Toyhaulers? Any 1/2 Ton owners out there using one

[lbk]

I'm considering a Toy Hauler, and some of them appear as if they should be able to be towed by a 1/2 Ton pickup. Note I'm reffering to the lightweight models such as Weekend Warrior, or Carson lightweight models.

The truck will eventually get upgraded too, but for now I need to find a Toyhauler that can be towed by the 1/2 Ton until that upgrade can happen.

Also people that have them, what issues do you have, or what do you like about yours? Also post your make and model too as I'm not sure I am aware of all of them yet either.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I have been looking at them also but I have recieved some words of caution lately from people in the know that the State Police nationwide are on a big crack down on people towing illegally (though most people don't know they are). There has been such a massive increase in the number of people towing that it has become an issue now. I know of trailer sales businesses that have gotten nailed for minor violations with rather expensive fines, while towing the trailers they sell from the manufacturing facility to their lot.

     The things to consider are numerous. 1st is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your tow vehicle. This includes the weight of the truck, a full tank of fuel, all passengers and luggage, plus the weight the trailer adds to the vehicle on the hitch (usually about 10% to 15% of the weight of the trailer is on the truck - for a ball pulled trailer. 5th wheels carry 15% to 20% of the weight of the trailer on the hitch pin- so this will quickly surpass the GVWR of most all 3/4 tons and lighter trucks. Even 1 tons can quickly go over the GVWR if you have 4 people in the vehicle).

      Next is the weight rating of your licese plate, no matter what your GVWR is. Next is individual axle weights when loaded (both for truck and trailer).

     I went and weighed my 2002 Ford F250 Turbo Deisel and it was 7500 pounds with me in it and a full tank of fuel. My plate is only good for 8000 pounds. That means with 4 people in the vehicle I am over weight!

[lbk]

Wow!! That is SCARY!

So basically you spent the money for a HD truck but legally can't tow anything more than one bike in the bed?

I guess I will have to weigh our truck, because based on the numbers printed on the door, and in the manual. Theoretically I should be able to pull up to 8000lbs which means to me more like 6000lbs. But if that hitch weight adds that much then I might be in real trouble.

Where can you go to weigh your truck? Just a scale station on the side of the road? How does that work do you pay them? Also can they weigh individual axles as well as the entire vehicle?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really don't want to get something that I can't haul safely, and especially not legally. Because I've heard that through TN is one of these areas they crack down on, and that is an area we travel through frequently.

[Jeff]

You'll be hard-pressed to tow something big with a 1/2 ton vehicle.  I spent the season towing my 7x23 V-nose trailer with my 1/2 ton van.  It did okay, but labored pretty hard.  My gas mileage went to about 7.

The weight of the trailer loaded was around 7000lbs.  I'm picking up a used 1ton diesel van next weekend...

[lbk]

I was hoping to stay below 7000 I was looking more like 5800 loaded. And 24' is what I'm considering anything larger I wouldn't even attempt.

Thanks for the info though, that is exactly what I need to help. I know already that a bigger Tow Vehicle is in the future, just want to know if I can manage for a season before that upgrade. It would space out the purchase of a toy hauler and then the new truck which might just make it possible.

[Jeff]

The main difference that you'll have working against you with your toy-hauler versus my v-nose, is that I stuck with a 7' width whereas most any toy hauler will be 8.5'.  Plus, the height of my trailer is just about even with my van top, so air flows nicely.

If you're using a truck, put a topper on it to deflect wind.  

The transmission and rear-end on a truck will treat you better than my van as well, but still will be taxed.  Oh, you're also looking at needing some air shocks or some other form of rear-end stiffening...

[lbk]

Thanks that info does really help. I know we'll be looking at a couple things to even make it possible. We'll need a new hitch for the truck, a load balancing hitch with anti-sway, and possibly a transmission cooler.

