Our C is 25'9" and we take ~5000 mile loop trips each year (roughly 3 weeks each). We rented a short C for a similar trip before buying, so didn't anticipate needing a toad. On one trip, we got in a conversation with another couple with a small rig towing a Tracker and they convinced us of some of the benefits (as did our experience on a couple of our shorter trips). So, we actually stumbled across the perfect toad (for us) and bought it in 2010 or 2011 (can't remember) and still haven't bothered to set it up for towing (one of these days!).
For us, it comes down to the intent of the trip. Our typical trip is a long loop where we tend to be on the move and rarely in the same place for more than one (max three) nights. For this, having a short RV is (IMO) ideal as our house is always with us (such a luxury when you get caught hiking in a downpour and your house is waiting at the trailhead). I'm a confident parallel parker, but admit I've never needed to do that in the places we explore at the times we travel (in fall when vacation crowds are lighter). I've parked on streets in parallel spots, but there's always been space to easily roll right in. I've parked at gas stations, at malls/shopping centers (usually hanging the rear end over the grassy area or just pulling through two spots front to back in a parking lot), in neighborhoods visiting friends/family, etc. without problem.
As someone else mentioned, we bought our toad for exploring. It's a tiny AWD SUV and the intent is to be able to get places we wouldn't/couldn't take the RV. For this reason (and the fact we travel with dogs), renting when we get somewhere didn't seem like the best fit for us. We've never felt limited without a toad during our large loops (just the opposite, actually) - for us, the time for exploring is on more stationary trips where we go someplace to stay for a week+ or long weekend. Thinking of going to Glacier next trip...time to finally get the toad towable.
