Are Toy Haulers Good For Boondocking?

Boondocking, or camping without hookups, is a rewarding way to explore the great outdoors. However, it can also present challenges when it comes to power, water, wastewater capacity, and comfort. This leads many RVers to wonder – are toy haulers well-suited for boondocking?

The short answer is yes, toy haulers can be excellent choices for boondocking if properly equipped and prepared. Their enclosed cargo area provides ample space for hauling gear, toys, and supplies needed for extended stays off-grid. However, to maximize their boondocking potential, some modifications and careful planning are required.

In this comprehensive guide, I will discuss the pros and cons of taking a toy hauler boondocking and provide tips for outfitting and preparing your RV, review essential systems and accessories, and even highlight some excellent boondocking-friendly toy hauler models. So read on to learn all you need to know!

Benefits of Toy Haulers for Boondocking

Toy haulers offer some key advantages when boondocking compared to traditional RVs:

1. Spacious Cargo Area: The defining feature of toy haulers is the large, garage-like cargo area. This provides ample space to load camping gear, outdoor toys like ATVs or motorbikes, and supplies to live off-grid. Packing is much easier without cramped interior storage getting in the way.
2. Separate Living Quarters: Toy haulers have a separate, confined living area isolated from the garage. This allows you to haul dirty gear and vehicles without traipsing through the living space. The division also lets you heat and cool only the living area, conserving battery power.
3. Improved Insulation: Since the garage is designed to transport motorsports vehicles, toy haulers usually have thicker walls and better insulation than conventional RVs. This helps regulate interior temperatures in hot and cold weather.
4. Increased Freshwater Capacity: Accommodating sinks, showers, and other functions, toy haulers often have larger freshwater tanks of up to 100+ gallons. This provides more off-grid camping capacity before needing to locate a water source.
5. Backup Power Options: With their 50-100+ gallon garages, toy haulers offer ample room to install solar panels, generators, or auxiliary battery banks to run appliances and recharge vehicles off-grid.

Challenges of Toy Hauler Boondocking

However, toy haulers also come with some inherent challenges for boondocking:

1. Increased Weight: All the hauling capacity means a heavier RV, usually over 10,000 pounds loaded. This limits access to backcountry boondocking sites only navigable by lighter trailers.
2. Higher Power Consumption: With larger tanks, heating/cooling, and potential “toy recharging”, toy haulers can draw more battery power. Careful energy management is key.
3. Wastewater Management: The increased freshwater capacity also means you’ll fill gray/black tanks faster. Knowing capacities, monitoring levels, and having backup plans are critical.
4. Motorized Toy Operation: Running hauled motorsports off-grid requires battery charging. Solar, generators or idling trucks can provide power but require planning.

How to Optimize Toy Haulers for Boondocking

While toy haulers are well-suited for off-grid camping in many regards, you can optimize them even further with some modifications:

Step 1: Install Solar Panels

Adding rooftop or portable solar panels lets you recharge batteries using free solar energy during the day. This powers lighting, appliances, and vehicle charging.

Step 1: Use Lithium Batteries

Swapping traditional RV batteries for lithium provides more capacity in less space/weight. They also charge faster from solar and handle more cycles.

Step 2: Add a Generator

A compact, RV-ready generator like the Honda EU series provides backup power and truck/toy charging. Just mind noise restrictions and ventilation.

Step 3: Increase Freshwater

Extra freshwater lets you camp longer between sourcing water. Adding an external tank is an easy way to boost capacity.

Step 4: Upgrade the Inverter

A pure sine wave inverter, like those from Xantrex, will efficiently deliver power to sensitive electronics and motorsports batteries while boondocking.

Step 5: Insulate the Garage

Applying insulation to the walls and ceiling will help regulate temperatures in both the living area and garage, conserving battery drain.

Step 6: Install Vent Fans

Electric vent fans circulate fresh air through both compartments. MaxxAir and Fantastic Fan are popular options.

Helpful Toy Hauler Boondocking Accessories

You can further outfit your toy hauler for comfortable and convenient off-grid camping with these handy accessories:

• Portable solar panels or suitcase kits
• Compact lithium batteries
• RV-ready generators
• Fuel transfer equipment for motorsports
• Water filtration and sanitization gear
• Portable showers, sinks, and toilets
• Composting or cassette toilets
• Satellite communicator like Garmin inReach
• Cell signal boosters and WiFi extenders
• High-capacity portable waste tanks
• RV tank monitoring system
• Extra potable water hoses and Y-valves
• High-output water pump for dry camping
• Portable solar-powered lights

Essential Toy Hauler Boondocking Systems

When evaluating toy haulers for boondocking capability, pay special attention to these key systems:

Electrical System

• Solar pre-wire for adding panels
• Lithium battery prep or large 12V battery bank
• Advanced charge controller
• 2000W+ inverter for motorsports charging
• 50A/120V shore power hookup

Plumbing System

• 100+ gallon freshwater tank
• Heated and enclosed holding tanks
• Macerator pump for dumping uphill
• Gravity water fill for easy access

Heating & Cooling Systems

• Upgraded A/C – 15000+ BTU minimum
• Ducted heating to reach the garage
• Better insulation: R-14+ walls & R-30+ roof

Excellent Toy Haulers for Boondocking

While any toy hauler can work for boondocking with proper prep, some models cater specifically to off-grid versatility:

1. nuCamp TAG Teardrop Toy Hauler

The lightweight, compact TAG packs massive off-grid capacity in a smaller package. At just 3,400 pounds, it’s quite towable while offering 95+ gallons of water and ample battery capacity.

2. Forest River Vengeance Rogue 6551

This luxury camping machine comes packed with 400W solar, 219Ah lithium battery capacity, and a massive 158-gallon freshwater tank to support week-long boondocks.

3. Vanleigh Beacon

Vanleigh’s Beacon brings smart boondocking designs like low-draw LEDs, immense water storage, and solar prep in family-friendly bunk floorplans.

4. Grand Design Momentum G-Class

The innovative G-Class leverages a wider design to fit king beds and big tanks while offering 34′ garage space for all the toys. Upgraded solar and lithium options take it off-grid in style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Size Generator Is Best For A Toy Hauler?

A 3000-4000 watt portable RV generator provides enough power for most toy haulers while boondocking. This covers lighting, HVAC, appliance use, and charging hauler vehicles and toys via a robust 2000W+ inverter. The popular Honda EU3000is or Champion 3400-Watt models are ideal choices.

Should I Get Lithium Batteries For My Toy Hauler?

Yes, upgrading to lithium iron phosphate batteries boosts usable off-grid capacity immensely for toy haulers. Compared to lead-acid, lithium batteries provide 2-3x the power in the same weight and physical size. They also charge faster from solar and withstand more cycles.

How Long Can A Toy Hauler Boondock?

With proper preparation like increased water storage, battery capacity, and solar charging, toy haulers can comfortably boondock for 5-14 days on average. It ultimately depends on usage factors like generator runtimes and hauled vehicle operation. Travel trailers offer longer durations than heavier fifth wheels.

How Do You Empty Tanks On A Toy Hauler?

Toy haulers use macerator pump systems to empty tanks uphill into standard sewer connections. Flexible 4” diameter hoses attach to the pump outlet and drain inlet. You hit a switch to activate the macerator when needed, grinding waste to pump 8-10 feet vertically.

What Is The Best Toy Hauler For Off-Road?

For extreme off-road boondocking, the Taxa Outdoors Cricket is arguably the most capable toy hauler. The expandable hard-shell pop-up sits lower on upgraded off-road suspension and has ample battery power