Hello. This may be my third post seeking advice on my next RV. Different thought/question for today. As previously mentioned we have a 40' fifth wheel toy hauler and a dually crew cab. This setup has proven to be a bit of a challenge in the wooded campgrounds of Oregon. I have been exploring different Class A and C motorhomes. Ideally, I would like to have a motorhome that was "nimble" enough so that I would not need a toad. A 35' motorhome actually "seems" pretty small to me given my current setup.Our current rig is very long. While driving on a trip we may make some small excursions into towns for shopping, grab groceries or other attractions. I have become "competent" at pulling this behemoth through, for example, crowded Walmart parking lots, downtown Vancouver BC, downtown Portland, etc. It is convenient once we setup camp to have the pickup to run around in.Previously, I owned a Class C and towed a Jeep. This worked out ok, but here is my thought that I am looking to get feedback on. Is it practical to think that I could have an (approx) 35' motorhome without a toad and:1) Once setup in a campsite is it practical to think that if I wanted to take the family on a drive (to the beach, store, whatever) to just lift the leveling jacks, fold up the lawn chairs, bring the slides in and drive off on an errand? Or does that become a huge pain?2) Drive a Class A around the town and tourist attractions? Or does parking become a huge pain?I know that I can rent a car if parked for long stretched. Anyway, I appreciate any feedback from those that go everywhere with their Class A and no toad.

Our first motorhome was a 36" gasser, and our first trip was from Chicago to do the oregon coast. 5 weeks, almost 6000 miles. No Toad.No, you do not "uncamp" a beast of this size because you ran out of milk, or want to take the family out for ice cream.I was VERY careful that if I needed to sightsee or shop, it was done while "enroute" before setting up a campsite. On that trip, our longest stay anywhere was 3 night, most were 2, many just 1. This made it do-able, but just.The following year I bought a toad (wrangler TJ) and the year after traded for a 40' DP.Even if I'm just going down the road for fuel or propane, the DP never rolls without the jeep attached.

Do you really want to do either 1 or 2? Unhook water, sewer, elec, move/store all your outside stuff, make sure everything inside is secure, then go to the store just to redo? Seems like a lot of work just to fetch a quart of milk..Navigating a 35' mh is not much of a problem, but it may limit where you can park to go see an attraction.

I have a 31' and I wouldn't take it sightseeing, shopping or anyplace other than a campsite or a gas station.... I have my JK for those tasks :WJust sayin :E

I must agree with the others, I would not consider a 35' MOHO "nimble" under any circumstances. Sure you can handle it and may occasionally find yourself in a tight spot, but not something that I would routinely want to do. Although the setup/breakdown is easier than a TT or 5er, it's still not as simple as push a button and go. I always felt that one significant advantage of the MOHO over the other types of RV's is the ability to tow your daily driver. Good luck in whichever way you decide.Lou05 Travel Supreme Envoy

You and your significant other will not be happy campers without a toad. You will not be happy after about the third time you have to undo everything and the missus won't be happy living with a grouch...I did that with our 27' Chieftain but never again.the letters PITA come to mind...just sayin....Dennis

How nimble is a 35' Class A motorhome? | Good Sam Community

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
bigred1cav wrote:
not intended to start an argument. Some of us are not campers. We are tourists that bring our hotel room and car with us. My wife and I travel to see our country not sit in the woods and smell smoke drink and watch NASCAR. That is just our choice, those that choose to do those things have the right to do so.

It is not a violation of any law to use your motor home as a place to sleep while visiting the marvels of the USA.

well said
bumpy
bigred1cav
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
not intended to start an argument. Some of us are not campers. We are tourists that bring our hotel room and car with us. My wife and I travel to see our country not sit in the woods and smell smoke drink and watch NASCAR. That is just our choice, those that choose to do those things have the right to do so.

It is not a violation of any law to use your motor home as a place to sleep while visiting the marvels of the USA.

rumrunnerxx wrote:
I think MH size is not the biggest factor. IMO it depends on what type of camper you are. We don't have a toad with our 30 ft Class A and for the most part don't miss one. My DW and I can go up to a week before we might need something. Having the bikes along is always good too. Some folks at CGs can't seem to sit for even a couple of hours before they start the car or truck and go off somewhere only to return a short time later. We do our sightseeing on the way so we can just sit when we arrive. Full timing would be a whole different story. We're just not there yet.
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
We towed for years behind our 35' MH I found the 35 to be a good size for the DW and I. A couple of years ago I got rid of the towed and was going to set the new toad up. Then I had the idea of trying our 500 cc Kymco scooter. For the last 2 years we have used the scooter I have a trunk on the back of it which is big enough to go for a quite a few groceries. 2 choices to carry it are on a hitch mounted carrier or like I carry mine a 5X10' trailer. I would not be without some kind of towed. My 35' is a joy to drive and I can get around most anything with it.
rumrunnerxx
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
I think MH size is not the biggest factor. IMO it depends on what type of camper you are. We don't have a toad with our 30 ft Class A and for the most part don't miss one. My DW and I can go up to a week before we might need something. Having the bikes along is always good too. Some folks at CGs can't seem to sit for even a couple of hours before they start the car or truck and go off somewhere only to return a short time later. We do our sightseeing on the way so we can just sit when we arrive. Full timing would be a whole different story. We're just not there yet.
JimFromJersey
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
RedJeep wrote:
I appreciate the feedback but not very encouraging. Is there some commonly recognized length of RV where it becomes small enough that you do not need a toad? Or does it boil down to having to break camp to run around town is just a pain?
It boils down to having to break camp to run around town is just a pain.

Our 34' Bounder is easy enough to navigate around in the CGs to get to our spot, but after that, it's there for the duration. Without a toad, in the past we've had to depend on bicycles or the footsies to get around, which can make it troublesome if you're somewhere for several days in one spot. On a cross country jaunt, it's not so bad because you tend to pull up stakes and move to the next spot in one to three days at most - but we've also been in spots where we've parked for five or six or more days at a time.

This spring, we're looking into two small electric mopeds to hang off the back of the MH to get around in - they're pretty good for everything except interstates, and we can get two for around ~$1000-$1200 total.
demoon
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
We use Enterprise regularly and have never had a single problem. As mentioned above - reservations - probably will get a better rate and they will have a car for you, even if they have to up-grade you several levels.
RVER
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
That is weird!!! We did have good luck with Enterprise but we did make reservations because we knew when and where we were going.
bsinmich
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
We decided to try the Enterprise idea once. I called and they said they couldn't come and pick me up because they were short staffed that day but if I could get a ride there they would set me up. I got a ride there and found they had no car available. It took a $20 cab ride back to the MH. I never tried a second time.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
I own a Winnebago 35-U and love it! I tow all four down with it and I have been able to get into spaces designated for 34' coaches!
AllegroD
Nomad
Feb 25, 2014
35' nimble? No way. You will have to be nimble, patient and plan much. As others have said, it can be done, with your compromise.

I will take our frog.