Short Class A with no toad?

We went toadless on our retirement trip - 6 months 16 states and 6000 miles - and rented a car from Enterprise when we wanted to explore or get supplies. Rental fees over the trip were $3000 - the second highest expense. In addition, we found that we were selecting campgrounds based on their proximity to the Enterprise pick-up radius. Not the best criteria.

This also exposed the underside on the Enterprise business model. A lot of the offices in non-urban locations are simply a branch office in a body shop. They are not manned on any schedule and sometimes I would need to drop off with no one there to check for damage. The pick-up drivers are contractors and not willing or responsible and the body shop people wanted nothing to do with it.

With all that experience of going toadless, we bought an Equinox, put a Blue Ox base plate on it and I found a Blue Ox tow bar and an RVi2 brake on Craigs List. On our last trip out west, we did a lot more exploring.

Breaking camp every time you want to go somewhere would get old fast for me. What's the aversion to towing a car?

Good example. We went to Charleston, SC and stayed at a KOA 20 mi out a month ago. In one week we put 450mi on our Smart car toad. There is virtually no on street parking but I usually found somewhere the little car would fit for free.

On a typical 2-3 month trip out West to see the sights, we usually put more miles on the toad than on the RV. We very seldom spend more than a few days in an RV park and like to travel to a central location and then use the toad to explore the surrounding areas. Besides the obvious savings in fuel by using the toad, there is also less wear and tear on the coach.

We replaced our Diesel Pusher Motorhome with a new 26' Class A as we like to "camp" more than hang out at a RV Resort, just our personal preference. We tow our Jeep Wrangler most of the time as many of the places that I like to explore the Jeep is more appropriate than the Motorhome. Many times we take our Bicycles, even with the Jeep just for a little exercise. I would hate to think of the things that I would have missed without my TOAD, again just my opinion. JH

I'd sure dislike unhoooking, bringing up the jacks and pulling in the slides just to go to the store or something. And then putting it all back.

We have been without a toad for years, Had everything from a 17 ft to a 31 ft and never had a toad. Now we have a 30 ft and usually tow a jeep. We plan on going to Montana late summer to visit wifes' sister. We will not take the toad because she has a car and the MH doesn't like to tow in the mountains, the trans temp get high and that worries me.

Have a friend with a 31' Class A. He has gotten himself into sticky situations when he tries to go places like grocery stores and sightseeing in his MH. He tries to plan his exit, but it always seems that someone parks a vehicle just where he needs to go to get out of his parking spot.

DW and I always take our toad. Makes things much easier.

It depends on your style of camping. If you go to one place and stay there you may not need one. But if you use it as a base and want to go sightseeing or side trips its nicer (not a necessity)to have a toad. We rarely go without one and I find it's no big deal to hook it up and travel with it. My 33' with a toad is kind of long but easily managed. If you go park to park in your travels you may not need one.

We have 34 ft Class A and never go anywhere without our toad tagging along. There's a lot of places we go with our toad that would be difficult to access with our motorhome. Then there's the disruption of breaking camp just to run to the store for something.