New Custom Toyhauler - Diesel Forum

thetonka · 03-22-2006, 11:23 AM

So we wanted to get a Toyhauler, but after looking around at most of the RV style toyhaulers I was really dissapointed in the construction. I have a 1952 Willys Pickup that weighs in at about 4600# plus we want to be able to carry some quads. I will be replacing the truck with something lighter in the future but even then I don't trust any of the RV style toyhaulers out there with anything over 2500# or so. They just aren't built well.

So I found a thread on another forum I frequent and went and visited Universal Trailer out in San Bernadino. Awesome people and an awesom product. So we ordered a trailer. Its going to be 8' wide, 24' long, 13'6" tall, 2 stories, with a bathroom, kitchenette, 5KW generac, and a loft bedroom in front. Its pretty sparse, but thats all we need. Especially since the trailer complete with all the custom features I want is going to be less than $25K.

I will post pictures of the build.

thetonka · 03-22-2006, 11:30 AM

Pictures during construction

Front Tongue

Front Shot

Front Framework side shot

Front framework

Front framework loft

frame wheel well shot

And yes I know the pictures suck. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

JW350 · 03-22-2006, 11:53 AM

Looks interesting. I'm currently shopping for a new toy hauler as well. Did you consider ATC? Keep us posted on the progress.

Psaint · 03-22-2006, 12:17 PM

If you really wanted to go the heavy duty route the Power House Coach would do the trick, but for a lot more than $25K. May be my next toyhauler. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
From their website at http://www.powerhousecoach.com/index.html
---------------
At Powerhouse Coach we build to order custom luxury
motor coaches toter trucks and special use emergency vehicles using full size class 8 diesel truck chassis.

If you don't start with a good solid foundation then the beauty is only skin deep . At Powerhouse our beauty starts with a superior 50.000 lb GVW rated chassis foundation 1/8 inch plate steel storage compartments a top quality construction coach body with all of the upgraded interior options you would expect in luxury motor coaches and topped off with custom designed base / clear coat paint.

Powerhouse Coaches & Toter Trucks are built & sold factory direct . Giving you what you want , while receiving the utmost in customization & value!

thetonka · 03-22-2006, 12:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Looks interesting. I'm currently shopping for a new toy hauler as well. Did you consider ATC? Keep us posted on the progress.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I checked them out and they are nice. However being able to work with the guys first hand and see the trailer being built so close by was a big plus. The first trip I made up there to check them out they told me I could look around their facility at anything I wanted to. They didn't even follow me around. They have nothing to hide and are very open. I like that. The only issue is they speak broken english and it takes a little work to communicate.

BTW I live in Murrieta.

thetonka · 03-22-2006, 12:53 PM

VERY NICE, but definately NOT in my price range. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I am perfectly happy with my F350 and great big box of a trailer.

[ QUOTE ]
If you really wanted to go the heavy duty route the Power House Coach would do the trick, but for a lot more than $25K. May be my next toyhauler. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
From their website at http://www.powerhousecoach.com/index.html
---------------
At Powerhouse Coach we build to order custom luxury
motor coaches toter trucks and special use emergency vehicles using full size class 8 diesel truck chassis.

If you don't start with a good solid foundation then the beauty is only skin deep . At Powerhouse our beauty starts with a superior 50.000 lb GVW rated chassis foundation 1/8 inch plate steel storage compartments a top quality construction coach body with all of the upgraded interior options you would expect in luxury motor coaches and topped off with custom designed base / clear coat paint.

Powerhouse Coaches & Toter Trucks are built & sold factory direct . Giving you what you want , while receiving the utmost in customization & value!

