What You Need to Know About Toy Haulers

Heading to the mountains, lake, or whatever countryside haven you have access to on the weekends is unbeatable. Loading up ATVs, canoes, dirt bikes, fishing equipment, golf carts, kayaks, snowmobiles, and the like on cumbersome equipment racks can make getting to your destination more stressful than necessary.

If you’re an outdoor adventurer who has dealt with this predicament, keep reading to see if a toy hauler is right for you and your crew.

What is a Toy Hauler?
A toy hauler RV combines mobile living space and an equipment hauler into one convenient package with extremely versatile layouts. The back of a toy hauler opens into a ramp for loading your equipment. Toy haulers are also great for boondocking, dry camping, and tailgating.

Understanding the basic differences between each RV type can improve your buying experience. Toy haulers are available in four models: travel trailers, 5th wheels, cargo trailers, and motorcoach toy haulers.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are typically less expensive than other toy haulers, as you are only paying for the interior amenities instead of an engine. Many have living space as well as storage space for toys. Travel trailers only need to be detached from the hitch, making them ultra-convenient. They are excellent for easily loading bicycles, canoes, kayaks, and camping equipment. However, they are generally not designed to transport larger toys.

Smaller travel trailers combine living space with garage space, so they must be unloaded upon arrival if you plan to use the interior living space. Travel trailers are a wonderful way to upgrade your tent camping experience.

5th Wheel Toy Haulers

Fifth-wheelers connect to the bed of a truck using a jaw hitch, which creates greater stability. They also offer more living space and optional features, such as storage areas and fold-up beds or sofas. If you’re interested in something for long-term living, fifth-wheelers might be the best option for you.

When deciding between a travel trailer or a fifth-wheeler, it helps to consider your tow vehicle and its capabilities. A sizeable truck is necessary to tow most fifth-wheelers when fully loaded.

Cargo Trailer Toy Haulers

These haulers only provide storage space; they do not have a living area or sleeping compartment. You can load and unload your cargo without difficulty, as these haulers have a side entry door and a ramp. Cargo haulers work well for anyone who has accommodation sorted and only needs a safe enclosure for their toys.

Motorcoach Toy Haulers

With an all-in-one setup, motorcoach toy haulers offer the utmost in convenience and luxury. They also come with the highest price tags. Since a motorhome combines living space and toy hauling space into one vehicle, there is no need to worry about hitching or towing a vehicle. The main drawbacks of motorcoaches are that they come with the highest price tag and the lowest gas mileage.

Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Toy Hauler

How much your camping toys weigh will play a major role in determining the right toy hauler for you. Always assess the towing capacity of your vehicle before making a decision.

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight a trailer can handle when fully loaded. If you buy a toy hauler with insufficient GVWR, you’ll need to reduce your weight by leaving something behind at home. Surpassing the GVWR has the potential to create issues with your vehicle’s suspension and can void your RV’s warranty.

Consider what you plan to use your toy hauler for and check to see if the structural design and capacity are right for your purposes. Take a look at the ramp design and strength, too. If you plan to use a toy hauler for snowmobiles, you’ll want a toy hauler complete with four-season weatherization.

Toy Hauler Maintenance

Whatever type of toy hauler you purchase, creating a preventative maintenance schedule will set you up for the best experience. Check your RV for signs of water damage and perform a deep cleaning before trips. In the off-season, store your RV in a clean and dry place to maximize its lifespan.

With toy haulers, regularly oiling the hinges on the garage’s entry ramp is key. The systems that hold the auxiliary vehicle should also be properly maintained, so nothing slides around while you travel. Economy RVS in Maryland offers professional maintenance and repairs for your RV toy hauler needs. Call our service director at 301-884-8472 with questions or to schedule.

Toy Hauler and RV Stores in Maryland

If you’re in or around MD and searching for new or used RV toy haulers and campers near me, visit Economy RVS in Mechanicsville, MD to find the right RV for you. Wherever you’re located, you can browse our inventory of new and used RVs online. Economy RVS has been in the RV business for more than 25 years, and we’ll be happy to help you find a great toy hauler for all your adventures and answer any questions as you decide.