I'll be getting my first Class C fairly soon (32 foot) and towing a Jeep Wrangler 4 down. It will be my first experience driving a Class C and I'm looking for some pointers. I do have a few years of experience towing a 21 foot travel trailer behind a Jeep Commander 4.7L (trailer was ~4500 lbs). Can anyone comment on the differences between how the two setups will feel to drive? Also how do you usually plan fuel stops as I'm guessing most gas stations may be too tight?Thanks!

The trailer used to wag the commander, now the Class C will wag the Wrangler.Hopefully you'll have a camera to see the jeep. It will provide piece of mind and make lane changes easier.If on the road to get fuel I try to use the large stations or truckstops. I've seen others, un-hitch the toad and park it, then pull in to get fuel in the Class C and then re-hitch.You may or may not feel the jeep depending on how your hitch and towbar are setup. Double check that you've locked everything down and the jeep is in neutral. I had friends who noticed a jeep that looked just like theirs go flying by them on a curvy road...it was their's he had forgotten to put a pin in the towbar mount. I just saw a Youtube video where an RVer had towed his little chevy pickup for several miles with it still in park. Shredded tires plus transmission damage.

The one big difference that you may be aware of is you don't want to ever try to back up when towing a toad. Also you should always try to be moving before you start to turn so that the toad wheels are moving before they are pulled sideways.Your 32 ft class c probably has a wheelbase of 215 to 220 inches, much longer than your jeep, thus you will be making much wider turns. I have found the biggest issue is getting started backing into campsites that are perpendicular to the road. Many campground roads are too narrow to just back in, generally takes a few back and forths to get the motorhome turned without leaving the paved surface.

Just like driving your trailer & jeep--keep it between the lines and watch whats in front of you. Fuel stops are no problem if you look them over before pulling in. I always look for the stations with the pumps paralellto the store. when I need to exit the interstate for fuel I look for exits with at least 3 stations so I have a better chance that one will work. Always plan your exit before going in if you can.

And to expand on the reply above from the bear II:Setup & practice a firm routine of the steps to hookup (& to unhook) your Jeep. Follow those steps & NEVER allow others to distract you with conversation or side-chores while you work. Tell DW, friends, children, campground personnel, & curious onlookers to ‘Stand By’. until your mental check list is completed. Include:Items like making sure the tow-bar is secureItems like making sure the safety chains are in place.Items like checking all tail lamps, brake lamps, & turn signals.Items like making sure the toad is in neutral. (That one is huge)Items like making sure the ignition key is set to acc in your toad (That one is even huge-er)Items like making sure the emergency brake is off in your toad.Items like making sure all toad doors are SHUT! (You're laughing?)There. I’ve opened the door on this thread to comments from others to tell about ALL THE BAD STUFF that can happen when one is distracted & not paying close attention to the task at hand.

I was in the same position earlier this past fall. We had towed a 26 foot travel trailer with a Suburban for many years. Stopped Rving for a few years and last year bought a 32 foot Class C and tow a Ford Focus 4 wheels down.On our first trip from upstate NY to Florida, I was fearful of going around the beltways in Baltimore and DC and ended up taking the western route down 81, 77 and 26 (not knowing that some of the steepest roads in the east are on that route).I learned that I should not have been concerned about the beltways as I would normally be in the right hand lane and not be passing anyone. On the way back we came through DC during rush hour and it was really no issue.The biggest problem was the huge turning radius of the Class C. Had a number of occasions where we needed to unhook the toad. (Funny now--not so funny then.) Probably the best advice would be to err on the safe side if you think it might be too tight.I found that large trucks can sometimes move the motorhome, especially when running with empty holding tanks. On the way back I also had the tires checked and inflated--handled much better.In regard to the trucks, when I was towing my trailer I was taught that when a truck was passing to accelerate with the tow vehicle and slightly apply the trailer brakes--in essence pulling a string tight. Now I can't manually apply brakes to the toad, but I can always accelerate a bit with the motorhome. Since I try to stay around 55-60 (to conserve a bit of fuel) that leaves me the ability to increase the speed a bit if I need to. I found that that helps.All in all, I was nervous as hell on the way south but felt a lot more comfortable coming back home.Enjoy your new C. We really like it but have not had much chance to use it since we got back from Florida.Jim

New to driving 32 foot Class C w/Toad | Good Sam Community

chesapeaketechi
Explorer
Jul 26, 2013
Thanks everyone!! One area of cincern for me has always been how do you find appropriate gas stations and maneuver in and out properly?
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
An added benefit: It's a lot easier to pull the little one with the big one. I use the rear view camera just to make sure its back there. :)
If you do get in a situation where you must back up (its happened to me a couple of times getting gas), its easy to unhook the toad, back it out of the way, and then move the MH. Possible with a TV and TT, but more difficult moving both at the same time. The tail tends to wag the dog.
Harvard
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
When attempting to back up with a toad causes the toad steering wheels to go either full left or full right (because of caster) then something has to give, probably the tow bar.
DaHose
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Ahhhhhhhh ...... that is an EXCELLENT explanation Dakzuki. I will HAVE to remember that when I start pulling a toad.

When I worked at a lube shop I developed the habit of speaking out loud all my final checks. As in ...

Oil cap down and tight, oil filter warm down and tight, oil pan drain bolt down and tight, etc.

You sound a little crazy having the conversation with yourself, but that is how you avoid simple errors that become big problems.

Jose
luvztheoutdoor1
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
When I first starting towing a toad, I typed up a list of everything that I needed to do to hook up and unhook. Then I laminated 3 copies. I make sure that I use that as a reference so that nothing is overlooked. Peace of mind.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
chesapeaketechie wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies!
Why no backing up with the toad? Even a few feet?

The caster of the front suspension is designed to go forward. Going in reverse the front wheels are prone to slamming to one side causing the front wheels of the toad to skid. I have moved short distances but not far...mere feet. You can reverse further with somebody steering the toad.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
aeejbe wrote:
And to expand on the reply above from the bear II:

Setup & practice a firm routine of the steps to hookup (& to unhook) your Jeep. Follow those steps & NEVER allow others to distract you with conversation or side-chores while you work. Tell DW, friends, children, campground personnel, & curious onlookers to ‘Stand By’. until your mental check list is completed.

Very good advice.

Multiple times I have had somebody show up when I am hooking up the toad. I have another step I take when that happens. I start over and check everything from square one. There are too many really scary and expensive things that can happen if the toad isn't hooked up correctly.
pocono1
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
One should not back up with toad as doing so could easily damage the tow bar (which is an expensive item).

Yes most states require some kind of braking system for a toad. I went with the Roadmaster Sterling tow bar with the Roadmaster Invisibrake. I tow a 2013 Ford Focus.

Jim
chesapeaketechi
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Thanks for all of the replies!
Why no backing up with the toad? Even a few feet? Is it because it is bad for the toad or bad rear visibility? Just trying to understand the reasoning.
I'm assuming sway with the motor home would be less than the Jeep Commander towing the Jayco? Yes I also learned if there is sway to give some gas to pull the rig back in a straight line.
Do toads not have electric brake controllers?
rvten
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Hooking and unhooking your toad is easiest when both vehicles are in a straight line.