Our new ToyHauler

[Dragnflys]

Hello all,

We are new to this TH forum as we have 'down-sized' our dream vehicle - but not our travel plans. We were going the 40' pusher route, but have decided to begin with a Toy Hauler as we have a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Silverado that definately goes with us! What with a huge difference in initial costs, we should be able to enjoy 'the ride' more without worrying about how much we spent.
We have a 2006 Toyota 4-Runner - V-8 - that we will be towing with. The research I conducted said that our maximum trailer weight was 7,000# GVW, so that was what we started shopping around for. What we liked and seemed to suit us the best we a model called the 'Hard Core'. http://www.miragetrailers.com/Toy/Hardcore.htm .



It is 7'X18'. The price was at about $18,000, which we thought was pretty good for all that you got.

But ... we figured that we might be able to do better and decided to build one for us. We located a TrailersPlus dealer in the Portland, OR area that handles Interstate cargo trailers and paid them a visit. On their lot was a beautiful 18' trailer.


OK! $6,300 vs $18,000. We could modify to our personal taste quite a bit with an $11,700 savings.
We towed it home that day! We knew we were going to install an equalizer hitch w/anti-sway and we could 'feel' the trailer behind us even at 2,300# dry. With the hitch now installed you have to remind yourself that there's a trailer back there!
It's now my project to customize it to our specs. We will have a water inlet, but no provision for hot water at this time. No holding tanks. A 5 gal. bucket will be under our sink. We will have a PortiPotti ... for emergencies.
It is being wired for a 50 Amp service in order to have the capability for future add-ons, like air-conditioning, demand water heater, etc.
We plan on utilizing RV parks almost exclusively ... their showers and such.
We'll just have to see how it goes.
All of that said, if anyone has any advice that they would be willing to offer ... I'm all ears.

[high desert]

Nice! Congrats.

[Vette Racer]

Dragnflys

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your project, I'm sure it will be great.

[TEX-CTD]

Welcome now its time to load up and use it woohoo

[TXiceman]

That sure looks like a nice project. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Ken

[justimagination]

What a great idea, and also easy on the pocketbook as well. Welcome aboard, and the Bathouse @ the campgrounds, that's what I do most of the time. I give DW her bathroom because we are always close to Bath house for grand sons if their along with us.
You will look back on this adventure and say, " We did it our way" .
Good luck,
David G.