Toy Hauler RV Round-Up

Story and photos by Howard J Elmer

Over 1.7 million Canadian families currently use RVs for travel and leisure time, and while kicking back is certainly a highly anticipated tenet of the RV lifestyle, more and more RVers are combining their outdoor hobbies with their travel adventures. Among these passions is hunting and fishing.

For many hunters and anglers, what I’m describing is not new. However, there is a new wave of RVs hitting the market that act as both accommodation and transportation. This trend, some 15 years old now, has become so established that the variety and types of “toy hauler” RVs span the range from tent campers right up to 40-plus foot fifth-wheel trailers.

These toy hauler RVs are composed of living quarters as well as a garage space. Typically, the rear wall of the trailer folds down and doubles as a ramp to drive toys in and out of the box (or transport boats, kayaks and canoes).

The need for this type of RV transport reflects the growth of another market - off-road powersports, particularly ATVs and side-by-sides. ATVs in particular are considered a necessity by many today and I see countless numbers of them being towed up the highway on open trailers. Now consider that you can buy a travel trailer that will also serve as your ATV transport. And, when the garage is empty, it can also used as living space. Some other features that contribute to this off-grid lifestyle are lifted trailer frames, off-road suspension, larger tires and unique trailer couplers that will flex with uneven terrain. And, when you do get to your remote campsite, these trailers have incorporated systems that will let you stay longer, such as extra fresh water, larger holding tanks and solar panels. Fixed panels as well as auxiliary plug-in solar panels keep the 12V system charged indefinitely. However, some units will carry a generator. These can run on propane or gas. Usually found on larger units with an onboard gas tank that feeds the generator but also with a pump and nozzle to refill powersports units on site. The benefit of the generator is 110V power for things like the microwave, TV and A/C.

The venerable pop-up tent trailer has added an open deck to its frame. It’s enough space to transport an ATV or whatever will fit this space. Price-wise this is the lower end of the market. Not to mention – this type of toy-hauler pop-up can be towed by a variety of lighter vehicles.

The travel trailer with a garage space is a common design available in a wide variety of lengths. Many of these also offer clever convertible beds, couches and tables that make use of the garage for on-site living space. These features can add as many as four sleeping spaces to the fixed number available in the front of the trailer. Many units also use the fold-down decks as patios. These options can be added to many of the trailers and some can also be upgraded to include screened rooms on those patio decks. This all adds extra living space while on site. Then, when the trip is over, stow it all away, load the machines and tow it all home.

As a random sample of what’s available in the market, I’ve chosen three very different toy-hauler/off-grid units that I’ve reviewed. Have a look.

Cherokee Wolf Pack 25 The Cherokee Wolf Pack is a 40-foot long fifth-wheel that is self-sustaining, carrying 100 gallons of fresh water, an Onan generator and its own on-board gas station. Its drop-down solid rear ramp opens up a 12-foot garage space. The ramp itself (at 13-feet) can be used as a patio – when suspended in a level position. The garage space also has its own mandoor to what becomes a living/sleeping space when unloaded.

A removable dinette table and convertible sofas give way to a powered drop-down bed at night. The garage also has its own two-piece bathroom. The separate living space easily sleeps six (using the overhead loft as an extra sleeping space) while still offering a completely private front bedroom space with full bath facilities.

The main living area has a full kitchen with the sink in the island and the fridge and stove in a slideout. The main dinette is a surrounded with The Sportsmen 20THLE At almost 27 feet in length, this Sportsmen is ideal for two people, though it will sleep four when needed. Its carrying capacity is 2,290 lb. The clear floor space inside, when configured for transport, is 17-feet, 4-inches. The GVWR on the trailer is 7,000 lb. This set-up uses more

than half the length for cargo with only one modification – folding up the 72-inch bench/sleeper to lie flat against the wall. The freestanding table is easily moved to wherever it’s needed. The flooring is called “ToughGuard” – an important item for a trailer that is going to have motorized traffic pulling in and out.

The bath and kitchen occupy the driver’s side wall of trailer, keeping the length as uncluttered as possible. However, this layout does accommodate a fixed Queen-size bed in the nose with enough space on either side to allow for night tables and hanging storage – there is also a Murphy-bed option with this trailer if you want even more floor space.

TAXA Mantis This unit is part of a relatively new niche emerging in the world of RVing. It’s called Overlanding. Overlanding takes the off-grid, out-of-the-park trend one step further. These folks want to get really away. This 19-foot trailer has space for four as well as a design that accommodates pets and adventure toys. Low roof access height is offset with a pop-up fabric tent-roof. The Mantis features 20 gallons of fresh water, a wet bath with cassette toilet, two-burner stove and a separate sink. The 12V electrical system runs most everything.