[/ QUOTE ]

FatDog · 03-22-2006, 06:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
... I have a 1952 Willys Pickup that weighs in at about 4600# plus we want to be able to carry some quads

[/ QUOTE ]

first of all, Tonka that is a great idea you have in having your own custom built ..
but i gotta wonder, are you sure it is going to be stout enough to haul 6000 pounds around? What kind of axles are they using and what is the overall weight of the stock trailer going to be?
I really think you have a good idea going on and I would like to hear more.

lincster · 03-23-2006, 09:38 AM

Make sure they put heavy duty axles on that thing.
Also don't run 15" trailer tires. 16" LRE at a minimum. I would fork out the dough for G rated tires.

thetonka · 03-23-2006, 11:13 AM

GVWR of the trailer will be 15,000 lbs, and will have 3 5K axles under it. Thats as high as I wanted to go seeing as 15K will be over the GCVWR of my truck and with the long drives I do I don't really want to take a chance of getting a ticket. I know a guy who has a trailer by these guys, his experience is why I went with them, and he puts an early bronco in his and it handles it just fine.

One of the trailers they are building right now is right at $40K and is being built to haul two racing sand cars stacked in the back with 80 gallons of water, and 40 gallons of fuel, plus tools, air compressor, generator, and parts. Its REALLY nice.

thetonka · 03-23-2006, 11:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Make sure they put heavy duty axles on that thing.
Also don't run 15" trailer tires. 16" LRE at a minimum. I would fork out the dough for G rated tires.

[/ QUOTE ]

The trailer is predicted to weigh 8000 lbs with fluids. So with another 6000lbs thats 14K. The GVWR of the trailer will be 15K. I haven't weighed my truck yet but that will probably be over the GCVWR by a bit. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I am more worried about the truck than the trailer, at least from a legal standpoint.

thetonka · 03-27-2006, 10:50 AM

More updates, and an entire thread can be found HERE.

Some pics:

This is a shot of the end of the upstairs ramp. There will be additional fold down ramps here as the upstairs will not come completely down to the floor.

You can see here how far back the ramp goes. I have been thinking that some cabinets up top would be a good idea, but don't know how accessible they would be.

A shot of the hinges for the upstairs ramp.

Here is a side shot of the entire second floor.

lincster · 03-28-2006, 02:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Make sure they put heavy duty axles on that thing.
Also don't run 15" trailer tires. 16" LRE at a minimum. I would fork out the dough for G rated tires.

[/ QUOTE ]

The trailer is predicted to weigh 8000 lbs with fluids. So with another 6000lbs thats 14K. The GVWR of the trailer will be 15K. I haven't weighed my truck yet but that will probably be over the GCVWR by a bit. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I am more worried about the truck than the trailer, at least from a legal standpoint.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I would be worried about the truck also.
If you load the trailer up to 15k, you are going to be over the truck GCWR by about 3000lbs, or more.

thetonka · 03-29-2006, 07:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Make sure they put heavy duty axles on that thing.
Also don't run 15" trailer tires. 16" LRE at a minimum. I would fork out the dough for G rated tires.

[/ QUOTE ]

The trailer is predicted to weigh 8000 lbs with fluids. So with another 6000lbs thats 14K. The GVWR of the trailer will be 15K. I haven't weighed my truck yet but that will probably be over the GCVWR by a bit. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I am more worried about the truck than the trailer, at least from a legal standpoint.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I would be worried about the truck also.
If you load the trailer up to 15k, you are going to be over the truck GCWR by about 3000lbs, or more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats close to what I figured, though I don't know how much my truck weighs. I was going to do a lift and bigger tires but with this trailer I don't think I want to add the weight. I may go with taller skinnier higher load capacity tires though. I know the stock wheels are pretty light and don't think I would save that much.

lincster · 03-30-2006, 08:39 AM

I know my 2002 F250 Crew Cab, 4X4, Auto, PSD, SB weighed 7100lbs with full fuel and no passengers. I put it on a CAT scale. I understand the manuals weigh more than the autos and with a LB, you have a bigger fuel tank and the weight of the bed to add.

thetonka · 03-30-2006, 12:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I know my 2002 F250 Crew Cab, 4X4, Auto, PSD, SB weighed 7100lbs with full fuel and no passengers. I put it on a CAT scale. I understand the manuals weigh more than the autos and with a LB, you have a bigger fuel tank and the weight of the bed to add.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I was kind of figuring that it would be close to 8K. Will have to see. I am planning on a new trailer rig that should be lighter than my current pig. I am shooting for under 4K which should keep me under the GCVWR, but just barely. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]