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Updated April 2, 2024
We hear from motorsport enthusiasts trying to decide between purchasing a Toy Hauler vs a Travel Trailer. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. So how do you decide which is best for you? It’s harder than ever to decide since the floor plans for Toy Haulers and Travel Trailers offer so many amenities now.
So, we came up with a list of differences to consider before making a buying decision. A resolution to the toy hauler vs travel trailer issue is this: it depends on how much your vehicle can tow. Toy Haulers may be heavier than travel trailers and require a towing vehicle with more tongue weight and towing capacity.
If you plan to buy a new pickup truck, this may not be an issue for you. But if you are planning to buy a new travel trailer or toy hauler and a new truck to pull it, it could be a deal breaker.
What’s the Difference Between a Toy Hauler and A Travel Trailer?
The biggest differences between travel trailers and toy haulers used to be weight and interior space. Toy Haulers are built on a sturdier frame and, therefore, can be much heavier than travel trailers.
They also have a garage area, which can reduce the interior space of the trailer. Some new toy hauler models are much lighter because they are built with aluminum. They also have fold-away couches and a table that can be used to expand the living space into the garage area.
Travel trailers have many luxurious features available for comfortable living conditions, such as a big-screen TV, fireplace, bunkhouse, full-size refrigerator, and the list goes on.
All of this adds up to making the decision even harder for many purchasers. So, let’s look at our list of differences and evaluate them one by one.
1. Garage Space
Garage space in a toy hauler is generally 8 to 13 feet long, with a rear or side ramp to load motorsport vehicles. But garages have come a long way.
Now, manufacturers have begun to make the garage multifunctional. Garages can now become a screened-in covered deck, dining area, family room or sleeping area. Allowing the garage to be used in so many ways expands the living space quite a bit.
The downside to all of this is that with the garage being open to the rest of the trailer, gas and oil smells can spread throughout the trailer. But there are also options to have a closed-off garage to prevent this from happening. Even if the garage is closed off, you could still use it as a deck or patio.
2. Deck/Patio
Garages now have the option to double as a covered deck under the roof, and the ramp can open to create an outdoor deck complete with deck rails. Screening options are also available to keep the bugs out.
3. Water Tanks
I have read many comments in RV Forums that the water tanks are larger in toy haulers than they are in travel trailers. I have not found this to be the case. Every manufacturer installs tanks of different sizes on their models, and toy haulers and travel trailer tank sizes look the same. Maybe some folks have 5th wheel toy haulers, and they have larger holding tanks.
4. Offroad Handling
Since toy haulers are built on a heavier frame, they can withstand going off-road better than travel trailers. Not only do toy haulers have a stronger frame, but they also have stronger axles and suspensions too. Obviously, it depends on the towing ability of your truck, the weight of the toy hauler, and the terrain.
5. Towing
Some toy haulers are much heavier than their travel trailer counterparts. And, by expanding living space with slideouts and interior upgrades, they are heavier yet. So, make sure you understand the towing capacity of your truck when compared to the weight of your fully loaded toy hauler.
6. Weight
While toy haulers typically weigh more than travel trailers, hitch weight and carrying capacity are also factors to consider. Toy Haulers are designed to carry much more weight and usually have a heavier hitch weight too. However, some newer models with an aluminum frame and body construction, such as ATC Toy Haulers, are very light and extremely strong.
We just saw some amazing new ATC toy hauler floor plans at the 2024 Tampa RV Show. You should log onto the ATC website and check out how you can reconfigure the interiors to suit your needs.
7. Storage
A travel trailer has more interior storage space since the floor plans include more closets per foot than toy haulers. However, toy haulers have garage storage space, which can be used for motorized vehicles, bicycles, kayaks, coolers, chairs, and whatever else you can fit.
8. Cost
Toy haulers can cost $20,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on size and amenities, which can range from very basic to quite comfortable. They also tend to be less expensive than fifth-wheel models, which are typically larger and more luxurious.
A new travel trailer can cost between $25,000 and $95,000 but averages between $35,000 and $60,000 depending on size, weight, floor plan, construction methods, materials, and amenities.
9. Length
Travel trailers range in size from 14 to 40 feet, as do toy haulers, although squeezing into a 14′ toy hauler would be tough. But typically, they are comparable in length.
10. Gas Mileage
Gas mileage will all depend on how heavy the total weight of your trailer is. Quite simply, the heavier the load, the lower the gas mileage. So, gas mileage may be important if you travel many miles a year. In this case, a new, lighter trailer would definitely be better for gas mileage, but it will cost you more than an older, heavier model.
11. Interior Features
Interior features offered in travel trailers and toy haulers have come a long way. Travel trailers now have interior features that rival 5th wheels and larger RVs.
