Best smaller toy hauler for MX

agn5008
Posts
1983
Joined
3/8/2021
Location
PA, PA, USA
Fantasy
3/9/2021 5:31am
mx510 wrote:
1500 towable or do you have a 2500 or bigger?
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be...
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be climbing and descending hills on a regular basis, I’d back that down to 18.
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
2
wrc777
Posts
3198
Joined
5/21/2020
Location
Greenwood, IN, USA
Fantasy
3/9/2021 6:01am
mx510 wrote:
1500 towable or do you have a 2500 or bigger?
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be...
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be climbing and descending hills on a regular basis, I’d back that down to 18.
agn5008 wrote:
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east...
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or boosted V6 the engine and transmission are fine at that weight and higher if you don't mind listening to the engine wound up pretty good up hills. If you have ever ridden a 125 this should not bother you.

The old 4 speed transmissions could struggle unless you had a big block or a diesel.
agn5008
Posts
1983
Joined
3/8/2021
Location
PA, PA, USA
Fantasy
3/9/2021 6:43am
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be...
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be climbing and descending hills on a regular basis, I’d back that down to 18.
agn5008 wrote:
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east...
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
wrc777 wrote:
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or...
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or boosted V6 the engine and transmission are fine at that weight and higher if you don't mind listening to the engine wound up pretty good up hills. If you have ever ridden a 125 this should not bother you.

The old 4 speed transmissions could struggle unless you had a big block or a diesel.
Yeah, a newer half ton is capable of pulling a 30 foot camper under 8000 pounds. I had a 2018 Silverado 1500 (pictured above) and it pulled my camper with ease. I just picked up a 2021 V6 Duramax diesel with a 10 speed transmission. I’m pretty excited to see if it pulls even better. It has a lot more torque than my 5.3 L had, so I’m betting it will be even better.

I believe my 2018 5.3 was rated around 9,000 pounds. My camper was 4700 dry and 7900 max capacity (I believe, I could be 100 or 200 pounds off on that) and like I said, no issues what so ever.
1
mx510
Posts
1992
Joined
2/26/2011
Location
Gig Harbor, WA, USA
3/9/2021 8:55am
wrc777 wrote:
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or...
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or boosted V6 the engine and transmission are fine at that weight and higher if you don't mind listening to the engine wound up pretty good up hills. If you have ever ridden a 125 this should not bother you.

The old 4 speed transmissions could struggle unless you had a big block or a diesel.
I was asking the OP about his truck because I was going to suggest my toy hauler, but I would not advise towing my trailer with an over 7k weight dry with a 1500. I have a Work and Play 25WAB and the thing is built like a tank, great trailer.

The Shop

gristle568
Posts
342
Joined
6/30/2014
Location
Nathalie, VA, USA
3/9/2021 9:17am
The wildwood and Salem FSX are the same campers with different graphics, the fiberglass siding is an option you can get. I think it was around $1000 more than the aluminum.
1
dmm698
Posts
955
Joined
6/24/2015
Location
USA
3/11/2021 12:10pm
go with aluminum siding. Less prone to showing any future water damage if and when it occurs.
2
1
3/11/2021 2:26pm Edited Date/Time 3/11/2021 2:57pm
mx510 wrote:
1500 towable or do you have a 2500 or bigger?
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be...
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be climbing and descending hills on a regular basis, I’d back that down to 18.
agn5008 wrote:
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east...
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear, gas, water, pots and pans, bedding, tools, food, generator, etc, I took it to a truck scale and my supposedly 5,800 lb trailer weighs 8,000 lbs when loaded with all my stuff.
2
1
Freedom Mx
Posts
92
Joined
7/20/2016
Location
Highlands, TX, USA
3/11/2021 7:46pm
gristle568 wrote:
The wildwood and Salem FSX are the same campers with different graphics, the fiberglass siding is an option you can get. I think it was around...
The wildwood and Salem FSX are the same campers with different graphics, the fiberglass siding is an option you can get. I think it was around $1000 more than the aluminum.
Yes they do , I the fiberglass was a few month wait and I wanted now so I went with the aluminum, keep it covered and bought a nice cover for it. Just got back from Daytona and again no issues so far
49weasel
Posts
975
Joined
4/12/2013
Location
CANAL WINCHESTER, OH, USA
3/11/2021 8:07pm
2020 Wildwood 280rtx
2020 f150 with a 2.7 pulls and stops just fine.
If I stay 60mph or under I get 9-12mpg no matter where I go.
Bought new a year ago for $22k otd with an extended warranty.

