Inexpensive Camper Trailer/Toy Hauler

Hello All,

Looking to get a little advice on buying or building an inexpensive toy hauler.

Wants:
>7' interior (I'm 6'5")
Shower (not necessarily full bathroom)
A/C and heat (to use summer and winter)
Fit 3-4 bikes
Total cost <$11000 (cheaper the better)
Towing capacity of truck: 11,200lb

Questions:
Would it be cheaper to buy a used toy hauler that already has living systems or build one from an enclosed trailer?

I've been told that toy haulers are generally not as durable as and enclosed trailers. Is that true? Are there brands that have better build quality? Are there brands to stay away from?

Should I stay away from old (15+ y/o) toy haulers? Looks like a good option even if I have to service the systems (plumbing, electrical, stove, etc.).

If I started with an enclosed trailer, are there brands to look for and brands to stay away from?

What are major issues to look out for when buying any used trailer/toy hauler?

It would be stored uncovered outside. Any considerations with it being stored that way?

Any other advice? Looking to gather information and pull the trigger at the end of the race season.

Thanks,
Will

 

RV's are made out of tissue paper , all of them. Toyhaulers just have a ramp door - only difference.. Unless you go with high dollar (ATC) - very little difference.

PSA - Stay way from Stealth.

 

anything with corrugated sides should be avoided.
You might be better off ordering what you want, pay the piper... then realize there is a robust 2nd hand market full of car people.

 

Work N Play pre 2019 are pretty good units, if taken care of. We have a 2012 that has only been outside when in use. Always stored inside. Ours is a 28FS (front slide) so, it tows and parks like a 28 but, sleeps like a 34, with a close to 13 foot garage with a door separating the garage from living area. It has 3 pit bull plates in it now, with room for 1 more. I have been flirting with letting it go as we havent used it in close to 2 years.

If you "build one" from an enclosed trailer, you will have more into it than buying ready made, for the most part, and it still wouldnt be a "camper".

Best advice I can give is, dont buy a trailer with a membrane roof. Buy one with an aluminum 1 piece roof. Less water intrusion and long term exposure issues, to deal with. Ski

 

My Work N Play has the aluminum roof. Guy I bought it from said "aluminum roofs don't leak!" but that was bullshit because every seam at the edge of the roof had been leaking for years and much of the structure had rotted out underneath. Only around the edges, though!! If only he'd re-sealed the seams every couple of years..... I'm pretty sure the roof is gonna fly off one day going down I-20. Damn thing tows like a dream though, it's reasonably well insulated, and the build quality was darn good for an RV. I'd be all over Ski's trailer if I was in the market for one.

 

I still have my 2005 20' stored outside. Looks something like this. https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/cleveland_oh/2005_forest-river_work-and-play_315023-listing

 

Thanks for the advice. It looks like it is worth spending the money on a really nice toy hauler and not cheaping out. But since that is not feasible for me in the next few years, I may just get a larger used enclosed trailer (I currently have a 5x10) and maybe add a few items like a shower, A/C, and insulation. I think that would be in my budget and fit my needs.

 

There is a guy in Sanford NC that will take a cargo trailer and kit it out for you - I was going to have my trailer wired and add an AC unit, but recent events put that on hold

https://apexconversion.com/

 

The only company I've ever went to google and left a bad review for.

Had an axle come completely off on my 1-off custom heavy spec pressure washer trailer.

Had to get a mobile welder on site and then we realized at that time that the other axle was tack welded and never finish welded. Surprised we didn't kill someone.

If anyone wants a decent used camper (non toy hauler) fella that works for me is selling his. DM me. He takes good care of his shit (OCD type dude) but my camping is at the hotel off of VISA points nowadays.

Now for cargo trailers, we had a Wells Cargo that my guys beat the ever loving shit out of and that thing kept on a going. I'd buy another one of those for sure.

 

Work n play in MI for $9500...not mine...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:5b4762cc-693b-4106-9738-2ebfd53839cf

Or get a nice cargo trailer and add your stuff....so much info on youtube on DIY conversions for vane, buses, trailers, etc...its not rocket surgery.

 

If you only care about a shower then yes just get an enclosed and add it. Pretty easy to add a fresh water tank, a grey and a pump.
Especially with 7 foot height find a v-nose. Look for a circle track trailer, will already have cabinets, bench, AC, good lights genny wiring/outlets etc.
I would never worry about age on a high quality trailer. I'd rather have a 20 year old Millenium, ATC or Featherlite than anything made after covid. You can probably find an older aluminum enclosed if you can patient for you budget and upgrade at you go.

 

My 7x16 is listed in other. Just posted Sunday

 

AC, gas heat, put 500# on roof, 1500 # on front deck, fridge, sink, outside shower, sleeps 2, weighs 1500 lbs empty built in cook stove and microwave.
$10,000

 

Wants a cheap, reliable, trailer that can haul 4 bikes...just forgetting to say that it has to be towable by a Miata too

 

I have converted two trailers into livable toyhaulers. An insulated, aluminum wall interior, AC/heat mini split, sink with 5gal tank, folding bed, off grid solar/lithium battery setup only costs about $3000 to add to an existing trailer and is much better than any RV PM me for a build sheet.

 

what does the interior look like?
is that the msrp? Not a fan of the exposed cargo.
I believe Dean from Integrity had a similar teardrop version...

 

Nate Kern has been sharing his thoughts about his fairly new ATC Toy hauler. He showed it to me at a dealer and has posted on the FB ATC toy hauler owner's page.

I've been looking at them closely, debating which route I'm going to go. I won't be converting a cargo trailer myself, but might consider having one built for me.

 

Our 24' that I use has a mini split for heat and air, loft bed so we can store things under it, refrigerator, 32" tv, wifi with a repeater so cell service works when it's closed, microwave, air fryer, ice machine, shower with water heater, insulated. All that fits in about an 8.5 x 8.5 area. The rest is tires and tire stuff.

 

I used to have a 17 foot track and Trail, it would hold three bikes have a bathroom and toilet as well as a small kitchen. The bed was pulled down and it had so fast on the floor built quality was not fantastic but workable. My biggest scribe was the loudness of the air conditioner, which was non-ducted, other than that, I really enjoyed having it, made racing in the heat of the southeast much more enjoyable

 

Gonna have to look that up...ATC's have been on my radar for a minute. 2816 is the model I've got my eyes set on.