Can anyone recommend a good book or some place to do quick research on selecting a TH? I am new to RV'ing, wanting to travel one week at a time exploring national parks and places to ride ATV's and dirtbikes. TV is 2003 GMC 4X4 Diesel 2500 - everthing else will be newly purchased. I have read that some places don't accept TH, some people like shorter ones than longer ones, on and on. Many mfg, too much choice. Been reading forum for a couple weeks - just too much data to absorb and get comfortable with a decison. Budget in the $40k to $50k, if convinced it is a good value.
I am not aware of a book but there is a sticky with all the manufacturers that y-guy put here. Its at the very top I just go look at the list every once in a while to see if anything new comes out.
You will find a lot of help here, You might even get confused with all the help.
Are there books on buying a new car? or even buying cloths? probably but then you will be getting what the author wants you to buy and not what you want, And it will probably be really outdated. Try going to a few RV Dealers in your area and walk around, take your time. Check out all the floor plans. Yes, There are many to choose from which means there is probably one out there that will suit your needs. Sit down with your wife and make a list of all the necessities you will need in your coach. With that budget you can get just about any trailer you want that you can tow within your limits which is anything under your tow ratings. Here are a few major things to consider:
Tow behind or 5er ?
Separate garage?
How many can sleep?
being in Dallas you will probably want 2 a/c if you want a bigger trailer.
brain freeze maybe someone else will help me continue.
Good Luck.
2007 WW FSW2800 Billet Ed.
2005 F250, PS, Lariat, 4x4, 6" Fabtech lift, 35" Toyo Open Country M/T E Rated Tires, Fox shoxs, Indash GPS, DVD, 2 Cameras, Sirius
2007 Yamaha Raptor 50cc
2006 Honda CRF 450
2005 Honda CRF 50
2003 Suzuki GSXR 750
2007 BMW M5
y0manda gave some great advice above...go to a mega-dealer and look around. See what you like and what you don't. There is ALOT of really ugly designs/fabrics out there that I wouldn't be caught dead in, no matter what the price. Alot of others don't agree though...hence the popularity of Raptors!!
Your truck will handle all but the biggest, giant toy haulers and as flat as Texas is, it could probably still pull those w/o a hiccup. 5th wheels are generally considered to be safer and easier to pull but you do have to incur the extra expense of a the hitch set-up in your truck.
At the price range you've thrown out there, you can get darn near whatever you want. 90% of the TH's out there are less than $50K. *Generally* speaking, count on 25% off the sticker before tax & license.
Go out there, see what the family likes and doesn't like, then come back and hit us with all your questions.
HEY!
Raptor owner here!!! and our black onyx isnt that bad...anymore!
it was rather loud at first you can flip the cushions and they will be solid and dust wipes right off but we have since seen quite a number of, what the heck were they thinking?
Our least favorite are the little palm trees and whatever that hideous pattren in the orbits was!!
Have no clue whats up with the wild interiors maybe we just are not telling them we dont like them?
you really should go poking around in person find a few you like and then ask about those models, Thats what we did 3 times so far!!!
4SEASON wrote: RV.NET is probably the best source of info available
yep. I would consider it the best. Welcome to the forum. Couple of suggestions. Provide more info on the toys. Type, how many, etc. This is important to determine how much room you need for them. Do you plan on expanding, i.e. side x side, more quads, bikes etc.. With your budget and TV, you should be able to get a pretty large TH. I would narrow your search down to fivers as they tow better, easier to hook up, and feel and usually are more spacious. Another recommendation is to go as big as you can. I can't think of one person on here that wishes they would have purchased a smaller unit. Spend this weekend looking at various brands at your local dealers. Gather all the brochures that you can. Make note of the MSRP and remember most people are getting 25% off. So you would be looking at THs anywhere from $50k to $63000. So keep that in mind. Under no circumstance get caught up in the hoopla of the RV salesman. Most of them don't know their product as well as people on this forum. Come back here and ask more questions about the ones you saw. Hope this helps.
BTW we really like our Raptor and would purchase another one. Take a look at the Fuzion, KZ line up and Heartland Cyclone they are all nice rigs.
Traveling Whitehouse
2006 Keystone Raptor 3612DS
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 CC LB DRW Duramax LLY 4x4
Reese 20K Hitch
Prodigy Brake Control
2007 Honda Rincon & 2000 Honda Rancher
What do you want to do with your toyhauler? A guy from California who mostly goes to the dunes generally doesn't worry about having a 40 ft RV. A guy who takes his TH camping and likes to frequent state parks might might be more concerned about getting into tighter camping spaces. IMO, the sweet spot for 5th wheel TH's is somewhere around 34' for most needs. Not too big, not too small.
What/how many toys do you have? Do you need 10 or 15 ft of cargo space? Do you want a separate garage or like the more open space provided after the toys are unloaded?
I've only heard of two RV campgrounds that didn't accept toyhaulers on this forum. I don't think it's a big problem.
Make sure you opt for the generator and fuel station. I would also opt for two A/C units especially for someone in TX.
Thanks for information. What you are saying is pretty much what I have been finding. Maybe it's not such a big decision, just seems like it. I plan on getting two ATV's, probably Kawasaki's, and I already have one KX 250F. Have hunted for years, but don't do that anymore, so this is kind of a replacement activity, but hopefully more year round. Don't really plan on any other toys. I think a 12 ft garage will be fine, but I do want a wall between the toys and living area. You are correct, the dealers are not too much help. Each thinks his is the best and the others are junk. When I ask specific questions, I get a lot of "I don't knows." They haven't been to helpful with what I think is true information. I just learned there is an RV show Dallas in January. Think I will wait until then. It'll give me more time to read the forum, look around and think about it. Thanks again.
Wonderful Idea the rv show!!! many models to look at and no dont listen to them they do say "theirs" is the best, The best is what your family likes!!!
our raptor and others are new in the market for "fancying up" the toyhaulers some folks dont like our dedicated garage some do, we love it we do both types of camping TH-ing and non Th-ing so for our needs its perfect. Problem seems to be with most is you dont know what you need/like until you buy it and then you are kinda like well ya know if this was here or there so thats just a consideration you should remember someone here said they should let you try them out for a few trips I think that would be great.
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