4
agn5008
Posts
1983
Joined
3/8/2021
Location
PA, PA, USA
Fantasy
3/11/2021 9:45pm
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be...
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be climbing and descending hills on a regular basis, I’d back that down to 18.
agn5008 wrote:
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east...
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear...
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear, gas, water, pots and pans, bedding, tools, food, generator, etc, I took it to a truck scale and my supposedly 5,800 lb trailer weighs 8,000 lbs when loaded with all my stuff.
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But how’s that equate to max trailer length being 21 foot for a half ton?
1
wrc777
Posts
3198
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5/21/2020
Location
Greenwood, IN, USA
Fantasy
3/12/2021 5:50am
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be...
21 ft is the max for a half ton truck with a weight distributing hitch and a good quality trailer brake controller, and if you’ll be climbing and descending hills on a regular basis, I’d back that down to 18.
agn5008 wrote:
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east...
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear...
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear, gas, water, pots and pans, bedding, tools, food, generator, etc, I took it to a truck scale and my supposedly 5,800 lb trailer weighs 8,000 lbs when loaded with all my stuff.
You do have trailer brakes right? Those are to stop the extra 8k lbs behind you. 5800lb is a really heavy 21 footer. I wouldn't pull the 34' in the picture above with the F150 either because I would feel like the trailer was working me over on any bump or curve.
1
NorCalMXDad
Posts
24
Joined
11/11/2020
Location
Wheatland, CA, USA
3/12/2021 8:20am
We had a smaller one to start with but with two bikes, two adults and two teenagers it wasn't enough room, I wanted to get one with a garage that way when we are at the track in the summer the garage can be open and it won't affect the AC running in the trailer. So we found a new Wolfpack 295pack13, its got a 13ft garage, sleeps 10 and has been absolutely amazing...





