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Insuring Your Toy Hauler

Having a toy hauler allows you to travel with your family and enjoy the great outdoors while taking the comforts of home with you.  No matter where you plan to travel, even the best thought out travel plans can sometimes go astray. When they do you will be glad that you thought ahead and got a well rounded RV insurance policy for your toy hauler camper.

Here are some of the things you should consider when deciding upon your toy hauler RV insurance:

  • Don’t assume the contents of your toy hauler or bike RV are covered just because you have an RV insurance policy. Most policy’s limit what they will cover inside your toy hauler.
  • If you are carrying expensive toys inside your toy hauler, make sure your policy includes theft coverage. Many toys are highly sought after by thieves.
  • Standard insurance policies often offer a limited amount of coverage for roadside assistance and towing and the cost of towing an RV may be as much as 3 times the cost of towing a car.
  • You can get RV insurance under a standard auto policy or get specialty RV insurance. Specialty RV insurance is more likely to take into account some of the aforementioned items. In the case that something happens you will be more likely to get a claims adjuster who focuses solely on RV insurance cases.
  • Specialty RV insurance policies often offer coverage for Vacation Liability which pays up to the limit of liability for injuries the RV owner is legally responsible as a result of an accident occurring during the time an RV is used as a temporary vacation residence.

If you are in the market for a new toy hauler, check out our custom toy hauler options. You can also see pictures of our toy haulers by clicking on the gallery tab at the top of the page.

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Small Trailers

At Phoenix Coach Works we have seen small trailers rise in popularity over the past few years. More and more of our customers are asking for small horse trailers as well as small toy haulers and enclosed trailers. Here are some of the benefits of going small when comparing your trailer options:

  • Lower cost. If you need to buy a new trailer or possibly even your first trailer but are trying to be frugal in a tough economy like the one we are facing, a small trailer can dramatically lower the investment needed.

  • Lower towing power. The bigger the trailer, the more it weighs, and the more horse power you will need to tow it. Getting a truck or chassis adequate to handle large size trailers will contribute to a bigger bottom line.

  • More maneuverability. Small trailers are the perfect solution for attending events where space is limited. Our smallest size toy hauler camper will have you fitting into the tightest of spaces at motorcycle rallies.

Getting a small trailer does not have to mean that you aren’t going to get everything you want. At Phoenix Coach Works, our trailers (large and small) are built custom to your needs, so chances are we can help you figure out how to get just what you want out of your trailer, no matter what size you decide upon.

The first step to finding a trailer solution that will fit your needs and budget is to give us a call at (610) 495-2266. With over 25 years in the business, we are happy to give you our time and expertise to answer any questions you may have.

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Transporting Bikes with Your Fifth Wheel Campers

Recently a post on HDTalking.com caught our attention. A travel enthusiast was trying to find the best way to transport his Harley with his fifth wheel trailer.

One possible solution he was considering was to put a carrier into the receiver “hitch on rear tow of vehicle” that the bike would actually sit on. A 600-700 lb bike is a lot of weight aft of rear axle when most vehicles have class III hitches and a carrying weight of 500 lbs.

Another option under consideration was to tow a trailer behind the fifth wheel camper trailer which not only makes it extremely difficult to drive (seriously…towing a trailer behind your camper trailer and vehicle is just crazy!), but also can present significant structural issues such as putting too much stress on the frame of your vehicle which can reduce your pin weight or bend your hitch or frame.

There is very little room for error when you are either towing a trailer behind a fifth wheel RV or hitching your bike to the rear of your camper. Worst case scenario you can wreck, lose your bike, or a combination of both! If you have the need for a fifth wheel and also need to travel with your bike, you may want to consider a toy hauler trailer instead.

A toy hauler camper can give you the best of both worlds. At Phoenix Coach Works we combine the best in RV luxury with custom amenities such as:

  • A bathroom that contains a shower, vanity, toilet, and remote electric fan.
  • A full kitchen with a 2 burner cook top with fan, microwave oven, sink, and a 2.5 cu.ft refrigerator freezer.
  • Other toy hauler amenities include thermostatically controlled a/c & heat, hot water heater, electrical outlets, ample lighting, and large windows for ventilation.
  • And for your motorcycles, our toy hauler trailers feature a spring assist fold down ramp and extension, along with recessed tie downs, making the loading and unloading of your bikes a snap.

If you need a place to stay as well as a means to transport your bike, the Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler travel trailer is the perfect solution for safe travels for your bike and your family.

