We are still in the process of deciding on a RV (trailer, motorhome or neither). That being said, I am working out the details in my mind. We are really leaning toward a Class C motorhome though. I'm thinking about how to bring a vehicle along on our long trips. I have a Ram 1500 and she drives a Mercedes GLK250. My Ram can be flat towed but it does not look like the Mercedes can be. I would rather bring her smaller vehicle with but I am open. I looked at a tow bar setup and was a bit shocked by the price. I could likely buy a trailer for close to the same price and have more versatility. How easy is it to park a trailer when camping? is there usually room somewhere to park it? The dinghy would be easiest in that I would not have to worry about a trailer.Thoughts on dinghy vs a trailer?

kszach wrote:We are still in the process of deciding on a RV (trailer, motorhome or neither). That being said, I am working out the details in my mind. We are really leaning toward a Class C motorhome though. I'm thinking about how to bring a vehicle along on our long trips. I have a Ram 1500 and she drives a Mercedes GLK250. My Ram can be flat towed but it does not look like the Mercedes can be. I would rather bring her smaller vehicle with but I am open. I looked at a tow bar setup and was a bit shocked by the price. I could likely buy a trailer for close to the same price and have more versatility. How easy is it to park a trailer when camping? is there usually room somewhere to park it? The dinghy would be easiest in that I would not have to worry about a trailer.Thoughts on dinghy vs a trailer?one word...weight. your trailer will add a lot of weight for the RV to tow. this is important because the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:- the gross combination weight rating of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded and configured for travel- the weight rating of your hitch- the weight rating of your tow bardon't buy anything until you know how much weight you can safely tow behind whichever MH you want.

Be sure to look oncraigslist & Ebay for a used tow bar.I bought a Roadmaster Falcon 2 for $100 and had it shipped to me for $40.Last year, I bought a brand new, in the box, Roadmaster Falcon 2 for $100 locally.This last summer, I bought a nearly new Roadmaster Sterling tow bar for $50 at a neighborhood garage sale.You don't always have to buy new at list price. Look around and keep your eyes open.Tim

As mentioned previously, first resolve the weight issue. Afterwards, if both towing methods are still in contention, you have to spend some time determining how you plan to use your new setup. Personally, I prefer a trailer. I can take any vehicle we own, strap other stuff on the trailer, and most importantly, back up if I get into a jam. However, there isn't always a convenient place to put your trailer. If your plans are definite, you can plan ahead for trailer accommodations. If you are just touring and staying wherever convenient, the trailer can sometimes be an inconvenience. Fortunately, over the years we've had the good fortune to acquire both a trailer and a flat towing setup. If I had to pick just one, it would be the flat towing setup. It is easier, quicker to deploy, and eliminates another piece of equipment to maintain and insure.

Just returned from a trip through Utah with our C and Jeep toad. A trailer would have been tough to bring as the campgrounds we stayed in had little room for extra equipment. During our visit to the petrified forest we parked the MH in the visitors center and used the toad for our visit. I have driven most anything that has a steering wheel and backing up a short trailer with my coach is a pain. If your experience in backing trailers is limited using your coach will just compound that job. Even with the camera it is difficult to see and I have backed 40 ft. trailers in circles at job sites. The initial cost to get a toad ready is worth it. i haven't had an issue with pulling in and not being able to back up because I scope out fuel and rest stops before I pull in, if it looks sketchy I just move on. Towing hook ups cost money, so does a trailer. I saw a huge class A towing a new Suburban and the man was using HF stick on lights with the cord dangling, why he went cheap at the end IDK.

I have a 30 ft. Class C and tow a 2012 Chevy Sonic 4 wheels down. My son has a larger Class A and tows a Ford Escape on a dolly. We both agree that the tow bar/flat towing is better but both have their stressful aspects. My Blue Ox tow bar cost $1000 but its pretty easy and can just stay on the motor home with a cover when not in use. Never have to worry about where to store in in the campground or at home. Biggest problem is that you can not back up with either arrangement. Maybe a few inches with the dolly and none with the tow bar. Towing is a necessary hassle. Personally, I would stick with very small, light weight dinghys. The weight difference between my Chevy and a truck would be around 2000 lbs. My MH isn't rated to tow anything near that heavy and the little Chevy is enough of a load when it comes to accelerating and stopping.

dinghy or trailer | Good Sam Community

petrel
Explorer
Oct 07, 2016
As mentioned previously, first resolve the weight issue. Afterwards, if both towing methods are still in contention, you have to spend some time determining how you plan to use your new setup.

Personally, I prefer a trailer. I can take any vehicle we own, strap other stuff on the trailer, and most importantly, back up if I get into a jam. However, there isn't always a convenient place to put your trailer. If your plans are definite, you can plan ahead for trailer accommodations. If you are just touring and staying wherever convenient, the trailer can sometimes be an inconvenience.

Fortunately, over the years we've had the good fortune to acquire both a trailer and a flat towing setup. If I had to pick just one, it would be the flat towing setup. It is easier, quicker to deploy, and eliminates another piece of equipment to maintain and insure.
Healeyman
Explorer
Oct 07, 2016
Be sure to look oncraigslist & Ebay for a used tow bar.

I bought a Roadmaster Falcon 2 for $100 and had it shipped to me for $40.

Last year, I bought a brand new, in the box, Roadmaster Falcon 2 for $100 locally.

This last summer, I bought a nearly new Roadmaster Sterling tow bar for $50 at a neighborhood garage sale.

You don't always have to buy new at list price.

Look around and keep your eyes open.

Tim
rk911
Explorer
Oct 07, 2016
kszach wrote:
We are still in the process of deciding on a RV (trailer, motorhome or neither). That being said, I am working out the details in my mind. We are really leaning toward a Class C motorhome though.

I'm thinking about how to bring a vehicle along on our long trips. I have a Ram 1500 and she drives a Mercedes GLK250. My Ram can be flat towed but it does not look like the Mercedes can be. I would rather bring her smaller vehicle with but I am open. I looked at a tow bar setup and was a bit shocked by the price. I could likely buy a trailer for close to the same price and have more versatility. How easy is it to park a trailer when camping? is there usually room somewhere to park it? The dinghy would be easiest in that I would not have to worry about a trailer.

Thoughts on dinghy vs a trailer?

one word...weight. your trailer will add a lot of weight for the RV to tow. this is important because the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- the gross combination weight rating of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded and configured for travel

- the weight rating of your hitch

- the weight rating of your tow bar

don't buy anything until you know how much weight you can safely tow behind whichever MH you want.

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