5
Meister
Posts
3250
Joined
3/21/2013
Location
Canton, OH, USA
3/12/2021 8:49am
Dmm, that set up is something I've been eyeing. Missed a nice one locally not too long ago for around 10. My question is, does the slide out front bed keep noise out or is it like an old pop up?
racerx217
Posts
1204
Joined
10/10/2008
Location
USA
3/12/2021 7:31pm
gristle568 wrote:
I just bought a Forrest river Salem fsx260rtx 3 weeks ago. I found a semi local dealer with it in stock and they gave me a...
I just bought a Forrest river Salem fsx260rtx 3 weeks ago. I found a semi local dealer with it in stock and they gave me a really good price so I picked it up. Do your homework and shop around and you can save a lot of money. I would avoid camping world, I made the mistake of going there to look.
I picked up the same one a month ago. First trip we took it over 1000 miles one way down south. No huge problems but yeah normal shit breaking. I am sure there will be more to come but for now it works.
1
racerx217
Posts
1204
Joined
10/10/2008
Location
USA
3/12/2021 7:38pm
agn5008 wrote:
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east...
Lol what? I have had absolutely no issues what so ever pulling my 26RT with a half ton. Where I live is the highest point east of the Mississippi so I climb up some hills.
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear...
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear, gas, water, pots and pans, bedding, tools, food, generator, etc, I took it to a truck scale and my supposedly 5,800 lb trailer weighs 8,000 lbs when loaded with all my stuff.
agn5008 wrote:
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But...
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But how’s that equate to max trailer length being 21 foot for a half ton?
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for. The 28ft one we pull is 5200 lbs dry, loaded on a j scale we are like 6800 lbs loaded, pulling it with a 2020 f150 with the tiny 2.7l eco boost that is rated for like 7600lbs. We pulled it from Michigan to SC through the mountains with absolutely no issues. The setup worked great. In the mountains we were pulling at the posted speed limit and everywhere else 64/65 mph. We averaged 10mpg for the whole trip.
3/12/2021 7:55pm
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear...
That’s fine as long as you don’t need to stop quickly. My 21 foot trailer plate says it weighs 5,800lbs. Add a couple of bikes, gear, gas, water, pots and pans, bedding, tools, food, generator, etc, I took it to a truck scale and my supposedly 5,800 lb trailer weighs 8,000 lbs when loaded with all my stuff.
agn5008 wrote:
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But...
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But how’s that equate to max trailer length being 21 foot for a half ton?
racerx217 wrote:
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for...
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for. The 28ft one we pull is 5200 lbs dry, loaded on a j scale we are like 6800 lbs loaded, pulling it with a 2020 f150 with the tiny 2.7l eco boost that is rated for like 7600lbs. We pulled it from Michigan to SC through the mountains with absolutely no issues. The setup worked great. In the mountains we were pulling at the posted speed limit and everywhere else 64/65 mph. We averaged 10mpg for the whole trip.
If you really have a 28 foot trailer that is that light when fully loaded, then you’re right, you’re fine.
racerx217
Posts
1204
Joined
10/10/2008
Location
USA
3/12/2021 8:25pm
agn5008 wrote:
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But...
I’m not understanding what you’re saying. You absolutely do not want to be close to the max weight your truck can pull. No doubts there. But how’s that equate to max trailer length being 21 foot for a half ton?
racerx217 wrote:
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for...
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for. The 28ft one we pull is 5200 lbs dry, loaded on a j scale we are like 6800 lbs loaded, pulling it with a 2020 f150 with the tiny 2.7l eco boost that is rated for like 7600lbs. We pulled it from Michigan to SC through the mountains with absolutely no issues. The setup worked great. In the mountains we were pulling at the posted speed limit and everywhere else 64/65 mph. We averaged 10mpg for the whole trip.
If you really have a 28 foot trailer that is that light when fully loaded, then you’re right, you’re fine.
Yup Salem 260rxt platinum or something like that. They are that light because they are built as el cheapo as they can be. We have been doing this for awhile and swap them out every 3 years or so before they start to fall apart. Its either that or buy a 24ft ATC for like 60k. Way cheaper to do the cheaper ones and get new ones every few years.
1
3/13/2021 8:39am
racerx217 wrote:
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for...
I don't know about that. What the point of having a max tow weight but you dont get anything anywhere near the weight its rated for. The 28ft one we pull is 5200 lbs dry, loaded on a j scale we are like 6800 lbs loaded, pulling it with a 2020 f150 with the tiny 2.7l eco boost that is rated for like 7600lbs. We pulled it from Michigan to SC through the mountains with absolutely no issues. The setup worked great. In the mountains we were pulling at the posted speed limit and everywhere else 64/65 mph. We averaged 10mpg for the whole trip.
If you really have a 28 foot trailer that is that light when fully loaded, then you’re right, you’re fine.
racerx217 wrote:
Yup Salem 260rxt platinum or something like that. They are that light because they are built as el cheapo as they can be. We have been...
Yup Salem 260rxt platinum or something like that. They are that light because they are built as el cheapo as they can be. We have been doing this for awhile and swap them out every 3 years or so before they start to fall apart. Its either that or buy a 24ft ATC for like 60k. Way cheaper to do the cheaper ones and get new ones every few years.
I had my heart set on the ATC, but I get where you’re coming from. If you don’t mind me asking, what dealer do you work with? I might look into that alternate.
captmoto
Posts
5871
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
3/13/2021 11:17am
wrc777 wrote:
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or...
30 feet and around 8k lbs is my limit for 1/2 ton suspension. If it has at least a 6 speed transmission and a V8 or boosted V6 the engine and transmission are fine at that weight and higher if you don't mind listening to the engine wound up pretty good up hills. If you have ever ridden a 125 this should not bother you.

