Community Forums

Ryan · 06-23-2013, 10:16 PM

Even though I'm interested in bumper pull Toy Haulers, I figured I'd ask this question here since there are more people here.

Since I have a 2500HD Duramax truck, I'm not limited to 'lighter' Toy Haulers that are often geared towards 1/2 ton trucks. But the different Toy Haulers I've been considering are ranging in weight from 5500-8500 lbs (approx. 32'-35' bumper pull Toy Haulers). Obviously the lighter ones are going to tow easier and more comfortably, but are the heavier ones going to be better constructed? I'm wanting to get a very heavy duty, well insulated, durable Toy Hauler that I can take off road and am surprised at the range of weights I'm finding in different Toy Haulers at the same length.

So in general, is it safe to assume that the heavier units are going to be more 'heavy duty' and stand up to more off road use with increased longevity? Or are the lighter units going to be 'better'? Again, if weight isn't an issue, is heavier often 'better'?

Some of the 'lighter' units have just as big of tanks as the heavier units as well.

Skip426 · 06-25-2013, 11:14 PM

Never owned a toy hauler but I'll throw this out, and this is truly JMHO. Based on the ones friends have had and others I've seen.
Far to many toy haulers sacrifice structural quality ( weight, strength of materials ) in order to allow a bigger box payload. So the most durable unit may well be the one with the least amount of payload. Built solid, you can't haul tons of stuff , but you can't break it.
Friend bought a 5er toy hauler , triple axle , 2years old , loaded up for his first outing and blew 2 tires in 150 miles. Advertised Cargo Carrying Capacity was 3500 lbs. when he emptied it out and weighed it , the factory dry weight was out by 1100 lbs. So his actual CCC should have been 2400 lbs. He sold the 5er within 2 months of buying it. 2 Quads , groceries and water on board and it was overloaded. He had 4 quads on board when the tires blew. Lots of space but you couldn't use it.

Ryan · 06-26-2013, 12:15 AM

So the Toy Hauler itself was ok, it was just the tires that were overloaded and blew? So the Toy Hauler itself must have been really heavy, so is that then an argument to try to stick with a 'lighter' weight Toy Hauler?

menoble · 06-26-2013, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

So in general, is it safe to assume that the heavier units are going to be more 'heavy duty' and stand up to more off road use with increased longevity? Or are the lighter units going to be 'better'? Again, if weight isn't an issue, is heavier often 'better'?

Generally no, heavier isn't better, unless all that extra weight is in a stouter frame, axles, wheels, etc.

Skip426 · 06-26-2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

So the Toy Hauler itself was ok, it was just the tires that were overloaded and blew? So the Toy Hauler itself must have been really heavy, so is that then an argument to try to stick with a 'lighter' weight Toy Hauler?

The tires AND axles were rated to the 5ers GVWR, they were both overloaded, tires gave out , not sure if the axles were damaged.
Moral of the story . Know how much weight you internd to carry and before you buy, have the unit your looking at weighed, to make sure the actual trailer weights advertised are correct. He made the asumption that the CCC of 3500 lbs was accurate and it wasn't.

FastEagle · 06-26-2013, 01:36 PM

Item #8 in he reference applies.

Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory--Trailers and Heavy Trucks

FastEagle

BCooke · 06-26-2013, 01:44 PM

http://rvsafety.com/2011/09/understa...rhome-weights/

Also explains CCC relating to towable trailers.

menoble · 06-26-2013, 01:45 PM

I wonder if by any chance the tires that blew were on the same side and had been exposed to the sun for the past two years (lot rot)?

menoble · 06-26-2013, 02:05 PM

Long ago, somebody got the idea to put living quarters in a utility trailer. Then later somebody else got the idea to put a big back door on an RV and call it a 'toy hauler'. For example, a 26' Work 'n Play unit has a 6,445 lb. CCC, whereas a 27' Hyper Lite has a 2,500 lb CCC. Apples to oranges.