2009 Keystone Raptor Toyhauler

[VickieP]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7WtvWKlK7Q

Okay, I cheated and instead of posting pics of the inside, I found a YouTube video of our toyhauler. Changes we made to it was to put a wide door between the cargo area and the living area and installed a atv winch on the floor of the cargo area to get him in and out in his wheelchair. We are in the process of getting a wheelchair lift installed sometime this year($$$). Depending on the model, may have to remove cabinet inside main door. (Under Vehicle Lift would be better) But that is okay anyway because I planned on making that cabinet less deep and removing the cabinet under the bath sink and putting braces/support under there, now we just put his hospital tray/table up to the kitchen sink and it has a faucet that extends out several feet and he brushes teeth and shaves over a dishpan. We make do, just as long as we don't have to stay home

This is a pic of our Polaris RZR, the reason for a toyhauler in the first place

[mitch5252]

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"VERY nice!", she said, as she padded out to her itty, bitty 13' Fun Finder...

And you drive that thing? Yikes - I could NEVER back it up. Takes me 45 minutes to back up my little box.

What's the round thing under the oven?

Anyway, it's really nice. Does a wheelchair fit okay into the bedroom? Obviously, I guess, it does.


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[avalen]

yea, whats the round thing?

[Getupngo]

That is the nicest toy-hauler I've ever seen. Clearly, it's for a man with a woman in his life that doesn't want to live in (or smell) the garage.

[VickieP]

Of all things for yall to be curious about that's just a sub-woofer for the stereo/dvd system. It also has waterproof outside speakers. It is a strange place for it, I wouldn't have thought putting it under the stove would be a good idea. I'm always afraid I'm gonna kick it!

Mitch, I have hauled it, not that big a deal, just keep the truck in the middle of the road and it comes right along with ya. Backing up is a little harder, kinda hard to see that far back, we DO prefer pull-thru spots for obvious reasons That said, he does most of the driving and I just take over when he's tired or his hand hurts. His driving controls requires him to use his hand for brake and gas and if it's not an area where he can use cruise control it get's tiring. I guess I need to get some pics for yall of his lift and controls in the truck.

The bed/bath area lacks a couple of inches to fit his chair in, that's why I need to modify that area. If you noticed in the cargo area there are two queen size beds that lift to the ceiling and down to any point independently (?) that is used for now. The bottom one is also a double couch, flat for the bed and opened makes two couches with backs together, one facing outside and the other facing in (extra tv connection in white cabinet).

Thanks for the compliments on it, I really fell in love with it, I didn't want to have the RZR full of stinky mud sitting next to me while I ate

[Cedar518]

Nice rig,... glad you have one that works for you. It's got to be quite a challenge to manage it with a wheelchair in the mix.

I have always read that it's absolutely not recommended to use cruise control while towing. Consequently I never use it while hitched. Any thoughts out there about this?

[VickieP]

I've never heard that Cedar. Is it something to do with the tow vehicle or for safety reason with the RV? I went to RVnet just out of curiosity, did a search for cruise control to see if anyone had questions about that and all that came up was that they were using it, ALTHOUGH, that don't mean it's right I know my Dad has used cruise control when pulling TT and 5ers as well as driving a MH pulling a toad. (that still don't make it right) Like you, I'm curious what others have to say on what they do. How bout it gals, what'cha say?

[Cedar518]

I wish I could remember where I read that Vickie,... but it stuck in my mind. Now, it might be based on one person's opinion, not fact, so I'll be ready and willing to have someone set me straight on it. Would be so much more comfy to be able to use it especially on an interstate.

[Paulette]

Well, I know that I've heard to never use cruise control when it is raining. But I'm anxious to hear about when towing...would like to know. I like using the cruise in my RV because my leg tends to get tired sitting so long. In the car, it doesn't bother me as much for some reason.

