Well after having Airstream travel trailers in the family and towing since 1970, We have decided to buy a toy hauler. I have been checking on the web and and have found about a dozen manufactures. Since our Airstream is an Excella and kind of top end trailer (solid oak cabinets, etc.), we are searching for something of this quaility. I do have one limitation, unit can be any longer than 40'. I built my shop 43' deep but time you take out brick ledge and 2"x6" walls, you end up with about 2 feet less. I have been looking in the 37'-38' range. We have seveal large dealer here around Houston and have narrowed the search but really not impressed with the quality of any units except the Newmar. Probably there is they don't build a toy hauler less than 40'-10". I am leaning toward Cyclone, XLC, or Fuzion. Do any of your guys have any input on yours and would recommend your toy hauler????? Some of these units that cost $40-50k, I don't think they would last 5 years. The craftmanship is terrible. We looked several years ago and came to the same conclusion. THey are better now but still are not at the quaility of the high end 5th wheels.

Exposed, you might want to take a look at the Sunnybrook line of trailers. I think you will see the same quality of interior. Look at the Titan Surv model. I have just purchased a Brookside 302FKS. I had some additional options installed and one of the awnings was the wrong size otherwise I would have it in my driveway now.

WIll do....
thanks

I liked the looks of Cyclone, but no first-hand knowledge. Had great luck with Sunnybrook (but heard of service issues lately), McKenzie (or Holday Rambler) and lately the current Crossroads. Had bad luck with Forest River and some previous Thor products. Personally don't think highly of WW eventhough it's extremely popular.

Anthing made buy Forrest river is junk. I have a Cherokee Wolf Pack (by Forrest River) and have had nothing but problems with it. I have had it 2 seasons and wont be using it a 3rd. Not to mentionthat nothiing Forrest river makes is up to the level of style you are after. Go to http://www.toyhaulermagazine.com/ and ask around on there. I have seen some of the fanciest haulers ever on there. Most of wich I had never heard of before.

Scott,what kind of problems with Forest River? I like the XLR series. Right now it is pretty close to what I am looking for. I also looked at the Sunnybrook and it looks about the same. I called the local dealer and they said they are changing their line and a Big Dog is coming out in couple of weeks. It looks pretty much like the current Titan SURV except only one size right now and don't care for the graphics right now. Surely will have something else... Heading up to the XLR dealer tomorrow and talk some more... Hopefully can get something ordered in the next week or so. Take delivery after first of year. Also looking at an air ride 5th wheel hitch to complete the package...

Will do some more homework online with toyhaulermagazine tomorrow. I saw their site today and did some checking on vendor problems... It is not just toy haulers but RV's in general. I am used to Airstreams and they will last forever if taken care of. My brother bought a top of the line Mountain Aire from Newmar about 5 years ago. He to has had a bunch of problems. I wrote it off as being a "lemon" but from all the things I am hearing, it is pretty much all of the manufacturers. I guess we need a Honda or Toyota manufacture to get their quality up....

Problems with Forest River were mostly fit-n-finish. The underlying issue being that there was nothing structural for the finish to be fitted to. Very poorly built.

I bet you don't find a trailer as nice as the Airstream. My parents have had there's for years. Still a solid trailer.

Foneman, you are about right. I went to check out Sunnybrook today and look again at the Forest River. The more closely I look, the more disappointed I am. The only one I have not checked out is Alfa. Pappabear has a nice one and would consider but have not found a dealer in the Houston area. I like the Newmar but unit is too long for my shop... They don't make one less than 40'+.... yes, the Airstream quality is a step above all the ones I have checked....

I seen a Rapter the other day looked good but I didnt get a chance to check the quality or much of anything realy as we was a bit rushed that day. Something else to look at anyway.

Exposed -
Seems the only solution is to order the Newmar and build a bigger shop

Good luck in your search.

You and the wife think the same... She told me just extend the 15' tall brick wall at the back out a couple of feet..... ha ha... When I built the shop 3 years ago, I figured a 38'-40' motor home or 5th wheel. Toy haulers seem to be slightly longer since their back is a garage...
Still searching and looking into the Holiday Rambler Next Level now.. Local HR dealer can get one but does not stock since they carry Fuzion and Raptor. Called the Newmar dealer yesterday to confirm the shortest unit was actually 40'8". That would really fit but not much breathing room when parking. Other thing, their units are really heavier (comes with quality) than most. Delivered weight on unit will be about 16,500 so when loaded, probably another 2,000 pounds. That is a heavy trailer. If I don't find something soon, bug to buy is going to go away.... Will keep the Airstream and continue with rig I have now.. It works great but no slides on the Airstream so not as roomy as we would like...

Not a high dollar unit but we had a "Rage'N" a few years ago when I was still married.
It had a few features that I really liked. a huge front end bathroom with bathtub. Big refrigerator, high capacity hot water heater, outside shower. The best feature was the 100 gallon water tank that was located right between the axles. Made the unit a dream to pull. All exterior vinyl curtains where included, deck was diamond plate, it had bright outdoor lights on both sides of the trailer as well as the back.

Exposed, or if you can find a manufacturer with a shell you like and can talk them into selling you the just the base and shell, I guess you could finish it out however you wanted. I have no idea if they'd do that though, I suspect not.

I thought about that as well but decided against it. If built out the inside of the toy hauler like I build everything else (hell for stout) probably weigh 25,000 pounds and could not pull it... ha ha.... Went and looked and measured the X-Aire Newmar toy hauler..It is the nicest one I have found. They offer 4 models and the shortest one is 40'8" long and weighs in at 14,500 empty. Time you add 2,000 for all the stuff you haul and another 1,500 for ATV's, unit will be pretty heavy.... Probably the most expensive one out there are well... Closest place the Holiday Rambler one is in Dallas. I don't know if it is worth the trip just to see one and inspect. Can order here but my dealer does not handle since they have Fuzion and Raptor... Maybe I am expecting too much from these guys.. Some of them I wonder if they can handle the road and several years of towing without coming apart...

You might also want to check out KZ. These guys have great prices and selection when I was looking.

KZs are great for us with a budget limit but they are no where near the quality and overall unit Exposed is looking for. They are nice but not in the same class as the higher end units. They are abought the same as all other average units on the market. I get the impresion he wants to buy just one and use it for as long as he is capable of. The KZ, like the rest wont last that long and remain in "like new" condition.

OK on edit I went threw and looked at some of the higher end KZ Escalade units and I guess they are not for those of use with a budget limit. I found one that listed for around $112,000 but I imagine it isent built any diferently than any of the rest of there units.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bkrukow,

KZ's Escalade and New Vision and maybe Montego Bay would fall into that "higher" category.

Saw you making some changes as I was typing

Jeez Gal-800 lbs of water??