Seems like there are dozens of makers, can someone narrow it down to a few good ones in the $30kish range?

Looking for 30' and under if possible

seperate bunk room where i can close a door when the kids are asleep

these two things seem hard to find together

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/5thwheel/5th-wheel-trailers.php

Good luck... There's basically no room inside for something that meets your requirements. You'll need to go bigger and a little used to find something with bunks

look at the new toy haulers with twin queens in the bay. you can lock your kids up in the garage...works great!

http://www.heartlandrvs.com/brands/toyhaulers/torque

and asses your toy vehicles capabilities....you likely will not be able to pull any with three axles...so when browsing pics, you can quickly filter out the RV's that are too heavy that way.

and this one here is surprisingly light and in your budget:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/5thwheel/2013-Sabre-32549.htm

quote:

---

Good luck... There's basically no room inside for something that meets your requirements. You'll need to go bigger and a little used to find something with bunks

---

ok, how much bigger and older. i may be ok with that.

quote:

---

and asses your toy vehicles capabilities...

---

This is a big one. I know there are a lot of half-ton rated 5th wheels, but, no way I'd want to tow one without a 3/4 ton diesel. Ask me how I ended up with my F250

you dont think the new F150's with 11K lbs max and bigger brakes can handle a 5th wheel under 35'?

Tell me how you ended up with a 250.

Also, im concerned about length, but im not totally sure why.

what are the differences in difficulty between a 30' and a 37'?

Ive never towed anything in my life, so i have no clue what im looking at.

The longer the trailer, the easier it is to tow and back up. The only negative is you need more room to turn. The longer the trailer the slower it cuts when backing up.

quote:

---

Also, im concerned about length, but im not totally sure why.

what are the differences in difficulty between a 30' and a 37'?

Ive never towed anything in my life, so i have no clue what im looking at.

---

keep in mind that you have about 4ft hanging over the bed on a fifth wheel (all living space) vs your living space is about 3 ft from your bumper on a trailer rv. So a 5th wheel pulls "shorter" and sleeps longer!

quote:

---

you dont think the new F150's with 11K lbs max and bigger brakes can handle a 5th wheel under 25'?

Tell me how you ended up with a 250.

---

f250 super duty diesel and you'll pull whatever you need (on two axles). Dont' cut corners on a hitch...plan on spending over 1k on a slider hitch and it'll pay off in the long run. Also, on 5th wheels you are putting over a ton of the weight on the bed of the truck. So you are only pulling the trailer weight minus the load bearing on the bed. that's why the rv weights limits are greater than the axle ratings on the 5th wheel rvs.

With RV's of any sort, 7 foot is a significant amount of space. Add in slide outs, and 7 foot can turn into an additional 15 to 20 foot of space depending on the floor plan.

My wife who can't even drive a standard, has no problems pulling a 36 foot 5th wheel.

quote:

---

you dont think the new F150's with 11K lbs max and bigger brakes can handle a 5th wheel under 25'?

Tell me how you ended up with a 250.

---

We have a 30' approx. 6,500lb travel trailer. My previous tow vehicle was a 5.7L Tundra with about a 10,500lb max. Under ideal conditions it wasn't terrible, but, more often than not you'd be fighting the load. Comfortable cruise speed was 65-70 and with 18wheelers blowing by at 75-80 comfortable becomes uncomfortable really quick. Granted a 5th wheel is inherently more stable, but, it's still a big sail back there. In a strong head wind or stiff cross wind you end up fighting the trailer the whole trip. At times heading down to the coast I'd drop under 6mpg just keeping up with traffic. Ultimately I upgraded to the Super Duty and now I throw it in cruise control and just enjoy the drive. You may be ok with a 25 footer, but, towing capacity doesn't always tell the full story when it comes to towing an RV.

quote:

---

With RV's of any sort, 7 foot is a significant amount of space. Add in slide outs, and 7 foot can turn into an additional 15 to 20 foot of space depending on the floor plan.

My wife who can't even drive a standard, has no problems pulling a 36 foot 5th wheel.

---

Exactly right! We traded in our 28 foot TT with one slide for a 35 foot TT with 2 slides. That combo of the extra length and additional slide made all the difference in the world. Seems like it tripled the living space. Bedroom and bathroom are virtually identical to what we had before but you don't spend that much time in there so no big deal.

quote:

---

quote:

---

you dont think the new F150's with 11K lbs max and bigger brakes can handle a 5th wheel under 25'?

Tell me how you ended up with a 250.

---

We have a 30' approx. 6,500lb travel trailer. My previous tow vehicle was a 5.7L Tundra with about a 10,500lb max. Under ideal conditions it wasn't terrible, but, more often than not you'd be fighting the load. Comfortable cruise speed was 65-70 and with 18wheelers blowing by at 75-80 comfortable becomes uncomfortable really quick. Granted a 5th wheel is inherently more stable, but, it's still a big sail back there. In a strong head wind or stiff cross wind you end up fighting the trailer the whole trip. At times heading down to the coast I'd drop under 6mpg just keeping up with traffic. Ultimately I upgraded to the Super Duty and now I throw it in cruise control and just enjoy the drive. You may be ok with a 25 footer, but, towing capacity doesn't always tell the full story when it comes to towing an RV.

