Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Full-Timer Toyhauler


RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:
Full-Timer Toyhauler


Does anyone out there own a toyhauler appropriate for full-timing?  We are trying to figure out a way to take our motorcycle with us and still stay committed to a fifth wheel which is our preference.  So far we've not found a toyhauler that would have enough space when we full-time in a couple of years for just living.  The Alfa Toyhouse and the Glendale Titanium MPRV look intriguing but we don't think either has all-wood cabinetry which we feel we need for durability suitable to full-timing needs.  Any recommendations would be appreciated!

-- Edited by tatkinson at 22:16, 2006-09-10

__________________
Tom and Pam 2004 34' Prairie Schooner 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 dually


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 519
Date:

We are researching the very same thing as you. I want the extra room that a traditional 5er allows and don't really want to give up the bike which is a big part of our lives.


 


While at the Indiana RV Supershow in Elkhart last month we toured an excel 5th wheel that had "fulltime quality" in my opinion. We talked to the factory rep there and they have beefed up the frames and are adding a motorcycle lift capable of lifting 1,000lbs as an option.


 


We are really intrigued by this as it may be a very viable option. We currently have a toyhauler 5th wheel and I don't think we would be comfortable fulltimimg in it.


here is the website for Excel:  http://excelrvs.com/ext_features.htm



-- Edited by Phil Bob at 13:11, 2006-09-11

__________________

Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Date:

In a few weeks, we will begin our full-time adventure and this past Spring we purchased the Glendale Titanium MPRV as our "home on the road".  Before making a decision, I think you have to determine what your priorities are...just like you would if you were purchasing a stick frame house.  After months of research, creating a priority list, and then comparing all of our final choices at the Tampa RV show, we determined the MPVR best suited our needs.


We have a Heritage Softtail Classic and a Lowrider and both fit great in the garage.  We traded out the hide-a-bed couch for two LazyBoys and also changed out the table and chairs for a smaller set.  (We would have done this no matter what we purchased.)  The selling points for us were:



  • the french doors to the garage (creating an illusion of more space - not so claustraphobic)

  • the optional screened porch (additional living space)

  • the finished garage (we can use that space for whatever we want when the bikes are unloaded.

  • the configuration of the bathroom (solid wall separating from the bedroom and no sink in the bedroom).

  • aerodynamic design and king pin position.

We've been on a few extended trips this summer and have confirmed that we made the right decision.  We love our MPRV and are looking forward to making it our home.



__________________
Soon-to-be retired firefighter. As soon as our house is sold, we will be hitting the road, full-time, is our 2006 Titanium MPRV fifth-wheel with our Harleys loaded in the back.


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 163
Date:

My husband and I have been living in our Toyhauler for a year now.  We have a Sunnybrook


391KSURV.  We absolutely love it.  We carry our two motorcycles with us, and tow with our


Ford F550.  When we were looking for a fulltiming 5th wheel, we kept seeing the usual trailers


that were set up for weekend/vacation use.  The Sunnybrook really caught our eye.  Not only


does it have the light weight frame, but it is screwed and glued.....no welds to crack!!  It also


has a wrap around kitchen counter, a loft that is wonderful for inside storage, and lots of


closet space.  Our garage is large enough for both bikes ( cruisers ) and we even have a


plastic rubbermaid cabinet that we added in there.  We also got rid of the sleeper sofa and added two recliners.  We also had several outlets added throughout the rig.  Especially near our table and chairs ( where we use our laptops ) and in the bedroom ( phone chargers ) and in the bathroom ( hairdryers, curling iorns, etc. ).  We found Sunnybrook to be very helpful in all of our requests.   Like I said, we love our rig.  And would highly recommend Sunnybrook to


anyone!! 



-- Edited by Postalpair at 11:41, 2006-09-11

__________________
Postal Pair
Living the Dream and Loving it

http://www.postalpairretired.blogspot.com





RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 35
Date:

Hi,

Phil-Bob is right we were with them on that little trip. those were very NICE. I think they were called an Excel, heavy weight, we have also done a little suring about and found a line called KZ escalade sportser toyhauler. That has alot of great stuff to offer. We just don't want to give up our Bushtec trailer, which we think could be something we can use to go and do laundrey, or shopping to haul stuff instead of using the truck. And we really DON"T want to give up our MOTORCYCLE ( RED 2004 Goldwing 1800). We also have Tucker our Black Lab that will need to stay out in the garage when we are gone and I want to have a screen door on the back loading door.However we realize over the next 5 years changes will be made to up grade ToyHaulers even as we write now. We have an All American Sport 5th wheel, by Forest River.

Hi Phil-Bob.....