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Summertime Vacation Idea: Sturgis Bike Rally

If you have been outside lately you know that summertime is officially here, and that means motorcycle events are abounding. Sturgis bike rally is one of the largest motorcycle events in the country and is just a couple of months away. With all of the festivities surrounding the event and beautiful sites to see on the ride out there, attending this event could make for a fantastic summer vacation!

This year is the 70th Anniversary of the Sturgis Bike Rally held in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. At the event there will be exhibitors selling everything you could want or need to dress up you and your bike, as well as a number of entertainers such as ZZ Top, Motley Crue, and many more!

If you are going out to Sturgis, make sure to leave plenty of time before or after the event to take in the sites surrounding Sturgis. Some you may want to see include Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear Butte State Park, the Badlands, and Devil’s Tower.

If you are planning to attend motorcycle events such as the Sturgis Bike Rally this summer you will want to make sure that your toy hauler or enclosed camper trailer is in optimal condition so you can enjoy the festivities without any worries or problems while you are on the road.  For the highest quality RV services, make Phoenix Coachworks your one stop RV and trailer repair shop. Whether you are looking to convert a cargo trailer to create a toy hauler camper, or are in need of RV fabrication services, painting, or any other RV repairs, Phoenix Coachworks will get you on the road to your favorite motorcycle events.

We will be in Sturgis for the bike rally, exhibiting our smallest toy hauler RV. Come by to check it out. We look forward to seeing you in Sturgis!

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Don’t-Do-It-Yourself: Cargo Trailer Conversions

With the current state of the struggling economy, everyone is trying to stretch a dollar and many are limiting their entertainment budget. In the past year many toy hauler customers have gotten pretty inventive, creating the toy hauler camper they have always wanted by converting a cargo trailer.

A cargo trailer conversion can be a cost efficient alternative to buying a toy hauler if you are willing to forego the bells and whistles to save a few bucks. At Phoenix Coach Works, we can help you convert your cargo trailer or build you an enclosed cargo trailer in just a matter of weeks so that you can hit the road.

Here are the top reasons you should use Phoenix Coach Works for your cargo trailer conversion instead of trying to do-it-yourself:

  • We are professionals with over 25 years of experience in the construction and repair of trailers so we will build it right the first time, saving you money in the long run. Over 90% of our trailers are still on the road today.
  • Mistakes made in the cargo trailer conversion process could put you and your loved ones at risk of an accident on the road.
  • Converting a cargo trailer is a big undertaking that usually takes novices several months…do you really want to spend all your spare time this summer on a cargo trailer camper conversion?

If you are in the market for a converted cargo trailer, contact us today, we will make sure that you get the RV fabrication services you need for the best cargo trailer conversion results.

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Toy Hauler Floor Rot

Leaks in the roofs of fifth wheel toy haulers are one of the most common RV repairs that we see at Phoenix Coach Works. These leaks can ruin the interiors of your toy hauler camper and eventually lead to floor rot, a very expensive toy hauler rv repair which requires removal of the interiors to replace the floorboard. This repair is so expensive, that many customers often opt to forego the repair and buy a new toy hauler camper.

At Phoenix Coach Works, we ensure that our first priority is quality construction to avoid these types of problems. Our products are built to stand up to the rigors of everyday commercial use. Here are a few examples of the quality construction methods we utilize:

• Our floors are created from pressure treated plywood that is then undercoated to prevent floor rot

• Our roofs are constructed from a solid piece of aluminum instead of using rubber or seamed roofs that break down over time

Our philosophy is: Build it as if it were your own, and treat the customer as you would family. Strive for excellence everyday and learn from yesterday.

It is a dedication to quality and workmanship that sets Phoenix Coach Works Inc. apart from the rest. Perhaps that is why, after 25 years in business, 90% of our products are still on the road.

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Throw Out Your Camper Covers & Regain Your Freedom

One of the major problems with many toy hauler rv’s is that, after a few years of exposure to the wear and tear of the elements, they begin to leak. To extend the life of their campers, some toy hauler manufacturers recommend customers buy a cover to protect their trailers from the rain and snow. At Phoenix Coach Works, our custom bike rv’s are constructed from quality materials that are designed to withstand the elements so that they do not leak and no covers are needed.

So what sets Phoenix Coach Works toy haulers apart from the rest? Instead of using rubber or seamed roofs that break down over time, we use one solid piece of aluminum that can withstand the roughest of conditions. This same type of construction is used in large commercial freight trailers that are designed to be used day in and day out in all types of weather, so you can trust that your Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler will last.

Many manufacturers sell toy haulers that are incorporate all of the interior design bells and whistles one can desire, while skimping on the quality of the exterior that will protect their luxurious interior. For this reason, leaks are the ultimate death of most campers.

