Buying a new fiver. Bunkhouse vs toy hauler.

[JCasper]

After the first of the year we will be buying a new Fifth Wheel. I've had a Springdale 267 bumper pull for the last 6 years and it's been great, but we have outgrown it.

We are really contemplating between a bunkhouse fifth wheel and a toyhauler.

We do a lot of weekend and weeklong or longer trips. We've been to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Disneyland, Moab, all over the place. When doing these types of trips a bunkhouse would be perfect. When we go on weekend trips or to the lake we usually have the back of the truck full of stuff. With a fifth wheel I will struggle bringing things that we usually take.

A couple of the bunk houses I am looking at right now are the Keystone 320QBS and a Jayco 34.5BHTS. These are our top options over the toy haulers I've found.

I'm looking for other peoples opinions of bunk houses vs. Toy Haulers. I have 3 girls that are 12, 7 and 4.

The closer to 35' I can get the better. I really don't want a 40' long fifth wheel, some of the places we like to go are kind of tight.

Any of your opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Grizzly]

I can't tell you anything about a Bunkhouse vs toy hauler since I've never had either, but I can tell you about a Keystone or a Jayco. Stay away from Keystone and go for the Jayco because it is much better quality. Also anything made by Northwood is excellent. A 35' 5er is very large and heavy and you would be better off with a 3500 DRW. Just my 2 cents.

george

 

[Powder Extreme]

I've owned a few Jayco's, they aren't a Mobile Suites or a Teton, but at their price point, I feel they are the best quality. My current Voltage retailed over $110,000, and it doesn't have the build quality my last $70,000 Jayco did.

I'm not sure the difference between a "bunkhouse" a "toy hauler" and a "garage". My trailer has a back room with two beds that will lower from the ceiling, allowing more than enough room for kids. When they are raised I can park three four wheelers or my Can Am side by side under them. It sounds like a setup like that would work perfect for you. I know Jayco builds a trailer similar to mine, with a lower price point.

 

[Jim W]

I own a Cougar 318SAB bought new in 2010, which is made by keystone and I have found no difference in the build quality of the Cougar vs. a Jayco unit. About two or three years ago I took a factory tour of the Jayco plant in IN. with my wife. Since I am a retired engineer and worked for Caterpillar I was really interested in their build quality. Their build quality and methods of construction where no different than Keystone in my opinion. Same axles (Dexter) were used and the frames where made by a third party; tour guide did not know or would not say who built them. No manufacturing tag was on the frames that where visible when we were on the tour, weld quality was fair.

What does matter is the dealer and the dealer support of the product. The local dealer for Keystone in my area is great and we have had no warranty or service issues with them. I had the unit back once for a leaky rear window and the dealer removed the window and resealed the window, no issues after that.

So my only advice is to do a thorough PDI (pre delivery inspection) and have any issues with either manufacture you chose fix before payment and delivery is taken. It is easier to have the fixes done correctly when the dealer is waiting for his money.
Jim W.

 

[Wertles]

The toy hauler is the way to go. As stated above, my garage has 2 full size queen beds that retract to the ceiling when not in use. That leaves plenty of room for anything I want or need to bring with plenty of flexibility for the future. I had a bunkhouse previously and was always cramped for room.

35 foot is a nice size. I had no issues with my SRW 3500 pulling it or finding spots to put the trailer. This new one is 43 foot and you definitely have to plan everywhere you go. The interior room is amazing but it doesn't fit into many camping spots. Even less if you want your truck parked there either.

I have not had any real issues with my Voltage but will say that I am a Jayco fan for the quality/price. Besides the Voltage, I also have a 2000 Jayco class C that has held up very well. Call it a his and hers camper thing, but the wife can drive the Jayco and sometimes the 43 footer is just overkill.

 

[Wingate]

I have a 2013 Jayco 33.5RETS that gets pulled atleast once a month.
I have no bunkhouse/toy houler exp. either, but brand for brand, I would choose the Jayco any day. There are just too many horror stories about Keystone products. Not sure where you are pricing, but I drove 4 hours to get my Jayco. The dealer I purchased from beat every other dealer within a 4 state area by a BUNCH!.