But the key to an Overlanding trailer is low overall weight and high ride height. Mantis has a dry weight of just 2,972 lb. It also features a ground clearance of 14-inches and a Timbren axleless suspension, riding on Cooper Discoverer AT3, 16-inch tires. Another unique feature is a Lock ‘N’ Roll hitch. This articulating hitch has 360 degrees of rotation and 3-axis movement.

Inside, the Mantis is all about using every available inch of space and having design features that often serve more than one purpose. For instance, the open shelves are designed to accept milk crates. Ceiling-mounted bunks can also be stowed flat when not in use. There is even a mounting hookup for an indoor hammock.

Stroy and photos by John Gunnell

Don Alwood of Auburn, Indiana purchased the ‘65 IH ¾-ton D1200 pickup seen on these pages in June 2005. Alwood told Off-Road Plus “I’m a previous owner of this truck. I bought it from a person in New Jersey who had used it in a landscaping business. I believe he purchased it from a farmer who bought it new. The bed lift, used to haul dirt, was designed and built by a company in Toledo, Ohio. The wheels were also built by the same company in Toledo. As far as mileage, I believe it showed 65,000-plus miles when I sold it. All work done on the truck was completed by professional builders and mechanics.”

IH (also known as IHC, International and International Harvester) was formed in 1902 from a number of smaller firms that merged to create a giant agricultural equipment maker. The firm actually dates back to Cyrus McCormick, who invented the reaping machine. Its famous high-wheeled mid-engine Auto Buggy came out in 1910 and included passenger and pickup models, though it was primarily a passenger car. By 1913, IHC started making trucks. A new line of front-engine, water-cooled trucks arrived in 1915.

The IH line was revised in 1921, when the famous S-series models became known as “Red Baby” trucks. Because the company also made farm equipment and tractors, IH trucks were also nicknamed “corn binders.” For IH’s 50th anniversary in 1957, a new line of A Series trucks arrived. These were followed by the B Series of 1959 and the C Series.

The redesigned C-Series International trucks of 1961 were far more evolutionary than revolutionary; however, the models came off as a new design. While the C-Series styling dated to the A-Series of 1957, the cab itself was situated approximately six inches below the old floor line. This modification eliminated the integral step inside the door, but also gave a lower, sleeker profile (or at least as sleek as practical for a working truck).

At this time, IH was not big on annual model year change and tended to focus on integrating minor running changes as needed, with specific changes oriented towards the end of the calendar year. For 1961-1962, the Light Line ranged from the ½-ton C-100 through the 1-ton C-130. From 1963-1964, models changed to the C-900 through C-1300.

The 1965 run saw the light-duty truck line named the D-series. Model offerings ranged from the D-1000 through D-1300. International’s standard D Series trucks were restyled up front for 1965. They had a new “electric shaver” grille with 31 vertical bars. Running horizontally across the 13 bars in the centre was an “INTERNATIONAL” nameplate. These trucks came with a choice of conventional Fenderside styling with flared rear fenders or Bonus Load styling with the cargo box sides flush with the cab. Except for the new grille, the trucks were virtually unchanged from their 1964 appearance.

This D-1200 pickup featured here was restored in approximately 2001 with the following changes from factory specs. (1) The dump bed was designed, built and added using a Rugby hoist. (2)) Special heavyweight 6-bolt wheels were designed, built and installed with B.F. Goodrich Radial Mud-Terrain A/T R16 LT 225/75R16 tires. (3) Special bumpers were built from aluminum. (4) A new interior with rolled and pleated headliner and new seat upholstery was installed. (5) A special paint colour was sprayed on the truck.

After buying the IH, Don Alwood stored it indoors. It was never driven in the winter months. During January/February 2011 the engine was removed, disassembled, cleaned, repaired, painted and re-installed. The following parts were all restored or replaced: clutch; pilot bearing; throw-out bearing; pressure plate; brake hoses; valve cover gasket set; intake gasket set; exhaust manifold gasket set; O-ring; outlet gasket; conversion gasket set; valley pan gasket; radiator cap; freeze plugs; exhaust donuts; carburetor gasket; Champion spark plugs; flywheel (resurfaced) and radiator cleaned and repaired.

During Alwood’s ownership, the following parts were repaired or replaced: stop light switch; oil switch; slave cylinder; bumpers; glove box; fog lights; license plate light; four-wheel-drive transfer case; gas tank; exhaust system (new dual exhaust system); power steering lower gearbox seal; driver’s side window regulator and brake light lenses.

