Full House - suitable for two touring Harleys?

[octanemaniac]

We are looking at long-timing and perhaps full timing in a toy hauler and are attracted by the apparent quality of DRV. Not much information on the Full House model - can't really determine if its still made since its not in the DRV brochure or web site, although we have seen a couple listed by dealers.

Is it still made? Is it a custom unit? The garage door looks a bit narrow to easily drive in two touring class Harley's (Electra Glide and Road King). We want the garage to be only just big enough so as not to eat up more space than necessary.

Thanks for any assistance!

[hitchup]

When DRV changed their website recently, they lost their link to the Toy Hauler. The only thing I could find is a small page on their Blog.

But I found a brochure from 2012 on Rolling Retreats website.

http://www.rollingretreats.com/FullHouseElite.html

And then I found specs on the 2014 here:

http://www.rvguide.com/specs/drv/toy-hauler/2014/mobile-suites/full-house-40lksbg/compare.html

I would suggest contacting a dealer to see if they have a current price listing. You'll be happier ordering one to get only the options you need anyhow.

Last month, we just ordered a 2nd custom 2014 from Alicia at Rolling Retreats.

[terry and jo]

If you go to the DRV website and go to brochures, down under the online form to fill out in order to get a new brochure, there is a link entitled "Brochures Archives." Click on that and there is a brochure there for the 2012 (2013 would have been the same) DRV Suites models and it includes the Full House.

Here is a link to that brochure:

http://www.drvsuites.com/brochures/Archive/DRV12_Brochure.pdf

Now, I don't know about dimensions, but perhaps the picture with a golf cart on the ramp may give you an idea of the width to allow for two motorcycles.

Obviously, the interior of the garage is wider than the door, so it shouldn't be a problem with loading the bikes separately. Then again, because the rear wall moves forward and back (see pictures), if you want the wall back to give yourself more room in the living area, then you would likely have to leave the bikes parked outside.

Terry

[octanemaniac]

Thanks everyone. Not much info on weight specs. I'm wondering if the Full House can be pulled by a F450? Seems like pin weight could be getting close to max on something less than a medium duty truck. Thanks again!

[wingnut60]

Check out this DRV for sale--it has a hydraulic lift for a handicap person on the side. Maybe it could be adapted for lifting the Harleys?
Just a thought...
I have seen this trailer/truck in Denali NP in Alaska last year--it is a beautiful combo.
And the 3-axle DRV units usually have less pin weight than the 2-axle due to the balance point and the toys in the rear area.
Joe

http://nationalmultilist.com/listing.php?listing_id=179348

[hitchup]

On the RVGuide link I provided earlier, under specs, it states 23,000 GVWR.

Our 2010 F450 could easily haul it. We're rated at 24,500 towing 5th wheels.

Here it is again.

http://www.rvguide.com/specs/drv/toy-hauler/2014/mobile-suites/full-house-40lksbg.html

[Motor31]

Did they redesign the placement of the third axle on the newer units? I recall that the reason they went to dual 8k axles originally was because strapping on a third one in the rear tended to put more weight on the pin than less.

[octanemaniac]

Motor31, the pin weight was my concern. The CC capacity of the F450 is listed at only about 5k according to the Ford Towing Guide 2013, after including two 150lb drivers, etc... (that seems pretty light to me, so I wonder if I'm misinterpreting that number). Estimating pin weight at 25% of 23k would be 5750lbs, a bit over the CCC.

I suppose with a couple of touring HD's loaded it may reduce the pin weight a bit, but maybe not so much with a third axle. We really don't want to manage a MDT.

Thanks again for the replies.

[wingnut60]

If I remember correctly, Doubletree did not design the first triples with much balance in mind, just gross weight. I am sure that the 43s have more balance to them. But, I don't own one.
Anyone know anyone with one that has the pin weight he could clue us in on?
Joe

[Motor31]

Given the prediliction drv has for heavy pin weights, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for one inside the capacity of a 1 ton or 450.

[wingnut60]

Mike,
With RAWRs on my 450 of 9500, that would haul the 4000+ PWs ok up to maybe 4600??
Joe

[terry and jo]

Not sure what the rear axle weights are, but the 2013 brochure for Super Duty Fords shows the F450's payload as 5880 lbs.

