Retirement camping ?'s

[Palebluedot]

I will be retiring in about a year. The DW and I own a 35' Montana 5th wheel camper and Dodge diesel with which we plan on touring the country. Of course I plan on carrying along the ST. We would like to settle into a campground for a week or two and use the ST to do our exploring (about 200 mile radius) - then move 2-3 hundred miles and repeat the process. Problem is the Montana is not a toy hauler and I don't currently have a method of carrying the ST (DW does not drive the truck as it is a manual transmission). So here is the question, I can trade the 5er in on a toy hauler or even a slide-in type camper and transport the ST in a small enclosed trailer. The down side to the toy hauler route is it is about 40' long and will not fit in a lot of government campsites but it is roomy and comfortable. The slidein will go about anywhere, but is a little cramped for space on an extended trip. Has anyone of you folks ever embarked on such an endeavor, if so, which way would you choose? At 60+ years I have simply outgrown the tent scene. DW would not leave the county with carrying along the power room anyway.

[MAC_JD]

What about a rack on the front of the Dodge Diesel for the ST. I have seen them on the front of RV's. Maybe you could adapt one for the truck.

JD

[Don-STOC237]

Most, if not all, states will allow you to tow a car, small boat trailer, or a motorcycle trailer behind your 5th wheel trailer, as long as the total length of the rig doesn't exceed a certain length. Backing up is certainly problematic with this solution, but it'll allow you to get from point a to point b, at which point you can take the bike off before backing into your parking spot.

Certainly a lot cheaper solution than buying a big toy hauler.

One thing to look into, anyway.

A good friend of mine hauls a 36 foot fifth wheel trailer behind a cut down Volvo semi cab, and behind the trailer he hauls a car. Between the cab and the front of the fifth wheel, he has a rack built, with a ramp and winch, where he carries a quad. He used to carry his Goldwing on that rack.

[Texas]

There is a Motorcycle Platform Carrier that sounds like it would work well for you. Check this out:

http://www.motorcyclecarrier.net/rv_motorcycle_carriers.html

If that carrier doesn't work for you, I have a feeling that something else they have will.

Good Luck,

Texas

[AzDesertRider]

Have you shopped new toy haulers lately? They have many "Livable" floor plans with multiple Slide out rooms, that will still let you comfortably haul the ST. Toy haulers can be set up with flush mount wheel chocks & perfectly placed tie down rings as well as a very large loading ramp, making loading & unloading the bike a much safer operation. I'm kinda partial to the Weekend Warrior line of toy haulers, but there are many choices out there.

[Mellow]

Terry (2wheels4u2 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/member.php?u=7996)) is in the RV business (www.RVStationOnline.com) and I just recently met him in kerrville - he's a member here with an ST1300 and GL1800.

He just might have some options for you that you may not already be aware of. I'm clueless but since he's in the business he's probably got some good suggestions.

The RV Motorcycle Carrier (http://www.motorcyclecarrier.net/rv_motorcycle_carrier.html) sure looks like it would handle an ST... Just don't know what the options are for hooking it up to the frame of the 5th wheel trailer.

[STeve1300]

No recommendations... just jealous

[2wheels4u2]

There are so many toy box trailers out there to choose from that will cover a lot of needs. I will be happy to help any way i can and if i do have one to fit your needs i will be happy to trade for your Montana. We sell those new also.Please take a look at that web site Mellow posted and call if i can help. thanks Terry

[jbim]

use the ST to do our exploring (about 200 mile radius) - then move 2-3 hundred miles and repeat the process

Don't want to be picky but I can't resist. If you are going to radius 200 miles, you will have to move 400 miles into one direction to avoid seeing things twice.:)

[Palebluedot]

Thanks for all the replys fellas. Sure some good options to chew on. I got to do a little research on
those little trailers behind a 5th wheel to see if they are legal in all states. I kinda worry about having a flat on something like that - how would know not being able to see it in the mirrors? As for mounting on the front of the truck, I'm afraid that with the weight of the diesel engine and the ST it would overload the front axle. And after re-reading my post, I just knew someone would call me on the overlaping areas - I sometimes ride a road and then just turn around and ride the same in the opposite direction (Natchez Trace), it is totally different scenery going the other way, LOL. We are going down to Hammond, LA tomorrow to look over some toy haulers - there don't seem to be any slide-in camper dealers down south, what's with that? Ride safe !!

[AzDesertRider]

Thanks for all the replys fellas. Sure some good options to chew on. I got to do a little research on
those little trailers behind a 5th wheel to see if they are legal in all states. I kinda worry about having a flat on something like that - how would know not being able to see it in the mirrors? As for mounting on the front of the truck, I'm afraid that with the weight of the diesel engine and the ST it would overload the front axle. And after re-reading my post, I just knew someone would call me on the overlaping areas - I sometimes ride a road and then just turn around and ride the same in the opposite direction (Natchez Trace), it is totally different scenery going the other way, LOL. We are going down to Hammond, LA tomorrow to look over some toy haulers - there don't seem to be any slide-in camper dealers down south, what's with that? Ride safe !!


Full time in a Slide-in Camper will prolly get a little too cozy after a short while. Lance mfg now offers campers with dual slide outs offering much more living space, but the GVW is off the hook. Takes a lot of truck to haul a "Full Size" camper these day's.