TT or toad?

[BarbaraRose]

I am wondering what the differences (pros and cons) are between towing a small travel trailer with a truck/SUV and towing a car with a small (22-24 ft) Class C RV? Such things as towing thru mountains, hitching/unhitching, set up, maneuvering, parking, etc?

[Bethers]

You're going to have as many answers as there are women on this forum. Jean's truck wasn't as strong in the mountains. My Class C does great. Others will say the opposite. It depends on YOUR truck and tt or Class C and toad or no toad. Personally, I don't want to have to leave my vehicle to get to my home. That's the biggest thing for me. When it's hot out, my home stays farily comfortable with just the dash air and vice versa for heat. In a TT or 5th wheel, the temps will go much higher or lower inside, making it not so comfortable for a lunch or potty break, for example. I don't even see a big difference pricewise - well, there can be either way depending on what you want. But I couldn't have purchased a decent truck and tt for any less than I did my Class C ... at the time, it would have been much more but there are deals to be found both ways. Some don't want the extra tires and engine of a toad. My gas mileage makes up for those expenses ... and I much prefer if I have a toad, having a small car over a large truck, especially in cities.

There are several threads on these issues. If you prefer a tt, then all my reasons go right out the window - and there are as many reasons pro as con. It's very personal and subjective.

[BarbaraRose]

Are toads less likely to have swaying issues on the highways as a trailer?
Is it easier to unhitch a toad than a trailer?
Is leveling an RV easier than leveling a trailer?
How inconvenient is it to not be able to back up with a toad?

Beth, I do understand about keeping the RV cool/warm on the road, versus a TT. Also, with pets, that would be a big consideration as well.
You mentioned gas mileage...

Some don't want the extra tires and engine of a toad. My gas mileage makes up for those expenses ...

...is that better with a toad than a trailer?

[Bethers]

Some trucks get better mileage today - but my toad gets 30 mpg ... not many trucks will do that. So it depends on what you'd get with the truck when towing. I don't have any swaying issues with the toad. I don't have any swaying issues with the Class C - except on very windy days when no high vehicle should be on the road. There are people with sway issues with Class C's. I can only say about me.

I would be set up in less than half the time it would take Jean to set up. Having hooked up her tt and hooking up my car, I find the car much easier - and much less strenuous on my back, etc. And her hitch wasn't manual - lots are.

I've only had to unhitch to back up twice because of the toad. That was my first day with it in a Walmart when someone parked immediately behind me, and someone else immediately in front (I thought I'd not left room in front, but hey, people can sneak in anywhere). I have not taken a few roads because I wasn't sure about the turning around, but don't do that much anymore. Knowing it's not really difficult to unhook makes me more likely to try things. The 2nd time, though was after the snow storm on the way to my job in Alaska - and that was a pain in the butt... however, I'm not sure how I would have gotten out of that situation with a truck and tt (a tree had come across a road in the cg - after I had checked it the night before - didn't recheck in the morning). Backing up a tt would have required a lot of time a patience in the space involved. Took me time to unhook because of the cold, but then the turning around and getting out of the situation wasn't too bad. Just very frustrating. So, I don't find not being able to back up a problem - like I did originally. I still prefer traveling without a toad - but like having it also.

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks Beth! Good info to consider!
I do remember helping Linda hook up and unhook her truck (toad) on our trip out to CA and it wasn't too complicated once we figured out where everything got attached to (it was a new situation for her too). Only had one problem once when her steering locked up on the truck.

[Deeann]

Speaking of turning around....

With a class c and a toad: you can unhook the toad, turn the class c around, turn the toad around, and hook the toad back up. You're done.

With a car and trailer, you can unhook the trailer, turn the car around, then you're s**t out of luck.

[IrishIroamed]

With a car and trailer, you can unhook the trailer, turn the car around, then you're s**t out of luck.

Barbara - if you mean gas mileage in a C class, most dealers I've talked to say gas class C is about 8-10 MPG with diesel a bit higher, but not by much.

