Tow or not to Tow

stop in State parks (but finding an open site is getting much more difficult) More and more Walmarts/commercial parking lots are not allowing overnight stops anymore. Local ordinances, liability concerns, etc. plus the fact that too many RVers are taking advantage, putting out awnings, grills, etc and staying days, not overnight. I would call ahead to be sure your planned place still accepts it.
We have been RVing for almost 45 years, and since we went Class C to Class A have ALWAYS had our toad with us. We love to 'wander' and 'explore'. WE've never had a problem. we can hook up/unhook in a matter of a couple of minutes. We don't need a tow dolly, and that makes it so much easier. Our little 2012 Ford Fiesta w/manual transmission (the salesman told us it was equipped with the "Amish package" - just basic and simple!) is perfect for our needs.

CHemler wrote:
Thank you everyone for the opinions. They are all valid points and it looks like it would be a good idea to take a toad.

So, for those of you who travel alot, where do you stay if you are just traveling through for the night? We hate to pay $50-$60 to just park and sleep.

Thanks.

The last time we camped at a private cg was a KOA a few years ago. We only use state parks if at all.

Are you a member of anything ? FD, Elks, BJ, Sam's , etc. If so, stay the night at one of those properties. If someone tries to chase you, tell them you are exhausted and are afraid you will fall asleep, just give you a couple more hours. An overtired driver operating a 14,000 rv is just as dangerous as an intoxicated driver being allowed to drive. Any professional LEO with proper training and common sense should understand that.

Sometimes we eat at a restaurant and they allow us to fill our water from an outside spigot as well as stay the night.

I look for small regional airport parking lots, many have 24 hr free parking lots.
I ask at H. Depot garden center if I can use their water spigot to top off my water tank and have never been turned down. I find a corner of the lot park and stay the night, have never been chased.

We have a 24ft. Class C. Usually take trips versus weekend camping. We do not have a toad and have found we really don't need one. Use "Uber" quite a bit and the fun part of them driving is they also act as a pretty good tour guide. If we plan to stay in an area for a while we get a car rental. And being 24ft. we can pretty much take it anywhere we want to go. So, we don't have to pay an additional annual DMV fee, Ins., Maintenance, Tires, Etc., plus cost of vehicle. Works for us. Forgot to mention-if you get to Az. check out Williams, Az.-neat place to visit and they have a older style train that takes you to the Grand Canyon and back-plenty of RV campgrounds in Williams.

Boondockerswelcome.com has a nice service for ~$30/yr

There's lots of blm land out west but rest areas and pilot stations are easy while going on the interstates.

Thank you everyone for the opinions. They are all valid points and it looks like it would be a good idea to take a toad.

So, for those of you who travel alot, where do you stay if you are just traveling through for the night? We hate to pay $50-$60 to just park and sleep.

Thanks.

I take my toad for any trip longer than one night and my motor home is only 24'. Everyone has different expectations and preferences.

Take the car. Last trip out we drove DP 800mi and the toad 450. We see a lot more with the toad.

We always tow our car along so we can go sightseeing or grocery shopping, etc.

Our question is this: Should we take our car or not?

:h I'm assuming that you paid good money to set up your toad to be towed. Then I would tow it .

You are not being fair to your toad. Think about how hurt she we be, staying home alone, nobody driving her, feeling lonely with her battery dying while sitting idle . While all that time you guys will driving around the country enjoying yourselves in your 'other vehicle'. Our toads are like family. :)

CHemler wrote:
My husband and I have been camping for at least 13 years. Four years ago, we bought a Class C. We always tow our car along so we can go sightseeing or grocery shopping, etc.

We are now planning on taking a month long trip from Pennsylvania out to the Grand Canyon and stopping at Mount Rushmore and other places in the North along the way home.

Our question is this: Should we take our car or not? We don't want to feel like we won't be able to stop and see things but we aren't planning on staying anywhere for more than two or three nights so it seems like a hassle to have to unhitch for one night stays. We are planning on maybe just staying a night in a Walmart or other parking lots. We are also unsure of parking situations for a 30 foot RV at some of the sights and the terrain we could be driving on. A lot of flat land or mountains?

So, we are looking for opinions from experienced RVers.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions!

when you are staying for a day or two try to get e pull thru site. meny campgrounds have pull thrus i wouldnt leave my car at home on a trip that long.. anything can happen take the car. with every thing goin on in todays world are walmarts that safe?

We went west last year, Yellowstone etc.
Leprechaun 5,000 miles
Jeep 3,000 miles
For us it’s enjoyable having a towed on a trip like this.