 

[JCasper]

I can't tell you anything about a Bunkhouse vs toy hauler since I've never had either, but I can tell you about a Keystone or a Jayco. Stay away from Keystone and go for the Jayco because it is much better quality. Also anything made by Northwood is excellent. A 35' 5er is very large and heavy and you would be better off with a 3500 DRW. Just my 2 cents.

george

my current keystone has been a great trailer, but I've heard great things about jayco. I agree that a dually is best, but that won't be happening for a while

 

[JCasper]

I've owned a few Jayco's, they aren't a Mobile Suites or a Teton, but at their price point, I feel they are the best quality. My current Voltage retailed over $110,000, and it doesn't have the build quality my last $70,000 Jayco did.

I'm not sure the difference between a "bunkhouse" a "toy hauler" and a "garage". My trailer has a back room with two beds that will lower from the ceiling, allowing more than enough room for kids. When they are raised I can park three four wheelers or my Can Am side by side under them. It sounds like a setup like that would work perfect for you. I know Jayco builds a trailer similar to mine, with a lower price point.

Yup, the toy hauler with a garage is great, but I'm a bit turned off at the price for what we will use it for. 99% of the time it will be used as sleeping quarters. It wouldn't be too often that I'd want to put a quad in it.

My wife's favorite unit right now is the cougar 320QBS. If we were to go toyhauler we both love the cyclone 3100

 

[JCasper]

I own a Cougar 318SAB bought new in 2010, which is made by keystone and I have found no difference in the build quality of the Cougar vs. a Jayco unit. About two or three years ago I took a factory tour of the Jayco plant in IN. with my wife. Since I am a retired engineer and worked for Caterpillar I was really interested in their build quality. Their build quality and methods of construction where no different than Keystone in my opinion. Same axles (Dexter) were used and the frames where made by a third party; tour guide did not know or would not say who built them. No manufacturing tag was on the frames that where visible when we were on the tour, weld quality was fair.

What does matter is the dealer and the dealer support of the product. The local dealer for Keystone in my area is great and we have had no warranty or service issues with them. I had the unit back once for a leaky rear window and the dealer removed the window and resealed the window, no issues after that.

So my only advice is to do a thorough PDI (pre delivery inspection) and have any issues with either manufacture you chose fix before payment and delivery is taken. It is easier to have the fixes done correctly when the dealer is waiting for his money.
Jim W.

i agree. My local cougar dealer is great (Curtis Trailers). The local jayco dealer (camping world) i am less then impressed with.

 

[JCasper]

The toy hauler is the way to go. As stated above, my garage has 2 full size queen beds that retract to the ceiling when not in use. That leaves plenty of room for anything I want or need to bring with plenty of flexibility for the future. I had a bunkhouse previously and was always cramped for room.

35 foot is a nice size. I had no issues with my SRW 3500 pulling it or finding spots to put the trailer. This new one is 43 foot and you definitely have to plan everywhere you go. The interior room is amazing but it doesn't fit into many camping spots. Even less if you want your truck parked there either.

I have not had any real issues with my Voltage but will say that I am a Jayco fan for the quality/price. Besides the Voltage, I also have a 2000 Jayco class C that has held up very well. Call it a his and hers camper thing, but the wife can drive the Jayco and sometimes the 43 footer is just overkill.

I am really trying to stay around 35' mark for the parking reason. I know most say I need a DRW but I will be using my SRW for now.

I would love a super C freight liner jayco motor home but that's way out of my budget.

 

[JCasper]

I have a 2013 Jayco 33.5RETS that gets pulled atleast once a month.
I have no bunkhouse/toy houler exp. either, but brand for brand, I would choose the Jayco any day. There are just too many horror stories about Keystone products. Not sure where you are pricing, but I drove 4 hours to get my Jayco. The dealer I purchased from beat every other dealer within a 4 state area by a BUNCH!.

I'd drive in a heartbeat if I could find a good deal.

