If you’re the traveling type who’s always up for outdoor adventures, one of the most comfortable ways to get around is aboard a Class A toy hauler. With these versatile big rigs, there’s lots of living space in the front, and a garage in the back offers even more room that you can put to good use.
Class A motorhomes are the biggest ones on the market, some of them stretching out to 45 feet. Built on a truck or bus chassis, they offer a smooth ride, a great view, and many of the comforts of home. Some are decked out with levels of luxury you’d expect to be reserved for rock stars.
Class A motorhomes with a garage offer a practical element, too. Besides lots of space for you and your family to ride and camp in leisure and style, there is more square footage for your off-road gear and outdoor accessories. Depending on your own personal interests, these toys might include motorcycles or ATVs, side-by-sides or go-carts, snowmobiles, or Waverunners.
Typically, the back wall of a toy hauler folds down and becomes a ramp for easy loading and off-loading (and with some models, it doubles as a porch). Many creative RVers have found other uses for them. We’ve seen them outfitted for office space or tricked out as elaborate man caves.
Things to Consider When Buying a Toy Hauler Motorhome
A Class A motorhome with a garage is big and bulky, and it’s a big investment, too. If you’re considering buying one, there are a few factors you might want to consider:
How Much Garage Space Does the Toy Hauler/Garage Offer?
The garage space is listed in the specs in terms of length and width. Is it enough space for the toys you want to bring along? Maybe it’s too much, and you only need room for a couple of dirt bikes. In that case, you can downsize in your mind and narrow your search to smaller models.
What Is the Maximum Weight Capacity?
Something else to look at is how much weight the reinforced floors of the Class A garage space can support. All manufacturers list the maximum weight capacity of each of their models. They generally range from 1,600 pounds up to 2,500 or more. So make sure it’s sturdy enough to do the job. On the other hand, maybe you don’t need something quite so heavy-duty.
How Much Sleeping Space Does It Offer?
Class A motorhomes with garages usually have a master bedroom plus other areas that are designed for mixed-use, such as sofas and dinettes that fold out to become sleeping quarters when needed.
Do you have a full crew or just a couple of riders? This is a big factor in determining what kind of RV is best for you.
How Much Extra Storage Space Does It Offer?
Class A motorhomes are known for having lots of storage space, especially on the outside. It means more space for bigger water tanks, too. This is very important if you’re planning to camp for longer periods.
If you have a lot of gear and accessories you want to take along (besides your toys), this type of RV may very well be just what you need. However, too much garage space can mean not enough for other storage, and vice versa.
What’s the Difference Between a Toy Hauler Motorhome and a Toy Hauler Trailer?
Toy haulers come in lots of shapes and sizes, of course. Many Class C motorhomes, which are smaller than the Class A’s, are equipped with a garage too. So are many towable RVs, including travel trailers and fifth wheels. Compare the differences in the Class A Vs Class C Motorhomes.
A toy hauler motorhome is a self-contained unit that has its own motor. A toy hauler trailer is designed to be towed by another vehicle. What they have in common is a dedicated space specifically designed to carry the “toys” you need for outdoor recreation.
Most importantly, they eliminate the need for an extra rack or trailer (besides the one that’s hauling your secondary vehicle).
Recommendations
Thor Outlaw
Built on a tough Ford F-53 chassis, the gas-powered Thor Outlaw has two residential editions with spacious living areas. Interior features include high-glass solid-wood cabinets, drop-down zero-G ramp door, snap-in patio system, and garage tread plate with non-slip flooring. Exterior features include a remote filling station with pump and nozzle and full basement pass-through storage.
The Outlaw sleeps up to eight people. It has a drop-down overhead bunk, leatherette sofa bed, and optional two opposing leatherette jack-knife sofas in the garage, which supports up to 1,800 pounds.
Newmar Canyon Star 3927
At 39 feet long, the Canyon Star has used a Ford 5-53 gas chassis in the past but has a big change in store with its 2021 models: the new platform is Freightliner’s MC front-engine diesel chassis, which is powered by a Cummins B engine.
With a separate 10-foot garage, this Newmar RV is filled with features that offer luxury, class, and sophistication. There is a private bedroom (with a queen-sized bed) and dual entry plus features like a Samsung LED TV with DVD player in the living room and bedroom, the Bose Solo 5 soundbar system, and the Bluetooth microphone for the Sony dash radio. Extra touches include a water filtration system, a 30-inch convection microwave, a 35-inch-by-35-inch radius shower, and a 5.5kW Cummins Onan generator.
ShowHauler SHU 1376A-29
The big and powerful ShowHauler rig is custom built by an Indiana company that’s known for its careful craftsmanship and top-quality components. The hefty 35-footer, built on a Freightliner chassis, has enough space for your toys with a weight capacity of 1,600 pounds. Inside you’ll find high-end kitchen appliances, spacious storage areas, stereo, LED lighting.
Characteristics of Show Hauler’s construction and attention to detail include walls built from aluminum sheeting, granite countertops, and solid wood cabinets, shelves, and wardrobes.
Renegade Classic with Garage
The Renegade Classic is available with garage lengths ranging from 6 to 18 feet. A hydraulic liftgate is another option, and you can also choose from four different types of chassis from Freightliner, Cummins, and Volvo. In fact, the Renegade RVs are highly customizable to give you the right amount of garage space versus living space.
Other Renegade Classic features include a standard 48-inch deep bunk with full-size mattress, 4-point auto-leveling system with hydraulics, power locking storage compartment doors, carpeted storage compartments, and LED side docking light set.
