What Is a Toterhome?

Have you heard of a toterhome? Chances are you’ve seen one but you didn’t know its name. It’s a special kind of RV that’s built on a large truck, usually for a specific purpose. In this article, we take a closer look at toterhomes, their benefits, and who needs them. Let’s get into it. 

What Is a Toterhome, Anyway?

A toterhome is a motorhome built on a semi-truck chassis or a heavy-duty truck (HDT). They’re basically massive RVs with a ton of power for towing an additional trailer.

These rigs often include a full motorhome living portion, and most have a secondary trailer with a garage or toy hauler space. Some are even built with dual live axles in the rear and a king pin hitch for pulling semi-trailers. These are popular motorhomes for race car teams to have a livable space and also carry their cars on the road. 

Sometimes the name Super C is used interchangeably with toterhome. Usually these RV’s have a similar structure to a class C RV with a cab over design, but are built on much larger trucks. The term toter comes from the fact they are designed for towing as a priority. They can usually tow much higher capacities than even the larges Class A motorhomes.

Why Would You Want to Buy a Toterhome?

The better question might be “why not buy a toterhome?” If you want a super-capable motorhome that’s built well, has plenty of towing power, this type of vehicle is right up your alley. Here are some of the benefits: 

Engine Power

The sky’s the limit when you have a motorhome built on a Semi! Motorhomes have plenty of power to take you through steep mountain passes with ease and can still handle hauling heavy equipment like motorcycles, racecars, side-by-sides, and more. 

Towing Capacity

Toterhome towing capacity varies depending on the truck, but these RVs are known for excellent towing capacity. For example, Renegade toterhomes boast a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs. Some custom rigs can easily tow in excess of 50,000 lbs!

No more weighing every single item to make sure you make weight. You can bring along your favorite toys, your large-screen television, and your stereo system without worrying about your towing capacity. 

Storage Space

These RVs are large–and more space means more room for storage! You’ll find ample interior and exterior storage with a toterhome, and even more so with a toy hauler trailer. Some of these massive rigs tow “stacker trailers,” which you can use as a huge garage space. These stacker trailers are so big they can stack cars on top of each other with special ramps. 

If you wanted to get really creative, you could turn the trailer into an additional living space. Your toterhome and trailer could become a mobile RV plus mother-in-law suite for yourself, guests, or the kids. 

Customization Options

Many toterhomes are custom-built. Other pre-built models have various floorplans available, like the Renegade line with 14 different customizable floor plans.

➡ Toterhomes aren’t the only custom RVs on the market. Take a look at these custom RV builders: Custom RVs: How Much Are They and Who Builds Them?

The ability to customize the RV means you can make the space your own. Plus, you can design the toy hauler trailer to be a decked-out garage or a split garage with one half serving as additional living space.

Do You Need a Special License to Drive a Toterhome?

You may need a special license to drive a toterhome depending on your state of residence and the overall weight of your vehicle. 

Some states consider a toterhome on a heavy-duty truck to be an RV, therefore exempting it from the need for a CDL. However, others do not. Most of the time it is by weight. For example, a toterhome registered in Florida as an RV means my drivers license is valid as it states right on it any vehicle under 26,000lbs or any RV.

Ultimately, the nuances will be up to your state’s laws and regulations, and in some cases you’ll have to do quite a bit of digging to determine the answer. Your best bet is to call your local DMV. 

This list on Heavy Hauler’s RV Resource Guide is a compilation of state requirements. They may change frequently, so check with your local licensing office for the most accurate and up-to-date information. 

Can a Toterhome Pull a Semi-Trailer?

Some toterhomes can pull semi-trailers. All they need is a semi hitch on the back and to have the proper weight towing capacity. Since most are custom-built, you can definitely build them to have this capability. Long-distance haulers may love this option to have a homier cab space to live in on long trips.

The drawback of a motorhome over a traditional semi is that the wheelbase is so longer and they do not maneuver as well. Usually, they are fine on the interstate but try to back them into a traditional truck dock, and things might not go well.

How Much Does a Toterhome Cost?

Toterhomes vary in price, anywhere from $250,000 to $1,00,000 or more for new models. These are large trucks, so you get what you pay for! They’re similar in price to luxury RVs. Then again, you might be able to find used models for much less.

➡ If you think toterhomes are expensive, check out these luxury motorhomes: Million Dollar Motorhome Showdown: Is Newell Coach Better Than a Prevost?

Luxury brand toterhomes will cost more in part because of the name and also because of luxury amenities and features. Since they aren’t made by one (or any) specific manufacturer, prices can be all over the board. 

These rigs tend to hold their value well because of the diesel engine and towing capacity. Plus, they’re a specialty type of RV, so people are willing to pay more for them. 

Where Can You Buy a Toterhome?

You can find used toterhomes for sale on websites like RVT and RV Trader. These websites list rigs for sale from dealers and private owners around the country. 

If you want to buy a new rig or commission a custom one, check out companies like ShowHauler, Cowboy Cadillac, Wild Side Trailers, Victory Custom Trailers, and others.  

While some might consider other RVs built on HDTs to be toterhomes, traditional toterhomes with hauling space and trailers are specialty items from companies like the ones mentioned here.  HDT motorhomes are usually called Super C’s like mentioned before.

Who Should Look Into Buying a Toterhome?

Full or part-time campers who have a lot of gear or toys to haul will enjoy owning a toterhome. These rigs are also popular with racing teams and other pro sports teams who have cars or other big gear to haul and need a luxurious and roomy living space. Circuses, professional musicians, and specialty construction crews also commonly build out these behemoths.

Or if you just want a beefy and creative living space on the road, toterhomes can be an awesome choice for you! They’re good for full-time RVing families who like to think outside the box. The kids can have their own private trailer and the parents can have the main coach, or vice versa. 

Drawbacks to Toterhomes

While large and very cool, we must admit that there are some serious drawbacks to these mobile monsters. First of all, their size definitely limits where they can go. Both in terms of the roads they can drive and in the places they can park. Winding through a state park campground isn’t going to be easy or fun with one of these large rigs.

With their weight, you’ll have to be extra careful about road weight restrictions. You’ll definitely what an app that lets you know about bridges and other roads that just can’t handle that large of a vehicle. Narrow back roads will also be a challenge, and forget about sightseeing through a national park in one of these!

The special licensing, registration and insurance on a vehicle like this are also different and potentially more expensive. With a commercial-class vehicle, you may need to complete additional courses or paperwork to own and operate it, even if you’re not using it commercially. Usually, this all depends on how it’s registered. Keep in mind that even if it is registered as an RV, you might have some trouble with commercial operations like weigh stations and border crossings.

Toterhomes Are Serious Haulers

Toterhomes are massive RVs with serious towing capability. You don’t see these rigs on the road very often, but they’re always a head-turner when you do! If you’re looking for an RV that can take you anywhere, haul your toys, and has room for your entire team or family, a toterhome might just be for you.

If you don’t need to tow an additional garage trailer, but like the idea of having a semi-truck chassis to tow your heavy RV, consider a semi-truck RV hauler instead. Learn more here: When Do You Need a Semi-Truck RV Hauler?

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