 

[SSteilow]

My friend at work, his mother and father Full-Timed for 16 years. Both Trailers where Jayco 5th Wheels. Only reseaon they switched trailers was when
they were T-bone in Kansas by a driver who ran a red light, talking on a cell phone. Totaled the Jayco. Picked up their new Jayco and kept on going.
They really liked their Jayco. Best of luck in your search.
Scott

 

[JHumphries]

my current keystone has been a great trailer, but I've heard great things about jayco. I agree that a dually is best, but that won't be happening for a while

I don't know how much you plan to to put in the garage, or how often, but keep in mind that toy haulers have a heavy pin weight when there is nothing in back, which would tax your 2500's springs. Air bags would be a minimum investment.

 

[Wingate]

I'd drive in a heartbeat if I could find a good deal.

THe dealership I bought from is Hopes Camper Corner in Monroe La.
Its a family owned/run dealership that is exclusively JAYCO. The owners name is Lloyd and was wonderful to deal with. I got firm quotes on several different models of Jaycos from my local dealer, and every Jayco dealer in the Dallas/FtWorth area. I took the best quote I could get on the various Jayco models and called Lloyd @ Hopes. We went line by line on colors/options and he consistently beat my best quotes by 5-8K depending on models. This was without even meeting face to face. We decided to make the drive over one evening and he agreed to stay late to meet with us.
By the time it was over, The B&W Sliding Companion hitch(1600.00) was included along with a TV/DVD Player(about 250.00) in the bedroom, The wife got a new set of awning lights(about 100.00)... all of this was included and the original quote was not altered one cent.

The bad part is he does not have a website. I asked him about it during the sale and he simply said if he had one he would have to pass the costs on to the customers. He said that if I found any Jayco model and he did not have it in stock, he could get one directly from the maunfacturer rather quickly. Said he could usualy get in the front of the line with the manufacturer since he was a Jayco only dealer. I believe he must be getting some added $$$$ help from Jayco because he was way below other dealerships sale prices... WAY BELOW!

 

[S.Morris]

Have a look at 325SRX or 326SRX Cougar. A toyhauler with a more woman friendly layout according to my wife. Have had 11MY and put over 10K road miles with no issue.

 

[JCasper]

I don't know how much you plan to to put in the garage, or how often, but keep in mind that toy haulers have a heavy pin weight when there is nothing in back, which would tax your 2500's springs. Air bags would be a minimum investment.

Airbags, exhaust brake, dd clutch, fox shocks, all ready there

 

[JCasper]

Have a look at 325SRX or 326SRX Cougar. A toyhauler with a more woman friendly layout according to my wife. Have had 11MY and put over 10K road miles with no issue.

I am looking at that one. We looked at a sold unit being detailed last week. It is in the running right now

 

[surfbeetle]

I also have three girls age close to yours. We have a bunkhouse. The girls and my wife love the bunkhouse. The bathroom's kinda snug. Now for reality, I don't have a generator and if I want to bring bikes and toys, they are in the trailer. If I want to bring something larger, I have added a hitch on the trailer and tow doubles, (need a Class A CDL for that). I want a toyhauler but my wife is not totally sold on the idea since she likes our daughters having their own cozy room as opposed to a garage with two beds. Overall, I would rather have the toyhauler, you know the grass is always greener on the other side...

 

[AMink]

I haven't owned a toy hauler; we have the bunkhouse. I do camp with folks who have toy haulers and one thing I really like about them is the amount of room when the weather gets bad. A whole bunch of people can get in there at one time. The drawback to many toy haulers, especially those without a slide, is the master bed. They are usually sideways and one has to crawl over the other to get out. I'd definitely be hard pressed to not get a toy hauler in the future.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

We have a Toyhauler and are looking to go to a bunkhouse 5er. For what I paid for the TH, I could have had a really nice bunkhouse trailer. I essentially bought a triple axle box, 2 a/c's and a fancy electric awning. TH's are overpriced but if ya need the space for atv's dirt bikes etc (we once did) then the TH is the way to go. If not, the bunkhouse trailer have much nicer features.