Toy Hauler RVs The RV base camp is now also your toy transport Story and photos by Howard J Elmer
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ver 1.7 million Canadian families currently use RVs for travel and leisure time, and while kicking back is certainly a highly anticipated tenet of the RV lifestyle, more and more RVers are combining their outdoor hobbies with their travel adventures. Among these passions is hunting and fishing. For many hunters and anglers, what I’m describing is not new. However, there is a new wave of RVs hitting the market that act as both accommodation and transportation. This trend, some 15 years old now, has become so established that the variety and types of “toy hauler” RVs span the range from tent campers right up to 40-plus foot fifth-wheel trailers. These toy hauler RVs are composed of living quarters as well as a garage space. Typically, the rear wall of the trailer folds down and doubles as a ramp to drive toys in and out of the box (or transport boats, kayaks and canoes). The need for this type of RV transport reflects the growth of another market - off-road powersports, particularly ATVs and side-by-sides. ATVs in particular are considered a necessity by many today and I see countless numbers of them being towed up the highway on open trailers. Now consider that you can buy a travel trailer that will also serve as your ATV transport. And, when the garage is empty, it can also used as living space. 32 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE DEC/JAN 2021
Some other features that contribute to this off-grid lifestyle are lifted trailer frames, off-road suspension, larger tires and unique trailer couplers that will flex with uneven terrain. And, when you do get to your remote campsite, these trailers have incorporated systems that will let you stay longer, such as extra fresh water, larger holding tanks and solar panels. Fixed panels as well as auxiliary plug-in solar panels keep the 12V system charged indefinitely. However, some units will carry a generator. These can run on propane or gas. Usually found on larger units with an onboard gas tank that feeds the generator but also with a pump and nozzle to refill powersports units on site. The benefit of the generator is 110V power for things like the microwave, TV and A/C.
