Community Forums

hpcbmw · 07-09-2020, 01:33 PM

Hello All, I've got a slide in truck camper (Four Wheel Camper with pop up roof) and a motorcycle trailer, but am considering going with a small toyhauler instead (about 20'). My goal is to have my motorcycles (dirtbikes and streetbikes) and mountain bikes safe inside when I'm roadtripping/camping. I do alot of weekends to the coast and mountains here in California. Plus, even a small toyhauler would be roomier than my popup truck camper.

My concern is the fuel smell from the motorcycles. It would seem that if you are sleeping in the same room as the motorcycles, you would smell the gas.

I've seen a couple toyhaulers with a front popout bedroom, which would help the sleeping issue. When cooking, eating, watching TV, etc in the main part of the toyhauler, are you dealing with gas smells? I don't forsee rolling the motos out each time I hang out in the toyhauler, in fact, the reason for the toyhauler is to keep the toys safe inside, instead of locked up outside.

Thanks

redhooker · 07-09-2020, 07:22 PM

I have only owned street bikes and UTVs so gasoline smells have never been an issue for me. I imagine with dirt bikes it may be a different story.

If gas smell is a possibility-you should not consider a 20 foot toyhauler if your plan is to sleep with the bikes stowed. Either stick with what you have (maybe upgrade truck campers) OR go with a larger toyhauler with a dedicated garage.

chunker · 07-10-2020, 03:03 AM

Any gas operated vehicle, bike, go-cart, 4 wheeler, etc, has the potential to have a gas smell if not properly maintained or fueled. I only carried well maintained HD street bikes, never carried fuel in the garage and never fueled in the garage. I didn't have fuel smell but I also had the garage as it's separate room.

dsrace · 07-10-2020, 11:44 AM

i have owned 4 toyhaulers with open floor plans. i have hauled dirt bikes, quads and sand rails. i keep all of my toys maintained and only travel with 1/2 tank of fuel as a general rule. i have never smelt fuel from the toys. now on my sand rail and the quads it is very easy to get to the tank vent end. i take a rubber band , a sandwich bag with a paper towel inside of it and place it over the end. again i as well as many other keep our toys maintained so " gas fumes" are not a problem. apparently there are far more lazy people that do not keep there toys maintained. i say that because the vast majority of toyhaulers coming out of indiana have separate garages any more. the west coast built units do not, they are open floor plans. eclipse, genesis supreme and pacific coach works.

hpcbmw · 07-11-2020, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the input. DS Race, your idea about rubberbands/papertowels and baggies over the vent hose is a great idea! I'll have to test that with my motos in a hot garage or something similar.

Apparently RVs are a hot item here in California (maybe nationwide due to Covid) right now. Everything used is going for a premium price and sells right away. I'll probably have to continue my research this year and look for something used and affordable next year.

dsrace · 07-13-2020, 12:25 PM

so the rv shortage is nationwide. all the plants were closed due to covid. the last bit i heard was most dealerships didnt expect to see new models in until nov, if there lucky. the lots back here are shrinking and 30% doesn't exist anymore. used prices have gone up to as a result of it.