Forum Discussion

CHemler's avatar
CHemler
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020

Tow or not to Tow

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!

14 Replies

  • In 5 years of summer trips, we towed 1 year and it took work to get to it and turn around with it. But your case is the opposite: you're used to it. I'd suggest you bring it for storage, flexibility in a breakdown, and because you're used to having it when needed. It won't annoy you because you're used to driving it, so just keep with your normal usage. I don't see a reason to change what's been proven to work for you, regardless of how the trip may be different.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer III
    I think you could pretty reasonably get by without a towed vehicle on the trip, but also there probably are times where you could make good use of one if you had it. Its presence or absence might tend to alter what you end up doing--and it sounds like a fabulous trip in any case.

    I find that, for me, there's little reason to bring a towed vehicle. I do sometimes carry a bicycle, and sometimes have to get a little exercise walking from where I can park or camp to where I want to be. I also at times make use of public transit. That said, parking at places that are outside of large cities is not usually a big problem, particularly if you're willing to park at a slightly remote spot, and stopping for groceries or other supplies en route is not at all tricky to manage when you're moving from one destination to another every few days or oftener. Camping at one location (particularly one not served by other transit) for a week or two or three is somewhat of a different matter.

    That said, there's no doubt that there are occasional limitations to not having a towed car, and I'm sure I choose trips and destinations where it's not a problem while I may do otherwise if I travelled with one. Similarly, there are probably a few places I've gone or things I've done or places I've gotten fuel that I would avoid if I had a car towed behind. There are also a few trips I've made in a car that I would be less likely to do with the motorhome.
  • `We can go sight-seeing in our 28 ft C. Only issue is making sure nobody takes our spot at the campground while we are away. (They don't mark them as occupied like they are supposed to here) We leave stuff in the site we can afford to be gone when we get back! :( .

    On a trip like you are planning, one thing might be if the C broke down and had to go into a garage for a couple of days, you would still have wheels with a toad.
  • I might take the car as a lifeboat, in case your motorhome runs into any mechanical problems. Some stretches of highway out that way are unserviced and if you broke down, it would be nice to be able to go for help if you needed to. Cell phone coverage is not always a sure thing out there. If you stay on the interstates as much as possible, you'd probably be OK without the towed.