Is a Toy Hauler for just dirt bikes? worth it?

[95jersey]

I am really torn here. Caught the toy hauler bug and can't get it out of my mind, but I am wondering if it is really the right choice for me or am I just "toy struck" at the moment? I know this is not the toy hauler section, but I need some honest feedback.

Here is my quandary, my family doesn't have a big interest in camping and 80% of the time I use it for just myself and friends at enduro/dirt bike race events. Up to now, we just load the bikes in the truck bed, attach the trailer and were off with little fuss. It works.

I assume for folks that carry quads or side x sides, a toy hauler is a must, but should I spend the extra $$$$ on a toy hauler for just dirt bikes? Toy Haulers are expensive and I would be spending $15k in addition to my trade to get a comparable unit. I mean what do you really get vs just putting the bikes in the truck bed? At the end of the day, all I can think is that you get some privacy/security during tow as well as weather protection.

If I look at those two benefits, as far as privacy...your already with the vehicle as you tow, and when you unload at the campground/race, you have to leave the bikes on the outside to sleep a group of people anyway. As far as weather, dirt bikes especially, are designed for mud/rain/dirt, so your not really hurting them if they are caught in a rain storm?

I am just nervous that I am being impulsive. I own my trailer outright, it is still fairly new, and in good condition. While it would be nice to upgrade to a larger trailer and get the benefit of toy storage all in one, am I wasting my money in buying a toy hauler for just 2-3 dirt bikes?

[normal_dave]

Hmmmm. If the family likes the current trailer, and you really just want to support the dirt bike hobby, and keep your current truck and stay withing a budget...Are you handy? Build your own cargo conversion, and presto! a portable dirt bike man cave. Have the family participate in the design, and you might never go back to a production built trailer. The cargo conversion will have steel tubing in the walls and roof vs. wood framing. Any size, your design, Example:
7x18 Cargo Conversion for dirt bikes

[Dirtclods]

95jersey If you have a lot of steep grades you'll be challenging your 2018 Ford F150 3.5TT. If you can rent or borrow a trailer you may rethink your choices. You said~ ( I own my trailer outright) if you go bigger you'll need to take in to account just what you truck can handle Not just being mind full of what the sticker says you can pull.

[trail-explorer]

95jersey wrote:

I am mindful to stay within my boundaries. I am looking at 30' bumper pulls at 5000-6000lbs. I have a 2018 Ford F150 3.5TT with full tow package and 3:55 gears.

NO good for towing a big toy hauler.

a 30 footer (about 12k loaded) is 2500/3500 Diesel territory

[Dirtclods]

Frist off do you want a small Toy hauler or a huge one with a garage. It sounds like your fine with a small travel trailer then load your bikes in the back of the pick up. Do you dry camp a lot or use hook ups? Would you use a generator. With a travel trailers the furniture is a bit nicer in my opinion, but you can upgrade anything on a Toy hauler for a price$$ Also how much fresh water do you want to carry?? Depending on your truck Travel trailer's are lighter then most Toy haulers so you won't need a huge truck to tow one. I would suggest you go out with an off road group a few times with a rental Travel Trailer then a Toy Hauler . And If it's raining cats and dogs at night and you want camp you'll need to unload yoru bikes out of your Toy Hauler your going to get wet. Not unless you only have one because you can load it sideways but if you have six bikes like me I'm getting wet unloading. And you'll need to lock all you bikes up outside your trailer as well and I'd suggest zip tie some small bells on the cable. And when your bikes are in your trailer lock them as well. It takes two seconds to get into any trailer.

[Blackdiamond]

95jersey wrote:

deltabravo wrote:

drsteve wrote:
You get to stay within the payload capability of your truck.

We don't know what make/model/size truck he has.

I would never tow another toy hauler without a diesel truck.

I had a 6.0L gasser and a 21SW Desert Fox for 6 years - that thing was heavy. 35 mph up Snoqualmie pass was the norm.

2 years ago I delivered a 21 SW from Northwood factory to Boise, with the 2006 truck in my signature. It was STILL heavy, and I was towing it EMPTY/Dry... with a Duramax.

I am mindful to stay within my boundaries. I am looking at 30' bumper pulls at 5000-6000lbs. I have a 2018 Ford F150 3.5TT with full tow package and 3:55 gears.