The old 4 speed transmissions could struggle unless you had a big block or a diesel.
30" is too long. It isn't the weight of the trailer, it's the side deflection you get from passing trucks and in a side wind. It's too much leverage on the truck for it's weight. There is a lot more than just getting a trailer moving. 23' would be MY max. Hell, I pull a 23 footer with an F250.
1
lumpy790
Posts
11459
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
3/13/2021 5:10pm
Sold my bumper pull Fury a year ago on RVTrader.com .
racerx217
Posts
1204
Joined
10/10/2008
Location
USA
3/13/2021 7:12pm
If you really have a 28 foot trailer that is that light when fully loaded, then you’re right, you’re fine.
racerx217 wrote:
Yup Salem 260rxt platinum or something like that. They are that light because they are built as el cheapo as they can be. We have been...
Yup Salem 260rxt platinum or something like that. They are that light because they are built as el cheapo as they can be. We have been doing this for awhile and swap them out every 3 years or so before they start to fall apart. Its either that or buy a 24ft ATC for like 60k. Way cheaper to do the cheaper ones and get new ones every few years.
I had my heart set on the ATC, but I get where you’re coming from. If you don’t mind me asking, what dealer do you work...
I had my heart set on the ATC, but I get where you’re coming from. If you don’t mind me asking, what dealer do you work with? I might look into that alternate.
I got it from Rose City RV. Lots everywhere are bare of the toy haulers already though good luck. Ill sell you mine in 2023.
smansfield7
Posts
34
Joined
6/3/2020
Location
Weymouth, MA, USA
3/14/2021 9:41pm Edited Date/Time 3/14/2021 9:44pm
gristle568 wrote:
I just bought a Forrest river Salem fsx260rtx 3 weeks ago. I found a semi local dealer with it in stock and they gave me a...
I just bought a Forrest river Salem fsx260rtx 3 weeks ago. I found a semi local dealer with it in stock and they gave me a really good price so I picked it up. Do your homework and shop around and you can save a lot of money. I would avoid camping world, I made the mistake of going there to look.
About what did you pay for the camper if you don’t mind me asking? I see a lot of those in stock I’m starting to think...
About what did you pay for the camper if you don’t mind me asking? I see a lot of those in stock I’m starting to think it doesn’t really matter which route I go because they all seem to have there own problems.. I’d like to stay under 30ft and around or under 30k
gristle568 wrote:
It was $21511 before tax and title with the torsion anti sway hitch included.
How does it pull with the anti sway hitch? I’m pulling with a Chevy 2500 duramax and the dealer said I wouldn’t need one but it seems everyone else is saying get one
captmoto
Posts
5871
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
3/14/2021 10:13pm
How does it pull with the anti sway hitch? I’m pulling with a Chevy 2500 duramax and the dealer said I wouldn’t need one but it...
How does it pull with the anti sway hitch? I’m pulling with a Chevy 2500 duramax and the dealer said I wouldn’t need one but it seems everyone else is saying get one
Use the sway/equalizer. You get a lot of piece of mind out of it.
1
Sauce96
Posts
117
Joined
10/29/2014
Location
Apollo, PA, USA
3/15/2021 10:07am
May a little bigger than what you are looking for but i am selling my 2015.5 Thor outlaw motorhome 28,000miles. For $75,000. Located in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania.


1
JoeWV
Posts
183
Joined
7/5/2019
Location
Hurricane, WV, USA
12/28/2021 4:28pm
OP, just wondering what you went with? I’m currently looking for one, 25’ or under. Prices are ridiculous right now though.

Anybody using a Stealth Nomad?
smansfield7
Posts
34
Joined
6/3/2020
Location
Weymouth, MA, USA
12/28/2021 5:07pm
JoeWV wrote:
OP, just wondering what you went with? I’m currently looking for one, 25’ or under. Prices are ridiculous right now though.

Anybody using a Stealth Nomad?
I ended up getting a forest river wildwood 260RT did a lot weekends with it this year and didn’t have any major issues I paid 21,900 otd back in April very happy w the camper so far
1
JoeWV
Posts
183
Joined
7/5/2019
Location
Hurricane, WV, USA
12/28/2021 5:49pm
JoeWV wrote:
OP, just wondering what you went with? I’m currently looking for one, 25’ or under. Prices are ridiculous right now though.

Anybody using a Stealth Nomad?
I ended up getting a forest river wildwood 260RT did a lot weekends with it this year and didn’t have any major issues I paid 21,900...
I ended up getting a forest river wildwood 260RT did a lot weekends with it this year and didn’t have any major issues I paid 21,900 otd back in April very happy w the camper so far
Good deal. Any idea what the difference is in the forest river salem fsx 260RT is? Layout looks the same. My local dealer has one in stock, asking $29k for it. I haven’t talked to them yet to check on price negotiations.
smansfield7
Posts
34
Joined
6/3/2020
Location
Weymouth, MA, USA
12/28/2021 5:53pm
JoeWV wrote:
OP, just wondering what you went with? I’m currently looking for one, 25’ or under. Prices are ridiculous right now though.

Anybody using a Stealth Nomad?
I ended up getting a forest river wildwood 260RT did a lot weekends with it this year and didn’t have any major issues I paid 21,900...
I ended up getting a forest river wildwood 260RT did a lot weekends with it this year and didn’t have any major issues I paid 21,900 otd back in April very happy w the camper so far
JoeWV wrote:
Good deal. Any idea what the difference is in the forest river salem fsx 260RT is? Layout looks the same. My local dealer has one in...
Good deal. Any idea what the difference is in the forest river salem fsx 260RT is? Layout looks the same. My local dealer has one in stock, asking $29k for it. I haven’t talked to them yet to check on price negotiations.
I’m pretty sure they are the exact same thing
JoeWV
Posts
183
Joined
7/5/2019
Location
Hurricane, WV, USA
12/28/2021 5:55pm
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