The Beave
Georgetown TX USA
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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We have a 30' DP and would not travel without a Toad. The Toad expands your travel options greatly, there are just so many place I would not take the DP.
There is almost no extra fuel cost it towing a car, plus your comparing 20-30 mpg for the Toad and 7-10 mpg for the coach.
The only extra cost is the towing equipment. Hooking and unhooking is a minor hassel.
The Beave
30' 1997 Beaver Monterey
(The shortest DP we could find)
2005 Honda CR-V
Remco surge brake
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koda55
Jacksonville
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Joined: 07/28/2009
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We have a 35 foot class A. We always take our toad with us. We enjoy getting out and seeing things. We use the rv as our base camp. We average 8.3 mpg towing and HHR at 3160 lbs.
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sowego
northwest panhandle of Nebraska
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Joined: 03/14/2006
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As you can see from others' experiences & opinions--to toad or not to toad is dependent on where you go and what you will do there. Renting a car @ some destinations is sometimes an option but not always possible or economical. Scooters and bicycles are ok for short local trips but in some areas you will need to drive a long ways to do your sightseeing and shopping. Having to keep your coach travel ready for short drives here and there would be a total deal changer for us.
The convenience and security of having your own transporation along is priceless! But, that's just our opinion. Try it once or twice and you'll see what works for you.
2002 Tiffin Phaeton
2005 Malibu Maxx toad
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zman-az
Northern AZ
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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We got a 26' and use with and without toad. Different trips are good with and without a toad. It all comes down to will you need to travel away from your "campsite" to do activities, if so you will want a toad.
We did alot of wrestling meets this year and the smaller RV without a toad was nice in the school parking lots. Having a RV was great for those down times between matches.
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jgtown
SoCal
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Joined: 04/06/2011
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I wouldn't even think of it. Okay, that's not true. I've thought about it. I decided the only way I'd do it is with some alternative form of transportation like a highway-legal scooter. Running around the area in a 30' RV doesn't appeal to me. "Can't stop there. No place to park." "The Chocolate Museum sounds great but it's 50 miles away. That's a lot of gas." "This thing will never make it down that road."
But if you're going to destination resorts where you don't plan to go off-site, there's not much point in bringing a car a long.
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Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Joined: 12/16/2010
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Buffaloman45 wrote:I'm thinking of buying a 30 foot Class A. I don't want to tow a car... Is this really feasible?
Feasible - yes, but never say never. All depends on your travel plans. Short three days trips I leave the car at home. Long trips I bring it along. Without a second vehicel along you will be locked to your camp site of choice. If your intended travel plans have you on the road a lot you can make it happen when considering resupplying fresh food but you're going to miss out on a lot of post arrival sight seeing and other activities.
2006 Hurricane 32D aka 'Moby' the Whale
FCC(SW) US Navy Retired 1980-2003
Stella my Navigator
Bogart the All American RV Dog
and
Cocoui waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge
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ClassAGeek
NYS
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Joined: 05/20/2011
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And remember, in many cases, a shorter Class A will have higher towing capacity.
For example, most F-53 Ford chassis' have the same combined weight capacity of 26K pounds. Towing capacity is roughly = 26K - (weight of the coach). A 36 ft coach weighing 22K lbs has only 4K pounds of towing capacity. A 26 ft coach weighing 16K lbs (with the right hitch and chassis) has 10K pounds of towing capacity. And a 10K lb F-450 truck with the same drivetrain as an F-53 has a whopping 16K lbs towing capacity.
For towing, bigger is not always better,
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Happy Ford F-53 Class A Owner (2008 Gulf Stream)
2010 Ford Fusion Toad (with 6 speed manual transmission - the only way to tow)
Brake Buddy Vantage, Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar,
TST RV 507 TPMS, Power Master Voltage Controller
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JAXFL
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Joined: 06/12/2002
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Oregon Ms said: I probably saved a lot of money doing that. Now I have a toad, a little Wrangler, and I wouldn't go back. I love it, should have gotten it sooner.
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Saving money because you do not pull the toad is not really cost effective... pulling cast less than 1/4 gallon per mile toad. There really is no cost per gallon difference with my SQUARE BOX if I tow or not, I still get 8.5MPG.
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ryanallie1
Magalia, Calif
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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Hi All.
Simple for us anyways. Where our Motorhome goes, our Taod goes, Period. We just like to go sight seeing to much, to many palces to go to and to many thing to see. where being with just the Motorhome would leave you out of these choicess and leave you to limited. Our Toad is our daliy run around car also, so no loss there spending extra money on just a Toad. You could also save some money, and by a Toad that is already completely set up and ready to go. We like the Toads 28 MPG, a lot better than our Motorhomes MPG. We acutally put more miles on our toad when traveling then the Motorhome, and our Toad doesn't rack up miliage while being towed 4 Down. We try and see as much of the surrounding areas we travel to as we can while we are there. Part of the Adventure of Traveling, is being able to see as much as you can. We don't like to just go to a destanation, and just sit there and do nothing. We can sit at home and do nothinng. Having a Toad with you opens up so much more for you to do and to see, and helps to make the most out of your travels. Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill
1998-33.5 Rexhall, Rexair SL. 460 EFI. F-53. HWH Levelers. 5.5G Gen. Convection/Microwave. 12 Cu Ft Side by Side. Water Purifier. Water Softner. 2 A/C's. Alarm Systems. 2 Honda EU2000i W/Kit. Toad CR-V W/SMI System. FMCA #F414397 Nam-Vet, 66-67-68,& 70-71
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zman-az
Northern AZ
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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ClassAGeek wrote:And remember, in many cases, a shorter Class A will have higher towing capacity.....A 26 ft coach weighing 16K lbs (with the right hitch and chassis) has 10K pounds of towing capacity.
Your going to be hard pressed to find a gasser Class A with a towing capacity larger than 5K. Mainly due to the hitch that is installed on them. My 26' 2011 Vista has the same towing capacity as the 35 footers, 5,000 lbs. Not only is the hitch a factor, but so is the frame at which the hitch is attached to. Many class A's have extended the factory chassis and I don't know of a Class A gasser that has a capacity larger than 5K.
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