Looking at motorhomes....have a question

[Eddo Rogue]

So… for you guys bringing up the toy haulers…

I hadn’t really thought about a toy hauler but I’ve kind of been on and off looking for a small RV and came across a guy selling a toy hauler that he had put a few cabinets and a tool chest in the hauler section to make like a little shop area for tools and spare parts to work on his stuff. I really liked that idea until I did some investigation and talking with some people who brought up the dirty truth… toy haulers are designed to be towed loaded all the time with whatever vehicle they are spec’d for. If you don’t, then the weight balance is totally pooched and they tow like poo.

Its not a big deal, just gotta mind weight distribution a bit...can't just cram it all in the back...but yea they do tow crappy ill weighted.

Probably the only time I could see it being an issue is using to haul something heavy for its size in one end like a pallet load or EV battery powered something. I got forklift battery pack that dont take much space but is 2100 lbs, something like that it likely couldnt carry very well or at all.

Im totally pro toy hauler at this point. Otherwise a 4x4 sprinter towing one of those off road trailers for the toys....but thats a few zeros more in pricetag(s)

 

[JohnnyO]

No, the common 3 valve issues were never seen in the E-series. The most common “big problem” we saw with the V10 in the Econolines at work was cracked exhaust manifolds.

Consider Gale Banks headers if you happen to run into cracked manifolds.
My bud has JBA's on his V-10 F-250, they were cheaper than OE manifolds and I think Banks makes them for RV's. He put the full Banks Power Pack on his 8.1L Chevy Class A and the difference was phenomenal. Headers, exhaust, and CAI. He figures it's more than paid for itself with what he's saved in gas. I've driven it before and after and it's mildly frightening for a 28' RV, accelerating while going UPhill.

 

[don4331]

When was thors corporate buyout? Those seem to be the ones we both like. Not obnoxiously big but nice inside.

Honestly if it were up to me id hit craigslist and buy one of the late 80's/early 90's class C fords i see everywhere for 5-10 in nice shape.

But the wife is adament nothing that old.

Wasn't it Thor which lead the corporate buyout of all the "independent" RV manufacturers, starting in 80s?

 

[don4331]

So… for you guys bringing up the toy haulers…

...toy haulers are designed to be towed loaded all the time with whatever vehicle they are spec’d for. If you don’t, then the weight balance is totally pooched and they tow like poo.

They don't tow like poo necessarily, they are just very tongue heavy as the alternative is they would be tongue light which would make towing dangerous. Note, the extra tongue weight isn't just the toy or lack thereof: The propane and battery as also on tongue - 2- 30lb propane tanks and group 29 battery add almost 200lbs on the ball. (Which kind of makes it impossible for a Ranger to tow an empty toy hauler).

If you re-adjust the WD on your hitch, they tow fine - but the load is quite significant, probably to point where it needs a different set of bars.

While I really like a slide-in camper:

a. They are difficult to load. Yes, there are tricks to make it easier, but compared to 5th wheel/ball hitch, they are order of magnitude more difficult.​

b. They are bloody expensive - numbers I have are ~3% of market is for slide-ins and manufacturers charge a premium for the "exclusivity"​

c. They are heavy. Actually this is beef I have with the whole industry: "Dry weight" is numbers from CAD assuming ideal materials and no options. Real "wet weight" is often 40% higher (real material, options, battery, propane, clothes, kitchen utensils, food, BEvERageS, etc) e.g. The 76r I had on my Ranger brochure "dry" weight 1,140lbs. Actual weight (including the belly bars) was almost 1,600 lbs.​

 

[JohnnyO]

Wasn't it Thor which lead the corporate buyout of all the "independent" RV manufacturers, starting in 80s?

When I go to the Pittsburgh RV Show I've noticed that the Thor RV's are the least expensive and also look to be incredibly cheaply built.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

check your favorite campgrounds to see if they let older stuff in.

I know about that rule. We generally go to state parks though and its never been an issue. Hell i remember our first trip out with our old camper...hauled it to harrison lake just south of the ohio line. We just bought it and were excited to use it....i came rolling in there at 730pm towing a brand new 30ft trailer with my old 77 F250 with a bad exhaust and something going on with the carb making it run like shit....no one said a word

I think despite this thread we've more less decided on a 5th wheel.

Because frankly i dont wanna spend 1000 dollars a year to tag a motorhome, ontop of a 5-700/mo payment.

If we can find a nice 5'er in the 7000lbish range my old 460 should yank it around fine atleast for a few years then ill replace that too.

i dont know...our minds are alot alike and we both change with the wind lol

 

[ryan]

This is why I'm looking more into the overland style campers for the rear of my truck, actual RVs are very expensive and I feel like all that stuff is made so poorly. It would only be a couple hundred pounds and could live on my truck. Comfortable place for sleeping is really all I need personally. All the other stuff isn't too horrible to get into either with showers, etc. The big question is does your wife need a nice toilet that goes with you?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

This is why I'm looking more into the overland style campers for the rear of my truck, actual RVs are very expensive and I feel like all that stuff is made so poorly. It would only be a couple hundred pounds and could live on my truck. Comfortable place for sleeping is really all I need personally. All the other stuff isn't too horrible to get into either with showers, etc. The big question is does your wife need a nice toilet that goes with you?

Toilet, shower, comfy bed....

If it were up to me id buy a truck cap, seal it good and toss a air matteress between the wheelwells.

Women are expensive

 

[Shran]

So what I'm hearing here is don't buy any camper unless you've got a 1/2 million to spend on some fancy name, custom built, top dollar camper.

Truth is that unless you get into the top tier, high budget stuff, they are all horribly built. Just like the cookie cutter houses they are popping up everywhere now.

I don't think it's too much to ask that the doors are installed straight, seams in the bathroom are caulked, bumpers aren't welded on crooked, small stuff like that... I have seen all of those on new campers and it's not like I am out looking for problems. My in laws bought a new camper a few years ago and the tires were mismatched and the murphy bed ripped off the wall the first time they used it - the screws holding it in place were screwed into paneling and nothing else. I don't know why people are buying these things at all, it seems like every one I look at has a major defect. No wonder American jobs are going overseas.

If I was in the market I would for sure be looking at an older one. As long as the roof hasn't leaked you can save a ton of money that way and the bugs have probably been worked out of it.

 

[ryan]

Toilet, shower, comfy bed....

If it were up to me id buy a truck cap, seal it good and toss a air matteress between the wheelwells.

Women are expensive

I'd love to get an Oru Bruin XL. Have a little chemical toilet and I'm good. Bed stays in there and looks comfortable