Buying a new fiver. Bunkhouse vs toy hauler.

[DennyDay]

Do your self a favor - - Run away don't walk from any thing manufactured by Keystone - - they all look good 'til you start having problem with the frame - - manufactured by Lippert, they are nothing but problems. I own a trailer (another brand) with a Lippert frame and know the trouble. If you have any questions, check with Harvey Barlow about the above statements. Harvey has a mail box on TDR

 

[mpaulson]

I've pondered the same thoughts, bunk house or toy hauler for the next RV. The thing the sucks is I also have three kids and the toy haulers never have a family friendly floor plan that you don't have to tear apart the trailer to make beds for the kids, then put it away in the morning again. The beds that are in the garage, well, I wouldn't want to sleep in there after having muskeg covered quads in there as well as the gas smell, so to me in my opinion, those beds are useless. Some have a loft above the garage that is a part of the main living quarters that may sleep two, at least while they are still younger, but the third kid still needs a bed. So if you would plan on hauling anything with gas in it, or mud, consider that for sleeping quarters. These problems keep me hauling the toys on the truck and keeping my 30' travel trailer since I have the ability to park the trailer and then drive the truck to places to play with the quads or canoes/kayaks.

 

[JCasper]

I've pondered the same thoughts, bunk house or toy hauler for the next RV. The thing the sucks is I also have three kids and the toy haulers never have a family friendly floor plan that you don't have to tear apart the trailer to make beds for the kids, then put it away in the morning again. The beds that are in the garage, well, I wouldn't want to sleep in there after having muskeg covered quads in there as well as the gas smell, so to me in my opinion, those beds are useless. Some have a loft above the garage that is a part of the main living quarters that may sleep two, at least while they are still younger, but the third kid still needs a bed. So if you would plan on hauling anything with gas in it, or mud, consider that for sleeping quarters. These problems keep me hauling the toys on the truck and keeping my 30' travel trailer since I have the ability to park the trailer and then drive the truck to places to play with the quads or canoes/kayaks.

I agree with most of what you're saying. Toys such as quads would very rarely be hauled in a toy hauler if I were to get one, for that reason I am about 80% sure that I'll be getting the bunk house. I'm between a Cougar 320QBS and a Jayco 34.5BHTS. My problem with the Jayco is the bed in the slide and the fact that camping world is my local dealer, I Do not want to buy from them.

 

[Jim W]

I have own two 5ers an Ameri-Camp Summit Ridge built in 2007 traded this in for a 2010 Cougar 318SAB in Feb 2010. I did a PDI inspection before buying and was please with the unit. I only found one or two minor issues at the dealer and they resolved them right then. I only took the 318SAB back once for a minor warranty issue which was fixed correctly and right away. I am extremely please with my Cougar and would buy again. The only thing that I would recommend is that you do a thorough PDI before any money is exchanged; thus your supporting dealer will have an incentive to make sure all of your issues are resolve to your liking. Regardless of which 5er you buy.

Would I buy a Cougar again; YES!!!

Jim W.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Do your self a favor - - Run away don't walk from any thing manufactured by Keystone - - they all look good 'til you start having problem with the frame - - manufactured by Lippert, they are nothing but problems. I own a trailer (another brand) with a Lippert frame and know the trouble. If you have any questions, check with Harvey Barlow about the above statements. Harvey has a mail box on TDR

My 2009 36' TH frame is a Lippert and we have zero issues.

 

[MelvinPierce]

I have a 2012 Voltage 3600, with my hack rig in the back. No gas smell. Lippert frame, no issues with it

 

[JKosten]

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.

I own a 23' bumper pull toy hauler from Stellar / Eclipse RV. I know it is not as large as what you are looking for, but in the debate between toy haulers vs campers, I would recommend looking at how you use the space and where you normally RV at.

Toy haulers are typically setup to dry camp. They will have on board generators, larger fuel tanks (or fuel tank in general), larger water tanks, higher load ratings on the axles and more durable flooring. Some will also have more lighting, outside speakers, outside showers and fuel stations. The other advantage of the rear (or side) loading door allows for easy loading of camping gear, bicycles, canoes or even a random piece of furniture if needed ( I have move a 3 keg-o-rator with mine before).

My 23' trailer holds 120 gallons of fresh water and 35 gallons of fuel, has a 3600w Generac genset and a fuel transfer station. I can go 4-5 days with 3-4 people without hook-ups.

If you are mostly going to established campgrounds with hook ups, then most of those features may not be something of interest.

Also consider looking at used RV's. You can save a large amount on getting a model that has been traded in. RV's decrease in valve as soon as they are retailed so buying used, even from a dealer can save money.