Community Forums

zaniac · 01-20-2013, 09:31 PM

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I have just started looking for an RV. We have been talking about this for a few years as a way to enjoy our upcoming retirement. Both of us are due to retire in 2017, so we're on the 4-year countdown. (Early retirement--we'll both be turning 55.)

I have a full dresser Harley that my wife and I enjoy touring around North America on. So we are definitely looking for a way to incorporate that into our travels. I was hoping to go with a 5th wheel, but now see that there is no proper/safe/legal way to carry the bike behind the trailer. A toy hauler wasn't in the cards, but may be now.

We attended our first show today (Toronto RV Show and Extravaganza) and learned a lot from the very friendly and knowledgeable sales staff.

So, we will be on here doing a lot of research and trying to learn as much as we can before we actually pull the trigger in the next few years. We hope to find out more about trailers and the trucks that pull them. From what I have seen, this is a forum filled with friendly and knowledgeable people, so bear with us if we ask questions.

Thanks!

Steve
Toronto

SarahW · 01-20-2013, 09:40 PM

Hello and welcome to iRV2!

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-21-2013, 03:39 AM

Welcome.

Bruce C · 01-21-2013, 05:25 AM

Welcome Steve and enjoy the group. Good luck on your search and retirement.

Gadget63 · 01-21-2013, 05:42 AM

Howdy and welcome to the forums. A nice used diesel class A motor home would fit the bill. You could purchase a used enclosed trailer for the Harley and a small car. Food for thought.

John H... · 01-21-2013, 06:04 AM

Steve, welcome to the forum. Was just at the Pittsburgh RV show and there were a lot of toy haulers there. Would be perfect for a full dresser.

MSHappyCampers · 01-21-2013, 09:21 AM

Hi Steve! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you decided to join us!

Hope you can find just the right rig for your needs.
Retiring at 55! WOW! That's great!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

sdennislee · 01-21-2013, 10:45 PM

Hi and

zaniac · 01-22-2013, 06:05 AM

Hi All,

Thanks for the kind welcome! The next big show coming up in my area is a 15-minute drive from home, so we'll definitely be going to that. It's the Toronto International RV Show February 28 - March 3. Toronto International RV Show

Looking forward to learning lots here and at the shows!

By way of background, I am a paramedic and have been for thirty years now, so retirement can't come soon enough! I was also a tactical medic (SWAT) for five years and have had the pleasure of doing some awfully cool things in that role. I also enjoy writing, particularly screenwriting, though none of my stuff is up on the big screen yet.

Hope to share more info with you all around a campfire out on the road somewhere, some day.

tuffr2 · 01-22-2013, 08:12 AM

Not sure what your budget is but there are three nice ways to go.

1. MH toy hauler.
2. MH towing a motorcycle trailer
3. 5th wheel toy hauler

I would guess by the time you guys retire there will be some really nice options.

Fyi - currently the 5th wheel toy hauler are the ones with the wacky paint jobs. Like lightning bolts or words like 'Extreme'. Not sure they would sell one of these to a 55 year old...lol, just kidding.

For me - it would be cool to have the garage area. I would lean toward MH toy hauler. That way you can eliminate the minor hassle of towing.

ARollingHome · 01-22-2013, 08:45 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum. Lots of great info here. You are in a good position as a buyer. With no trade you can easily look at both new and used. Take your time and dream big. Happy trails.

winniman · 01-23-2013, 02:23 PM

hey zaniac. welcome. i live in muskoka a couple hours north of toronto. i have a touring yamaha that i pull behind my motorhome. works for me. i considered the toyhauler but a couple people i know have one and complained about the fuel and oil smell in the living quarters. dont know if this is a problem for all of them but if you want to travel regular i wouldnt want that issue. whatever you chose happy trails.

FC Ontario · 01-24-2013, 10:50 AM

Welcome to the forum. I live in Kitchener and have family in Toronto so we visit it very often.
Our camping group will have a booth at the Hamilton show on Feb 1-3 and we will be there some of the time, probably on Sunbday from 1-closing. Love to talk to you if you make it.
Send me a PM and I will give you contact info.

kenandterry · 01-24-2013, 11:08 AM

Welcome aboard Steve!!

I'm a born, raised, worked and retired from, Torontonian now retired in the Prince Edward County area.......that chunk or land jutting out into Lake Ontario down South of Trenton/Belleville. Also, my wife and I have two wheeled on our Wing for more years and miles than we care to rememeber.

We went through the same deciding game as to how to take our toys with us and RV at the same time. With the size/weight of our bikes, you really have to study the toy haulers carefully when it comes to the design/strength of the tie down mechanisms. A lot of them have attachments for small bikes, or even ATV's that really don't have much weight that wants to fall over, but not up to the job of holding a full dressed bike upright. Then there's the price and size of the pickup needed to haul the rig..........ain't no F-150 gonna fit the bill!!

We ended up going with a Class A motorhome, because we already had the ultimate motorcycle trailer. We just decide these days if we want to tow the bike for making runs and sight-seeing or tow the car for those other trips.

Good luck.

There's a ton of help on these boards...........just ask.