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If you’re a full-timer who also wants the handy garage space that comes with a toy hauler, then you’re in luck because there are some fantastic models out there for you. If you’re just getting into full-timing and can’t stand to give up your motorized toys, then these models are perfect for you, too.

In my humble opinion, fifth-wheel toy haulers are the best RV you can buy. The reason? You get to bring your motorcycle, dirtbike, golf cart, or ATV along with you. Most people who choose to full-time have to make compromises and leave their toys behind. Not the case if you have one of these RVs.

Here are five of the best fifth-wheel toy haulers on the market today.

Montana High Country 381TH

We’ll start things off with what is perhaps the best option out there: the Keystone Montana High Country. With the floorplan in the 381TH model, you get the living space up front, a large kitchen area, a dinette on a slide out, residential size refrigerator and a spacious garage area for your toys.

The quality of the materials in the RV will be top notch. Montana High Country models don’t cheap out, and the quality is well-known in the industry. You have seating for plenty of people in the living room area with hide-a-beds. There’s also a queen bed in the garage area that lifts out of the way so you can pull in a golf cart, ATV, motorcycle, etc. The 381TH can sleep up to eight people. We have a video of this model if you want to learn more.

Raptor 425TS

Another great offering from Keystone is the Raptor 425TS. This model has the master bedroom up front and it provides a big king mattress. There are two bathrooms (one full) in this model and a large L-shaped kitchen. The living space is smack in the middle of the floorplan, and the two recliners on the slide out next to the refrigerator can be swapped out for a dinette should you please.

There’s another bed over the garage space and the large 12-foot garage should offer plenty of space for whatever you want to bring along with you. I especially like this floorplan because it makes a lot of sense. The living and eating space is right in the middle and there’s plenty of room for multiple people and plenty of spots to sit and sleep. This model sleeps up to nine people.

Heartland Fuel 352

While I would recommend the two Keystone models first, the Heartland Fuel 352 is also an excellent option. It features a lovely floorplan with a spacious kitchen area, a full bathroom, a half bath, and a master bedroom up near the front of the RV. While this floorplan lacks the spacious living room area in the two models above, it offers a 13-foot garage space.

There’s also a queen bed above the garage space. The model comes with three slide outs that really opens up the space, and the layout of the floorplan makes it work well for multiple people. This means it’s great for bringing along the entire family or some friends. It sleeps up to eight people. For more information check out our video review.

Jayco Talon 413T

The Jayco Talon 413T offers a lot of fantastic features and has one of my favorite layouts of any RV. I like that the master bedroom is at the front of the unit and it’s set apart from the rest of the RV. The model comes with one full bathroom and a half bath, a fantastic kitchen and living space that’s right in the middle of the floorplan.

The garage area is a full 13 feet long and offers the ability to transport an ATV, golf car, or motorcycle easily. When it’s not full with your toys, it can be used as additional living space with a cargo table and seating. There is a queen bed back there too and a loft storage area. This model sleeps eight people, so its great for large families or a group of friends.

Heartland Cyclone 4115

Another fantastic offering from Heartland is the Cyclone 4115. This floorplan offers a massive 15-foot and one-inch garage that will definitely be big enough for whatever you want to store inside. Above the garage is a queen bed and the model, like many others on this list comes with two bathrooms—a full and a half bath. The model comes with two slides for additional space and a large bedroom at the front of the camper with a king bed.

I like the way this one is laid out because you have a traffic path that runs all the way through the model. It’s easy to get from one end to the other and the amenities are smartly placed. Also, you’re not going to find a garage space much bigger than this. The amenities are plentiful, too, and the model sleeps up to eight people.

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What do you think of these models? What would you want in a fifth-wheel toy hauler? Leave a comment below.

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Many RVers dream of traveling to Alaska, considering it the ultimate destination on their bucket lists. So we’ve created a series of articles to help you navigate the Last Frontier in a motorhome or travel trailer, in hopes that you can enjoy exploring the 49^th state, as well!

Today we’re going to explore:

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve

If you are looking for the true Alaskan wilderness, awe-inspiring scenery, and challenging outdoor adventure, you’ll find it in spades at the nation’s largest national park: Wrangell–St. Elias.

