Preferences on pulling a toad, or rent when there?

I have to say it depends on the destination and the purpose of the trip. We've encountered some cgs and towns where a towed vehicle was problematic for maneuverability. When visiting larger metros like St Paul or Baltimore, we found we could use our geezer discounts to get a rental for only $25/week which makes a rental more viable.

When planning for a trip we take into account how much commuting we'll be doing between the cg and whatever events or relatives we're there to visit. If most of the activity is at the cg we won't bother with a rental or toad.

We are now considering the possibility of motor scooters like Vespas which are more compact than a toad and let's us have the commute option all the time.

Our choice is to pull a toad all of the time. We don't even feel it back there and have it when we want it. When we go across isolated areas we have a sense of security with it back there. If we break down we are not stranded. We get the same MPG with or without it which was also the case in our last coach which was a 37 foot gas coach. "We would not leave home without it"

Our 28' Class C is pretty nimble; so we've brought a toad; gone toadless; or rented; depending on each trip.

One a drive from Michigan to California to visit family - we went toadless, and rented a car to tour Kings Canyon/Sequoia Nat'l parks for a few days. The few days of rental made more sense than the cost/wear and tear of pulling a toad several thousand miles. Same for visiting Yellowstone/Tetons. Actually, we usually rented for visiting any National Park, because the scenic lookouts can be crowded and don't always offer enough space for a MH.

Did Alaska toadless - since it was a quick trip, we didn't need the toad. Alaska and Canada are both RV-friendly.

But if we were planning to explore an area; or more obviously, if we planned to do some offroading - then our Wrangler came along. We found our mileage only dropped from 8.5 mpg to 8 mpg while towing, so several days of rental can easily gobble up whatever cost-savings there is to NOT towing.

We've rented and towed on a dolly and now four down. Like the towing best. That being said, our toad broke down on a recent trip and no Honda dealer around (under warranty). Dinghy was still towable and rather than interrupt the trip we rented. Enterprise is in most places and will pick you up at your campsite. Paid 200 bucks for a week in a Hyundai Optima.With RV'ing..."it's all good!"

I tried one vacation not using a TOAD on our last tour of Florida. Lets just say I won't do that again.

4 days in Daytona went ok, as did the 4 days in the Keys. However, 2 out of 4 days in Orlando at the start of the vacation without a car, despite having a reservation for the full 4 days, told me that there was no way I'm doing that again. Enterprise pretty much ruined that for me. When your car reservation, made and confirmed months ahead of time, isn't worth a damn, you're kinda stuck.

I always prefer to have a second mode of transportation in case of a breakdown. Plus it's just easier to motorhome from campsite to campsite and then do your roaming with the toad.

I always tow. I never know when I will want my toad for a short trip, an emergency, or just sight seeing. It cost me nothing in extra MPG to tow the car. I have stopped at campgrounds that are very remote to a store or a restaurant. I sure am not likely to find a car rental at one of those. Then there is the added security if you have a break down of being able to find repair facilities. Maybe just a fan belt, a fuse, head light etc. Sure do not want to rent a car for that.

Albeit the best of all deals is to travel with a friend that is towing, and pay him expenses to get you around.

We have done it both ways. Costs if you already have toad setup would be deducted and spread over many trips.
When we had our Class C, it was easier to get around cities and towns. It wasn't that great for site seeing. Some of the roads were too narrow and winding.
With our Class A, it is a near must to have the little car. Sight seeing, shopping and touring cities. Failed to take car on last trip to Alaska. Big mistake!
Yes, it will take more fuel dollars to take toad. Depending on where you are headed whether there is any rentals available and at what cost. Your rental pick up location could make it more costly.
Some idea of where you are heading would help.

We use our RV as a basecamp to tour the area we are in. We always want a car to tour in, so we always tow our car.

As far as extra expense, I get 8 mpg whether I tow or not. The only extra expense was outfitting the car to get it ready to tow.