Toy haulers are among the most unique types of recreational vehicles in the industry. They offer the opportunity to travel and camp with all your favorite toys neatly packed away in the back of your RV.
Because of their unique and convenient features, toy haulers ring it at a higher price tag than other types of RVs.
This article will break down what that price tag is and the different factors that determine it.
What Exactly is a Toy Hauler?
A toy hauler RV is a type of camper in which the entire rear wall drops down and turns into a loading ramp, similar to that of a utility trailer.
This ramp then opens up to an empty garage or cargo area large enough to store ATVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, tools, or even a small car or golf cart. You can then travel and camp with these power sport vehicles in tow and take them wherever you go.
Alternatively, you can also use the rear garage area as additional living space. (Check out our guide on transforming your toy hauler garage into a usable space). This garage area is essentially a large, empty room, and you can turn it into whatever you want. I’ve seen full-time RVers use this area for everything from a gym or home office to a kid’s playroom to a master bedroom.
Average Cost of a Toy Hauler
The average cost of a toy hauler depends on a number of factors, which we’ll get into in a moment. In general, however, here’s what a typical toy hauler will cost:
- Motorhomes – $160,000 – $210,000
- Travel trailers – $35,000 – $45,000
- Fifth wheels – $125,000 – $150,000
Factors That Affect Toy Hauler Cost
To better understand what determines the overall cost of a toy hauler and to ensure you get the best prices available, here’s a rundown of factors to consider:
Type of Toy Hauler
The biggest determining factor of price is whether the toy hauler is a motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth wheel. Motorhomes are the most expensive, while travel trailers are the most affordable.
Size
In general, the bigger a toy hauler is, the higher the purchase price will be. Size is the main reason that fifth wheels are more expensive than travel trailers.
Layout of the Cargo Area
Some cargo areas are designed strictly as garages, while others can be converted into either a garage or additional living space. Typically, the more versatile and flexible the cargo area, the more expensive the toy hauler will be.
Additional Porch Areas and Features
The more porch areas and features a toy hauler has, the more expensive it will be. Extra commodities, such as drop-down power beds, lofts, or bathrooms in the cargo area, will also drive up the price.
Different Types of Toy Haulers
As with other types of RVs, there are different types of toy haulers available. It’s important to compare your options so that you choose the right toy hauler for your needs.
Fifth-Wheel Toy Haulers
Fifth-wheel toy haulers are easily the most common types of toy haulers you’ll see at your local campground. Fifth-wheel toy haulers look just like any other fifth-wheel camper but feature the rear drop-down wall that’s typical of a toy hauler.
Fifth wheels are a popular toy hauler option because they’re longer and have more interior space than a travel trailer. As such, the rear garage area doesn’t take up as much living and sleeping space as it does with a smaller camper.
Fifth wheels are also a popular option because they have a higher gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). That means they can carry more weight than a standard travel trailer, which means more room for more toys.
While fifth-wheel toy haulers are extremely popular, they’re also typically the most expensive towable RVs on the market, costing anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000.
Here are three of the most popular fifth-wheel toy haulers and their starting prices:
- Grand Design Momentum – $148,185
- Alliance Valor – $105,000
- Keystone Raptor – $127,995
Travel Trailer Toy Haulers
Although they’re smaller than fifth wheels, travel trailer toy haulers are another solid option. Like fifth wheels, they have the same shape and design as any other travel trailer but with the all-important rear drop-down wall.
Because they’re smaller than fifth-wheels, travel trailer toy haulers are a more affordable option. You can typically find a quality travel trailer toy hauler model for $50,000 or less.
But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. So, be aware that travel trailer toy haulers have a lower GVWR and less living/sleeping space since the rear garage takes up a larger percentage of the square footage.
Here are three of the most popular toy hauler travel trailers and their starting prices:
- Grand Design Momentum – $39,300
- Keystone Fuzion – $57,923
- Forest River Cherokee – $44,562
Motorhome Toy Haulers
If you prefer to drive a motorized toy hauler, you can also choose a motorhome toy hauler. Although these are the rarest and most expensive toy haulers, they may be a perfect fit for you and your family.
Motorized toy haulers have all the benefits of a typical motorhome; they’re easier to drive, park, and set up than a towable RV. As a bonus, they grant RVers like you the option of hauling toys or a small car in the back of your motorhome rather than towing a utility trailer.
The downside is that they’re also the most expensive types of toy haulers, as higher-end models can exceed $500,000.
Here are three of the most popular motorhome toy haulers on the market, and their starting price:
- Thor Outlaw Class A – $295,350
- Thor Outlaw Class C – $178,650
- Newmar Canyon Star – $363,020
Pros and Cons of a Toy Hauler
Now that you have a better idea of what a toy hauler is and the different options available, let’s look at the general pros and cons of toy haulers versus traditional RVs.
Pros
- Versatility: You can use the cargo area for anything from a garage to extra living space.
- More storage and packing room: In addition to hauling toys and equipment, the cargo area on a toy hauler is also perfect for storing tools, hiking gear, swimming gear, fishing equipment, or even household essentials.
- Value retention: Because toy haulers are seemingly always in high demand, they are sort of like Jeep Wranglers in that they retain their resale value.
- More outdoor living space: Many modern toy haulers offer the option of converting the rear drop-down ramp into a porch or patio area.
- Additional drop-down doors: Some toy hauler designers have taken things to the next level and offer multiple drop-down ramps.
Cons
- Less living space: While the cargo area is handy, using it as a garage or storage area reduces your overall living space.
- Harder to tow: Toy haulers are also heavier, which makes them more difficult to tow and maneuver.
- More expensive: The main disadvantage of toy haulers is that they’re more expensive than other types of RVs.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of what type of toy hauler you purchase or how expensive it is, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect and maintain it. That means having somewhere safe and convenient to store it so that it’s protected and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
If you don’t have the proper storage accommodations on your property but also don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars per month on storage, consider turning to Neighbor. As a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, Neighbor has thousands of safe and affordable RV storage options throughout the country.
FAQs
Are Toy Haulers More Expensive Than Travel Trailers?
Toy haulers tend to be quite a bit more expensive than travel trailers and non-toy hauler fifth wheels. The main reason is the extra time and materials required to make a toy hauler. You’ll also pay for the convenience of having a built-in toy garage.
Are Toy Haulers Worth It?
If you like taking ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, dirt bikes, or any of your other favorite toys camping, toy haulers are worth the money.