Located in the southeast corner of the Frontier State, this preserve is the size of six Yellowstones. At over 13 million acres,

Wrangell–St. Elias encompasses extreme variations in topography. Four major mountain ranges meet here, and the park has landscapes from sea level to over 18,000 feet high. One of those mountains is still an active volcano, with steam venting from its peak year round.

Every river in this vast region is fed by glaciers, some of them larger than states in the Lower 48. Tidewater glaciers calving into Yakutat Bay and the Gulf of Alaska showcase erosion at its apex, and inland ice fields cover thousands of miles—a perfect opportunity for backcountry skiing and ice climbing!

History

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve took its time climbing to national park status. Way back in 1940, the area was recommended as a national monument, but because of World War II, President Roosevelt put the designation on the back burner. It wasn’t until 40 years later that President Carter made it official, and the region gained the protection it needed as a national park.

Long before the government even considered park status, Wrangell–St. Elias was sporadically inhabited by Athabascan and Tlingit native peoples who discovered copper near present day McCarthy. This metal was used in their tools and for trade with other natives, but because the region didn’t offer plentiful game, the populations never grew much.

However, with the discovery of copper, miners weren’t too far behind. Some gold was discovered in the northern Wrangell Mountains, and the US Geological Survey came to the area to create more accurate maps. This led to mineral exploration, and eventually a huge deposit of chalcocite, which had a very high concentration of copper, was uncovered. Five mines grew outside of McCarthy, and with them a mill complex was born. The Kennecott Mill processed the chalcocite and some silver.  But this entire production was dependent upon train service to the region from Cordova, Alaska.

Only operating from 1911 to 1938, Kennecott is estimated to have produced between 100 million to 300 million dollars in ore.  When the mines played out, the railroad abandoned their line. Today that rail line is the foundation for one of the two roads in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. The other road was created when gold was discovered near Nabesna in the northern section of the park.

Today small communities of native Ahtna are scattered throughout the Copper River Valley, and Tlingit natives live on the coast along the Gulf of Alaska.

Getting There

Mining brought two roads to Wrangell–St. Elias, and you can drive an RV part of the way into the park. However, many tourists choose to fly into and around this scenic wonderland of mountain tops, rushing rivers and glacial ice. Words aren’t big enough to describe the vast landscapes, but seeing them from the sky puts the park into perspective.

If you drive, the Richardson Highway (Alaska 4) south from Glennallen, it will take you to the park visitors center just north of Copper Center. There you will find a small complex of four buildings and some wonderful hiking trails overlooking the Copper River. Park rangers are well versed in backcountry hiking and camping and have current road conditions for the trip to McCarthy. A separate building houses the movie theater, for a cinematic overview of the region.

An added surprise is a building housing the Ahtna Cultural Center, which is full of history, art, and community practices of the Ahtna people. Outside the front door is a hand-built fish wheel, which is still used today.

Continue south on the Richardson Highway to Highway 10, turning off to Chitina. From Chitina, the road gets interesting.

Remember that railroad built to take processed ore away from the mines? Well, from Chitina to McCarthy the resulting road built on top of the old rail line is “rugged” at best. Many tourists opt to rent a “gravel ready” vehicle to handle this section. The speed limit is 35 mph. If you follow it, you shouldn’t have any problems, but there is an option to leave flat tires at the end of the road and they will be fixed by the time you return from your mine visit (Magic elves, I guess!).

There is a third option: take a shuttle from either Glennallen or from Chitina. Any way you choose to travel, you should end up at a footbridge crossing the Chitina River. You must park your vehicle at this point and walk across the bridge. If you decide to continue the walk, you can hike the five miles into McCarthy, or take a shuttle from the bridge to the Kennecott Mines and McCarthy.  Whatever way you get there, the destination is well worth all of the effort.

Kennecott

Kennecott Mill is remarkably in tact for its age, especially with the punishment the elements must have doled out to these structures on a regular basis. Fourteen stories still stand on the mountain slope, and it must have been an amazing operation when the ore was actively being mined and processed in the early 1900s. In such a remote area, it would have taken hardened prospectors and mill workers to endure the harsh conditions and lengthy solitude to work here.

