JPK, I agree 100 %. I think in some cases the differing opinions are based on the use of older trucks that may not be as capable as the 3rd gens....due to frame/brakes etc. I believe on our trucks the biggest concern is the weight rating on the tires. I know my rear axle weight empty is around 3000lbs. So If my rear tires are 3000 each (give or take) x 2 or 6000.....I have roughly a 3000lb pin weight capacity in a 5th wheel configuration and would want to stay below that and maybe a little extra below it for added safety margin. Dodge under rates these trucks for their own liability reasons. That's my 2 cents and maybe not worth that.

 

If you are expericed on pulling big trailers then dont worry what people say, eather you do it or dont. this thread will end up turning into the law says, i know people that, just do what you fill ok doing.

 

As usual, I'm probably against the majority here, but first of all I would advise against using your tow vehicle for off-roading.

Also, If you are planning on living in the trailer (full-timing as it is often called), I'd advise against a toy hauler for doing so. Toy haulers don't typically make good use of the space for more permanent type of living. For longer-term living, the garage area is essentially useless, unless you plan on sleeping every night on a fold-down cot or eating dinner every night on the stowaway table in the garage. You might want to check out a toy hauler and analyze how full-timing would work before getting one. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of toy haulers (or living quarter trailers), as it combines your living space with your garage or barn. Most things that go in the garage or barn areas are smelly, dirty things that then turn your living space into a smelly, dirty area. A little spilled gas, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, rear-end grease, (or horse poo and urine, hay, etc in a horse hauler with lq) or countless other pungent things go a LONG way in such a small enclosed space. For getaway weekends, that may be tolerable. For every-day living, I don't think it would appeal to most people.

When full-timing in a single spot, people tend to set things up where it is not as convenient to move the trailer for the occasional weekend getaway. It tends to be more of hassle to get everything ready to move the trailer, knowing you have to set it all back up again in a few days. If you are on the move constantly, you tend to get a routine of how to setup quickly, what to set up (or not set up), etc. When you're in one spot, the trailers tend to become more like permanently located homes. You wind up with intricate setups for power, water and sewer lines. You end up using space around and under the trailer for storing things. You make sure the trailer placement is EXACTLY where you want it, and EXACTLY level when you plan to live in it. You tend to pack the inside with many more things than you would while traveling or using just for recreation. You put things out on counters and tables that you wouldn't while using it just for weekends or full-time traveling. Not saying you would never use it for weekend getaways, but it certainly becomes MUCH more of a bother to get it road-worthy and move once you've settled in.

Not sure what you are wanting to tow in the hauler section of the toy hauler, how long your getaways are, or how far you typically go for your outdoor excursions, but there may be other options. If you are looking at living in the RV, maybe one approach would be a motorhome and tow a trailer with the goodies onboard. If you decide not to live in it, maybe something like a slide-in truck camper and a tag trailer would work. If you don't travel far, perhaps two separate trailers (and make two trips if necessary). One to camp/live in, and another for the toys (though you still face the issues of trying to use a more permanent setup for getaways). Not trying to rain on your parade, but you are looking at a substantial investment in truck and trailer. If you're talking new for both, based on prices around here (not sure where you are located) the cost would be equivalent to a decent home. You definitely want to think this one through before making a potentially large financial mistake. I can enjoy time roughing it as much as anyone, but would never consider full-timing with a toy hauler. If I were full-timing in anything, I'd either plan to have it mobile and never set up some sort of "home camp", or I'd set up a "home camp" knowing that the RV is essentially useless for anything besides a rarely moved park home (kind of defeats the purpose of an RV in my book).

 

Your problem will be the pin weight on that trailer will be in the 4300-3400 lb range. That is the 20-25% of GVWR of the trailer. Empty, you may be fine.

 

jkitterman, are you reading any of this thread????? Amazing, so many experts and not one that has posted any real numbers, but so quick to say it's unsafe or can't be done.

SEE PAGE 1...there's a picture of a 40 foot toyhauler behind a 3500 SRW truck. And it's pin weight is 2,950 lbs. And it's well within RAWR specs. I've scaled it 100 times from Sunday.
Here's another little bit of information for the mis-informed about what a toy hauler is. Toy haulers have some of the best use of space, the rear garage can have 2 queen size beds that are hid in the roof area and can come down when needed,toy haulers have larger storage tanks because they do more dry camping, toy haulers are built stronger to carry weight. The down side of a toy hauler is the cost compared to a normal TT/ 5er. A toyhauler will cost on and average $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 or more for the same size tow trailer or 5th wheel.
And I can tell you this, toy haulers are not dirty and smelly. If that was the case my wife would of never got in our's. An average toy hauler cost $30-$50,000.00. and the nice ones can run up to $100,000.

 

JPK, I agree 100 percent with your post above too.

If I was going to be a full-time RVer, the trailer you have pictured earlier in the thread is an example of what I would buy. Toyhaulers are superior, imo, in so many ways.

I don't have the money to justify such a nice rig like yours at this time. But for what I do and where I go.....my Weekend Warrior is very comfortable and works great. (I paid 12k) Someday I plan to be a full-time RVer...and something similar to your rig will be in the works.

