What Toy Haulers to look at?

[poohjeep]

Hi All:

I've got an '05 F-150 4x4, set-up with the tow package, etc. It's rated to pull 9200 lbs.

I've got an '06 Outlander Max XT and forsee a second one in the future. I'm headed up to Montana to my dream home when completed next summer. I would like a fully enclosed (No pop-up, or pop-outs) toy hauler as many of the National Parks in the Northern states require this due to Bear Protection.

What brand and what size should I look at? Also, what options should I get? I don't want to max out my truck and there are some huge mountain passes in MT. I know I should have purchased a Diesel, but not financially capable at the time. It's just the two of us, but we'd like to be able to take another couple with for a weekend outing.

I've got a lot of camping gear and we like to go in the winter, but a trailer would be great. Just this past weekend we met up with my girlfriend's family at Jacob Lake and enjoyed their travel traveler. It was in the Mid 40s during the day and 30 when we left at 7pm, temps were dipping into the 20s already at night.

I'd love to throw the quad in the back, hook-up a trailer, load up groceries, fuel up the truck and head out and not have to worry about the weather.


Any input is greatly appreciated.

Jake

[K.T.G.]

This aint a Ford thing, it's a 1/2 ton thing. Try to look at a trailer, when fully loaded, is only going to weigh around 7k.

I know your truck "can technically" pull 9200+, but you don't want to max (or even come close) to that IMO

I have a 20' Carson Trailer that weighs around 6,500lbs loaded. I can fit 3 quads in it. Even though it's my wife and I's, we rarely have it to ourselves. I have slept 6 adults and 2 children before.

Since you already talked about the hills, it's not fun to have the pedal to the floor trying to reach 40mph up one.

Moose and Gdavis have a 21' WW Superlite that weighes about what mine does and they pull with an F150.

With the PIR race out here last weekend, I saw a Jeep Cherokee pulling about a 27' travel trailer, just because it could, doesn't mean that I would do it. You don't want to be pushed around by the trailer or White Knuckling it when a Rig passes you on the freeway or a little crosswind or headwind picks up.

Go to Orangewood RV (site sponsor) and see what they would recommend. Alot of dealers will just tell you, "Sure it can pull it" Just so they can sell you the Larger Trailer.

Just my .02

[dunenutt]

Warrior makes a superlite trailer that I think a 150 can pull. There are some others also. You are going to max out pretty fast. Even with air bags, and load distributing hitch(which I strongly suggest both). A 150 does'nt have the big brakes, and I dont believe it has full floating axles. I would wory about the whoa alot more than the go. JMO

[poohjeep]

'04 Predator I totally agree with you when it comes to maxing out the truck. I'm a truck driver by trade and I don't want to be pulling 9200 lbs with the truck. I'm not looking for something cheap, but also want something that will be around for years to come. Eventually I plan on getting a 3/4 ton Diesel, but my girlfriend's car took a dump a year ago and we both wanted a pick-up and it was financially feasable at the time. If I was staying in AZ I would just get an open flatbed or even an enclosed cargo trailer and throw all the gear in and go.

We'd love to go in the winter, but would like something enclosed with heat. Just like running north every weekend to get out of the summer heat in Phoenix.

I definetly plan on getting a brake controller, weight distributing hitch and anti-sway.

Jake

[gdavis]

Like Pred said, we have a 21' Weekend Warrior SuperLite that we pull with an F150. Been towing it with that truck for 2 1/2 years and it's got the job done without any problems, though it won't win any races climbing mountains.

I would definently only look at the "lite" versions from any manufacturer. There's some real heavy 21 footers out there.

Between the truck brakes and trailer brakes, stopping hasn't been an issue. You may need some kind of suspension lift in the rear. I use RollGuards which are easy to install and adjustable leaf springs.

I would think the newer F150's with the newer, more powerful Triton engine would do a little better than mine pulling the same weight. Your truck with a "lite" model trailer should do well but don't expect much performance climbing mountains.

Good luck in your search.