---

Also if not a 5th wheel, need to be sure and have a load leveling anti-sway hitch setup. Anything else is not safe.

Yeah dont worry, I'll be getting a top end hitch. With no experience pulling anything, Id want to be sure im set up right.

what do you tow with?

06 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel 4x4 pulling a 36 foot gulfstream.

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/

quote:

---

Also if not a 5th wheel, need to be sure and have a load leveling anti-sway hitch setup. Anything else is not safe.

---

I installed a sway bar on my Tundra and had a Reese sway control added to the trailer. Made a huge difference, but, still not enough to make me feel comfortable enough to relax

There are lots of brands but few actual manufacturers. It may be best for you to go to a few different sellers to get a feel for the different options available and make a list of what you like between the different brands. It can be a bit overwhelming.

We purchased a 2011 Chaparral 269 BHS from a neighbor last October. We have two young kids and this was a perfect size for us and had most of the features we were wanting. It's 34', roughly 8,000 lbs empty with 1,680 hitch weight. We haul with a F250 - it had a gooseneck adapter on it when we purchased it and we already had a gooseneck ball in the truck - so far no issues with the adapter. Good luck!

quote:

---

You have never pulled anything and you are going straight to a 30' trailer?

Good luck.

---

Thanks for the helpful post?

I havent bought anything, just asking questions.

My dad has his 40' toy hauler for sale. Details in the link: http://austin.craigslist.org/rvs/5554406920.html

quote:

---

quote:

---

You have never pulled anything and you are going straight to a 30' trailer?

Good luck.

---

Thanks for the helpful post?

I havent bought anything, just asking questions.

---

I'd start with a pull behind TT with a load leveling hitch. Get used at PPL and use them to resale it when you are ready to upgrade. I would not mess with a 5th wheel until you have a decent size truck. Start out small and easy and work your way up. I've pulled trailers since I was since I was 13 (starting on the farm) and I still have my white-knuckle moments pulling a 5th wheel or a large TT.

I have a used
Pull behind camper that has the separate bunk room for sale. $6,500. 2547222161

quote:

---

quote:

---

quote:

---

You have never pulled anything and you are going straight to a 30' trailer?

Good luck.

---

Thanks for the helpful post?

I havent bought anything, just asking questions.

---

I'd start with a pull behind TT with a load leveling hitch. Get used at PPL and use them to resale it when you are ready to upgrade. I would not mess with a 5th wheel until you have a decent size truck. Start out small and easy and work your way up. I've pulled trailers since I was since I was 13 (starting on the farm) and I still have my white-knuckle moments pulling a 5th wheel or a large TT.

---

sounds like good advice. what length / weight would you recommend for a beginner?

I haven't thought much about it...but I definitely would not max out your tow limit. On a f150/c1500 chances are something will eventually break (trans, motor mounts, etc.). On the bigger trucks 250/2500, it seems they are a little stronger than stamped. If you pay attention to how they are made, you will notice a step change in weight based on materials...(ie aluminum frame vs 2x4 frame, alum. skin vs. fiberglass skin). Sometimes they light weight ones will be advertised as ultra-lights.

I am a recent Travel Trailer owner. I have a 30 foot Keystone I pull with my V6 1500 Ford. Pulls slow but steady. I had to purchase a Weight Distribution Kit to level out the truck and camper. This is a must do if your truck gives into trailer sag. I drove it several time without and it was terrifying. I'm not a master at backing it in to the storage spot, but I'm getting a hell of a lot better. I would suggest getting a bumper pull till you are 100 percent comfortable. If you have any questions feel free to email me at matersonlarry@aol.com and us newbies can talk and I can shed some lessons I've learned already. All in all we love taking it out and we have had a blast!! BUY ONE!

I've got one I'm about to list if interested. $12k. Bought it for A&M games but gave up our season tickets this year.

Mine is identical to this one (have yet to take pictures). Two electric queen beds in the back. Sleeps 8.
http://www.rootsrv.com/usedtt/Pages/2009_V-Cross_Toy_Hauler_28VFLX_$18,995.html

juddson.culpepper@gmail.com

Is a toy hauler just an rv with a garage?

It's a toy hauler but doesn't have a full width back door. It has tie downs all the way to the front. You'll be limited to 4 wheelers and motorcycles as I doubt a side by side would fit through the door.

I bought it from my grandparents and neither of us ever hauled any toys. Just tailgating crap (i.e., coolers, chairs, tents, etc.).

I've got two of these bad boys to power it.
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-EF2000iS-Starting-Portable-Compliant/dp/B002RWK9N2

Seems pretty cool. I don't have ATV's, but I like the ability to make it multi use.

I'm not a buyer of anything at the moment, but this gives me some ideas.

That would be a great starter rig for you my man...you wouldnt have much trouble recooping most your cost when you decide to sell and upgrade.