Because the mining corporation abandoned the mill and mines in a hurry, much of the equipment and even personal belongings were left at the site. Today the only way to see the interior of the mill is with a guided tour that lasts 2 hours.  Moderate climbing, stairs and uneven floors are involved, so contact the guide service if you have and questions.

McCarthy

Be sure to explore the small village of McCarthy, which was voted Outside Magazine’s #2 Favorite Kickback Town in America. You’ll find three or four restaurants, and lest you think you’re way off the beaten path here: you can get your morning coffee (French press, if you prefer) at the Slow Down McCarthy Café—a log cabin and yurt combination that offers breakfast and lunch. Check out the art gallery, and by all means, saddle on up to the bar at The Golden Saloon.

There are opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, glacier hiking, and fishing in the area. Raft trips, flightseeing, and mountaineering expeditions can keep you busy for days in this remote location. You might as well take advantage, after all, you worked hard to get here. There’s no reason to run back to civilization so soon.

So grab a room at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge, McCarthy Lodge, or Ma Johnson’s Hotel. Then enjoy live music or “Tall Tales” at the saloon, and plan the next day’s adventure in the wildest of Alaska’s backcountry.

More Alaska, Please!

If you enjoyed this visit to Wrangell-St. Elias, be sure to join us for more adventures across The Last Frontier in coming weeks!

Author’s Note: If you will be driving through Alaska and/or Canada please consider purchasing a current copy of “The Milepost.” It is a travel guide that will list necessities (like gas stations) and amenities (like lodging) throughout Alaska and the western Canadian provinces by milepost marker. This is a prerequisite for traveling in the area, as distances between service stations and grocery stores can be hundreds of miles in many cases. Another piece of knowledge gleaned from “The Milepost” are the hours (and seasons) of operation of businesses along the route, as many close down during fall and winter.

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Do you have any questions about Wrangell–St. Elias? Leave a comment below.

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There are many great snowbird destinations in the U.S. where RVers go to escape the freezing winter temperatures. The beautiful deserts of Arizona, the coast of Texas, or sunny California are all great options. However, the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys is the ultimate destination for snowbird life.

While it’s a bit of a drive to get down to Mile Marker 0, you won’t regret the extra effort. Here’s why.

1. Beachfront RV Spots

What could be better than your own personal beach? There are very few places in the U.S. where you can camp right on the beach, and in the Keys, you’ll have your own slice of paradise just steps from your RV door. Plus, many of the parks and campgrounds have resort style amenities. Here are some of the most popular places to camp in the Florida Keys:

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is famous for being one of the best beaches in Southern Florida. It’s a popular spot for nature lovers, and the perfect place to enjoy some of The Keys’ best activities, including snorkeling and kayaking. It’s also a prime location for enjoying spectacular sunsets.

Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina

Located on the 75-acre island of Ohio Key, this is one of the area’s most popular RV resorts because of it’s beautiful property and luxury amenities. The resort has an adjoining marina, making it a great place for fishing and other water activities. Sunshine Key RV Resort is the perfect place to get away and relax.

Boyd’s Key West Campground

Located at Mile Marker 5, Boyd’s Key West Campground is one of the southernmost campgrounds you can stay at in the U.S. You’ll feel right at home there with its laid back atmosphere and daily activities, such as water aerobics, movie nights, yoga, and even line dancing. Plus, you’ll be within close proximity to all the great dining, shopping, and activities that Key West has to offer.

2. Perfect Weather

Being the southernmost region in the U.S., The Keys couldn’t be a more perfect spot to escape the cold winter temperatures. Temperatures from December through March are in the 70s, making it the best time to visit. The average sea temperature during winter months stays in the 70s as well. You won’t have to worry about rain either, as winter is their driest season.

3. Amazing Food

Not only do the Florida Keys have incredible seafood, but the proximity to Cuba also brings many great Cuban restaurants to the area as well. You can’t visit the islands without trying some conch fritters and their world famous key lime pie. You can dine with views of the ocean with sand between your toes or right along the sidewalks of Key West’s popular Duval Street.