You can now buy travel trailers with a fireplace, multiple bedrooms, two bathrooms, a bunkhouse, an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor recreation area, an outdoor deck or an elevated patio. The number of features available on travel trailers is amazing.
The same is true for toy haulers. Even though the living space is smaller, toy haulers are made with upgraded interior and exterior features to maximize the space. Even the garage floors look like interior floors in some cases to enhance the usability of that area as part of the overall living space.
12. ATVs/Dirt Bikes
You can haul an ATV, snowmobile or dirt bikes in your toy hauler. But what options do you have if you opt for a travel trailer?
Well, if the bed of your pickup truck is big enough and can handle the extra weight, you can load your motorsport vehicles into the bed of your pickup truck. Maybe it’s not a perfect solution, but you can haul your toys and have more living space in your travel trailer.
13. Generators
Travel trailers and toy haulers do not typically come with built-in generators. However, some manufacturers now offer the option to add one. The generator is typically installed between the A-frame at the front of the trailer.
14. Slide Outs
Both travel trailers and toy haulers can have slide outs. Clearly, these add even more weight to either type of trailer. But they add a lot of additional space and even allow for a king-sized bed in some floor plans.
15. Bathrooms
Most toy haulers have one bathroom, while larger travel trailers are able to accommodate more than one since they are roomier inside. A travel trailer can be great if you have a large family or the girls want their own bathroom.
16. Bunkhouses
I have not seen a toy hauler with a bunkhouse. I have seen them with folding beds on the garage wall, but they are not an actual bunkhouse unless you go up to a 5th-wheel size toy hauler.
17. Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are available on toy haulers and travel trailers. They are a great option because most folks are outside anyway and an outdoor kitchen makes food prep easy and convenient.
18. Floor Plans
Both toy haulers and travel trailers have a multitude of floor plans to choose from. The advantage of a travel trailer is that it has more interior living space for bedrooms, bathrooms, and a family room. But toy haulers have come a long way in using all of the available space in the living area, garage area, and even the ramp to create as much living space as possible.
19. Brakes
The brakes that are installed on travel trailers and toy haulers can be different and they are based on the overall weight of the trailer. You should consider talking to a professional regarding electric brakes to your trailer if you haul an especially heavy load.
Related Questions
1. Should I Consider a 5th Wheel Toy Hauler Too?
If you want a luxurious RV and to haul your toys, too, you should consider a fifth-wheel toy hauler. Since fifth wheels are so large, you will have a wide variety of floor plans, including a garage and amazing interior features. You can also have a closed-off garage without sacrificing living space.
2. Should I Rent Before I Buy?
Renting before you buy can, in this case, greatly impact your purchasing decision. The advantages and disadvantages of travel trailers and toy haulers cancel each other out, making it extremely difficult to choose one.
I would strongly recommend renting both types, unless you have experience with one, before making a purchase. It could save you a lot of money! Outdoorsy is a great place to find a wide variety of rentals in your area.
RELATED READING: Check out our article Travel Trailer and Toy Hauler Rental Prices – Find Your Best Deal to rent a travel trailer or toy hauler before you buy one. Renting before you buy can help you make a better decision and save you a bundle.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when deciding between a toy hauler and a travel trailer. There is no clear-cut answer for which one to buy.
It all depends on your needs and how much your vehicle can tow. Although our list of items to consider doesn’t address every possible scenario, it should give you a good starting point for making an informed decision.
Do you have a tip or comment you would like to share about a toy hauler vs a travel trailer? Please share your comments or any questions below.
Learn More!
– 7 Alternative Uses For Camper Toy Hauler Garages
– 10 Best Small Toy Haulers For RV Adventures
– 8 Shortest Fifth-Wheel Toy Haulers
– 10 Best Travel Trailer Toy Haulers for 2024
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Mike Scarpignato – Bio
Mike Scarpignato created RVBlogger.com over five years ago in 2018 to share all we have learned about RV camping.
Mike is an avid outdoorsman with decades of experience tent camping and traveling in his 2008 Gulf Stream Conquest Class C RV and 2021 Thor Challenger Class A motorhome.
We attend RV Shows and visit RV dealerships all across the country to tour and review drivable motorhomes and towable trailers to provide the best evaluations of these RVs in our blog articles and YouTube videos.
We are 3/4-time RVers who created RVBlogger.com to provide helpful information about all kinds of RVs and related products, gear, camping memberships, tips, hacks and advice.
i dont have an toy but i would like to buy a toy hauler and add a nice couch and turn it in to a living room and also have the convienace of the ramp to sit outside. what do you think i have a family of four and dont plan on buying any type of toy
I’m planning to buy an RV and move to an RV park permanently, but I don’t know what type of RV to buy. I like the idea of a garage space in my RV that I can turn into a covered deck, dining area, family room, or any other multifunctional space. Because of that, I think I should start looking for toy hauler trailers for sale in the city. Thanks a lot!