Toads and getting around

[BarbaraRose]

Those of you with RV's (rather than trailers), how do you get around once you are parked at a campground? Do you have toads, bikes, scooters, etc? How hard is it to tow a car behind?

Barbie

[Getupngo]

When I first got my Class C (29 feet), I took it out for a shakedown trip, and quickly discovered
that I was "stranded" unless I was willing to unhook it and drive it around. So I got a scooter
and towed it on a trailer behind. But when I got out to more rural areas, if I wanted to go
anywhere, all the highway speeds got up to 55-60 mph or more. I travel with dogs, and I
couldn't take off for most of a day sightseeing because I couldn't take them with me. SO ...
I got set up to tow ... and traded by Subaru -- which can only be towed on a trailer -- for a
Honda CRV, which can be towed four-down. I'm very happy with that. My RV is my home,
my toad is my transportation.

But also know that I travel for months at a time -- I'm not a weekender or vacation traveler.

[BarbaraRose]

How do you know which cars can be towed with all four wheels on the road? Are they pretty easy to hook up and unhook?

Barbie

[VickieP]

http://camping.lovetoknow.com/Cars_That ... Motor_Home

[Sparkle]

I'm considering changing to a Class C and toad so that link will be handy. I added it to favorites. Thanks Vickie.

[asirimarco]

Every year Motorhome Magazine publishes a list of towable vehicles you can find it on line too.

[mtngal]

A bit off topic from your question, but wanted to mention that if you go with a 'B' its a snap to drive just about anywhere.
In fact I love to drive my RT that is built on a Chevy Express. The visibility is great. And usually I am not hooked up to sewer, so no problem if I want to run into town or go site seeing, etc. with big unhook/hookup again tasks. That said, IF, I ever go with a bigger rig I will probably end up with a toad and benefit from all the knowledge from the experienced gals here.

[VickieP]

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dynamic ... %3D1110007
This link will take you to Motorhome Mag. page, scroll down some and on the right side will be "Dinghy Guide 2009" and previous annual versions. It is published every June.

[BarbaraRose]

Unfortunately, my car doesn't qualify for all 4 wheels on the road I will have to come up with a plan B. If I was to trade my car in for a truck or SUV and get a TT, would that be easier? Is it harder or easier to tow a trailer versus having an RV and towing a car? Any thoughts?

Barbie

[Sparkle]

Towing a TT is easy, hitching and unhitching, no problem, it's the darned parking! Backing a TT is muy dificil. I thought I would get to the point where I could swing into a space, pull forward to straighten the wheels, then back into place. Ain't gonna happen! After Dan, with his expertise, to-ed and fro-d me into place, jockeying, he called it I realised my decision to change over to a Class C was the right one. Now I haven't towed a vehicle. That will be a whole new set of problems, because you can't back up. You have to unhitch the car. Dang, is there no perfect solution? I guess it all comes down to what you can live with. Well I've had a Class A, could park that with no problem. Had two TT's, giving that up, so when I get a Class C if I don't like that I don't have many options. 5th Wheel, but they are just about as bad in parking as a TT.

[Getupngo]

Unfortunately, my car doesn't qualify for all 4 wheels on the road I will have to come up with a plan B. If I was to trade my car in for a truck or SUV and get a TT, would that be easier? Is it harder or easier to tow a trailer versus having an RV and towing a car? Any thoughts?

Barbie

Barbie, now that's a much bigger question. I had to go back and look at your introductory post ... you wrote that you are thinking about getting a "B" or a "C." With the "B," as Diana said, getting around is a snap -- it's maybe just a little longer than a Suburban. Some of the small "C's" can be driven around town, too. But the question of buying a truck and TT vs. a MH + toad ... those are issues of $$$ and your comfort level in operating either of them. As I said, I got a vehicle that can be towed 4-down because I knew I wanted a large motor home.

I've found the "can't-back-up-with-a-toad" thing to be a non-issue. I've had to unhook for that reason exactly once in three years. I just have one rule ... don't pull in anywhere if you can't see a clear path to exit. I unhook my toad if I have to back into a campsite ... tho usually am able to find pull-throughs (especially if I'm on the road and just staying the night).

Good luck in making your decision. Keep asking away ...

[SeeyaGal]

We tow a Jeep Cherokee, had to make sure the Jeep had the "Tow Pkg" the newer Jeeps DO NOT all have them!! So you have to ASK if it has the Tow Package. Salesman assumed they all do ...NOT, boy did he learn a lesson! The Libertys are a good tow car too. Ours tow great and lets us wander while the motorhome sits at the campground. Yep you cannot back up , you'll have to disconnect. Dan's last student was a Widow and she had a 39 ft motorhome with a tow and did it all by herself hitching and unhitching.

[Getupngo]

... Dan's last student was a Widow and she had a 39 ft motorhome with a tow and did it all by herself hitching and unhitching.

Yep ... just like ME. There are wonderful all-terrain tow bars on the market that are designed to twist this way and that ... you don't have to line car up EXACTLY in order to hook up. I use the Blue Ox towing system and love it. BTW, I'm 57 years old, and a shrinking (!!!!) 5-foot-2 bundle of out-of-control woman.

Just know that if you choose a system like that, a mechanic has to install the tow bracket on your car (Blue Ox has one that is invisible when you're not towing) and wire it to operate the toad's lights.

Also, know that you would also need to get an auxiliary braking system for the toad to help stop the whole shebang. My 35-foot MH stops on a DIME with the car in tow -- far better than the rig stops without it. I had had one panic stop when a stupid stupid stupid (STUPID!!) road crew set up a flagman AROUND a blind corner. I came around and traffic was at a dead stop. Thank god for the aux brake. I would have taken out at least two cars -- and maybe the flagman -- without it.

Still makes my heart race just to think about it.