I sent a message to Alicia and Slade at Rolling Retreats and asked them about the pin weight of the Full House. According to Alicia, DRV has only made 4 or 5 of the Full House models, so a better idea of pin weight could only come from someone who actually owns one.

Terry

[octanemaniac]

Thanks for reaching out to try and figure this out.

Wow - only 4 or 5 models - so this is essentially a custom model. I think we're ok with that. After looking at other TH's, we just weren't impressed enough to move forward with a purchase. We still haven't seen a Jayco Seismic, which is the only other contender.

We've made plans to check out both the DRV and Jayco factories at the end of next week since we were going to be nearby in Ohio anyway. Hopefully we'll get these questions answered and be able to make a final decision.

Thanks everyone.

[octanemaniac]

Just checking back to let folks know that we had a great tour at the DRV factory in Howe, In. They are still making the Full House. While they did not have one, we did get a copy of the weight specs as it left the factory. The dry weights were:

Total unit 18,475lbs
Pin Weight - 4110lbs
CCC (23000 - 18475) = 4525

They are using frame mounted MorRyde suspension now stock with the 17.5 Goodyears (no traditional axles). Three "axles" for the Full House. Side to Side weights were:

Front Left 3220, right 3135
Center Left 2375, right 2385
Rear Left 1525, right 1645

We confirmed that loading the bikes (about 1800lbs) will lighten the pin a bit assuming you don't add a similar amount up front. From the weights above, adding some weight to the rear is probably a good idea anyway.

Really enjoyed the tour, lots of great info. Highly recommend to any prospective buyer.

[terry and jo]

Thanks for posting back with that information on the weights. With so few of them out there, finding someone with one would naturally be difficult. It looks like the pin weight won't be a problem for the F450.

Now, the overall weight at 23,000 GVWR for the trailer would be within the weight capacity of the F450 as well, but one would still need to be careful because it is getting very near the maximum "towing weight" for the truck. The 2013 Ford Super Duty brochure lists fifth wheel towing at 24,700 lbs.

The New Horizons fifth wheels are also about as heavy as the Full House and they say that the F450 is capable of towing theirs. I even know of one couple that has that configuration and they've not mentioned any problems.

Terry

[BHB]

Don't forget when you are talking pin weight your basement storage, your clothes closet, your clothes in all the drawers, your underbed storage is all way in front of the front axle pin weight may be much heavier than you think.

[Cummins12V98]

On the RVGuide link I provided earlier, under specs, it states 23,000 GVWR.

Our 2010 F450 could easily haul it. We're rated at 24,500 towing 5th wheels.

Here it is again.

http://www.rvguide.com/specs/drv/toy-hauler/2014/mobile-suites/full-house-40lksbg.html

At 25% pin weight that would be 5,750# pin weight. Is that within your specs?

Do you have 17 or 19.5" tires and wheels?

[wingnut60]

Payload is a lot different than Rear Axle Weight Rating--I believe the newer 450s have a 9k rating on the rear axle. Earlier ('08-'10) had 9500lbs rating.
A 5880 payload will be lessened by the hitch, fuel, passengers and luggage--for instance, my '09 weighs about 10400 (14500 GVWR) ready for long trips, but I have a 60 gal aux tank. I am very close to the axle rating.
MOST Suites will fall between 4-4600lbs for pin weight--I think 25% is exaggerating the amount on the pin for most fivers. The triples are usually balanced with less pin weight than duals are, especially when the 'toys' are in the garage.
All the 450 pickups are great for gross tow ratings, but you still have to be careful of the rear axle rating.
The 15s are going to be back to 19.5" wheels/tires and most likely all the ratings will go up, also.
Joe

[Cummins12V98]

Our pin weight is 4,500#. What I am mostly concerned with is what can the rear tires handle. Of the 4,500# less than 200# transfers to the front axle. So with a 5er you should never come close to front axle ratings.

Most never think about the weight they are putting on the rear tires. They look at trailer weight and not much else.

[wingnut60]

So what is the tire problem on a dually for weight ratings/pin weight?
17s have about 3400lbs each = 13600lbs--plenty for any type of pin weight. The axle rating is the limiting factor on duallys, I would think.
Joe