You don’t usually imagine a rugged garage space when you think about a Class A motorhome. Usually, our minds fill with images of spa-type bathrooms, shiny marble floors, and luxurious leather sofas. But the Class A toy hauler actually exists and serves quite a functional purpose for RVers. Let’s take a closer look at the best toy hauler motorhome options on the market!
What Is a Class A Toy Hauler?
The typical toy hauler RV is a travel trailer or fifth wheel. But Class A motorhomes have evolved over the years to include models with the garage space that RVers love.
A toy hauler motorhome has all the luxuries of other Class A motorhome models. You can have the spa-type bathroom and luxury features and still have the ramp in the rear that leads to the garage. A Class A toy hauler garage will be 8 to 10 feet long, whereas travel trailers and fifth wheel toy haulers might vary in size.
Is There a Class A Diesel Toy Hauler?
Yes, there are Class A diesel toy haulers. However, unlike traditional diesel Class A motorhomes, the toy hauler models don’t have a diesel engine in the rear. To have the ramp and garage space in the back, the engine has to be moved to the front of the chassis.
Pro Tip: If you’re trying to decide between a diesel or gas-powered motorhome, we revealed Which Class A RV Type Is Better.
What Are the Benefits of a Toy Hauler Motorhome?
The most significant advantage of having a toy hauler motorhome is that you can bring your toys with you without hauling a trailer. The garage space is big enough for a couple of motorcycles, a golf cart, or an ATV. If you’re a water enthusiast, your kayaks or SUP boards should also fit in the garage.
On the other hand, some RVers love the extra space of the garage but don’t use it to haul outdoor toys. Instead, they turn it into an office, a workout room, a sewing room, or an additional sleeping space. There are so many possibilities for this 8×10 space that RVers can be creative even if they don’t have bikes to haul.
How Much Do Class A Toy Hauler Motorhomes Cost?
Class A toy hauler owners are looking for the luxury of a motorhome with added garage space in the rear. They don’t want to sacrifice the amenities that come with a Class A motorhome.
That’s why toy hauler motorhomes are more expensive than their travel trailer and fifth wheel counterparts. The MSRP for a 2023 Newmar Canyon Star 3737 is around $339,080. The MSRP for a 2023 Thor Outlaw unit is about $280,000. You can see the difference when comparing them to a 2023 Grand Design Momentum 397THS fifth wheel toy hauler that costs around $190,000.
Best Class A Toy Hauler Motorhomes
Below are the best Class A toy haulers on the market. Each has unique features, but all five provide great garage space in the rear. Let’s take a closer look!
1. Thor Outlaw 38KB
About the Outlaw 38KB: The Thor Outlaw 38KB is 39 feet 10 inches long and can carry up to 1,350 pounds of cargo in the garage alone. It’s built on a Ford chassis and has a 7.3L V8 gas engine with 335 horsepower and 468 pounds per foot of torque.
The Outlaw 38KB has a king-sized bed in the rear main bedroom and a front living space with a booth dinette and sofa bed. The kitchen has a residential refrigerator, a gas range, and a large convection microwave. Bonus features of this unit include a drop-down sky bunk for additional sleeping space, and the wardrobe in the main bedroom is washer and dryer ready.
Garage Features & Specs: The garage dimensions are 8 feet by 10 feet. This space includes a 39-inch television, a separate entry door, cabinets, and a storage loft. A unique feature of this garage is the patio deck that unfolds from it. The three seasons patio doors enable you to enjoy this space most of the year.
MSRP: $283,350
2. Thor Outlaw 38MB
About the Outlaw 38MB: Thor also manufactures a 38MB model with a similar floor plan to the 38KB. The biggest difference is that the 38MB has a queen-sized bed in the main bedroom.
This unit is 39 feet 10 inches long and can carry up to 1,450 pounds of cargo in the garage. It’s also built on a Ford chassis and has a 7.3L V8 gas engine with 335 horsepower and 468 pounds per foot of torque.
The 38MB still has the drop-down sky bunk in the front of the coach, like the 38KB unit, but there is no washer and dryer prep in the bedroom wardrobe closet.
Garage Features & Specs: The garage dimensions are 8 feet by 10 feet, and it has a 39-inch television and a separate entry door. The garage ramp also transforms into a patio deck with three seasons patio doors.
MSRP: $278,850
3. Newmar Canyon Star 3737
About the Canyon Star 3737: The Newmar Canyon Star 3737 is the shortest Class A toy hauler on our list, coming in at 37 feet 11 inches. It has a total cargo carrying capacity of 6,550 pounds. This motorhome is built on a Freightliner MC chassis and has a Cummins B series front diesel engine with 340 horsepower and 700 pounds per foot of torque.
The interior living space features a booth dinette that converts into a sleeping area, a sofa, and overhead storage cabinets throughout the coach. The kitchen has a stainless steel convection microwave, a 3-burner gas cooktop, a 10 cubic foot fridge, a double sink, and pantry space. As you head to the back of the coach, you’ll find a spacious bathroom and a bedroom with a queen-size pillow-top bed.
