Do Toy Haulers Have AC? [And How To Keep Them Cool]

Toy haulers are great for anyone looking to commune with nature while also bringing along their off-road vehicles to have some high-adrenaline excitement too. Does going off the beaten path mean you have to forsake modern comforts like AC? We looked into this to find out what the deal is!

Most toy haulers on the market today come with rooftop AC units, either standard or as an available option. Many higher-end toy haulers even include ducted air conditioning for more control and comfort. If you buy an older or used toy hauler, be sure to check if it has AC, especially if it was a DIY toy hauler conversion.

We've got the scoop on air conditioning, insulation, and other comforts and conveniences toy haulers can include. We've also lined up some excellent options for those in the market for a new toy hauler, as well as some insight into toy hauler costs and maintenance. Keep on reading to learn all about it.

A motorhome on a large commercial truck chassis, Do Toy Haulers Have AC? [And How To Keep Them Cool]

3 Great Toy Haulers

The Jay Flight Octane by Jayco

The 2021 Jay Flight Octane comes in 3 different floorplans, ranging in length from 26' 6" to 32' 3". The light design keeps all floor plans under 8,000 lbs, from 5,785 to 7,520 lbs in unloaded vehicle weight (UVW).

The maximum length for the cargo area is 9' 3", which is plenty for most outdoor toys. The Jay Flight Octane comes with a ducted 13,500 BTU rooftop air conditioner as part of the mandatory Customer Value Package.

You can watch Jayco's promotional video for the Jay Flight Octane here:

 

 

If you're looking for more options, the 2022 Jay Flight Octane is set to be on the market soon too!

The Torque by Heartland

Heartland produces a wide variety of toy haulers, including the impressive Torque.

There are a lot of options for customization. The Torque is available as a trailer and as a fifth wheel, with 13-floor plans between them. The largest garage available comes with the TQ T281 floor plan, a travel trailer with an astounding 16' garage.

For all floor plans, the garages convert into living spaces. This design assures that you get the most out of your toy hauler. All Torque models also feature Azdel construction, which increases insulation compared with other materials.

The travel trailer Torque models range from 7,780 lbs to 10,000 lbs UVW and 30' 9" to 38' 9" in length. The fifth wheels come in bigger and heavier, with UVWs from 13,300 lbs to 14,435 lbs. They're also longer, from 38' 8" to 43' 8".

Check out a walkthrough of one of their models, the Torque TT274, here:

 

The Momentum by Grand Design RVs

Grand Design makes a lot of high-quality RVs, including three versions of the Momentum toy hauler. The G-class Momentum is available as a trailer or a fifth-wheel. The more up-scale M-class is only available as a fifth-wheel.

The G-class options are lighter, meaning they may be better suited for those with limited towing capacity. The travel trailer ranges from 6,000 lbs to 8,500 lbs UVW. The fifth wheel comes in UVWs from 12,000 lbs to 13,980 lbs.

The M-class comes in a bit heavier, with UVWs ranging from 13,600 lbs to 15,600 lbs. The extra weight comes with a lot of great features. It even has a fully enclosed pump station, meaning you can fuel your off-road motorcycles or ATVs directly from your toy hauler.

Get a 360-degree walkthrough of the Momentum's luxurious interior here:

 

Other Toy Haulers

If you want more information about toy haulers and different options, be sure to check out this article that covers the basics of toy haulers as well as some other options not listed here: What Is a Toy Hauler? (Including 6 Detailed Examples)

Are toy haulers insulated?

Insulation is essential to keeping your toy hauler at a consistent temperature, with or without AC. All the toy haulers we've discussed are insulated to some degree.

The most common types of insulation used in toy haulers and campers in general are: foam block, spray foam, and fiberglass insulation.

While manufacturers use these materials specifically for insulation, the other materials used in construction will also affect how well insulated your toy hauler is.

Some companies, including Grand Design RVs and Heartland, use the material Azdel. This fiberglass composite has three times the insulating properties of wood.

