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A newbie RVer here, and we are doing reserach on an RV (5th wheel) and tow vehicle (HDT). Plan on going Full-Time next Spring. The RV will be a built (NH, Spacecraft, ?). One of the issues we have gone back and forth on is having a toyhauler versus a "regular" RV. We really do want that flexible "second" room for hobbies (HAM radio, electronics, RV "projects"), visitor bedroom (HappiJac Bed), working out when cold, hanging out when hot, a general "messy" workspace, and the storage of toys (bicycles, potentially a SxS, etc.). Garage would be 10' (preferred), 11' or worst case 12' 6". So this either results in a very long RV or you compromise living/kitchen spaces to keep the length to a "regular" size RV. Regular size 5th wheel: 40', Toyhauler 5th wheel 45'.
So, to you FT toyhauler users out there:-
USE: What do you use your toyhauler garage for? Multiple uses? Flexible room or just a "dirty" garage? Wish I had less garage? Wish I had more space (FT RVer never say that )?
USAGE: What kind of usage do you get out of the garage space? Use it all the time, seldom, can't do without it, wish we had a bigger living room? How long have you been using your toyhauler? If you have big toys (motor bikes, SxS, small car, etc.) you store in the garage, do you generally remove those big toys when you camp for a few days or a week? Or does it become a hassle and you just use it as garage storage?
All insight and experiences would be greatly appreciated.
We haul a Yamaha Rhino. When we get somewhere we unload it and use the garage for a shop. I fly radio control airplanes and I store them above the ATV and can build them when the garage is empty. We also use the patio a lot, it gives us a third living area.
If you're a person who lives/works/plays in a garage doing projects at home you will miss that on the road...I did. So we upgraded to a TH and I'm a happy camper now.
We have a DRV Full House with a 10' garage. It hauls a motorcycle while traveling but when parked the garage becomes a multipurpose use area to include 2nd bedroom (drop down Happijac bed), sewing area for spouse, computer room for me and another area for pets to hang out. It really opens up our space to the point where we don't feel so crammed in on a rainy day. Plus, the ramp drops down to a deck if you so desire (assuming that the site you are in has the space). The only caveat is that because of the 45' length, you do have to do more research into campgrounds that can actually accomadate you. So far, a little more challenging than anticipated (we are on the East Coast currently) but doable.
Bottom line, no regrets on our decision to get this rig.
We haul a Yamaha Rhino. When we get somewhere we unload it and use the garage for a shop. I fly radio control airplanes and I store them above the ATV and can build them when the garage is empty. We also use the patio a lot, it gives us a third living area.
If you're a person who lives/works/plays in a garage doing projects at home you will miss that on the road...I did. So we upgraded to a TH and I'm a happy camper now.
YMMV
Red
Thanks Red. Appreciate the experience. I have lots of "projects", so I think we will go the same way. Did you have to compromise space in the living room or elsewhere or did you just go long?
We have a DRV Full House with a 10' garage. It hauls a motorcycle while traveling but when parked the garage becomes a multipurpose use area to include 2nd bedroom (drop down Happijac bed), sewing area for spouse, computer room for me and another area for pets to hang out. It really opens up our space to the point where we don't feel so crammed in on a rainy day. Plus, the ramp drops down to a deck if you so desire (assuming that the site you are in has the space). The only caveat is that because of the 45' length, you do have to do more research into campgrounds that can actually accomadate you. So far, a little more challenging than anticipated (we are on the East Coast currently) but doable.
Bottom line, no regrets on our decision to get this rig.
Tim
Thanks Tim. Appreciate you sharing your experiences. We had looked at a DRV JX450 online and found a dealer with two only 600 miles away!! Unfortunately, I had to have shoulder surgery and by the time we got back to looking they were gone. Nothing available like it in the left half of the country. We did go to the dealer and look at a different model, but my DW did not like it - 12' garage and ate up too much of the living room. Now we are looking at a very similar layout (JX450), from another builder. Still 45' which is a bit scary - towing and finding locations. I'm out West and people tell me the same thing, the sites are there but you got to do a little more recon. Plus there are lots of BLM areas where you can boondock, if setup for it.
We have a Momentum 380TH by Grand Design (it's discontinued now) but what we liked about it is you can watch the TV straight on from the recliners, we don't have to look at a 45 degree angle above the kitchen area to watch tv. It has a 10' garage and has a gross traveling weight of 19,500#, so it can be pulled with any off the lot one ton dually truck. Grand Design manufacturers an upper end mid-class trailer and doesn't try t compete in the DRV (upper end) line of trailers. With luxury comes weight and the need for higher capacity tow vehicles.
In our opinion we didn't sacrifice living space we added to it with the garage and porch.
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