stacy50
wi
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i have a 33ft gas winnabago. im planning ayear long trip around the country
have a kia that must be on a trailer.how much trouble will this be?
and if im only staying a couple days at each location do i need a car?
i could use some opinons im neww to this.
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
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I am still wayne_tw
everywhere
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Joined: 06/18/2009
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It will be a total pain in the BU++!!!!! You will have to disconnect the trailer at many, maybe even most, campgrounds, as pull through sites big enough for both the RV and trailer may be few and far between. I bet loading and unloading the car off the trailer is a project, too. Then just imagine how hard it will be to reconnect the trailer to the RV!
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goodcruisin
Greenwood, IN
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Joined: 04/17/2007
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I personally wouldn't travel without a toad. To much hassle setting up & taking down, finding parking spots for the MH or renting a car. Call the CG ahead of time and ask if they have a place where you can drop the trailer. Take the car off the trailer, park the trailer where they say then park the RV. Recommend putting a hitch on the Kia so you can use the Kia to park the trailer in case the storage area is not condusive to using the MH. I'm assuming it's a flatbed trailer so it's probably in the 1500 lb range empty. I've moved my flatbed around my property several with my little Kubota tractor. Therefore your Kia should have no problem moving it. It's not like you are towing it on the road at speed.
Is your Kia AWD/4WD? If only FWD why not use a dolly instead of a trailer?
If it actually does need all four wheels off the ground how about using a dolly for the front wheels and axle dollies for the rear. That would be very easy and alleviate having to fool with a large trailer. You could secure the axle dollies to the tow dolly when not in use.
John (USN Ret) & Debbie
Tux (APBT/Dalmation)
'96 Monaco Windsor 36' DP 8.3 Cummins
Ready Brake & Demco Excali-bar
'02 F250 V10 w/ Banks Power Pack
'03 Ford Explorer
'04 Volvo S80 AWD
'05 Acura TL
240" Dragster 540 BBC
26' trailer
14' Boat w/9.9 Merc
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Eyegor
NY
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I prefer not to haul a toad, so take my advice for what it is worth. As long as you have the towing capability having the Kia on a trailer is possibly the best solution. No wear on the vehicle, easier to back and/or manuever the rig, etc. If you are moving as frequently as you say, then a toad may not be necessary. Everyone has different needs and preferences.
87 Mallard Sprinter 24' Class C Ford E350 w/460 gas "The Runny Duck"
Shiny side up, Rubber side down.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Hi,
Just wondering why a tow dolly will not work in your case? It lifts the front tires off the ground, and will work with most front wheel drive cars, but not vehicles like my all wheel drive Edge, yet that vehicle is towable 4 wheels down.
I did use a tow dolly with my Ford Windstar, and it was a pain. Finding a location for the tow dolly, disconnecting at each site, ect. Yet it was doable, and probably a lot better than not taking a car with me. At one point, I did leave the car and dolly behind (at my uncle's place) for a month long trip without it to Washington. I was able to borrow my sister's car up there.
I am much happier with the Edge, it tows 4 wheels down, and many cars are able to do this. If the Kia must be on a trailer, there are some lightweight versions, not enclosed that will get the job done. It does not have to be a 2 axle flatbed deck trailer, just something that can support the car. I have seen dune buggy trailers, with a little beefing up will be able to carry a 3,300 pound car on them, providing it has brakes. It was basically made out of tubing like a rollbar would be made from, with 4 round tubes going the length of the trailer, and cross tubing under the tires about 1/2" diameter, spaced about 5" apart.
Fred.
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zmotorsports
Utah
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I wouldn't travel without a toad, but that is just me. As far as campgrounds go it will be a little of a challenge but at only 33' you shouldn't have much of an issue. We have had some issues being @ 40' towing a 26' enclosed trailer but not enough to deter me from taking our toys.
I do prefer to flat tow the Jeep when traveling and only staying for a night or two per location as it is more of a hassle to load/unload from the trailer. That said, if we are staying for an extended stay at a location then we generally throw the Jeep and a motorcycle or two or quad in the trailer as well.
If you can keep the trailer to around 20' or under with your 33' motorhome I doubt you will have too much of an issue with RV sites as many any more are 60' plus.
Mike.
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
2011 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon
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MPond
Thousand Oaks, CA
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We don't go anywhere without the toad, even if just for a day or two. Early on we tried renting a car at different campgrounds, which was inconvenient in some cases, and downright problematic in others.
And I wouldn't give up the peace-of-mind that comes with having the toad. We travel to many remote locations where cell phones don't work. If the RV were to breakdown, we have the toad to drive to get help.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...
Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...
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DouglasCraw
Summerdale, AL
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The reason that you see so many motorhomes towing a vehicle 4 wheels down is because that's the easiest way to pull a toad. As has already been mentioned, using a tow dolly or a trailer is a PITA - - because of all the extra handing required when you unload upon arriving at a campground and then the loading process again when leaving. Also the problem of stowing the tow dolly or trailer when at the campground must be considered.
We full timed for 11 years and initially tried a tow dolly for a short period of time - - then got rid of it and equiped a vehicle to tow 4 down (at that time the Escort we had required a Remco lube pump). Since then we have outfitted 4 more vehicles to tow 4 down (none requiring a lube pump).
There are now many vehicles that can be towed 4 down without modification. I'd recommend that you consider buying one of them and getting it outfitted to tow 4 down.
Doug Craw
2006 Jayco Greyhawk Model 27DS
Towing 2012 Ford Focus with Brake Buddy
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lryrob9301
Maryland
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One thing that hasn't been addressed so far is your hitch towing capacity. Most gas coaches have a 5000lb. towing capacity. Do you know the weight of the trailer and the Kia combined? I would suspect you are going to be VERY CLOSE if not over that limit.
2008 Damon Challenger 371
2011 Scion x/B Toad
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