New member - RV toy hauler brand advice?

[jhsellers]

Hello all.

I'm new to the forums, but not new to RVing - been camping since childhood, in all portable homes, from tents to pickups, to trailers. Wanted to say hey and ask for general advice for toy haulers.

Wife and I are looking at toy haulers. It's been a while since I've investigated travel trailer manufacturers, and I don't know which brands are better. We looked at Work and Play a few years ago, but now we've become more serious about a potential purchase.

A local dealer has a couple of models available that we like - similar floor plans that appeal to us. (Camping World, for other advice for dealer preference - I've read a bit about potential pitfalls with this particular retailer?) The two that interest us are Work and Play 30WRS and Dutchmen Endurance 3706.

I know that new Work and Play models are not built the same as previous units, without a full metal roof, and without full metal trim and million-mile bolts. Thus we've been searching for a used unit, with the previous build quality. The Camping World network has access to a used Work and Play, but it's several hundred miles away, and so we can't inspect it personally.

This particular dealer also has a new Dutchmen (Keystone) Endurance 3706, which has pretty much the same features and floorplan, with one additional slide out. From my initial investigations, it looks like this Dutchmen Endurance lineup may not be but a couple/few years old.

Can you guys help with suggestions about the build quality of Dutchmen/Keystone travel trailers vs. Forest River Work and Play models?

I like the idea of a new unit - Dutchmen - with warranty, and non-used, plus I'm leaning toward the Dutchmen, as it appears to have better finishing that other Work and Play units I've seen previously. (I also like the second slide out, even though the kitchen island doesn't give that much more living space than the Work and Play 30WRS.) But I don't know anything about the build quality of Dutchmen trailers, even though I do know the name has been prevalent in camper manufacturing for many decades.

I have looked at Forest River Work and Play models for several years, so I know that prior year models have had good reviews about the trailer construction. However, getting serious about a used unit that is several states away has me concerned.

I welcome any and all advice and comments.

Best regards,
John

[Rubirose]

We had a 2007 Keystone Raptor Fifth Wheel Toyhauler. It was the shortest model of raptor at the time at about 33 ft. It was the wide body with a 10 ft enclosed garage. We owned it from used and had it for five years, the last two years we had it was at our lake lot so it got used more than when we were boondocking with the quads. It stood up well, was warm in the winter when we used it a few times, pulled like a dream, even on gravel roads at speed, hubby kept checking mirror. Was not fancy, not for fulltime living for sure but served our purpose. The only thing we had to repair before selling was the moulding under the queen drop down bunks in the garage, it had worked it's way loose. Bought it for 24000, sold it for 20000. Not bad.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi John! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

We've never had a toyhauler so can't offer advice on that. Noticed you are new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!