I have been doing a lot of study on the motorhome vs truck-trailer approach to full-timing.There is the issue of having a smaller vehicle to run around in - easily satisfied by choice of a suitable toad to go with the motorhome. With truck-trailer you have the tow vehicle to run around in; for us that would be a big dually truck: not so economical or convenient.I have seen little mention of using a chase car with a truck-trailer. I should note that we would not take this approach for a particular intended trip such as going to Alaska. We would take this approach for what I envision as "regular" time: travel for a day or two, stay for a few weeks.I note that my wife can drive truck-trailer as well as I can, so we can swap off driving.Thanks.

Truck-trailer chase car scenario? You have to have 3 vehicles involved: The trailer, the truck and the chase car. I don't see any saving here. Actually, depending on where and how far from home you are camping, may be even more expensive. If going to a more local camp ground, it's really not uncommon to see 2 vehicles at campsites, the tow vehicle and a second vehicle. If you go this route, you'll still need a tow vehicle hefty enough to pull the trailer. For the price of fuel for the second vehicle to reach your destination, you'd probably be better off to leave it at home and just run around in the tow vehicle. It really simplifies and logistically is easier to deal with. Most campground (at least State Parks and a number of private campgrounds) will allow only 1 vehicle on the camp site. A second vehicle has to be parked in an overflow area, or somewhere else. The exception is the Motor Home with a Toad. They see that as one RV configuration, so most places will let the toad stay at the campsite.If you already have the chase car and the tow vehicle, then camping closer to home, may be an advantage, if you plan on running around a lot. Everyone camping does it different. But for us, the trouble to bring along a second vehicle is just way to cumbersome. Any running around (in our 3500 dully) is really no problem! But, I also drive it as a daily driver at home too.The choice is yours. We all do it based on our own lifestyle. No right or wrong way here. Do what works for you.

For about the same price of fuel, car payment and insurance on a trail car, why not rent one at your destination.

Also don't see the point of having a car as well. We have gotten along just fine with the dually as destination transport. Sure, you need to park a little further from the door at the market but really, is that a big deal justifying the cost of a car & all that goes with it?If you are seasonal & spend weeks or months not moving then just maybe a car is worthwhile but if you are a traveler, seldom staying in one place for more than a week, the car is a pointless added expense.

I don't see the chase car being beneficial or viable for long distance traveling.Using the dually,while not perfect, is a better plan than bringing a chase car

Don't overlook the motorhome / chase car configuration. My wife likes to run free in the chase car and meet up when I'm stopped with the "house". There are many more opportunities for the car to get into retail locations like grocery and to-go restaurants while I cruise along in the motorhome to the next stop. When we go long distance, she flies and we ship the car. And, yes, depending on scheduling, there's a rental car at one end or the other but that works for us.

Motorhome/Toad vs Truck-Trailer/Chase Car | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

Veebyes
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2016
Also don't see the point of having a car as well. We have gotten along just fine with the dually as destination transport. Sure, you need to park a little further from the door at the market but really, is that a big deal justifying the cost of a car & all that goes with it?

If you are seasonal & spend weeks or months not moving then just maybe a car is worthwhile but if you are a traveler, seldom staying in one place for more than a week, the car is a pointless added expense.
guidry
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2016
For about the same price of fuel, car payment and insurance on a trail car, why not rent one at your destination.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 01, 2016
Truck-trailer chase car scenario? You have to have 3 vehicles involved: The trailer, the truck and the chase car. I don't see any saving here. Actually, depending on where and how far from home you are camping, may be even more expensive. If going to a more local camp ground, it's really not uncommon to see 2 vehicles at campsites, the tow vehicle and a second vehicle. If you go this route, you'll still need a tow vehicle hefty enough to pull the trailer. For the price of fuel for the second vehicle to reach your destination, you'd probably be better off to leave it at home and just run around in the tow vehicle. It really simplifies and logistically is easier to deal with. Most campground (at least State Parks and a number of private campgrounds) will allow only 1 vehicle on the camp site. A second vehicle has to be parked in an overflow area, or somewhere else. The exception is the Motor Home with a Toad. They see that as one RV configuration, so most places will let the toad stay at the campsite.

If you already have the chase car and the tow vehicle, then camping closer to home, may be an advantage, if you plan on running around a lot.

Everyone camping does it different. But for us, the trouble to bring along a second vehicle is just way to cumbersome. Any running around (in our 3500 dully) is really no problem! But, I also drive it as a daily driver at home too.

The choice is yours. We all do it based on our own lifestyle. No right or wrong way here. Do what works for you.

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Motorhome/Toad vs Truck-Trailer/Chase Car

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