Hey all. I recently saw a couple u-tube vids on folks using chaser cars vs. dinghy towing (regardless of dolly, 4 down, etc).Currently, with our new Class C, I don't have a dinghy set up yet...we've camped local so far (we got the C in late Aug) and wife met us at campsite after work.Our plans are to make my truck into a dinghy (can be towed flat 4).But the question I have is...what experiences do any of you have using chaser on long trips vs dinghy? Set up cost is not my concern...just the ease of driving motorhome w/o towing.Obvious disadvantage is not all being together at the same time, but an advantage would be ability to reverse and less strain on motorhome. Looking for honest input!

A lot depends on the MHs chassis and towing ability. So many class Cs are already at or over chassis limits before adding hitch weight towing becomes impractical. Before deciding on anything you need to get some accurate scale weights on your MH loaded ready to travel.

Another possible option on long trips is, rent a car when you reach your destination.Or use bicycles?

If you don't mind the extra fuel cost, it's a valid plan. My wife did a chase car for a while, but you lose the advantage of togetherness and she didn't like it for long. Towing four down is fairly easy, but don't know how heavy your truck is. On a long trip, the cost of fuel might equal the camping fees.

We’ve towed a cargo trailer while wife drove a car. It’s ok but not optimum..

We used a chaser for a while but limited to a couple hundred miles. Anything further we would just try to rent, taxi, Uber or stayed put where we were. Found out that the three options listed were not available everywhere. So when we got our current RV we decided to bite the bullet and got a toad. Now we “don’t leave home without it”.

Chaser vs. Dinghy | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2018
A lot depends on the MHs chassis and towing ability. So many class Cs are already at or over chassis limits before adding hitch weight towing becomes impractical. Before deciding on anything you need to get some accurate scale weights on your MH loaded ready to travel.
gbopp
Explorer
Dec 29, 2018
Another possible option on long trips is, rent a car when you reach your destination.
Or use bicycles?
T18skyguy
Explorer
Dec 29, 2018
If you don't mind the extra fuel cost, it's a valid plan. My wife did a chase car for a while, but you lose the advantage of togetherness and she didn't like it for long. Towing four down is fairly easy, but don't know how heavy your truck is. On a long trip, the cost of fuel might equal the camping fees.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2018
We’ve towed a cargo trailer while wife drove a car. It’s ok but not optimum..
wildtoad
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2018
We used a chaser for a while but limited to a couple hundred miles. Anything further we would just try to rent, taxi, Uber or stayed put where we were. Found out that the three options listed were not available everywhere. So when we got our current RV we decided to bite the bullet and got a toad. Now we “don’t leave home without it”.
accsys
Explorer
Dec 29, 2018
I much prefer the dinghy as we can enjoy each other's company, AND she can keep my coffee cup full......just sayin. :B
maddog348
Explorer
Dec 29, 2018
Used toad as a chaser for a few hundred mile on vacation many year ago. Out in the middle of nowhere hit a bad 'dip' leaving a parking lot and tore out the tow cable wiring. WOW!!!! set off the screach alarm. As we had Remco pump in toad didn't want just any yahoo putting it back together. Our installer at home said car would be fine if we stopped every 125/150 miles ~ held the brake down and cycled it thru the gears. Worked fine ~ did use a little more fuel. Didn't have to hook up every day. Had family 2way radio so we could communicate. All in all not too bad.

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV
maddog348
Explorer
Dec 29, 2018
Hitch weight on a 4down toad??
Y-Guy
Moderator
Dec 29, 2018
We've had our Winnebago for 11 years and no dinghy. For some father off destinations we've rented a car, like our trip to Utah. But for our Oregon/Washington trips we either go without or my wife drives the Jeep. But after these years we've figured it's time. We're no longer taking our boat or ATVs so we can setup the Jeep instead. Since our kids don't go with us we really don't care to drive alone anymore.

The big downside to not having it setup has been the longer drives, somebody to talk with, navigate or help with an issue inside the RV while driving.
Beverley_Ken
Explorer
Dec 30, 2018
Chaser, maybe if going to a local campground, maybe less than 50 miles.
Dinghy YES, Just for the companionship of your spouse or special person. Enjoying the sights, time together in different vehicles?

Hitch weight, not an issue, our hitch weight is actually less with the toad connected, part of the tow bar weight is on the front of the toad. With out the toad 100% of the tow bar is on the MH receiver (tow bar is on MH all the time). Tow ratings for the newer E450s are 7500lbs and most are 5000lbs so that might become a factor in the CGVWR.

Ken

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