[Wolfhound]

Seems like it would be a lot of wear for a 1/2 ton to pull large loads often....JMO & wouldn't do it....[8D]

[Fooll]

If your going to do a lot of long distance traveling your better off getting a 3/4 ton. As for light weights.. I've spent about 2 years looking at what others owned and concluded that WW had the best in light weights when it came to cush (But for a price)and Carson you get a good light wieght that is real affordable.
For what your looking to use it for, i'd go with a bigger truck and a hauler thats a 5th or a TB with alot of storage space.

[larrynvic]

quote:Originally posted by gdavis


though it won't win any races climbing mountains.












It will if'n Larry's behind ya push'n ya ;)

http://www.ridingarizona.com/forum/uploaded/larrynvic/2005111616317_36_2_29 devil.gif
He made me do it!!!

[gdavis]

quote:Originally posted by Wolfhound

Seems like it would be a lot of wear for a 1/2 ton to pull large loads often....JMO & wouldn't do it....[8D]


Probably just as much wear as a bigger truck pulling a proportionally bigger load. I'm still more than 1000# under the towing limit, How many F250's or equilivent are pulling over their limit? That won't cause excessive wear?

2 1/2 years trouble free at an average of more than one trip a month, I think this 1/2 ton has proven it can handle it.

[gdavis]

quote:Originally posted by larrynvic

quote:Originally posted by gdavis


though it won't win any races climbing mountains.


It will if'n Larry's behind ya push'n ya ;)

http://www.ridingarizona.com/forum/uploaded/larrynvic/2005111616317_36_2_29 devil.gif
He made me do it!!!






http://www.ridingarizona.com/forum/uploaded/gdavis/2005111618396_CAKPI3C5.png

[poohjeep]

What does everyone thing about the TravelStar 18SD? I saw a discussion on here about it, I really liked the lighter weight trailer. I also like that I can load my quad (s) on the front. I figure with an empty weight of 4000#s plus the 650 for my Outlander Max is better than 5600#s for a toy hauler, plus gear, water, and the quad. Any input is appreciated!

Jake

[K.T.G.]

Not sure about that, but my Toyhauler is only 4200#s dry and only has 50gal of water, can fit 3 quads sideways or 2 striaght in behind eachother.

4200lbs trailer
400lbs water
900lbs 2 quads
150lbs Gene
200-400lbs misc gear, food, drink, tools (and that's pretty generous.
Still under 6k. loaded.

Pulls easy.

[poohjeep]

04 Predator thanks for the info. What model is your Carson Trailer? I'm comfortable towing anything up to 7K. What options would you consider adding to it, or what options do you have? I plan on going out once a month when I'm home for a few days. Of course when we're on vacation we'll be out longer in it. I want to be comfortable and still be safe on the road at the same time.

Jake

[Fooll]

Here's the web site to Carson funrunners
http://www.carsontrailer.com/subs/trailers/rv_sport/rv_sport.html

[K.T.G.]

It's a 20', I don't know the Model Number, but there's a picture in my profile. I have all the options they offered except a Generator ($3,000) or the Leveling jacks (I have the manual one's). I bought a gene at Home Depot and that works fine.
2 Dinnette Benches that folder into beds plus the pull down queen size in the back. Shower, toilet, Micro, big fridge, A/C, Heater, Awning.
It's not maybe as high quality as a weekend warrior......But I got mine new for 10.9K instead of a WW same size for over 20K...
It works for us, plus it was so enexpensive that it's paid off.

The only options that I would want would be the onboard generator and the Leveling Stands.

[poohjeep]

That's pretty reasonable at 10.9K I have the same feeling I don't want to make payments forever. We just sold our home in Phoenix, we're staying with family up here in Page until next summer. Everything will be paid off except the pick-up and the new house once completed. I may check out the Carson dealer when I'm back down in Phoenix for Christmas.

Thanks again for the info.

Jake

[Fistfull]

quote:Originally posted by dunenutt

Warrior makes a superlite trailer that I think a 150 can pull. There are some others also. You are going to max out pretty fast. Even with air bags, and load distributing hitch(which I strongly suggest both). A 150 does'nt have the big brakes, and I dont believe it has full floating axles. I would wory about the whoa alot more than the go. JMO

Don't the F150s and pretty much all 1/2 ton pickum-up trucks use "C" clip axles? Ya know the type, where the axle is used as the inner bearing race ... [B)]

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