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Jim102's avatar
Jim102
Explorer
Mar 04, 2018

Getting ready to buy a Winnebago Sunstar 29VE Class A

To all,

Well getting ready to get into a Class A, just me and the wife. What is everyone's thought on this unit? The size and price is about right for us and we like the layout.... Then comes what kind of tow car, has anyone tried the idea of renting a car where you set up for a week or so?

Thanks,
Jim
  • In a word "maybe"... Our RV and toad are 48'. Getting into the average station is pretty much out of the question. Mainly due to the filler being on the driver's side. Sounds odd, but that makes it very challenging getting in and out of most stations. If your filler is in the rear, that could make a big difference.
    To eliminate the stress of fueling, we use the Pilot app and filter by RV Fueling Lanes. If nothing is available, we use Google Earth to look for stations with the appropriate space to maneuver.
    Planning is key as you don't want to get in a situation where you have to unhook to get out of.
    Good luck,
    Gary
  • Thanks for all the advice... My main concern is the Class A which are now getting next week is a 29ft. Jayco Precept (gasser), is that going to be hard to get in a regular gas station with the TOAD?
    Thanks, Jim
  • We have had our mother home for 4 years now and have always had a toad. Won’t leave home without it. We own 2 cars and have them both set up to tow 4 down.
  • When we got our first class A wife wanted me to get use to driving the coach so after first season over the winter we got our Trailblazer ready to tow. Bought tow bar and tow bar and when got coach out and drove it back to dealer to install the tow bar and wire thing up. Took video of the teck showing me how to hook up and set up break buddy up.I watched that tape a lot the first year . We got our new coach and after we got 500 miles on the clock Ford says to do if we are driving it the toad is always back there.The parking when traveling is no big deal most big box stores have places way out that you can park on the side and gas stops are truck stops Flying Jays if we can find them because they have rv only lanes.It takes some getting use to but to not have a toad is out of the question for us.
  • On our retirement trip we elected not to tow to keep things as simple as possible. Plus, neither of our cars at the time were towable 4 down. We spent $3000 in rental cars over 6 months and discovered;

    1. We missed a lot of local attractions along the way
    2. We were picking campgrounds that were within Enterprise's "We'll Pick You Up" radius. Not the best criteria.

    I bought a used Equinox and had it set up for towing. Found a used Blue Ox towbar and RVi Brake on Craigs List. The enter tow setup was half the cost of rental cars on the trip. I'll never go back to renting.
  • The layout is the most important thing and if you both like it that is great.

    If you decide to tow 4 down Remco will tell you what cars are towable and what is necessary to make them towable if they need modifications.

    Remco Website
  • With our first RV we did not tow and rented one time. When we visited relatives they usually loaned us a car. Otherwise it was a pain not having one. A year later we traded RV's and started towing. Wouldn't RV any other way.
  • We have put 60K miles on a 33' Winny Vista in the last 3-4 years. We tow a 2014 CRV using a Ready Brake set-up and wireless LED lighting. I can't imagine having something as big as a Class A without a toad. IMHO, when it comes to toads, the smaller the better. We have been in tight cities, like Savannah, New Orleans, Charleston, etc.... Where we headed in to the cities in the morning, while the Fifth wheel owners in the campground walked past their dualies, and waited for the shuttle bus. Renting is an option while you get used to the whole motorhome experience, but, if you are like most MH owners, it won't be long until you are shopping for a toad. Enjoy your new rig, good luck.
  • We travelled for years without a tow vehicle. Then got a dolly to take our car. Sold it after a while. Did not like how restrictive having a toad is. Harder to find a place to park along the way. Ended up not stopping at places we'd like to see as it would entail driving further to find a parking place, unhooking the toad, driving back, then back to the RV, rehooking. Most Cracker Barrel restaurants have RV parking but it is just double-length spots behind the restaurant that are too short for a RV and toad. I can park our bare Class A most anywhere but with a toad, you really have to hunt for spots. If we are staying somewhere, we rent a car. Much less hassle. I never worry about ending up some place where I have to turn around or back up. Might take me a bunch of forwards and backwards, but I CAN do it. Make that mistake with a toad in the rain and it gets unpleasant.
  • Are you selling the old set up, truck included? For a tow vehicle you may want to consider a small truck as a daily driver for yourself and to double as a toad, Little GMC Canyon for example. 4x manual I believe can tow 4 down.