Contrasts Between Fifth Wheels & Toy Haulers

You’ve probably heard a lot of unfamiliar terms on your journey to find an RV that is perfect for you. The more information you have, the greater the chances that you will find an RV that is perfect for you. We here at The Outpost RV want you to make an informed decision when you choose a camper, so we have created this article in hopes to clear up some confusion surrounding terms like “toy hauler” and “fifth wheel”.

Toy Haulers and Storage

A toy hauler is an RV with a separate and enclosed storage bay behind the living quarters. Their name stems from the fact that this extra space is often used to store “toys” like boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other extras that are fun to have on a camping trip but difficult to bring along if you have a traditional towable camper. While some toy haulers have their own drivetrains, making them a kind of motorhome, most are towed behind a tow vehicle.

Fifth Wheels and Hitching

The Difference Between the Two

Most toy haulers are towable RVs rather than motorhomes. Since the addition of the storage bay adds a lot of weight and takes up space, many towable toy haulers are also fifth wheelers. Making a toy hauler use a fifth wheel hitch means that designers don’t have to reduce the size of the living quarters as much to fit in the garage.

While all these definitions may seem to be just academic, they are actually very important to consider when choosing an RV. Since many toy haulers are also fifth wheels, this limits the options for prospective buyers. If you do not already own a flatbed truck and don’t plan to purchase one, you are limited to choosing between a motorhome style toy hauler, which is more expensive, or a travel trailer style toy hauler, which has reduced living space. If you do own a flatbed and want to buy a fifth wheel, you have to decide if the advantages of having a cargo bay outweigh having less room in the living area.

Fifth wheels are a subtype of towable RVs which hitch at the tow vehicle’s bed rather than at bumper level. While this means that only flatbed trucks can be used to tow fifth wheels, it also makes them more stable than other towable RVs. As a result, fifth wheels can be much larger than other towable RVs without compromising safety.

We here at The Outpost RV want you to make the most informed choice possible. The more you know before you buy an RV, the happier you will be. For more information or to view toy hauler and fifth wheel models of all kinds, visit our dealership in Middlebury, Indiana. We also welcome guests from Kalamazoo, Michigan.