DenverRick
colorado
New Member
Joined: 01/24/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
Greetings Everyone!
This is my first post. Im looking to buy a Toyhauler to pull with my GM diesel dually,
instead of my usual method of leap before listening i thought I would ask someone who knows. Its not that I dont trust salesmen at RV lots or some individuals but it seems sometimes they just dont have my best interest at heart. My Grandpa used to say when he sold a horse it was up to the buyer to count the legs. So.. What "legs" should I be counting when looking at Toy Haulers?
Are thier any particular Brands models or configurations I should avoid? We have two harleys about 1600lbs its just us and a pack of dogs (4) I have been looking at used 28footers under $12000 around 2003-20??
What are the advantages/disadvantages of the fith wheel compared to a bumper pull?
I have been told that the FW is more manuverable.
any advantage/disadvantage to 3 axels over 2?
What should I look at first? what are the deal killers? water damage, bucking flooring, sagging walls? ( I got that from the WW forum area)
I would prefer something that tows easily, minimum maintenance, No known issues with parts inexpensive and easily available. (Ill also take a woman that fits that criteria, trade available)
Thank you in advance for all your help!
01 duramax dually crewcab 4x4
08 Harley Ultra
04 Harley heritage
1995 9.6 Lance cabover
2007 Thor 285FW Transport Rocky Mtn edition
various N sundry trailers
|
maryvillept
Jackson, MO
Senior Member
Joined: 06/24/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
Avoid anything with soft spots, ceiling damaged/staining anything like that. I've been through two the last couple years and when you tear into it, the insides will scare you and they are a pain. As far as outside, I will not own a siding model, all of mine are smooth sides (fiberglass). The siding is a pain in the rear to keep clean and does not look as nice.
When looking at a used unit, make yourself a list prior to looking at it and check through your list otherwise you will forget things, trust me been there done that. You've never be able to check everything but check the mains.
1. Water lines/pressure
2. Roof (any discoloration, rips, tears) Get up on the roof itself to see. Don't take anyone word for it
3. Condition of interior
4. Soft spots in floors or soft walls or ceiling sagging (I just push around everywhere, this will tell you if there's been water damage) If there's any sign of water damage,RUN RUN RUN
5. Check a/c's and heat
6. check generator if equipped
7. inspect underbelly (look for cracks in frame, tanks)
8. open and close garage door to check springs (usually will hang about 2-5'' off the ground if springs are good)
9. check lights, radio
10. Open awning and make sure it rolls in and out and check for tears
11. Look at sleeping arrangement and make sure it sleeps how many you need
12. Check refrigerator and freezer (I usually have them plug it in before I get there to see if it cools well. They take a couple hours to cool down)
That's the main things, I'm sure others will point out stuff I forgot. I like 5th wheel b/c it is maneuverable. But I would see whatever you can find that's a better deal for you. Usually fifth wheels are taller and have more head room inside. Triple axle will handle more weight in the cargo area. A lot of guys on here like 16'' wheels versus 15''.
2012 Chevy 3500hd crew cab short bed. 6.0 L, 4x4
16k Reese slider hitch
2007 Forest River Salem 38' toy hauler
|
DenverRick
colorado
New Member
Joined: 01/24/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Hey thanks alot,
Im about done with siding also, it would have to be a killer deal.
whats a better roof metal or edpm? can you walk on them?
|
glamisorbust
Arizona
Senior Member
Joined: 10/14/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I would stay away from anything with a lippert brand frame. I would also stay away from anything built by forest river. The fit and finish is very sloppy compared to other units i've seen. The frames are built of very thin steel and they can bend like mine did. My insurance company put over $10 grand into my trailer that's only worth that(don't ask me why, they should have just totalled it). I have not had a bumper pull but there are draw backs to both. The way a bumper pull handles is definitely not as good as a 5th wheel. But, you can back up and hook up without having to install a 5th wheel hitch. For me, every time I go camping I put the hitch in and take it back out, I use my truck to haul other things. But the towing experience is much better. 2 vs. 3 axle? Depends on the weight. I've heard of guys with 3 axles wearing through tires like they are made of soft butter. If you can help it, just go with a tandem axle. The tires on most of these trailers are 15" rims, and you cannot get a good, long-lasting tire with a 15" rim, only trailer tires. Anything you get, you need to invest in 16" wheels, so you can run load range E pickup tires(less blow-outs). Check everything on the unit to make sure that it works. This includes the fridge, a/c unit, heater, lighting, and anything else it may have as a feature. You have a dually so weight really won't matter, go as big as you want!
