Towing with trailer

I have been using a trailer for about 11 years and over 80,000 miles. For the last 3 years I also tow 4 down depending on which vehicle I take and where I am going. I prefer using the trailer because it pulls easier, I can backup, and no wear on the towd, but is can be a little more work to load/unload/store. In those 80,000 miles I had to disconnect twice, once because the RV park said "no trailers in the site" and the other was planned. I just plan ahead to get a site that was long enough.
Like had been said, there is no best except what you like.

How and what to tow is purely personal preference.
I, too, have done all three ways over the years.
Each has its problems and annoyances. Each has its good points, too.
Yes, a trailer can be a PITA. But then, so can a dolly, and my Roadmaster Stowmaster towbar quite often qualifies for that appellation.
Actually, I was very happy with my old Reese fixed-arm adjustable width $145 towbar, but I needed the extra 1000 lbs capacity and found a good deal on craigslist for the Roadmaster.
Anyway, the choice is yours. There is no "right" or "wrong" or "best" IMO. there is only what each of us likes.
Good luck.

We've done 4 down, but have been using a trailer for the last 30,000 miles. Have only had to unhook once, at a state park. All the other parks we've been to, including a 6000+mi Yellowstone trip and 4000+ through Canada have been trouble and hassle-free. We're getting very good at backing it up,(use walkie-talkies) and have found most sites even back-ups have been plenty long enuf. If it's more than an overnite and we plan to unload the car, we drive in head-first.

We've tried both ways and still when I go long distance we'll do the trailer (4up) and if we are going less than a tank of fuel we will tow 4 down.
We've had to disconnect the jeep several times because were caught in a place where we were required to back out. I can back the trailer.
Plus, with the jeep up, I do not worry about all the stuff that would be spinning if it were 4 down. With the jeep I still have two differentials and a transfer case spinning. With the trailer it's only 4 tires
IOWs it really depends where we are going, what we will do when we are there. It's nice to know we will have a place to park the trailer.
4 down or 4 up it really makes no difference how the coach feels or drives.

I was just wondering how a trailer (without a engine) could tow anything?

I have towed with a trailer first, with my dune buggy on the trailer, then towed a dune buggy that was street legal and 4 wheels down, and then a Honda CRV, and later had to buy a tow dolly to tow a Ford Windstar.

The windstar was the worst to tow of all! The dune buggy on a trailer was fairly easy, and I normally dry camp, never needed to disconnect the trailer from my truck, and left it connected all the time.

The 4 wheels down was very fast to connect to the motorhome, as I also bought a Roadmaster tow hitch that always stays attached to the motorhome. It only takes about 1 minute to hook up the buggy, or car and tow chains, and we where off!

The tow dolly had 7 steps to hook up the van, and then when parking it, I had to find a place to move the van to, then unhook the dolly and put that into the back of my site, then park the RV and level it, then park the van.

Hooking up, I had to move the motorhome into the street, then hook up the dolly, then drive the van onto it, hook up the chains from MH - dolly - van Hook up lights from MH to dolly to van, Straps on both front tires, and then I was ready to drive away..

So I will always want to flat tow from now on. Yet I still have my tow dolly. I also have a compact van, that I can tow with the dolly, and not flat tow (auto trans that is not compatible).

I think that flat towing is as popular as it is for the same reasons that I like flat towing. I know that some will tow in a trailer because they want the extra storage, or they might want to keep a car pristine inside the trailer, not exposed to the rain or dust.

Good luck!

Fred.

We have been FT since may 14. We put a lot of thought into the what when and wares of what we pulled behind us. After 25k we realized we made a mistake. My wife and I both have minis, I like track days wife just loves to drive her car. With our 39 ft DP 20 ft enclosed trailer, tongue length etc, we are 63 ft. Big pain in the butt cheeks to park,find parks, fuel, drop trailer in tight spots park rv and pick up later etc.
we will do the AlCan this summer with a 03 Ranger toad 4 down. When we drop back down we will decide the fate of the Minis and the trailer.
bottom line,any trailer is a pain in the arse..
This opinion is not based on a guess whim or other such "thoughts" but real world get up and do it every day cause you love it.
Does it work for all of course not.
Have fun and B careful.
jw

Actuall I cheat and only tow two down. Click on "How I Tow" below... Guess that puts me in the four category for your survey although it acts more like a trailer as I can back up.:h