With so many recreational vehicle brands, buying a camper can take time and effort.
However, most buyers are fixated on well-known brands like Forest River, Winnebago, and Newmar that they overlook the ocean of newer but equally superior brands. Some are even more weatherproof and user-friendly than others.
If you’re looking to invest in an RV soon, consider checking out other brands, too. You never know what you’ll find, and often, RVs from newer brands tend to be cheaper, packed with valuable amenities, and come with plenty of discounts and incentives.
It doesn’t mean manufacturers are cutting down on prizes at the expense of quality. Instead, it’s just part of their marketing strategy to catch up to established brands.
The Rising Star
Grand Design RV is one of the rising stars in the RV arena. It’s an excellent example of a lesser-known brand with premium products. Their RVs have some of the industry’s top-rated constructions, insulations, and engines. In addition, they offer travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers.
This article will focus on their toy haulers, mainly the G-class fifth wheel, G-class travel trailer, and M-class. If you’ve been eyeing up any of these toy haulers, you’re likely also considering the other two.
But ultimately, you’ll only choose one, so you better weigh your options carefully. Here’s a quick look at the standard features of these three toy haulers:
| Features | G-Class Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler | G-Class Travel Trailer Toy Hauler | M-Class Toy Hauler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unloaded Weight | 12,500 to 12,950 lbs. | 6,400 to 9,374 lbs. | 13,600 to 16,800 lbs. |
| Gross Weight | 16,800 lbs. | 11,000 to 13,000 lbs. | 16,800 to 20,000 lbs. |
| Hitch Weight | 2,300 to 2,600 lbs. | 920 to 1320 lbs. | 2,925 to 3,600 lbs. |
| Dimension (LxH) | 36’03”x13’05” to 39’10”x13’05” | 26’11”x12’01” to 36’10”x12’01” | 38’11”x13’05” to 44’11”x13’05” |
| R-Value (Roof) | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| R-Value (Wall) | 11 | 7 | 11 |
| R-Value (Floor) | 40 | 40 | 45 |
| Fresh Water | 110 gal. | 96 to 100 gal. | 140 gal. |
| Gray Water | 78 gal. | 74 to 78 gal. | 104 to 156 gal. |
| Black Water | 78 gal. | 39 gal. | 52 gal. |
Toy Haulers vs. Fifth Wheels
Before we compare these three toy hauler classes, let’s first differentiate toy haulers from fifth wheels. We hear and read about them a lot, and most of us probably think they’re just fancy names for RVs.
While that’s partly true, these RV types are slightly different from each other, and this slight difference can be a deciding factor for picky buyers.
Fifth wheels are dual-axle trailers that can hitch directly on the back of a pickup truck, unlike standard travel trailers that need to be coupled with a hitch receiver behind a tow vehicle.
It’s called the fifth wheel because it has four wheels (dual-axle: two pairs of wheels) and uses the pickup as its fifth wheel. This means the interior and exterior construction is the same as other large trailers.
Toy haulers, on the other hand, are called toy haulers because they are designed to haul toys. A traveler’s toys include an ATV, dirt bikes, and a motorcycle, to name a few.
A toy hauler has a garage that can house all these extra vehicles and equipment, allowing for more action-packed trips.
But having such a big room in the trailer means giving up some of the cabin space. So, if you’re the adventurous type who loves to bring all their equipment and gear wherever they go, a toy hauler is the perfect RV for you.
But if you only want an RV for occasional family excursions, a fifth wheel is the way to go.
Momentum G-Class vs M-Class
It’s important to note that momentum has two types of G-class toy haulers: a fifth wheel and a travel trailer. You’re probably thinking, why are there fifth-wheel and travel trailer types if they are toy haulers? Aren’t those different RVs?
Adding these names better gives buyers an idea of how big and heavy G-class toy haulers are. We all know that fifth-wheel trailers are larger, heavier, and have more features than travel trailers
So what these classifications mean is that fifth-wheel toy haulers are larger and more expensive than travel trailer toy haulers.
Weight
The vehicle’s gross and unloaded weight is one of the first things you must check when shopping for an RV. RVs are heavy and hard to control. If you haven’t driven a truck or tractor before, you should practice a bit before going on long trips.
However, since you’re only checking out the Momentum lineup, you’ll likely use your car to tow whichever trailer you buy. Then again, a vehicle towing a trailer is difficult to stabilize.
You need to maintain a particular velocity that allows you to keep a tight grip on the wheels. You should also be mindful of other heavy vehicles passing by. There’s a lot to take in.
The safest choice is a G-Class travel trailer toy hauler because it’s the lightest of the Momentum lineup. But if you’re planning to travel full-time in your RV and invest in more assets, the M-Class toy hauler might be the better option.
Insulation
An RV is essentially a house with wheels. And like any other house, it needs to have insulation. What’s tricky about insulating an RV is you can’t make its walls, roof, and floor as thick as a real house’s because it will increase the vehicle’s weight.
Thankfully, there are light and thin insulation materials that have a high R-value (the measure of an insulation material’s resistance to heat). It’s shown as R- and a number next to it.
The higher the number, the more insulation the material provides. You can’t physically check the R-value of an RV’s insulation, but you can find it in the specs.
And you must check this part because your life depends on it. Especially if you live in your RV, the only way to keep the temperature in your cabin bearable is with high-R-value insulation.
Both G-class and M-class Momentum have high-R-value insulation. An R-value of 40 or 45 exceeds standard insulation for RVs.
Cabin Space
Whether your RV is your permanent home or you only use it a few times a year, you’d want it to be as cozy as possible. There has to be enough horizontal and vertical space for movement without the risk of bumping into furniture or overhang.
M-class is the biggest and most spacious of the three Momentum classes. Obviously, it’s also the priciest. But you have not just a vast cabin space, but you can make it wider with three slide-outs.
One is big enough for an island bedroom. Another can accommodate a pull-out sofa and a freestanding dinette.
Then again, your choice of cabin space depends on how many people will stay in it. A retirement RV for couples doesn’t have to be too big, but make sure it has all amenities you need to live comfortably through old age. A G-Class travel trailer toy hauler fits the bill since it’s light and easy to maintain.
Conclusion
The biggest and most expensive RVs aren’t always the best ones. It all depends on your taste, budget, and driving skills. Nevertheless, Grand Design’s G-Class and M-Class toy haulers are interesting choices because they meet the general criteria.
The construction is excellent, they all have a space-efficient floor plan, you can bring some of your toys, and more. The best part is you can customize it by choosing the right combination of amenities. Yes, they have that option.