ata3001
Niagara Falls, NY
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It just seems like so much less of a hastle to use a car trailer rather than towing 4 down. With a trailer you have no issues with lube to the transmission, disconnecting drive shaft, racking up odometer miles, brake lights, etc... Is it because of the added towing weight of a trailer or some other reasons I am not aware of?
Ron & BJ
2008 Dutchmen Freedom Spirit FS180 (24 FT) w/full factory dark tinted glass & front window
2007 Dodge Ram 4 WD, Quad Cab, Big Horn Edition, 5.7L Hemi w/tow pkg, 3.92 LSD, Prodigy
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Loading and unloading from a trailer is not everyone's cup of tea or the lashing of it down. 
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paulcardoza
Southeastern Massachusetts
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Biggest issue - What do you do with the trailer at the campground?
My Honda Accord does not rack up odometer miles when being towed.
I can be hooked up and on the road in 10min
I can be unhooked and ready to drive the toad in 2 min.
The key is to pick the right tow vehicle. One that can be towed 4 down, as is.....
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
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Emptypockets
North Central KS
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Also you are pulling more weight around if you use a trailer.
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lampooner
South Carolina
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Most of the things you list are not really issues if you make the right choices for towing four down.
We tow a Chevy HHR. All you have to do is hook it up, flip one switch (removes a fuse), put in neutral and GO! No mioleage accumulates for miles towed.
I mhave used tow dollies & trailers over the years. With 4 down, you do not have to drive up the rampos, climb down, then secure both front wheels and finally connect or disconnect the dolly or trailer. Not to mention in some site find a place to park it because there is not room for MH, TOAD & Dolly / trailer.
I tghink myou will find 4 down a whole lot easier.
* This post was
edited 07/27/10 08:56am by lampooner *
Lampooner
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but you can be immature forever!
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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The most common complaints about trailer use seem to be weight, and what to do with it when you reach your destination. Some campgrounds just don't have room for the trailer, while others have no problem at all with it.
Some folks don't like installing the tie downs on the vehicle on the trailer, but I have never found it to be a major problem.
It is pretty much a matter of personal choice, although some folks are quite adamant that four down is the ONLY intelligent choice.
From the standpoint of braking alone, it would seem that a trailer is the best idea, but that's just my opinion.
It is also the ONLY towing option that backing is not only recommended, but encouraged!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 275,000 Miles
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
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TheBarbers
North Carolina
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I agree with all the above comments. We researched the car (HHR) to make sure it could be towed 4 down with no modifications. It does not rack up mileage and has caused no excessive wear to the 15,000+ miles we have towed it.
The biggest reason we don't use a trailer is that most campgrounds don't have room to store the trailer and it's heavy to move around. I can hook up the car to the RV in 5-10 mins max.
2008 Coachmen 32' Class C
Check out our travel blog at www.tarheelcamper.com
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wolfman01
Williston, ND.
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Weight is the biggie. Most of us gassers are limited to 3500 pounds tow capacity. Most car trailers weigh in at 2500 pounds. There are no cars on the market that weigh in at 1000 pounds. Towing 4 down eliminates that problem.
2011 Hyundai Accent SE (8k)
1996 Tiffin Allegro Bay 31' ga$$er motorhome (42k)
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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wolfman01 wrote:Weight is the biggie. Most of us gassers are limited to 3500 pounds tow capacity. Most car trailers weigh in at 2500 pounds. There are no cars on the market that weigh in at 1000 pounds. Towing 4 down eliminates that problem.
Most open car trailers weigh 1600-1800#, while my 20' enclosed car trailer weighs 2200#.
Yes there are advantages and disadvantages of car trailers. One big advantage of my enclosed car trailer is if there is nasty weather I have a garage to put my vehicle in and during transit it is protected from weather and flying objects. Try finding a place to park your dinghy if a severe thunderstorm is forecast with possible hail.
I have never stayed at a campground, fairground or other camping facility where I could not park my enclosed car trailer. It just takes pre-planning on where to stop IMO.
Granted my enclosed car trailer is to haul my 63 Grand Prix with a very expensive paint job, to car shows, etc. In my case car and trailer weighs 6,000# when traveling.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
2004 Honda Pilot w/SMI Air Force One Brake Sys.
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 20' Enclosed Car Trailer
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Dogbone
Ontario Canada
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ata3001 wrote:It just seems like so much less of a hastle to use a car trailer rather than towing 4 down. With a trailer you have no issues with lube to the transmission, disconnecting drive shaft, racking up odometer miles, brake lights, etc... Is it because of the added towing weight of a trailer or some other reasons I am not aware of?
You have to get the right vehicle that can be towed 4 down, then you do not have to lube transmission, disconnect driveshaft, rack up odometer miles.
We have a malibu, hookup is less than 10 minutes, telescopic tow bar, lights are plugged in just like a trailer, 2 safety cables, pull a fuse, car in accessory position and neutral and seeya later
2006 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 35SBD
36ft Workhorse 8.1
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