[Colliemom]

Few thoughts here from a TT owner. I like the advantage of the TT and truck combination because I can use the truck for other things when I am not on the road, plus the 4 wheel drive is nice in winter weather. Granted, the trucks don't get that great of mileage, mine averaged between 111 and 15 mpg depending on what truck I had. The bigger engine, 6.0 was the one that didn't get the greatest mileage, but it had the power to pull a trailer up a mountain if needed, not that I did that. My other truck with the 5.3 wasn't quite strong enough to pull my one trailer as it weighed 4500 lbs. but it did an adequate job. Starting out and getting going was were it took a few minutes to get up to power but once going it was fine. That one got about 15 mpg. The truck can haul more stuff in back which makes it nice. Trailers are less expensive to insure and you have to have insurance on your vehicle no matter what you drive. Hitching and unhitching for me was never a problem other than backing into my hitch cause I didn't have a back up camera. You just get a routine after awhile and I had a habit of back up to my hitch the night before I was going to leave, so the next morning, all I needed to do was back under the hitch and was all set.

I have considered a small 5er and am still thinking that over. The advantage of hitching into them is much easier, you don't have as much length behind you cause part of it is over the truck bed and they are more stable as far as sway is concerned. But you do sacrifice a bit of space in the truck bed as far as carrying stuff is concerned. I'll let the gals who tow 5ers chime in here on them.

Not to be against having an MH, but it seems to me, reading on this forum, that MH's have more problems than TT's, but probably cause they have engines and TT's don't. But seems like somebody is always having a repair issue. So it will depend on your budget and what you feel more comfortable driving around.

[dayspring39]

I have had both… my husband and I had a 17 1/2 ft travel trailer… we had anti sway bars on it… the sway was almost nil. I had no problem backing up but my husband never could I think that is a brain thing… go left to go right etc… I liked the travel trailer because we could set it up and go explore different places…

I now have a class C 27ft.. it is so nice… I have my trike as my toad… I pretty much stay planted when I get to a place… I think my sense of adventure left a century ago!! My class C is in such good condition.. it is a 1998 and looks new inside… my son in law put down a laminate floor for my mother's day gift… wow is that ever nice...There are always very generous people that offer to get you things from the store or take you… I try to never take advantage of people and have supplies to last a month or so… that works for staples but not fresh food and milk...

Barbie it is all in personal preference… when the time comes have a list of must haves and rent the vehicle you are looking at but MH and TT… that will give you a sense of what you want and need…

Kathy Kathleen

[retiredhappy]

For me another consideration was that if I was overnighting at a reststop I could get in the driver's seat and drive off with my toad. Safer. Didn't have to get out of TT and get into truck. I would leave my toad read to go when I parked. Also, didn't have to get out to access the bathroom while on the road; just pull over somewhere.

[BirdbyBird]

I second Karen's two cents...... It is a personal decision but when you get to the FL gtg this winter, take advantage of all the rigs there and take the tours and talk one on one to everyone on how they travel and how the use the rig they have....you will learn a lot about their personal decisions and then compare the benefits and drawbacks to what you need and want.

The length of the rigs and tow vehicles greatly effect what sort of issues confront you. Since I have a short bus of only 22ft plus a car, my turning radius (so I don't have to unhook) is smaller than those that drive something even 27ft with a car towed behind.....

I think we all have an ability to learn and adapt to the units that we purchase....they all have limitations...which one are more important? There is not right or wrong answer.

[MelissaD]

Not all vehicles are able to be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. Some require a 2 wheel and others a 4 wheel dolly.

As stated there are valid reasons both ways. Just need to figure out how you plan to use it and find the best option for you. We don't "move" much (travel a day or two and sit for a week or so) the 5th wheel was a better choice for us. If I was moving often I would have looked at a class A. When the weather is crappy it is real nice not to leave the vehicle for the bathroom or your bed.

Not all trailers with slides are accessible or fully accessible with slides in. I can get to both bathrooms and the master bedroom but limited kitchen and the babies room is a no-go unless I open a slide. The Class A's, C's and B's don't have the access issues and with the generators built in are probably easier to dry camp with. That's just an observation as I have not owned one.

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks for the info. It helps to get different perspectives from different experiences and gives me more to consider.
I do plan to check out the RV's and TT's at the GTG in FL when I am there.
I am now kind of leaning towards a Class C (22ft) and possibly a small toad, for the trip out west. Will be on the move quite a bit since there is a lot I want to see and do.
I have lots to think about but probably a lot of time to figure it out, as well. It may well be years before this all takes place anyways. (I get bored in the winter and sit around thinking too much! )