Toy Hauler RV - Tractor Questions

[oliver2-44 9,753]

As some of you may recall we bought a used 2019 Class C about 2 years ago.  I went the Class C route as I only have a 1/2 ton truck with the smaller Ford 5.0 engine

The wife and I have really enjoyed it.  we use it about once a month for a short getaway

My one son with 3 kids have left the grandkids with us and used it a few times. Says its too small for 3 kids

My other son has used it with one and now two kids, but says its getting too small.  He would like us to trade to a Toy Hauler.

He likes the way the newer models back ramp door can lay out level with a mesh fence and make a outdoor porch for their young kids,

Did I mention he has a dirt bike, wakeboards or surfs behind a para-sail etc. 

He is currently working on buying a low mileage 3/4 ton truck to use for his Wakeboard Summer Day Camp business.

He's offered for the family to use the truck the 42 weeks a year his business doesn't use it. 

Of course my part of the deal is to trade the Class C for a 26-30 ft Toy Hauler.

I like the idea of being able to take 2 -3 tractors and visit some more distant shows.

I've thought about buying an enclosed trailer to pull behind the Class C. 

 

So, how do you prep and haul your tractors?

Do you just turn the gas off, or do you drain it?  Do you seal the gas cap vent to seal in fumes from gas sloshing around when you drive.

I might add my wife's nose puts a blood hound to shame.  If I walk in the house after using even a touch of paint thinner, carb cleaner, etc., I better be heading for the shower!  I get in the dog house a lot for this!

If we stopped the RV for lunch or at our destination and opened the door to it smelling like gas or gear oil I'd have hell to pay, especially if the grandkids were along and "had" to breather that all weekend. 

 

Do they have enough tie downs in the floor or do you add some more rings or some of the tie down rails?

 

Since the Toy Hauler "garage" is in the back does it effect towing/trailer balance/driving when you add 1000-1200  pounds to the back of the trailer.

 

What other things come up hauling these little tractors?

[ri702bill 8,323]

You may want to ask @Pullstart - Kevin has a travel trailer with the Ge-rage area at the rear. He may also tell you that you are light on carrying 2-3 tractors. He can probably stuff 12-16 in like cordwood if needed...

[Pullstart 62,887]

I was already on it @ri702bill 

 

I really enjoy our 5th wheel toy hauler and the way it hauls behind Norman.  The axle placement seems different than a standard 5th wheel however and some day, I’ll learn how to back it up efficiently!  I can’t say I notice the difference in pulling when it’s loaded or unloaded.  It’s just backing up that is still odd.  I have been hauling trailers for quite a few years before tractors and campers too.  Boats, deck overs, gooseneck, bumper pull, you name it.  
 

Most toy haulers have a fuel dock on them, so you can haul empty if you choose.  The hard part, is timing the, to run out just as you load them!  The ramp is quite steep and I can’t imagine NOT power loading.  All you hauler garages have ventilation built in.  There are generally two vents, one high and one low.  You can scoop air with either, or dump air with either.  Either way, they are still 2x2 construction on wheels and things move.  Our glass slider shuts and locks but still manages to open.  The furnace and a/c ducting are shared between the garage and living quarters.  There may be power vent options, it’s worth looking into.

 

I’ve made due with the tie downs provided.  The floors have a pre-determined tie down layout and the D rings are recessed into the wood, but sandwich the rubber floor.  Pretty much you deal with it and get creative.  Our garage is 8’x13’ and can fit 4 tractors, corn hole boards, and a few odds and ends comfortably.  I could probably fit 5-6 small machines if I tried hard.  This year, the RJ58 is the feature at the Big Show and I really wanted to pour a big selection of RJs out of the rig but the girls want to have their pick or show machines this year and I’m not going to argue if they want to participate.