Real weight on a 30ft bumper pull toyhauler loaded is going to be about 12,000 lbs

[tchil]

95Jersey, I have a toyhauler without a garage. I don't know if you have looked at one of those or not. I personally like it because it is so flexible.

When we go on trips without the toys it is super roomy and can be completely setup before we leave the house. When we haul our 4 quads it still allows us to use the top bunk for stopovers on the road on the way to our destination.

We like to boondock for the privacy and the cost savings so the built in Genny and 150Gal fresh water are important to us. I have hauled canoes, kayaks, bicycles, quads and even a Suzuki Samurai in it over the years.

It really boils down to what you like to do and what the best "tool" for that job is.

Flexibility has been very important to us since it ends up meaning we use the trailer more often for more things. Lake trips, Bicycle Trips, Sightseeing, ATV trips, etc sometimes all of the above on the same trip.

[Sam_Spade]

1stgenfarmboy wrote:
but I 'WE" wanted the TT to be more like a home than a garage with a bed in it.

I have 2-1/2 beds......and none of them is in the garage.

[95jersey]

deltabravo wrote:

drsteve wrote:
You get to stay within the payload capability of your truck.

We don't know what make/model/size truck he has.

I would never tow another toy hauler without a diesel truck.

I had a 6.0L gasser and a 21SW Desert Fox for 6 years - that thing was heavy. 35 mph up Snoqualmie pass was the norm.

2 years ago I delivered a 21 SW from Northwood factory to Boise, with the 2006 truck in my signature. It was STILL heavy, and I was towing it EMPTY/Dry... with a Duramax.

I am mindful to stay within my boundaries. I am looking at 30' bumper pulls at 5000-6000lbs. I have a 2018 Ford F150 3.5TT with full tow package and 3:55 gears.

[95jersey]

deltabravo wrote:

95jersey wrote:
... am I wasting my money in buying a toy hauler for just 2-3 dirt bikes?

Yes, because you are allowing yourself to get caught up spending money on your friends by buying a toy hauler.

If you and your family had motorcycle adventures, I'd say DO IT.
but don't do it to support your friends.

Your wife will say WHAT THE (&@$ are you spending that much money for in order to haul your friend's bikes?!?

Actually my wife is OK with it because it is larger camper (30') than we have now, is nicer and has private bedroom, so in her eyes it is a family upgrade regardless of toy hauling capability. We have a 21' TT now and you just sleep and eat in it...that's it. I don't think she enjoys it because how small it is. It was my first camper and I bought it in cash to try it out. Maybe they would enjoy it more with a bigger camper? I don't know.

I wish my family rode with me, but it is just not meant to be, so I HAVE to look to friends. I REALLY REALLY enjoy offroad dirt biking (always have), and unfortunately my friends are like most people, that will just sit around and let life pass them by on the couch. I am the one kicking them in the rear telling them lets go on adventures. It is what it is, but in the end we all get to ride exciting places and enjoy ourselves. If I want to ride, I end up being that one who pushes the others.

It is a hard decision. I can afford it, but the smarter frugal side tells me to stay with what I have....ugh.

[1320Fastback]

I ride and race motocross at many southern California tracks, go to the desert to ride, go to the dunes in Glamis and as far away as Idaho. To me a toy hauler is worth every penny!

To each their own though.

[deltabravo]

drsteve wrote:
You get to stay within the payload capability of your truck.

We don't know what make/model/size truck he has.

I would never tow another toy hauler without a diesel truck.

I had a 6.0L gasser and a 21SW Desert Fox for 6 years - that thing was heavy. 35 mph up Snoqualmie pass was the norm.

2 years ago I delivered a 21 SW from Northwood factory to Boise, with the 2006 truck in my signature. It was STILL heavy, and I was towing it EMPTY/Dry... with a Duramax.

[deltabravo]

95jersey wrote:
... am I wasting my money in buying a toy hauler for just 2-3 dirt bikes?

Yes, because you are allowing yourself to get caught up spending money on your friends by buying a toy hauler.

If you and your family had motorcycle adventures, I'd say DO IT.
but don't do it to support your friends.

Your wife will say WHY THE (&@$*&* are you spending that much money in order to haul your friend's bikes?!?

[deltabravo]

Sleeping with the motorcycle is what I didn't like about the toy hauler I had.

[rbpru]

An RV is a hobby, dirt bikes are a hobby, my HAM radio is a hobby. How much do you want to spend on your hobby?

Also watch the tongue weight, toy haulers can be a bit heavier.