|
dsrace
home
New Member
Joined: 06/10/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
well i owned a 2006 wolf pack 30wp I really liked the lay out of the camper. it was a tandem axle and i always thought it should have been triple axle with the 1800 lb sand rail I was hauling in it. it walked my 3/4 powerstroke around in the wind with 1200 lb leveling hitch on as well with 2 sway brakes. 1/2 ton tow able my butt!! I finally put 500 lbs worth of tools and equipment up against the ramp gate behind the rail and that helped a lot. so that unit was too tongue heavy with my load now that rail had to be backed in so the 400 lb motor was in the kitchen. the only real issues I had with the camper itself was the concertone stereo was junk and the fuel station pump failed constantly, either than that I kept the maintenance up and all worked well. that pump had a plastic gear in it and was junk and only used 4 times!! the 225-65x15 8 ply factory tires i changed out to 10 ply which helped as well. 235-80x16 would be better and tow easier. I do believe the camper would've towed better if i would have added shock absorbers. we did enjoy the camper though and it did tow nice behind a buddies 1 ton crew cab duramx. I did sell it a week before christmas and bought a new 295 wolf pack fith wheel toy hauler. just check all the appliances to make sure they work and inspect all seams and sealent on the roof, if it's craked or pulled it wasn't maintained and probably has water damage. you don't want anything with water damage!! check around the wheel wells if it has them cause they are bad about getting that section sealed up there and the floor rotts out. the back corners of the floor as well under the ramp gate, they don't always seal the best and if that is not addressed they get wet and rot too. any discoloration in the ceiling walk away, and imo fiberglass siding is the only way to go. forest river is a cheaper brand and the finish work isn't as good as higher end models but still a nice camper as long as it has been well maintained.
* This post was
edited 01/24/12 09:34pm by dsrace *
|
|
|
ReverendCharles
on the road
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
I would look for one with a Lippert frame, excellent warranty! Lippert recently bought out a large bus frame company and will be making the frames for almost all of the commercial busses and a lot of the motor homes from here on out. Charles
|
DenverRick
colorado
New Member
Joined: 01/24/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
ReverendCharles wrote:I would look for one with a Lippert frame, excellent warranty! Lippert recently bought out a large bus frame company and will be making the frames for almost all of the commercial busses and a lot of the motor homes from here on out. Charles
Some strong opinions on the Lippert frames pro and con.. keep em coming!
How can you tell who made the frame?
|
ReverendCharles
on the road
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
About 80% of all rv's have Lippert frames, if you look at the amount of frames Lippert makes the failure rate is low under 1%. Keep in mind that the manufacturer specs the frame and Lippert builds them to the specs. Your selection will be very limited if these frames are excluded
|
maryvillept
Jackson, MO
Senior Member
Joined: 06/24/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
My forest river is very nice and does not look cheap. It does not look like a mobile home finish job. It has 12" framing under it and I really doubt it will ever fail. To each their own I guess. If you get a FW make sure the front cap is fiberglass. The soft mount ones look horrible after a few years.
|
jetboater454
No Idea
Senior Member
Joined: 07/21/2009
View Profile
|
My lippert frame is doing fine,over 30,000 miles and at times loaded over the 18,000 lb limit. You can usually find the frame name on the tongue somewhere.
"If momma not happy  ....Who cares.I have my TH AND my toys  .
2008 3500 Dodge Ram CTD dually 4X4
2007 Gulfstream Endura Max 40
2001 Polaris Ranger 4X4
Mod Pics
|
|
|