It's still easier though to purchase those things then take a hit on trading a 2003 truck in. I guess I will have to also see what the total comes to for all these items we would need maybe that will be enough to offset the amount needed to trade.

Again thanks though, it does help to hear the differences between the trailers and what experience you've had.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I should also add a few more things. You can go to a truck stop along an interstate to get your truck and/or trailer weighed. They give you total weight plus individual axle weights. If you will always be towing the same load in your trailer it's a good idea to weigh your trailer loaded with all your stuff, just disconect it from your tow vehicle leaving it on the tongue jack. This way you can get the tongue weight (optimum is 12% of the total weight of the trailer), just move stuff around till you get it close and remember how you have it loaded for in the future (mabey take a photo of how it was loaded just for the hell of it). An aproximate 12% tongue load will give you the best control while towing. Also make sure that the trailer is level when fully loaded and attached to your vehicle. Too high or too low will cause the trailer to wander around (same with tail loading too much weight on the trailer).

     My truck has a GVWR of 8800 lbs.(though I have an 8000 lb. plate)  but I have to go to a 8000 to 12000 lb. plate to get to the trucks GVWR. That plate is $135 per year as compared to the 8000 lb plate which is $78 per year. Also some states don't allow trailers over 8' wide on roads other than interstates and Class 2 roads (or you can go a certain distance away from one of those specified roads down regular roads, in Illinois it is 5 miles I believe). Go to your drivers facility and get the towing rules of the road for this application in your state. The same also applies to the plate on your trailer, get the proper weight class plate for what you are going to use it for. There are significant price increases at certain weights, my plates are over $100 a year just for my trailer! (10,000 lb. plate, since my trailer is 4400 lbs empty and is a car hauler).

[Steviebee]

Toy Hauler !!  

Im jealous !  You going to run the whole season this year LBK ?

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Dave what are you planning to haul? Just the bikes?

[the_weggie_man]

Good info. I was about to start asking some of the same questions already answered here.

The Wegman Fund is looking for a Toy-Hauler to use as a rolling store at the race tracks. I have an F250 turbo diesel to pull it with.  Just need to find a trailer dealer that wants to donate the unit or give us a screaming deal in trade for some advertising on the rig and our new website coming up soon.  ;D ;D ;D

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     Man am I on a roll here, I just can't shut-up!  ;D

     Another issue with the toy haulers is if they have a bathroom and/or kitchen area with refrigerator, stove, and microwave. Most of the time all of these options are usually located in the front half of the trailer which puts quite a bit of weight on the tongue of the trailer when it's not loaded with bikes. A 27' toy hauler trailer I have been looking at has a hitch weight of 900 lbs. empty. Another source of weight will be the water in the water tank, which in this case has a 100 gallon tank. Since water is something like 6 or 7 lbs per gallon, times 100 gallons, that adds another 600 to 700 lbs to the trailer. Depending on where the tank is located will determine how much that water adds to the tongue weight, which in turn affects the GVWR of your tow vehicle. What will help this situation is to load your bike(s) as far back as possible in the cargo area. By adding weight to the very back you should actually be lightening the tongue load by using leverage.

     Make sure that if you are planning on having other people in your tow vehicle, or cargo in the bed, that your taking that into account when looking at the GVWR of your tow vehicle. In Illinois if your over loaded by 2000+ pounds total (truck and trailer combined) you will be ARRESTED if caught and face fines of $500 to $2000! :o If this happens your overloaded truck or trailer must be made legal before it can be moved from that location. This means if your overloaded by 2000+ lbs. as compared to your truck and trailer plates (no matter what the GVWR of either) or if your over the GVWR of either truck or trailer no matter what plates you have, you can be arrested in Illinois. Most people are unaware of these laws and penalties and have been lucky to never be pulled over by a State Cop looking to fill their quota for that months revenue requirements. ;) At least by being aware of these laws you won't be suprised if you are one of the rare unlucky people to get pulled over and they bring out the portable scales.