[Bethers]

I learned years ago not to use cruise when towing. My owners guide on my old van specifically stated cruise should not be engaged when towing. Did an online search - and found a few things - a Nissan guide to towing - which says specifically "Do not use cruise control when towing." I can't find any manuals saying otherwise. Have checked Ford, Chevy, Nissan and here's a specific rv one: From Arctic Fox, the manual states in bold notations twice not to use cruise control when towing.

Now, where you see it being said they use it - is in forums - where people ignore. So - I'm going to guess your mauals will say to not use cruise when towing. Whether you do or not - and whether it can cause problems or not - is something you need to work out. Make sure you do NOT use cruise when towing on hills, please - or even when on hills not towing.

[Birdie]

Toyota 4Runner manual specifically states to not use Cruise Control when towing. My TT manual says don't drive over 60 mph while towing.

I was told it has to do with the tranny having to change more frequently while driving. It will sometimes make changes even at slight elevation changes, not just on grades. Toyota guy said it would eventually cause you to get a new tranny (I could believe this). Also was told it was because folks relax a little more and don't pay as much attention to driving as they should (but I don't buy this, because Toyota doesn't really care if I pay attention or not!). Is it true about the tranny? I don't know. But I certainly don't want to get a new tranny!

I figure if the book said don't do it - I should not do it. I read on the TT forum where folks are driving 70 and 75. They also are having tire failures. Are they related? I don't know, but the book says don't do it! There has to be some good or not so good reason for them to say these things. So I read the book and try to follow the rules! No cruise control, not over 60 mph. But now when I unhook, I'll drive 80 in West Texas in a heart beat!!!!!!!

[AlmostThere]

I somehow missed your post, Vicki. Wow, your rig is gorgeous! I, too, love the wall between the living area and the garage, although it looks like there's a drop down bed in that area. Very nice!

[VickieP]

Thanks Lenora, yes, there are actually 2 queen size beds in the garage area. One a normal bed and the bottom one makes two couches. The wheelchair lift will be in the garage area, when you come in that cargo door in the back, there is a window on the right side, that will be cut out to make a door and the lift will be put there. We're hoping for it to be installed this month and we'll make the TN GTG all fixed up.

[Echo]

Ya know I have thought about the deal with towing and cruise quite a bit?

I know my Dad used cruise when he towed the TT. I've used cruise when ever I've towed. I always figured that the cruise would keep the speed a heck of a lot smoother and more consistent than I could.

Now a lot of road tractors are coming out with auto transmissions. And I do mean full automatic too!!! And you sure to tow with a road tractor.

Now a lot of old timer truck drivers will tell you to not use cruise in snow or rain. But I over heard 3 old farts talking about using cruise and their Jake Brakes in snow???? I asked them about it!! They all said they would rather use it than not. ????? Now there is no way I would use cruise while going down the highway on the snow, rain yes, snow no. The time that you really have to worry about the rain slick roads is when the rain first starts. Usually there is a slick layer of oil and grease built up in between rain showers. So until the rain has a chance to flush some of it off the road it will be really slick and slimy. But I did try using my Jake on flat snow covered road with no one else around. Danged if it didn't work just fine. I tried with and without the Jake. Using my breaks to slow down the tractor and trailer make it want to go sideways. Using the Jake simply cut the compression back on the engine and cause the rig to slow down.

Any way those are my thoughts and experiences. Don't take 'em as gospel. hehehehe

[sharon]

Very nice, Miss Vickie! BF has a toy hauler, but to have the separate garage he would have to get a 40 footer and that wouldn't fit in his driveway, never mind that he would have to get a bigger truck. He just bought an '07 Weekend Warrior 33 ft. It's really nice inside.

As far as using the cruise when towing, I use it whether I'm towing the jeep or the 10ft toy trailer I have for my quad. But only on open straight roads. In towns I keep the exhaust brake on all the time and use it quite a bit. It's one of the reasons I bought a pusher. That, and that's what we had for years before DH passed, so it was what I was used to.

And oh yeah, once I get out of California with their stupid 55MPH speed limit when towing anything, it's pedal to the metal!