Toy Hauler Buying Guide: What BC Outdoor Enthusiasts Need to Know Before Buying
British Columbia is an outdoor playground. From ATV trails and mountain biking around Kamloops to snowmobiling, dirt biking and weekends at the lake, there’s no shortage of reasons to load up your gear and head outside.
The challenge? Getting your toys to the adventure while still having somewhere comfortable to sleep when you arrive.
That’s exactly what a toy hauler is designed to do. Combining traditional RV living space with a dedicated garage area, toy haulers let you bring motorcycles, ATVs, bikes and other recreational equipment along for the trip. They’re available in both travel trailer and fifth-wheel configurations, making them an especially versatile choice for active BC travellers.
Before shopping for a toy hauler at South Thompson RV in Kamloops, BC, here are the biggest things to consider.
What Is a Toy Hauler?
Think of a toy hauler as part RV, part mobile garage.
At the rear, you’ll typically find a large cargo area accessed through a ramp-style door. Load your ATV, dirt bikes, mountain bikes or other equipment inside, secure everything for travel and hit the road.
Once you've reached camp and unloaded, that garage can become valuable additional living space. Depending on the model, it may double as a dining area, lounge, extra bedroom or flexible space for your gear.
For BC adventurers who would otherwise need separate trailers for camping and recreational equipment, putting everything into one RV can make trip planning considerably simpler.
Start With the Toys You Want to Haul
Before comparing floorplans, figure out exactly what needs to fit inside.
A couple of mountain bikes require far less room than a side-by-side. Measure the length, width and height of your largest toys and consider how much room you'll need to safely load, unload and secure them.
Don't forget weight.
The advertised cargo capacity of a toy hauler isn't merely a suggestion. Your ATV, motorcycles, tools, fuel, water, camping supplies and other belongings all contribute to the trailer's loaded weight.
Buying for what you actually plan to carry helps ensure you don't end up with a beautiful toy hauler that can't comfortably accommodate your favourite toys.
Make Sure Your Tow Vehicle Is Ready
Toy haulers can be heavier than comparable conventional travel trailers, particularly once the garage is loaded.
Check your vehicle manufacturer's specifications for towing capacity, payload and hitch limitations, and compare them with the toy hauler's ratings. Remember that your real-world loaded weight includes everything you're bringing along—not simply the trailer's empty weight.
BC licensing requirements are important, too. ICBC states that a regular driver's licence can be used to tow a fully loaded recreational trailer weighing up to 4,600 kg GVW with a two-axle vehicle. Above 4,600 kg, additional licensing requirements apply. ICBC specifically includes toy haulers within its recreational-trailer guidance.
If you're unsure, the team at South Thompson RV can help you understand trailer specifications before you buy.
Travel Trailer or Fifth-Wheel Toy Hauler?
Toy haulers generally come in two configurations, and each offers advantages.
A travel trailer toy hauler uses a conventional bumper-pull setup and may suit shoppers looking for a more manageable unit or who want to preserve their truck bed.
A fifth-wheel toy hauler connects to a hitch mounted inside a pickup bed. Fifth wheels are often larger and can offer more residential-style living space, higher ceilings and additional storage. The hitch design also provides different weight distribution and towing characteristics.
Your truck, budget, desired living space and the size of your toys will help determine which makes more sense.
Don't Sacrifice the Camping Experience
The garage may be what attracts you to a toy hauler, but remember: it's still your RV.
Once the toys are outside, you want somewhere you'll enjoy spending the evening.
Consider how many people need to sleep comfortably, kitchen and bathroom space, storage, seating and whether you'd prefer a separate bedroom. If you travel throughout the year, insulation, heating and cooling should also factor into your decision.
BC outdoor enthusiasts may also want to prioritize features supporting off-grid camping, such as larger freshwater and waste tanks, solar capability, battery capacity and generator preparation.
Think About Where Your Adventures Take You
BC provides incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation, but owning a toy hauler doesn't automatically mean your ATV or dirt bike can be used everywhere you camp.
Off-road vehicles used on Crown land generally must be registered and display an ICBC plate or sticker, and certain areas can have seasonal or permanent motorized-vehicle restrictions.
Check current local restrictions before each trip, particularly during wildfire season. For example, temporary recreational ORV prohibitions can be introduced when wildfire conditions become extreme.
A little route and destination planning ensures you can actually enjoy the toys you worked so hard to bring along.
New or Used Toy Hauler?
Buying used can be a great way to stretch your RV budget, but inspection becomes especially important.
For a pre-owned toy hauler, look carefully at the roof and seals, tires, bearings, appliances, plumbing and signs of water intrusion. You'll also want to inspect the garage floor, ramp door, tie-down points and other components that may have experienced heavy use.
Maintenance records can provide useful insight into how well the previous owner cared for the unit.
Find Your Toy Hauler at South Thompson RV in Kamloops
For BC outdoor enthusiasts, the right toy hauler can turn an RV into your own basecamp on wheels.
Instead of choosing between comfortable camping and bringing the gear that makes your weekends exciting, you can take both.
At South Thompson RV in Kamloops, BC, you can explore new and used toy haulers and compare sizes, layouts, cargo capacities and features based on your tow vehicle and favourite outdoor activities.
Bring the bikes. Load the ATV. Pack the gear. Browse toy haulers at South Thompson RV and find the RV ready to take your next BC adventure further.