Aloha, Deb

__________________
2008 Bighorn 3670RL
2007 One Ton Dodge DRW, CTD with exhaust brake
2005 Bushtec Roadstar Trailer
2004 Corvette Red 1800 Honda GoldWing
DZ


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 35
Date:

I'm also trying to figure out what to do about taking the bike, as we're going full-timing asap. We already have the fifth wheel, an Excel LKO Limited 35 ft. We stopped at the Excel plant on the way to LOW in Des Moines to tour the plant and find out more about the Hydra-Lift. Was all set to go this route until attending the weight safety class at LOW. The info I got there pretty much discouraged me from hanging a thousand pounds off the back of my trailer. Doesn't sound like a whole lot until you figure in the distance it is from your rear axle. I believe the frame of the Excel is plenty strong enough to handle it, I am just concerned about what it would do to the handling of the trailer. Also it's $5000.00 to install it, and my trailer would be the third one they had done. Don't want to be someone's guniea pig. Right now I'm leaning towards Blue Ox's Sport Carrier II. It has a swivel wheel which supports 1/3 of the weight. Other than pulling a trailer behind the fiver, I don't see too many options out there.

__________________
2008 Excel Wild Cargo 39 ft; 2008 Ford F-450 King Ranch; 1997 Valkyrie (Bumblebee)


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:

Hi,
You should take a look at the Carriage line. I'm sure they have toyhaulers and all their trailers are warranted for full time use.
Fred

__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”


RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:

Wow!  Thanks for all the expert advice!  Funny, but we have considered each of the RV's mentioned but it's nice to hear from those of you who have actually experienced rving in them.  We have found joy in the "hunt" so instead of getting frustrated, it's actually been fun to look for the exact right "fit".  We've had many rv's over the years but are unfamiliar with toyhaulers.  We love our current Prairie Schooner but bought it before the motorcycle.  Little did we know how much we would love the motorcycle.  It definitely has to go with us when we full-time so we're just going to have to find what works best.  The new Excel sounds very interesting.  We were not aware of the new feature.  Thanks again for your help, everyone.  What a great community of folks....thanks to Howard and Linda for bringing everyone together!

__________________
Tom and Pam 2004 34' Prairie Schooner 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 dually


RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:

Thanks, Phil, for your helpful information.  With the news about the Excel, we are now very interested in finding one to look at.  Even if we don't get the motorcycle lift (quite an expense at $5,000), we figure we could get a custom made carrier to put on the back.  Our bike isn't a big Goldwing like yours (although we wish it were!) so getting it up there shouldn't present too much of a problem. Thanks again for your help.

__________________
Tom and Pam 2004 34' Prairie Schooner 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 dually


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3721
Date:

Some good friends are using a Nomad Rampage 365 fiver toyhauler for full-timing and are quite happy.  They carry a motorcycle, have a desk and computer setup, and carry "stuff" in the garage.  Yup, looks like many of our garages from the house days, packed.



__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 35
Date:

Since we are going to be working fulltimers and need two modes of transportation. We are going with an extra 10ft enclosed trailer as our garage.  Leaves us enough room for the bike, a small deep freeze for extended stays, and some tools.  The tools are for helping our new friends that might need it some day. (arr arr arrg)  


This will work until the Toyhaulers are out for a few more years, after all it is us that guide and direct the market.  Knowing how we all are, they will come a long way in the very near future.  We have never had any problem with parking, every park has been very understanding.  Sometimes we have to park the trailer in a storage area or extra parking area, only one park wanted more $$$ to park the extra trailer.  This will also help me with wieght until my better half convinces me that I do not need the extra kitchen sink after all.....   Any one need a sink? hehehe


15 days and counting....................



__________________
Life is full of Choices.......... Ours is 2007 Montana 3400RL, 2003 1 Ton DRW Dodge QCLB 4x2, 2004 Durango, 1991 Harley FLHTC in 10ft enclosed garage on wheels. Plus Bailey our Great Dane.


RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:

I have seen several people carry their bikes on their MDT or HDT. It is just another way to get the job done. It does make their tow vehicle a little long, but weight is usually not an issue for the truck or trailer.
There is an HDT rally in Wichita, KS at the end of the month, and, there will be a lot of different ways to haul the toys! I went to the one last year and no two trucks look alike.

Steve


__________________
Exseedman


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 519
Date:

Tom and Pam,


Good luck in your search, be sure and let us know what you decide on.


I wanted to expand a little on my comment of us not being comfortable in our toyhauler for fulltime. I was being specific about the model that we currently own, not toyhaulers in general. Ours is a single slide and after seeing ones with the bedroom slides, well "WOW" it adds so much more room and storage for clothes and such. We too have thought about fulltiming in a toyhauler and have not ruled it out completly. We want to take our time, find the right unit for us so we don't have any coulda, woulda, shoulda thoughts while on the road.


Phil



__________________

Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us