“I have a large camper trailer in here now that has several large leaks and the floor under the linoleum is rotted. They have opted for us to fix the leak but not the floor because it would entail removal of the entire interior at a great price” – says Joe Skupski, owner of Phoenix Coach Works and 25 year industry veteran.

Don’t be a victim of toy hauler camper leaks or be tied down to campers that need covers, start with the quality construction provided by Phoenix Coach Works.

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Get Educated About Toy Hauler Tire Blowouts

After 25 years in the horse trailer and toy hauler business, we have heard it all…..but one of the most common issues our customers have experienced with other toy hauler RV brands is continuous tire blowouts. The reason for this is simple; many toy haulers are built with axles and tires that are far under-rated for the weight of the trailer itself.

“We have repaired many frames and what some of these guys use as frame material, we use to build out our window frames, not carry the weight of the trailer”, says Joe Skupski, owner of Phoenix Coach Works. When building trailers that are used “as a trailer” to haul goods – be it freight, horses, or Harleys – the frame and running gear are of prime importance.

When purchasing a toy hauler camper do the following calculations:

1. Find out the axle capacity of the toy haulers you are interested in purchasing

(For example at Phoenix Coach Works, our GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating is 7000 lb using 2-3500 lb axles in our 16’ to 20′ models with increased axle and tire capacities in larger units)

2. Determine the weight of the cargo you will be hauling

(Two full size Harleys would be 1600 lbs plus around 200 lbs of gear for a total of 1800 lbs)

3. Ensure that the weight of the trailer and cargo is at least 500 lbs under the axle capacity to be safe

It pays to be an educated consumer – many toy haulers are built with axles and tires that are far under-rated for the weight of the trailer itself, making them highly susceptible to tire blowouts which are not only expensive but dangerous. Most travel trailer builders simply design campers with very fancy interiors to give it a “homey” look with the cheapest materials they can. The undercarriage or axles and tires are just a means of rolling their homes around as cheaply as possible.

At Phoenix Coach Works we design our toy haulers for work functionality, and then install living quarters in them. If you are in the market for a new toy hauler, we invite you to check out our toy haulers here. And if you already have a toy hauler and want to get the latest tips of the trade from an industry insider, we invite you to bookmark us and check our blog often or become our Facebook Fan and get our blogs delivered weekly to your wall.

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Phoenix Coach Works to Attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The 2010 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the 70th anniversary, making the world’s largest motorcycle rally an even bigger celebration than recent years. If you are planning to attend, Phoenix Coach Works invites you to stop by, meet us, and see our bike rv. We will be bringing our smallest size toy hauler camper – the answer to attending motorcycle rallies.

Built first as a cargo trailer, our bike rv packs a punch and can ride hard, enduring the everyday use often imposed on toy haulers by bike and Harley owners. Then we install the amenities needed after a long day of riding such as a spring assist fold down ramp, kitchen and full size shower. Small and efficient, the Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler is able to navigate crowded areas at bike rallies – areas that the larger toy hauler rv’s cannot.

At the show, Harley Davidson will be on hand demonstrating their newest models and allowing you to demo virtually every kind of bike that is available. Whether you are buying a new Harley at the show or already have one, you may want to take this opportunity to also test out toy haulers first hand as well. Try using the ramps to load your bike inside, and test out the amenities (in between attending concerts and trying out the local watering holes, that is). We think you will find our toy hauler campers to be best suited to your needs. We look forward to seeing you in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota to get your feedback.

See you in Sturgis!

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The Perfect Bike RV for Harleys

Phoenix Coach Works bike RV’s are perfect for transporting your Harleys to shows and rallies because we have custom designed our toy hauler campers with HOG’s in mind. This clearly differentiates us from most toy hauler manufacturers that build campers that have been modified to carry an ATV or bike. These modified campers sit up very high, making it unsuitable to carry Harley’s because of the steep ramp.

At Phoenix Coach Works, our motorcycle RV’s are built as a cargo trailer first, ready to endure hard everyday use as opposed to the occasional weekend out. We build reliable, light weight, low maintenance toy hauler trailers that are perfect for the Harley owners who ride hard all day and just want to use the trailer for relaxing and sleeping.

With the right amount of amenities to make your toy hauler camper feel like a home away from home, the durability of a cargo trailer, and ramp specifications that are custom designed for ease of loading your Harley – there is no better bike RV to help HOG’s get to the next bike rally. With the Sturgis bike rally coming up in August you may want to consider putting in your order now so you have a custom Harley bike RV for the biggest bike rally of the year.

Visit our website today to learn more about our custom toy haulers and become a facebook fan to stay up to date with the latest information from our blog.

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