !

Yes but trying to stay under 90k

[bshpilot]

Have you looked at Haulmark (coaches), Renegade, Showhauler etc ??
You can beat the power, gearing & Hauling capacity of coaches like ours !

[bkirkpatrick]

I think I would be at about 4500 pounds. Gasser or Diesel.

Trailer Setup: Two Axle, 26'
Cargo: 2010 Polaris Ranger Crew (900cc)
1 adult quad
1 child's quad (150)
1 CR500
1 IT 250
4 6v batteries
1 Might end up taking another UTV SXS

[msturtz]

Dale.Traveling wrote:

Ductape wrote:
Watch the cargo carrying capacity. Easy to find MH with too little.

And mind the chassis GVWR, GCWR, and gear ratio for what you are considering. We were considering the Winnie 27N vs the Newmar. 27N was 18k gvw and 4.88. Newmar is 20.5k and 5.38.

Spot on. Even with a DP. They are not created equally. As an example a lower cost DP might have a Cummins ISB mated to an Allison 2500 transmission. The Allison is a bit of a weak link in the set up with a weight limit that may restrict your GCWR. Don't shop base on the hitch but do the math. The Thor Palazzo and Tiffin Red both fall into this category. Both are good rigs but they don't have the tow capacity you might need. The Palazzo literature as an example lists a 10K hitch but if you go by the listed GVWR and GCWR the chassis is limited to 5K Lbs.

this is true that you cannot run with the Thor Palazzo at max GVWR and have anywhere near 10K towing however if you watch your weight you have plenty of room. Most normal priced DP units are in the same category. The Palazzo 33.3 has a shipping weight of about 21k with driver and fuel with a GCWR of 30K that leaves a lot of room for towing. With full fresh, grey,and black tanks and full propane with driver it weighs about 23k. Most people don't travel with full black or grey tanks. Depending on the use case you may not need 105 gallons of fresh water either. If you pack light you can still have plenty of tow rating left. You will never get that with a gas coach. The entry level DP units can work especially if you need to keep within a tight budget. Sure I would like to have a DP with a net tow rating of 10K, 15K or 20K but I can't afford $500K - $1.5 for a coach.

[Dale_Traveling]

Ductape wrote:
Watch the cargo carrying capacity. Easy to find MH with too little.

And mind the chassis GVWR, GCWR, and gear ratio for what you are considering. We were considering the Winnie 27N vs the Newmar. 27N was 18k gvw and 4.88. Newmar is 20.5k and 5.38.

Spot on. Even with a DP. They are not created equally. As an example a lower cost DP might have a Cummins ISB mated to an Allison 2500 transmission. The Allison is a bit of a weak link in the set up with a weight limit that may restrict your GCWR. Don't shop base on the hitch but do the math. The Thor Palazzo and Tiffin Red both fall into this category. Both are good rigs but they don't have the tow capacity you might need. The Palazzo literature as an example lists a 10K hitch but if you go by the listed GVWR and GCWR the chassis is limited to 5K Lbs.