The truck was driven to car/truck shows quite often during the summer. It became well-known in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio. It was exhibited at the Steuben County Antique Power Assoc.’s 17th Annual Farm Equipment Show in Angola, Ind.; the annual Red Power Show in Lima, Ohio; the Ohio Vintage Truck Jamboree in Ashland; the 24th Annual International Scout & Light Truck Nationals in Troy, Ohio; the Maumee Valley Antique Steam & Gas Association’s 36th Annual Summer Show in New Haven, Ind.; the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Cruise-In in Auburn, Ind.; and the 13th Annual Auburn Truck Heritage Chapter Truck Show at the Flat Creek Fall Festival in Paulding, Ohio.

This pickup truck is mechanically sound and can be driven anywhere at speeds between 55 mph and 60 mph. It runs very smoothly at such speeds with the currently-installed 4.10:1 gears. With a different differential it would run fine at even higher speeds.

Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of Crossroads

Not every RVer wants to roll on down the road. Many find a location that they really like and they stay put. This makes them permanent campers and they find these sites most often in an RV park that caters to seasonal rentals. Of course, when you stumble on this perfect location, you can set up and stay in one of these parks with just about any RV, but some are definitely more suited to this type of camping than others.

In fact, the RV builders offer trailers that are intended to stay parked for the most part; these are called Destination trailers. Similar to a large conventional travel trailer, the Destination travel trailer is constructed for seasonal use only. Units are designed for occasional moves using a heavy-duty tow vehicle and do not require a special highway permit. These units are built on a single chassis and in some cases have a removable hitch. Onsite hook-ups of a more semi-permanent nature are often required.

This Destination trailer is in contrast to Park models (people sometimes refer to any trailer that is set-up to be semi-permanent as a Park model) that have detachable hitches, are often wider than 8-feet and require a special tow vehicle and oversized highway permits to get to its location. Once setup they seldom move again.

If this is the type of summer vacation home you’re looking for, well then have a look at the following Destination trailer; the layout and design are specifically tailored to this one-location lifestyle.

RV builder Crossroads has a lineup of Destination trailers called Hampton. Crossroad’s destination trailers are available in a variety of floor plans. There are eight versions available. Every floor plan has different layouts, lengths, weights and price points designed to accommodate every camper’s needs and that of their families. These floor plans are designed with features that enhance the unit - like sleeping lofts and sectional couches, to space

Scrolling through the layouts on-line I found a bunkhouse setup I liked. It will sleep seven, and I picture a large busy family (or a pile of grandkids – I have four now myself) enjoying the outdoors – and the indoors for that matter. From the reading I’ve done, I think Hampton has considered a variety of family models and built accordingly. Have a look at the standard features in a Hampton Destination trailer.

Outside, all Hamptons come with a one-piece fibreglass front cap. For outdoor living convenience, they come with an outside faucet, outside speakers, patio awning, WiFi prep and tinted glass windows. A nice feature on these trailers is the 60 x 76-inch sliding glass patio door. Many people build a deck at their site that is flush with the door and use it as their main in and out.

Though these units are meant to be seasonal, they do come with 35K BTU furnaces, an enclosed underbelly and fibreglass roof and floor insulation. There is A/C of course – but note that the main bedroom gets its own dedicated 15K unit. The trailer has 50 amps of power and dual LP tanks.

Inside, the kitchen is a focal point as it will no doubt be in use more often than in an on-road RV that passes by umpteen tasty and tempting restaurants. To that end, Crossroads offers the following standard features. Deep stainless-steel sink; faucet with pull-out sprayer, freestanding table and chairs, full extension ball bearing drawer

guides, residential four-burner range, residential refrigerator, solid surface counter tops, overhead cabinets with lighting, and a stainless-steel microwave.

Another nice feature in this Destination trailer is the interior height. It’s 8-foot clear inside and even in the slide outs, it’s 7-feet tall. In fact, you’ll note the extra space throughout because of its 40-plus foot length. Because of this, a King-size bed is standard, the bath is very large (includes a 48-inch shower stall) and the living area can house recliners and sofas. This living room is that much bigger because the two slide outs are opposing. A built-in entertainment centre (with electric fireplace) is opposite the twin reclining theatre seats, while the rear of the trailer has a fold-out sofa (with enough space for end tables on both sides). And, that’s only on the first floor.

That brings me to the second story bunkhouse. This loft area is accessed by a set of stairs, not a ladder. It’s geared to kids, as the height is only about 4-feet. However, there is ample room to sleep three up here – not to mention the fun factor for those kids having their own special hideout up in the loft.

So, if you have already found your perfect camping spot, consider putting a Destination trailer on the site. Your home away from home.

Dry Weight: ................................................................. 11,696 lb Carrying Capacity: ....................................................1,914 lb Length: ...............................................................................41’ 6” Width: ...................................................................................8’ 3” Height (with A/C): .............................................................. 13’ Fresh Water: ...................................................................66 gal Black Water: ...................................................................39 gal Grey Water: .....................................................................78 gal LP Gas: ............................................................................... 60 lb Sleeps: ......................................................................................7