I foresee me going and staying from 1-3 months at a loc and then packing up and moving to the next. And bicycles, ATVs, or road motorcycle will be part of the plan.


..

 

Sometimes too many options is the problem !

There is so much variety in what is available, what it will do, what it costs, the quality, etc, that one can't make blanket statements pro or con.

I have a 44' toy hauler, with a modest RV section in the front. It has a queen on the deck over the gooseneck, carpet, shower, microwave, roof a/c -heat, hot water, nice counters and sink. It has a 21' garage, and a 6500 Onan genset. This was constructed more for the weekend use, or the race hauler, so the windows in the RV section are limited, and of course, no slides.

I also have a 26' Airstream Safari.

My "toys" run from an 18,000# Fire truck to an ATV, so there is no "toy hauler" constructed that will work for all. I have to haul the fire truck or one of the military toys on an open equipment trailer, so I have a Freightliner with a sleeper.

The Airstream is comfy and cozy, and easy to get into any campground. It is a real issue to find a campground to allow a 44' gooseneck. Plus, one needs access to the rear of the 44' to open the door and to exit with the "toy".

I simply add these comments to point out that with the wide variety, there is something for everyone out there, but so many of these set ups are so different that it takes a lot of investigation and due diligence to find the set up that will work for your needs and wallet. There is no "one size fits all".
Same can be said for the tow vehicle - single or dual ? One ton or medium duty ? 4x4 ? Quad cab ? Toter bed ??

My toy hauler does what it was built to do, as does my Airstream. As pointed out, for a lot of $$$ one can get closer to finding the comfort of the traditional TT and the use of a toy hauler.

I have a number of different vehicles because no one vehicle will do everything I want it to do - have an open bed for hauling, but closed clean and dry compartment for transport - be nimble and agile off-road, but be large enough to haul a heavy load - be sporty and fun, but be big enough to haul gear. You know us guys and our toys.....

 

I’m thinking this was directed at me. A difference of opinion is not necessarily an indication of mis-information or ignorance. I present a different side of the story based on personal experience using toy haulers, and as importantly based directly upon the feedback received from those who own them (and use them to haul off-road toys, ATVs, as it sounded like this person intended to do). Even if what is being hauled is absolutely sterile and non-invasive (like bicycles), the best case is a toy hauler is a compromise between living space and garage space. It’s great that two queen beds can drop from the ceiling. You are still sleeping in the garage, which can be undesirable for some people. You can set up a beautiful bedroom suite in your home garage, but it doesn’t mean it is a good living space. The truth is, most things that get hauled in the garage are invasive, and do leak, and do smell it up. And if you are talking about off-road vehicles, they are among the worst offenders, and they WILL get EVERYTHING dirty. Not to beat a dead horse, but I speak from experience that a small gas spill or leak can make the stay in a toy hauler an unpleasant experience.

No question that the garage area, added water capacity, generator and other things that a toy hauler can offer make weekend getaways where you need to haul something much better. That is why they exist. But if you are living in it, what do you do with the stuff that you are hauling while you need the living space? For those of you with homes that have garages and shops, that’s not an issue. If you are LIVING in the trailer at a campground, it means you are either sleeping with whatever you are hauling, or you have to find somewhere else to store the stuff that you haul. Most people I know that have toy haulers use them for permanent storage for whatever they haul in the garage. That is not an option for a full-timer. I stand by my experience-based opinion that for many people it would not be practical, or desirable, to full-time with a toy hauler.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

I agree with you guys, everybody has there own taste and need what they fill is correct for there life style. There are so many new toy haulers out there that offer a wide range of floor plans, sleeping options, garage wall options, lengths etc. I've seen more new toy haulers out on the road for this very reason.

 

Just a WILD off-the-wall idea but how about a cab & chassis with a flat bed? My recollection is that the rear axle width will be slightly less than that of a dually but you'll still have the added stability of the dual rear wheels. If you don't want duals for wheeling, pull the duals off and slap a set of single mudders on it for the trail. Switch back to duals for towing.

If tire capacity is the issue, consider upgrading to 19.5" tires and wheels. They should handle just about anything the axle will hold.

Just a few thoughts that I don't recall seeing in this thread yet.

 

40' is a BIG trailer. If you have not had much experience, I would start smaller. Even a 32' will seem huge when you have to back that into an RV spot.
For off- road put an ATV in the back. The Big truck can do OK with a good set of AT tires & 4 WD. Just don't go too extreme, it can be a bad day getting it out of the back country.

 

I looked at what you posted for a trailer weight and pin weight. It appears to be about 20% just like I quoted. I used the max GVWR of the trailer and the 20-25% of that as pin weight. I was showing it would be over if the trailer was fully loaded and the pin weight was in the usual range for a 5th wheel trailer or gooseneck. I posted sound information.

 

Sure 20%, but your 4300lb to 3400lbs was off just a tad

 

It was said the trailer had a GVWR of 17200 lbs. 20% is 3440 lbs and 25% is 4300 lbs.

 

Perfect then. Rite on the money.