 

Did I do ok?  Any questions I didn’t cover?  @WHX?? has his bumper pull Wolf Pack with an open floor plan.  The tractors are in the living room/bedroom/kitchen area while hauling.  His lungs and sniffer probably tick on napalm and palmall so there’s that…

 

Looking for pictures, I was reminded of this - make sure the tire shop gives you high pressure valve stems!  The extra toy weight over or behind the axles can push air pressure past the rubber valve stems and the wheel!  Also, if that new 3/4 ton is a long bed, there’s always room for one more little guy in the bed.

Edited April 12, 2023 by Pullstart

[WHX?? 48,815]

 

10 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

.  His lungs and sniffer probably tick on napalm and palmall so there’s that…

I'll chime in when I have time to get long winded and some pics. I just so happen to have 4 tractors stuffed it right now. It doubles as winter storage. 

[Pullstart 62,887]

2 hours ago, WHX?? said:

 

I'll chime in when I have time to get long winded and some pics. I just so happen to have 4 tractors stuffed it right now. It doubles as winter storage. 

Mine too, after 39 days of rain, it was dry enough to come out of the barn today!

 

 

[squonk 41,118]

I love it when family members chime in with "If you buy this you can use my that! " 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,561]

Something awfully familiar about this picture... 

 

@Pullstart expertly packed my newest E141 in the toy hauler and my yard art in the truck bed when he delivered them from the Big Show last year... 

 

 

"Shoe Horn" is Kevin's middle name!!!

 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Saaawweeettt  pics there Sylvia... sure does define our brotherhood!

Kev what the heck you gonna do when my girls grow up and you guys are empty nesters? Warning it comes quicker than you think! Keep it all for grand kids some day I guess. 

Sorry Ollie but you opened up this can of worms!

I'll get you some pros/cons of having a toy hauler.

Edited April 13, 2023 by WHX??

[WHX?? 48,815]

5 hours ago, squonk said:

I love it when family members chime in with "If you buy this you can use my that! " 

Well it helps if you get along with your family members... ahem...

[Pullstart 62,887]

5 hours ago, squonk said:

I love it when family members chime in with "If you buy this you can use my that! " 

I bought a backhoe and dump truck on one of those deals, but the other end of the deal never came through!  

[squonk 41,118]

9 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I bought a backhoe and dump truck on one of those deals, but the other end of the deal never came through!  

Were you supposed to get an Olympic size swimming pool in the deal?

[Racinbob 11,081]

19 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Since the Toy Hauler "garage" is in the back does it effect towing/trailer balance/driving when you add 1000-1200  pounds to the back of the trailer.

 

To me this is likely the most important issue. We've had RV's the best part of our lives. Everything from a truck camper, travel trailers, a 38' fifth wheel and a 34' class A. Loading and the proper hook up equipment is critical. A travel trailer should have 10-15% of the loaded weight on the tongue. A fifth wheel is about 20%. Obviously throwing upwards of a ton behind the axle will pull weight off the tongue. It must be taken into consideration. That kind of weight on a 25-30 footer is a LOT. It could exceed the max. 

Once you're satisfied with the loading and total weights use the proper hitch. A weight distributing hitch is a must. Even on the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. They are a little more forgiving but the geometry is the same. Even though the bigger trucks may not be sagging tongue weight on the rear hitch still removes weight from the front axle. The proper hitch balances that out. I always used dual sway controls too. They are fully adjustable and I'd fine tune them until I liked the feel. 

An unbalanced and improperly connected trailer can and has taken control of many tow vehicles. I've seen is several times and it invariably ends very unpleasantly. About the only chance of saving one is to manually apply the trailer brakes and let the trailer straighten out. 

 

[953 nut 55,238]

20 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

The wife and I have really enjoyed it.  we use it about once a month for a short getaway

My one son with 3 kids have left the grandkids with us and used it a few times. Says its too small for 3 kids

My other son has used it with one and now two kids, but says its getting too small.  He would like us to trade to a Toy Hauler.

