How do you use your Toy Hauler and how do you see others doing so? Mainly referring to 5th wheel rigs since they are more likely to be setup with a separate garage, but welcome the info from any style of TH.
We use the garage for hauling the dirt bikes, quads, bicycles, kayaks and whatever else the trip demands. The garage is not living space. We never put those two beds down in the back. Never set up the table in there. We always have some of the machines in there, even when all of us are out riding.
Ours is the Cyclone 3950 model with the separate twin beds in the loft. Excellent setup for our two kids.
I've been looking at new toy haulers and I swear they are more and more not setup for camping and hauling stuff. Seems that the garage is more living space than hauling space. From the floor plans, I can't find one like ours with the separate beds in the loft, they all seem to want you to use the garage as living space and those beds are where the kids are supposed to be (in the "stinky" garage).
At night, all of our machines go back in the garage, why leave them out in the elements (and have to fiddle with chaining them up) when there's a nice enclosed garage right there.
So, do you use the garage as living space, is that one of the items that were important to you?
Is the garage bathroom used much? Ours would be way better served as pure closet space. Perhaps if it were on the door side and the fridge was on the other, then the kids would use it instead of the master. We do use the 2nd fridge a lot, much more than I originally expected.
Some (most?) of the new models have fireplaces. When we camp, we have campfires. Difficult to see the need for an indoor fireplace.
Some of the new models have limited "high top" table seating, sort of sports-bar-esque. Is this really the high-demand setup folks are looking for? It's not in our group nor do I see it where we camp. We definitely could be out of the loop and not have a clue.
That's not to say I don't see the value in offering these options, but really seems like all of the [new] models have some/most of these features instead of the ones important to families hauling their toys to camping locations.
I'm starting to get concerned that we will not be able to find a new model with the features we want.
PS - not a Heartland specific "issue", most all of the other brands we've considered are doing this "whizbang" feature that isn't what the core market desires (sorry for sounding so self-centered).
We use the garage for hauling the dirt bikes, quads, bicycles, kayaks and whatever else the trip demands. The garage is not living space. We never put those two beds down in the back. Never set up the table in there. We always have some of the machines in there, even when all of us are out riding.
Ours is the Cyclone 3950 model with the separate twin beds in the loft. Excellent setup for our two kids.
I've been looking at new toy haulers and I swear they are more and more not setup for camping and hauling stuff. Seems that the garage is more living space than hauling space. From the floor plans, I can't find one like ours with the separate beds in the loft, they all seem to want you to use the garage as living space and those beds are where the kids are supposed to be (in the "stinky" garage).
At night, all of our machines go back in the garage, why leave them out in the elements (and have to fiddle with chaining them up) when there's a nice enclosed garage right there.
So, do you use the garage as living space, is that one of the items that were important to you?
Is the garage bathroom used much? Ours would be way better served as pure closet space. Perhaps if it were on the door side and the fridge was on the other, then the kids would use it instead of the master. We do use the 2nd fridge a lot, much more than I originally expected.
Some (most?) of the new models have fireplaces. When we camp, we have campfires. Difficult to see the need for an indoor fireplace.
Some of the new models have limited "high top" table seating, sort of sports-bar-esque. Is this really the high-demand setup folks are looking for? It's not in our group nor do I see it where we camp. We definitely could be out of the loop and not have a clue.
That's not to say I don't see the value in offering these options, but really seems like all of the [new] models have some/most of these features instead of the ones important to families hauling their toys to camping locations.
I'm starting to get concerned that we will not be able to find a new model with the features we want.
PS - not a Heartland specific "issue", most all of the other brands we've considered are doing this "whizbang" feature that isn't what the core market desires (sorry for sounding so self-centered).
. We just ordered a carpet for the garage and will be camping with another family in two weeks. Maybe my girls will use the bunks if it doesn't look so "dirty". They are their mothers daughters. Very versatile rig. We unload the garage and set up at camp. My favorite spot is the back patio overlooking the water. 