4. World Class Activities

The clear, turquoise waters of the Florida Keys offer ideal conditions for experiencing life at and under the sea. If you’re a lover of water activities there are few better places to be.

Great Snorkeling and Diving

Snorkeling and Diving opportunities are plentiful along the entire stretch of islands, but many people choose John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park. Located on Key Largo, this state park was the first undersea park in the U.S. Popular activities include sunbathing on the beach, glass-bottom boat tours, and kayaking through the mangrove swamps.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best ways to experience the park’s beautiful coral reefs. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Christ of The Abyss as it is one of the most famous scuba diving sites and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Deep Sea Fishing

If the idea of hauling in a really big fish sounds fun to you, then you’ll love deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys. Take to the sea in search of tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, bonefish, grouper, and others.

In addition to great fishing, the sheer beauty of the area makes deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys an unforgettable experience. There are fishing charters available all over the keys, try a Google search or use TripAdvisor to find the right one in your area.

Explore History

From shipwrecks and pirates to the home of one of America’s most beloved and honored authors, history buffs can easily find something of interest in the Keys. Even the architecture in Key West exudes rich historical value.

Old Town Key West is spectacular and shouldn’t be missed. The 3,000 wooden structures in the district were constructed between 1886 to 1912. The area makes up the largest historical district on the US Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.

While downtown, take the short drive to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and walk the grounds of the 19th-century military fort. The fort played a key role in the American Civil war. Today it houses the largest collection of Civil War cannons, earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

National Parks

Visitors to the Florida Keys can easily access three of America’s national parks, which considering there are only fifty-eight in total, is pretty impressive.

Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park are all within a three hours drive from anywhere in the Keys. Keep in mind that Dry Tortugas is only accessible via boat or seaplane and is a full-day commitment. Don’t let stop you. The American National Park system is wonderful and each park is unique, beautiful, and well worth a visit.

If you decide to head to the Florida Keys this winter, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Be sure to explore as many of the islands as you can. Each one of them has something different to offer. Most importantly, immerse yourself in the slow-paced island lifestyle and enjoy some sun and relaxation.

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What do you think about visiting the Florida Keys? Is it on your list of places to visit? Leave a comment!

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Having started her first business at 15, Kathryn Cockrell has always been up for anything.

After meeting a traveling couple at her local coffee shop, she decided to buy and renovate an Airstream Trailer, lived out of a van for several months, and currently lives on a 1985 yacht, becoming part of a small but awesome group of individuals who ditched the 9-5 grind to start their own business adventures.

** Subscribe to Stories from the Road on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play **

Some things we covered:

• 3:24 – Going nomad
• 7:32 – The adventure begins
• 11:30 – Becoming a boondocker
• 16:00 – Death Valley
• 18:27 – Ending the RV trip
• 25:00 – Getting through adversity
• 30:55 – Safety on the road

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For a comfy and enjoyable home-away-from-home, your RV needs every ounce of your creativity to keep things organized. This is especially true if you’re traveling with kids and pets.

Experienced RVers have figured out many small and imaginative ways of keeping everything in order, even inside the smallest of RV models. Here are some of the best hacks we’ve come across. 

Toiletry Storage

Everyone has their own set of toiletries they on a daily basis and considered quite personal. You need to try to keep these organized so your bathroom isn’t a mess. A simple and effective solution to staying tidy and clean is to have a labeled plastic zippered bag for every family member’s personal toiletries.

Ziplock bags work well because they’ll fit easily under the sink or in a small bathroom storage area. You can do small rectangular totes, too, but you may find they’re tougher to fit into storage areas in your RV. Toiletries also fit well in caddies that can hang over the door to the bathroom or even over the top of your shower curtain. Assess your storage needs and then look for a storage option that works well for your particular RV. 

Adhesive Hooks and Hangers

Little adhesive hooks and hangers are the perfect solution to many RV storage problems. The beauty of adhesive hooks and hangers is that you can easily attach them anywhere without drilling holes, and they can be removed and replaced anytime, without leaving damage or marks.

People have use command hooks on the wall to hold iPads and Kindles, clothes, cables, privacy curtains, and so much more. Look around your RV for some open wall space and then see what you can hang up and out of the way. 

