I am thinking about going solo for a while and have some questions. I think a 25' RV is physically big enough for living but I think I want to take a small car with me. I know I will not need something over 30'. The car would be handy for side trips. Has anyone towed a small car with a 25'? is it too much of a strain?1 buy a 30' class A or C so towing is OK2 buy 25' with no car and call it a dayphil

We used to tow a Chevy Tracker with a 26' Class C. It was a V10 and had a 5k hitch.Towed like a dream. Suzuki Samurais, Chevy Trackers, Suzuki Grand Vitaras, etc all make excellent 4 down tow cars, as long as they are 4wd. Some smaller cars are towable if they are manual trans. Either check with the owners manual, or get some good ideas on this forum and escapees on dingy towing. I know Saturns are popular little tow cars. Just be aware of what the tow hitch rating is in your coach.

We tow a Ford C-Max Energi with our 25.5 ' Axis. Does great! Just be mindful of the hitch's weight limitation on whatever motorhome you choose.

Go the smallest as you feel comfortable in and tow something small. Sounds awesome. I would definitely tow something because there will be days when you will want to be able to jump in the car and go and not have to close up shop. Then when you get back, you got redo it again. At least you will have the freedom to just go and won't second guess yourself. We tow a Toyota yaris (2000 lb range) behind our class c. Granted ours is over 32' in length, but the smaller ones will pull it fine.

Sure the car is handy, and I probably would not take a trip without towing my Edge anymore. I also have a small dune buggy, Manx type, and it comes along on some trips if I wanted to do some off roading and meet up with people who have ATV's or motorcycles. Yet with a small enough RV, you can decide to take the RV everywhere, and not have the expense and insurance of another vehicle. So if you are considering a Mercedes based small diesel class C, then you might not want to tow anything.The 22- 26' long class C with a Ford chassis is nice in that the V10 allows plenty of power to tow a 3,500 - 5,000 pound car, you hardly know it's back there. It will cost you a tiny amount more in gas, like changing MPG from 8 to 8.8 while not towing. Still if you plan on staying put for a while in a campsite, and doing a lot of sightseeing, then the car is nice to have with you. Are you planning on full timing? Then a car sure is handy, to avoid breaking camp each time you need groceries, or if you decide to take a job someplace like Yosemite or Yellowstone, and need to leave the RV in a campground for a few weeks. You can get a free campsite in exchange for agreeing to work minimum wage, and stay for most of the summer season. It is just a way for many retirees to extend their limited income, while also seeing a wonderful area, and working only a few hours a week in a gift shop or something.The larger class C's such as 30' with a slide out might have to much curb weight to consider as a full time RV. Check the weight, and make sure that you can add about 1,000 - 1,400 pounds before reaching the GVWR. You are better off thinking of a smaller unit, it will allow more cargo before going over the GVWR.Fred.

Thought of it too in the 'What ifs' department.I'd seriously look at a larger B like a Sprinter van & maybe carry a smaller, 200cc scooter or multisport bike to get around.

thinking aobut going solo | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

SteveRuff
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
We spent four years in a 24' Isata motor home. The first year was with no toad and it was doable but became confining. We bought a Pontiac Vibe, 5 speed manual and towed it for the next 60,000 miles or so. No problems encountered and much more satisfying.
John___Angela
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
gotsmart wrote:
2,200 lbs! meh. :p Try flat towing a smart car - curb weight is only 1,800 lbs

Yah I know. Even lighter that way. The blue smart looks great behind your rig. Looks very "smart". (Sorry, couldn't resist)
gotsmart
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
2,200 lbs! meh. :p Try flat towing a smart car - curb weight is only 1,800 lbs
John___Angela
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
GoPackGo wrote:
Ding ! What a hot setup !

Tim

Thank you. Works great for us. Its seen a lot of miles both on and off the trailer. It also has a hitch so it can pull its own trailer.

And it also handily pulls its tent trailer and Kayak. Great little combo. (This is our black beauty, the other one is our Burgundy Bomb)

Great for overnighters at local lakes.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
Ding ! What a hot setup !

Tim
John___Angela
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
GoPackGo wrote:
There's someone in my cg right now who's towing a Smart Car 4 wheels up. The whole rig can't weigh all that much.

Probably looks something like our little baby. Total weight around 2200 pounds...including the trailer.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014
There's someone in my cg right now who's towing a Smart Car 4 wheels up. The whole rig can't weigh all that much.
zippyphil
Explorer
Aug 16, 2014
wow thanks for all the fast responces! I guess I will be OK with a VW golf or Jetta
BeckyIO
Explorer
Aug 16, 2014
My situation isn't quite the same as yours, I'm a solo full-timer, but I have a travel trailer + truck instead of motorhome + toad. I don't know much about the tow capacity of various motorhomes, but I do want to say that a small RV you can leave behind with a regular vehicle that you can drive around in has been a great combo for me.

I travel in such a way that I park the RV for longer periods of time and then explore the area in my truck and that sort of traveling favors having a separate vehicle. Having just a small motorhome favors the kind of traveling where you're always on the move, then like a previous commentor said you just do your shopping in transit. Which is the "better" option depends on what kind of traveling you like to do imo.
Gjac
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2014
zippyphil wrote:
I am thinking about going solo for a while and have some questions. I think a 25' RV is physically big enough for living but I think I want to take a small car with me. I know I will not need something over 30'. The car would be handy for side trips. Has anyone towed a small car with a 25'? is it too much of a strain?

1 buy a 30' class A or C so towing is OK

2 buy 25' with no car and call it a day

phil
To answer your question directly usually it is less of a strain on the MH drive train on a smaller Class A than a larger heaver one. If you think about it a 30 ft Class A has the same engine and transmission as a 38 ft one, only much lighter so your total weight is less pulling a hill. Most have hitches that will tow 5000 lbs. I would get a 30-32 ft class A with at least one or two slides or a full wall slide and a small tow car less than 3000 lbs. I think a 25 ft Class A would be too small for you. Also I would look for one with full basement storage (not the little cut out doors) and one with at least 80 gals of FW unless you plan on staying in FHU cg's every night.