Toyhauler durability
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 240
Likes: 75
On one of the horse/toy hauler trailers I looked at online, access to the "bedroom" above the hitch required a short ladder, similar to how you would get into the bed in a slide-in camper. There is no way I would accept that design. I have to use a ladder to get into my bed in my current toy hauler (HappiJac) and that's getting old real fast.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 424
Likes: 97
I've been digging around because of this thread. ATC Trailers and a couple of the other brands mentioned in this thread look great. I like the all aluminum welded, no rivets and it appears none of these custom ones are sealed by just the caulking. Looks more like a welded edge with a nice rubber trim piece. I'm looking forward to some RV shows this year so I can hopefully see them in person. They are pricey but for my next one I'd be willing to drop some real $$$ for quality.
atc does look appealing and appears to be constructed well......on the surface anyway. I was looking at this the same year they joined the irva or what ever that certification by the big 3 is called. Once they joined, no more moving the counter tops or adjustments as such and their prices doubled. The vast majority of toyhaulers out there are nothing more then an expensive box of kindling on wheels. Some damn nice looking boxs of kindling lol but not built to last or with any decent amount of cargo capacity.
so along the lines of atc trailers, I called stw in Florida. They are an all aluminum and state they will custom build. I sent Kevin. A cad print, I could see that he read the message but wouldn't respond. Merhow, Lakota are higher end versions of sundowner toyhaulers. Merhow and Lakota are only 8' wide where sundowner are 101" wide bodies. There is a company in az called dune sport that custom builds. I bought one from them and have owned it year. I won't buy another from them but they do custom build.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 324
Likes: 106
From: SoCal
Just thought I would share. This thread got me researching all aluminum trailers. I went down to Oceanside, CA to Complete Trailers and checked out a bumper pull and 5th wheel ATC Trailer. All I have to say is wow! I thought the all aluminum (inside and out) would be way to sterile and commercial, even my wife loved it! Every little detail is taken care of and the current years even have a track tie down system on the floor. The other thing is the fold up couches and tables are on a track system on the wall so you move them to wherever you want them. Price is a little high for sure but compare them to a premium 5th wheel like Grand Designs Momentum and it only looks like a $18K-$20K uplift. I'm sure there is more haggle room on a Grand Designs than an ATC but who knows.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
I recently purchased a gooseneck living quarters horse trailer that can haul my suzuki samurai if needed or the wifes horse along with my horse (honda foreman). Living quarters are nice, livestock area has many options, extra sleeping area, hunting camp etc. Custom ordered to add 2 feet to a 3 horse trailer. Well built, all aluminum. So far love it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 360
From: Anderson, California
Well, being an average blue collar American worker $$$ matters. That is why I always buy used so I get the depriciated pricing which is Affordable.
My Mega-Lite 21 toyhauler set me back $4,000 which was in my budget, so I figure I can make a few mods to keep the hauler alive.
Also, I keep it parked under a 30-foot long Costco modified carport to keep the sun and rain off. The Mega-Lite sat out in the elements the first 13-years of it's life with no real visible damage. Because my wife and I only will be using it a few times a year, I am very happy to have it.
Prior to purchasing the 2007 Mega-Lite, we owned a 1971 Winnebago 24-foot Chieftan motorhome which had factory privacy glass.
The one interesting thing about the early construction of the Winnebago was everything was assembled with screws and no-staples like today's haulers, excepting the welded construction trailers. The Winnebago was propelled by a Chrysler 413 industrial engine which was virtually bullet-proof. I liked it.
Anyway, after 27 years of ownership, and no longer needing to pull to the lake a 4k lb boat, we decided to go back to a bumper-pull trailer.
My Mega-Lite 21 toyhauler set me back $4,000 which was in my budget, so I figure I can make a few mods to keep the hauler alive.
Also, I keep it parked under a 30-foot long Costco modified carport to keep the sun and rain off. The Mega-Lite sat out in the elements the first 13-years of it's life with no real visible damage. Because my wife and I only will be using it a few times a year, I am very happy to have it.
Prior to purchasing the 2007 Mega-Lite, we owned a 1971 Winnebago 24-foot Chieftan motorhome which had factory privacy glass.
The one interesting thing about the early construction of the Winnebago was everything was assembled with screws and no-staples like today's haulers, excepting the welded construction trailers. The Winnebago was propelled by a Chrysler 413 industrial engine which was virtually bullet-proof. I liked it.
Anyway, after 27 years of ownership, and no longer needing to pull to the lake a 4k lb boat, we decided to go back to a bumper-pull trailer.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
I have a Palomino Puma Unleashed 298FQU that I bought new in 2010. It is a 30ft 5th wheel with no slides. It has been bulletproof with many miles of travel hauling ATVs, UTV, and Harleys. From the Hatfield-McCoy trails in W.V., to the Seattle area. It has loads of inside storage cabinets and closets and 4,000 lb cargo capacity. Couple years ago I considered trading for a newer model with slideout, but couldn't find anything with near the build quality of the Puma. If they still built this model I would buy it again for sure.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 240
Likes: 75
I have a Palomino Puma Unleashed 298FQU that I bought new in 2010. It is a 30ft 5th wheel with no slides. It has been bulletproof with many miles of travel hauling ATVs, UTV, and Harleys. From the Hatfield-McCoy trails in W.V., to the Seattle area. It has loads of inside storage cabinets and closets and 4,000 lb cargo capacity. Couple years ago I considered trading for a newer model with slideout, but couldn't find anything with near the build quality of the Puma. If they still built this model I would buy it again for sure.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
I suppose the first reason.is that I have had no problems with it in 13 years. Everything still works, it has real wood trim inside, and loads of usable inside storage cabinets. The bilud quality is exceptional. The 30 foot length, empty weight less than 7,400 lbs, and 12 ft height works well for me, allowing me to get into trailheads with ATVs and UTV. Easier access into older campground. A lot of state park and corps of engineer parks were not designed to accommodate larger units. I was able to get into a campground in Montana that would have been impossible with a larger unit. When I started looking at new units everything was 35 ft or longer, and the build quality is not what you would expect at the current high prices. The Puma Unleashed is still available, but only in the larger length for the 5th wheel version. I have not looked at the new Pumas to check the current build quality.
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