Cabinetry Organizing Trays and Racks

Most RVs have usable kitchen cabinetry storage for everything from pots and pans to food and snacks. While those big open storage spaces can be great, they’re even better when divided up and organized with a rack or tray. 

Drawers can use a divider tray to separate items and keep them orderly and easy to access. You’ll make the most of large cabinet spaces with shelves and racks that not only properly divide up items, but help you use all of the vertical and horizontal space so none of it’s wasted.

Refrigerator Bars

Keeping everything safely stored in the refrigerator is a challenge. During a trip, these items can often be tossed around, broken, or waiting to tumble out when you open the door. A refrigerator bar will help keep items in place inside the fridge while you’re traveling. That way there are no accidents. 

Refrigerator bars are easily installed. They exert pressure at either end, like a self-supporting curtain rod, and stop items from falling from their shelves. It’s little more than a specialized tension rod, and they’re well worth the modest price. Once you arrive at your destination, you can remove them.

Expand Your Counter Space

The stove top is one area that very few people make changes to. However, when not being used for cooking, this is wasted space. Many RVs have a glass top that you can fold down over the burners so you have more prep space, but not all.

Instead, you can get a separate stovetop cover that matches the size of your stove. The solid cover can be removed at any time without anyone ever noticing. Just be sure the burners aren’t hot when you first set the cover down.

Velcro Is Your Best Friend

A million little things seem to get in the way or get lost when you’re RVing. Velcro is a very cheap investment but one of the smartest, simplest ways to keep track of all of your items. From remotes to iPads, Velcro is easy to put on and holds like a champ.

With a few simple velcro strips, you can pick up those items that seem to always be floating around your RV and put them in their place.

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Do you have an RV organization hack that isn’t listed? Leave a comment below.

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There is a lot of jargon in the RV world. We have an article on that to get you acquainted if you’re not initiated. One term that you’ve likely come across but might not have totally understood what it means is “fifth-wheel” of “5th-wheel.” This is a type of towable RV that requires a large pickup truck to tow because of the type of hitch it uses.

The Fifth-Wheel Hitch

The fifth-wheel hitch also called a gooseneck hitch, is a U shaped hitch coupling that fits in the back of the tow vehicle—usually, a pickup truck—and connects with the trailer. The spot where the trailer connects to the tow vehicle, in essence, acts as another point for the trailer to connect and rest its weight.

It’s a similar design to the type of hitch that a semi-truck uses. This means it’s a very safe and sturdy hitch. It is one that can be used for large and heavy loads. The trailer has a “king pin,” which locks into the U-shaped hitch allowing you to safely pull the trailer.

Why Is a Fifth-Wheel a Good Idea?

The fifth-wheel design comes with quite a few upsides. A trailer with a fifth-wheel hitch design will tow easier and smoother than one without. It will likely not experience as much trailer sway if any at all. This is due to its lower center of gravity and stronger connection than with a typical ball hitch.

This stronger connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer allows the trailer to weigh more. That means most fifth-wheel trailers can be built with strong, sturdy, heavier, and often more luxurious materials and features.

If you want a towable RV and you want a true luxury model, you want to buy a fifth-wheel. Many fifth-wheel models come with solid wood cabinetry, king-size beds, and full-size appliances. These amenities are not included in travel trailers often partly because of weight.

What are the Downsides?

The first stems from the sheer size of most fifth-wheel trailers. Fifth-wheels are large and heavy, and someone who’s not used to towing could feel overwhelmed. That said, because fifth-wheels are designed for stability and maneuverability, they’re still usually easier to handle on the road than a trailer of the same size with a typical ball hitch.

The other big downside is that you need a full-size or heavy-duty pickup truck to tow the fifth-wheel trailer. Because fifth-wheels RVs are often larger and heavier than a typical travel trailer, they require a more powerful truck. This also translates to a higher-priced truck, which can put fifth-wheel trailers out of reach for many RVers.

It’s important to match the trailer to the truck you own. If you’re shopping for both an RV and a tow vehicle, check out our article on the subject for more information.

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What are your thoughts on fifth-wheels? Would you want one? Leave a comment below. 

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