Garage Features & Specs: This unit has an 8-foot garage that converts to a patio. While you may leave the garage space completely open for more toy storage, you have options. You can add a washer and dryer closet, bench seats and a table, or an electric bed that raises for toy storage underneath.
MSRP: $339,080
Pro Tip: We took a closer look to uncover Is Newmar a Quality RV Motorhome?
4. Newmar Canyon Star 3947
About the Canyon Star 3947: The Newmar Canyon Star 3947 is 39 feet 11 inches and has a total cargo carrying capacity of 6,700 pounds. Like its sisters, this unit is built on a Freightliner MC chassis and has a Cummins B series front diesel engine with 340 horsepower and 700 pounds per foot of torque.
The 3947 has the same interior floor plan and features as the 3737. However, with the added length comes a larger garage space.
Garage Features & Specs: This motorhome has a 10-foot garage without a patio. You can choose between a washer and dryer closet, bench seats and a table, or an electric bed if you’d like to use the garage as a dual-purpose space.
MSRP: $390,000
5. Newmar Canyon Star 3957
The Newmar Canyon Star 3957 is also 39 feet 11 inches but only has 5,300 pounds of cargo carrying capacity. It’s built on a Freightliner MC chassis and comes standard with a 340 horsepower Cummins B series front diesel engine with 700 pounds per foot of torque.
Unlike the 3737 and 3947, which have two slide-outs, the 3957 has three slides, creating a more open feel inside the coach. The living room features a booth dinette that converts into a sleeping area, a sofa, and overhead storage cabinets for all your gear and supplies. The kitchen has a stainless steel convection microwave, a 3-burner gas cooktop, a 10 cubic foot fridge, a double sink, and pantry space. The bathroom is located mid-coach, and the main bedroom is in the rear with a king-size pillow-top bed.
Garage Features & Specs: This Canyon Star model has an 8-foot garage with a patio. It also has options to maximize the space, including a washer and dryer closet, bench seats and a table, or an electric bed.
MSRP: $399,000
Considerations When Buying a Class A Toy Hauler
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking at Class A toy haulers. Don’t get caught up in the beauty and forget to look at the specifications. Ensure the garage size and cargo carrying capacity are appropriate for what you want to haul.
Also, you never want to purchase an RV with a floor plan that doesn’t work for your family. Whether traveling on weekends or taking longer trips, you want a space that fits your family’s needs.
Garage Size
Most garages in toy hauler motorhomes are going to be 8 to 10 feet. You’ll find more options with travel trailers and fifth wheel toy haulers. If you need a 13 foot space, you won’t find it in a Class A toy hauler. Know what you’ll be carrying and if it will fit in the garage space.
If you’re looking to turn the garage into another room, make sure the size is sufficient. If it’s going to be a bunk room for the kids, take some measurements and have a renovation design in mind before making such a large purchase. You’re spending a lot of money on a toy hauler design, and you want the garage space to work for your needs.
Pro Tip: Need something smaller? Check out The 6 Smallest Toy Haulers for Action-Packed Camping.
Garage Cargo Carrying Capacity
Along with the first consideration, you also want to know the cargo carrying capacity of the garage. This means you need to know how much weight can fit in the garage.
How much weight will you have left for the garage once you have dishes, clothes, toys, and everything else in the coach? Are the toys under that weight limit?
If you’re going to transform the space, make sure the added furniture and new set-up don’t exceed that cargo carrying capacity. You risk damaging the motorhome or at least straining suspension, axle, brakes, and wheel components if you overload it.
As mentioned already, you’re spending a lot of money. You certainly don’t want to throw it away by not abiding by the weight limits.
Floor Plan and Sleeping Space
Finally, no matter what RV you purchase, the floor plan and sleeping space should always fit your family’s needs. If you’re retired and looking to take your motorcycle out for weekend scenic drives, pay attention to the master bedroom space. Is it sufficient? Does it have the closet space and storage space you need?
If you’re traveling with children, where will they sleep? One solution is the garage space, but if you want to use that area to haul a golf cart, where will the kids keep their toys? Make sure the floor plan works for the lifestyle you want to have.
Is a Class A Toy Hauler Motorhome Right for You?
Like all RVs, what is right for one traveler isn’t necessarily right for another. A family of five has very different travel needs than a solo traveler. A Class A toy hauler might be right for you if you’re looking for the luxury of a Class A motorhome while also having a garage space.
Maybe you don’t want to tow a trailer with your golf cart. Or, perhaps, you want to renovate the space into an additional bedroom. Whatever you do with the space is up to you. The coach’s interior will be smaller due to the space given up for the garage, but for some RVers, it’s worth it.
So what about you? Is a Class A toy hauler going to be your next RV purchase? Let us know in the comments!
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Dan
Tuesday 7th of March 2023
To correct your post a class A RV does exist with a longer than 13 foot garage. It comes in both a front engine diesel as well as gas engine. the model I am referring to is the Gulf Stream Bounty Hunter. It comes with 2 options on the garage as well The most common is 12 feet the other is a massive 16 footer. I believe it was only made one year (2008). It’s a niche model that seems to relatively unknown.
ludo
Monday 26th of December 2022
I own one of these beauties, based on a spartan me2 Chassis. My toy is a classic mini from '96.