key Performance, a Division of the Keystone RV Company, is responsible for engineering and building a large selection of Raptor Toyhaulers that aims to fit the needs of just about any off road fan.
This particular Raptor 5th wheel model, the 3814SS boasts an exterior length of 39’ 7”, has a single living area slide that is 39” deep on the inside, and over 10’ in total length, making this RV a truly livable wide-body home away from home. Directly across from the slide is the kitchen area of this open plan. The kitchen has an abundant amount of usable and reachable storage space which is perfect, because in my household everything ends up in the kitchen cabinets at one time or another. The stainless steel sink in the kitchen not only fits the great looking décor, but it can handle the roughest treatment a family can dish out and still resurface looking shiny and new. Now we enter the sleeping area of this floor plan which is fully equipped with a total of 4 queen beds, one up front (60x80), one in the middle (60x74), two in the rear (60x74), and don’t forget the Hide-A-Bed in the living area. With all of the sleeping arrangements available in this Raptor model you might be hard pressed to fit everyone in your tow vehicle!
The garage area on this unit is a full 14’ in length; it is just over 98” in width and is rated at a 2000 lbs. load capacity. Above the garage area are dual electric queen beds. When these beds are fully retracted to their highest position there is roughly a 6’7” clearance from the bottom of the lower bed to the floor. This space should allow more than enough clearance for almost any machine imaginable! The ramp door has a 94” opening which will allow for easy maneuvering of those sometimes stubborn vehicles that just refuse to fit into their allotted space. By the way, for those of you who like to work in the garage (and even those who don’t), the folks at Keystone thought of you when they built the trailer: they arranged for air conditioning to be available in the garage. So go ahead and turn down the thermostat, it’s time to enjoy your work! For those times when you’re not in the garage and your machines are, there is a two way cargo ventilation system and a power fan so that the only scent lingering in your garage is the scent of fresh air.
For comfort and convenience a 50 amp electrical service is standard on this Raptor; this feature allows you to run both of your air conditioning units and other various electrical devices while plugged into a permanent power source. When dry camping however, all of your power requirements will be quietly supplied by the onboard Onan Marquis Gold 5500 generator. One handy factor supplied with this generator is an automatic transfer switch. This switching arrangement eliminates the need for plugging and unplugging power cords when transferring power sources.
Now that you have an idea what this coach has to offer, we can take some time to get under its skin. Deep below the shiny Gel-Coated Filon Fiberglass skin lies the two-inch welded aluminum framing that is the foundation of this Raptor’s five-layer sidewall construction. These layered walls are not only strong, they carry an insulation factor of R-9 (higher numbers designate better insulating properties) with the help of solid block EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation material. With the assistance of the enclosed underbelly, the insulation factor of the floor is R-17, and the roof is R-10. Given its solid construction and insulation values, this Toyhauler will surely give you many years of satisfying recreational pleasure.
This Raptor has got you covered in the entertainment department with a full-blown Alpine audio system inside and out that plays CDs, MP3s and is Satellite and iPod ready. Couple that system with the widescreen television and a DVD player, and I say why go home to watch the game?
Where the rubber meets the road, we have six load-range D rated tires that are mounted on 15” aluminum rims. Each set of these tires and rims are mounted on Ultra Lube, powder coated axles for optimum corrosion protection and minimal axle maintenance.
There are a couple of items on this trailer that deserve to be mentioned. One of these items is the shower. In this shower there is a deeper sunken section in the tub area that is nice because those of us who are a little bit taller don’t have to rely on the skylight above the shower to fit our heads. Another great accessory is the under frame slide-out storage trays. These could be great for muddy shoes and other items that in no way, shape, or form would we allow in the trailer. As a final note, I must say that everything seems to be addressed in this toyhauler as far as conveniences, controls, accessories, and overall usage. I have to say, it looks like this model has it all! To find out more information about these units visit them on line at www.keystonerv.com or call them at 574-535-2100. Travel Safe...
-Mike Martin