When shopping for a toy hauler or any other camper, ask the dealer about the materials used and the R-values, especially the ceiling and walls. R-values are the objective measures of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better insulated your toy hauler.

The ceiling is particularly important for insulation. A well-insulated camper will have R-values around 20 for the ceiling and 10 for the walls.

You can get away with less if you will only be taking your toy hauler to temperate environments. Still, better insulation will get you more comfort and energy savings in a variety of climates.

What toy haulers have the best insulation?

If you plan to take your toy hauler into extreme weather conditions, you'll want the best insulation you can get. Doing so will help keep you comfortable and save you the precious energy it takes to run your climate control.

Grand Design's toy haulers are good candidates, mainly the Momentum M-Class fifth wheel, which features their Weather Tek insulation.

The thermal roof design combines fiberglass insulation and radiant foil to achieve an R-value of 40. The fully-laminated walls use aluminum frames and rigid foam to reach an R-value of 11.

Grand Design goes above and beyond in also triple-insulating the floors below both the living area and garage. They achieve an R-value of 45 for the living space floor and 40 for the garage floor.

Paired with their powerful climate control, their excellent insulation will keep you comfortable from Death Valley to the Yukon.

Do toy haulers have bathrooms?

Toy haulers are a great way to explore the great outdoors and get closer to nature. Still, many prefer some of the luxuries of modern life when nature calls.

Fear not. All the toy haulers featured in this article feature fully functioning bathrooms. They range in luxury to fit your needs and price-point.

Most feature a simple toilet, sink, and shower setup. If you're looking for optimal relaxation on their getaways, the Momentum and Torque also have options for full soaking tubs.

In your searches, you may find some toy haulers that don't have built-in bathrooms. This is most likely to be the case with DIY toy hauler conversions.

This doesn't mean you'll have to fully rough it in the wild. These days, the majority of RV campgrounds also have communal bathrooms and showers.

Foregoing your own bathroom may limit your options when it comes to some campgrounds, and it will cost you a bit of comfort and privacy.

Why are toy haulers so expensive?

Toy haulers vary widely in price, and these days it's possible to find some for a steal. Still, it's no secret that toy haulers tend to cost more than the other travel trailers on the market.

The main reason for this is construction. A typical travel trailer only needs to hold itself, you, and your cargo. A toy hauler needs to do all of that, too, while also hauling ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, or other offroad vehicles.

Because of this, toy haulers require strong, high-quality materials for construction. They also need sturdier axels to support the extra weight. This all adds up, increasing the cost and the weight of toy haulers compared to simpler travel trailers.

How long do toy haulers last?

Like all RVs, the main factor that will determine the longevity of your toy hauler is maintenance. Without proper care, you might only get five to ten years out of your toy hauler.

If you maintain just a basic amount of maintenance, you can expect it to last longer. If you're willing to continually put work (and money) into maintaining your toy hauler, it can last more or less indefinitely.

Be sure to take some basic care with your toy hauler:

  • Check the tires often, before every trip if possible. Never drive on a compromised tire.
  • Keep the roof covered when not in use. Damaged roofs can be difficult and expensive to fix. Not only that, but they can lead to more interior damage if not resolved, so be proactive and preventative.
  • Keep the moving parts well lubricated. Your toy hauler has more moving parts than you might realize. Keeping them in good shape is cheaper and easier than fixing them after they break.

These are just a few tips to improve your toy hauler's longevity. Be sure to read this article for a more thorough breakdown: 49 RV Maintenance Tips (That Will Save You Time, Money and Heartache)

In Closing

A properly decked-out toy hauler will have you feeling at home in any environment. With AC and the best insulation, you'll be ready to ride from Denali to Death Valley.

If you're in the market for a toy hauler now, consider some of the great options we covered here and tips to get the most from your upcoming purchase.

If you already have a toy hauler you're happy with; we hope you still got some valuable information to help you better understand and maintain your home-on-wheels.

Happy hauling!

Share this article

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *