Toy haulers are so named as they were originally created specifically to haul toys: cars, ATVs, motorcycles, kayaks, snowmobiles and anything else people wanted to use for the day or week or however long their excursion. Now, toy haulers are still used for those purposes, but the other amenities available can resemble travel trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes.
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Types of Toy Haulers
Toy haulers are recreational vehicles (and are thus sometimes called toy hauler RVs) that hitch to towing vehicles and transport your toys, which could be anything from full-size vehicles (including racing vehicles) to ATVs and motorcycles and other motorbikes to dune buggies, golf carts and other small vehicles as well as kayaks, snowmobiles and just about anything you need to get from one place to another.
While toy haulers may resemble travel trailers or fifth-wheels, a toy hauler is distinct in that it has a garage door in the rear allowing you easy access to your toys stored in the dedicated space. The rest of the enclosed trailer can be outfitted however you like: full living quarters? An office? Entertainment area? The options are limited only by the size and towing capacity of the toy hauler.
Toy Haulers for Hauling Vehicles
When buying a toy hauler specifically for hauling vehicles (particularly racing vehicles), there are a few additional things to consider.
- Do you need extra storage for tools, gear, parts and other equipment?
- Do you need space to work on your vehicle, essentially making your toy hauler a traveling garage?
- Do you need living quarters, either as a temporary respite at the track or for regular living on the road?
- Do you need custom paint and branding on the outside of the toy hauler?
All these things are possible as you customize a toy hauler, all depending on exactly what you prioritize with your trailer. Or, if you’re looking at a used toy hauler for sale, the presence of these amenities is worth considering and might help you make the best purchase for you.
Toy Hauler Common Sizes and Capacities
The sizes and capacities of toy haulers can be very different from one to the next. Here are some of the most common sizes and capacities:
- Length and width and height: Most toy haulers are 35-45 feet long and the maximum 8.5 feet wide. Height will vary based on what you need and want, but most toy haulers are 10-12 feet high although some go up to 13 feet.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): A toy hauler’s GVWR will depend on its size, axles, composition and other factors. Generally, a toy hauler will have a GVWR of 14,000-23,000 pounds, but it’s possible to find trailers on either side of that range.
- Payload capacity: Subtract the weight of the trailer from the GVWR and get the payload capacity, which puts the payload capacity of most toy haulers around 7,000-11,000 pounds.
- Tongue weight: The recommended tongue weight (downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer’s tongue or coupler) for travel trailers is 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight, including the load.
Towing and Hitch Needs for Toy Haulers
The right towing vehicle and the right hitch are essential to a safe, smooth hauling experience of all toy haulers.
- Hitch type: Fifth-wheel toy haulers will require a fifth-wheel hitch. Some other types of toy haulers may use a bumper-pull hitch.
- Hitch class and rating: Hitch classes range from Class I to Class V and most toy haulers, depending on the size, will need a Class IV or Class V hitch. Fifth-wheel toy haulers require fifth-wheel hitches.
- Towing vehicle capacity: Check your owner’s manual to find your towing vehicle’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR) and make sure you can safely tow your loaded toy hauler.
- Braking systems: Toy haulers towed behind your vehicle will have electric, hydraulic or surge brakes to assist with control and stopping while towing heavy loads. Tail lights, turn signals and reflectors are often required by law.
Toy Hauler Pricing
The price of a toy hauler depends on a lot: its size and construction for sure, plus any added amenities. The average price of a toy hauler can get close to $90,000, but you can find some basic models for as low as $20,000. Some luxury models packed with add-ons and furnishings can go for as much as $200,000 or more.
Toy Hauler Add-ons and Extras
Toy haulers can be as basic or as extravagant as you want. With the rear of the toy hauler reserved for your vehicle or other toys, you can tailor the rest of the toy hauler to be what you need it to be. Whether that’s full living quarters with customized furnishings or an office or an entertainment area or a workroom with benches, shelves and more, your toy hauler can be anything you want within your budget. A lot of potential add-ons are similar to those of travel trailers:
- Beds for you and everyone traveling with you, if you’re looking for a place to sleep.
- Fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms.
- Couches, chairs and tables for socializing and dining. Televisions and sound systems for entertaining.
- Furnaces and air conditioning keep you comfortable in all climates.
- Custom flooring, benches, cabinets, shelves and other storage systems if you want your toy hauler to also function as a garage or work area.
Popular Toy Hauler Brands
Some of the popular trailer brands buyers consider when purchasing a toy hauler include:
- American Coach
- ATC Trailers
- Cargo Mate Trailer
- Dutchmen
- Featherlite Trailers
- Gold Rush Manufacturing
- Grand Design RV
- Haulmark Trailers
- Jayco
- Keystone RV Co.
- Pace American Trailers
- Winnebago
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