I like the idea of being able to take 2 -3 tractors and visit some more distant shows.

I've thought about buying an enclosed trailer to pull behind the Class C.

Isn't it funny how kids want you to buy what they want rather than what fits your needs.       The enclosed trailer is the best idea in my mind, tow it when you want it and leave it home when you don't need it. Your sons could use the trailer as a bunk house/play room for their children when they use the Class C, problem solved!   

[WHX?? 48,815]

20 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Since the Toy Hauler "garage" is in the back does it effect towing/trailer balance/driving when you add 1000-1200  pounds to the back of the trailer.

No ... it might lessen tongue weight a little. But these things are already tongue heavy. Much of the cargo weight is over the axles. 

As Bob mentioned tho I could use a hitch to transfer some of the weight to the front. Mine does not sway at all unless high winds push it. 

Dan and I took it all the way to the BS one year fully loaded with no issues other than a blow out. Probably due to cheap factory tires and very hot road conditions. His heavy Radfpherd was loaded at the rear too. Rat rod loaded in the front sideways. The flame in the middle. Two more short frames in the rear with Madge @AMC RULES photo bombing.

Plenty of tie down rings are factory mounted on the floor. Very little gas smell as there are vents as Kev mentioned. Quickly dissipated once opened up. 

Edited April 13, 2023 by WHX??

[wh500special 2,184]

On 4/12/2023 at 2:22 PM, Pullstart said:

Mine too, after 39 days of rain…

 

 

One more day of rain and you’d be trading it in on an ark. 
 

steve

[wh500special 2,184]

I’m just a bystander in this, but looking at toy haulers from the side seems to consistently reveal that the axles are pushed further rearward than on regular trailers.  I’d presume this is to lessen the chances the tongue goes light when the garage is packed to the gills. 
 

Probably makes them a little too heavy (perhaps) on the tongue when unladen. 
 

Steve

[WHX?? 48,815]

I believe you are correct Steve. Not only are they tad further back the water tanks are more far forward making tongue weight. When making long hauls Kev and I run with the tanks empty then fill at or near destination.

I forget what my freshwater tank holds but the weight has gotta be somewhat substantial. 

Short hauls to shows I fill before leaving. 

Only tank in back of the axles are the gas tank which supposedly holds 30 gallons. 

Empty most of the time ... can't afford to fill it with high test! 

 

On 4/12/2023 at 11:01 AM, oliver2-44 said:

So, how do you prep and haul your tractors?

I just run them in and do nothing. Winter storage run the carb dry and pull the battery. I put carpet on my floor but then sheets of cardboard down for the ones that pee. 

Edited April 13, 2023 by WHX??

[SylvanLakeWH 25,561]

5 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

I put carpet on my floor but then sheets of cardboard for the ones that pee. 

 

Man, you sissy-fy them tractors or what? Carpet? 

 

Oh wait...

 

er...

 

uhm...

 

you did have heating blankets in addition to carpeting for my little A 60  girl while you were trailering her during that snow storm right...  

 

And puleeze, she had private restroom facilities available correct? 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Nope ... she went in buck naked Sylvia. I think a 1054 and a 633 mighta lifted a leg on her too...

 

Only con I can think of @oliver2-44 is these thing are built cheap nowadays but what isn't I guess. 

Things starting to go on mine already.

Sun is just a killer on them.

Exterior lights going to heck already @ five years old.

Water heater control module less than a year old went out. 

Some excellent forums out ther, almost as good as here ❤️, that help with maintenance and upkeep. 

 

[squonk 41,118]

23 hours ago, WHX?? said:

 

 Very little gas smell as there are vents as Kev mentioned. Quickly dissipated once opened up. 

 

How bout after the BBQ and Mac and Cheese? 

[oliver2-44 9,753]

@squonkhas the idea. Maybe some blue cheese and sauerkraut to cover the petroleum gas smell.

Thanks for the comments. Good info about the axle location being a little more rearward