You've looked at all the popular makes that you've seen around the dunes and mountain trails. You've really liked what you saw but there always seemed something missing. Some little indefinable things that would make life so much easier if they were there. Things-usually-that you can't even put your finger on, but you know that they're not there.

So, as you're relaxing after a fun day of riding, you start designing your own trailer in your mind. It should be able to haul all your toys: Jeep, buggy, ATVs, bikes, and PWCs, but not all at one time. It should be able to fuel, air up, and clean off the toys. It should give you plenty of living space, both inside and out, and it should be able to provide some fun entertainment on those rainy days when it's no fun to frolic outdoors. All the trailers you've looked at over the past few months had a lot of these items, but not one had all the items in one package.

Would you believe Fleetwood has read your mind? Fleetwood, the world's largest RV manufacturer, has dabbled in the toy hauler marketplace with a few of its subsidiary trailers, but has waited to jump in with a full commitment until now with the 2004 Gearbox LSV (lifestyle support vehicle).

To quote John Draheim, vice president, Sales & Marketing, RV Group, "The Gearbox LSV is Fleetwood's calculated response to the burgeoning market for toys like ATVs, where annual new unit sales have risen from 160,000 units in 1992 to nearly a million new units sold in 2002. Fleetwood's resources have allowed us to carefully measure and respond to customer needs. The all-new Gearbox LSV represents Fleetwood's ability to bring to fruition a quality product that will truly meet the needs of its users."

Available in five models that range from 22 feet to 30 feet in length-as towables at this time, but more floorplans are in the works--Gearbox can be configured specifically for your family's needs without being forced to accept "standard" features that you'll never use. While it comes with a pretty complete standard feature list, Gearbox's option list allows you to spec out an almost custom-made trailer like no other.

With the ladies in mind, Gearbox's interiors offer stylish comfort with furniture and floors that are easy to clean with the optional onboard central vacuum, easy to use, and easy to get out of the way. A double-door 8-cubic-foot Dometic refrigerator and several cabinets with adjustable-height shelves and oversized doors have the space to accept more than enough food and treats for an extended outdoor adventure. Next to the fridge, a built-in knife rack in the stove top-which is equipped with a diamond-plate aluminum splash-keep the carving knives out of the kids' reach. Step across the galley aisle and you'll find a double 60/40 sink-also equipped with a diamond-plate aluminum splash-which is connected to the trailer's full system water filter (no need to haul bottled water for that morning coffee, Gearbox carries 120 gallons of fully filtered freshwater). And for the party, an optional ice maker-separate from the fridge-is also hooked into the filtered water system.

Some floorplans have forward bedrooms, all have private baths, and a fold-out sleeper option (sort of like a side-mounted tent) is in the works. With the available rear loft bed, front bedroom, fold-away dinette/sleeper, and fold-away sofa sleeper, Gearbox can be configured to sleep up to 12 people. With that many people dry camping, you'll need large holding tanks and Gearbox has two: 55 gallons for gray water and 40 gallons for the black on all models.

It's going to be hard to beat the Gearbox for convenience with its centrally located monitor board that gives you all the data about water, fuel, holding tanks levels; battery condition; and controls for the generator and water pump. Also available is a four-pack of walkie-talkies (with a built-in charging station) to keep track of the family at the big game, during the race, or in the backwoods. If they're not outside, the family's going to be inside in front of the entertainment center; an optional Entertainment Group package that includes a 19-inch TV, DVD player, video game jack, and stereo.

To expand the living space, a white patio awning is standard (black-and-white checkered flag pattern is optional), and a screened-in room can be added to cover the leveled loading ramp. For a bit of added privacy or secure scenery viewing, a screened partition can be attached to the ramp door, allowing the great outdoors in without its annoying insects. And while you're relaxing under the checkered awning waiting for the next race, you can listen to the waterproof stereo speakers and grill some steaks on the convenient grill that attaches directly to the Gearbox and connects to the LPG supply.

It's going to be hard for the mechanic in the family to beat the Gearbox for convenience, too. Starting inside with the lack of fender wells (so the entire floor space is available for storage), six floor-mounted tie-downs and four sidewall-mounted tie-downs, and optional fold-up workbenches (one outside and one inside, which includes storage space for a number of tools), he'll be bragging to all his friends about his new Gearbox. He'll be able to run electric drills and such with the optional 5.5-kw Onan generator, fill the toys' tires with the optional 3-gallon 125-psi air tank (which includes a coiled hose, nozzle and gauge), clean the toys with the onboard (optional) pressure water nozzle, fuel the toys from the onboard gas tanks (up to 48-gallon optional capacity), or load broken toys with the optional 2,000-pound electric winch. He'll also enjoy working under the lights (fluorescent inside and flood outside).

Much of the Gearbox's outside skin is protected with heavy-duty diamond-pattern aluminum, and the tongue is lifted into position with an optional electric motor. A number of securely mounted D-rings allow you to chain up the toys for the night to protect them from sticky fingers without having to bring them back inside for security.

Like I said earlier, the Fleetwood Gearbox LSV toy hauler could be said to be custom-built for each owner. Fleetwood designers took the best parts from other toy haulers, added some innovative ideas of their own, and produced the Gearbox lineup for 2004, which starts at $23,700. You owe it to yourself and your family to stop by a nearby dealer and check these toy haulers out.