to toad or not how about you?

We had the same thoughts as the OP.

We found that even with our smaller Class C
that is used for vacation and recreation only,
it is easier to tow with the dolly than to
hook-up, unhook, find a parking space, see what we want
go back and do it all over again.

DSDP Don wrote:
Desert Captain....Your type of camping may work for you, but I'll completely disagree with some of your assumptions. Everywhere we camp, there has always been room for our toad. Even in the smaller sites, there is room for a toad. I can only think of maybe one spot in 30 years that didn't have room. We just parked in a stall instead.

You also need to qualify your statement about pulling out quicker in your motor home than a toad. For that to be true, you would have to have no slides out and only a power cord attached. It would also mean that my toad would have to be hooked to my coach still. If we're both in the same campground for three days, I start my truck and drive away, even if you only had a power cord out I would still beat you. If you tell me that you only camp with a power cord connected, then you're not really talking about camping as most do.

Let's take your RV and my RV and toad to a National Park, like Yellowstone. I will then challenge you to go see all of the various attractions. You'll spend hours circling parking lots, even with a smaller RV, looking for a place to park.

With all that said, everyone camps differently. As others stated, we often just use the campground as a base for sightseeing in the area. I certainly would not want to come back each evening, level, put slides out and make connections. We don't disconnect and connect the toad everyday, only travel days.

You might want to go back and read my post one more time keeping in mind the following:


First of all this thread is about the OP going to a Class C and contemplating the pro's and cons of a toad. This presupposes that he is contemplating a smallish C. It has nothing whatsoever with folks like you who have huge tag axle DP's. Misdemeanor thread drift aside.... I have to agree that anywhere that will accommodate your rig will in all probability have room for your toad. Alas very few public campgrounds will have sites large enough for your rig much less with the pull throughs favored by most folks with a rig like yours.


What I said was I can get underway from any campsite faster than someone with a toad can unhook and that is simply a fact. I can also get underway faster than you can hook up as there is in both cases, less to do and nothing to move. As I noted all I have to do is unplug the power cord (if there even is one), turn the key and drive. Every time you stop for the night you need at least a 60'+ site and will be spending time hooking/unhooking if you need to go any where or are unable to find a pull through.

Your assertion that I do not camp like most do is wrong since we spend the majority of our "camping" in actual campgrounds without hook ups. Traveling in your big beautiful rig is hardly what most folks would consider "camping" but each to his own.

I have been to many, many CG's where there was not enough room for a motorhome, even a small one like mine and a toad. A couple of weeks ago we were in Joshua Tree NP where 90% of the sites at indian Cove fall into this category and this is far from rare.

Also I noted that most of our "camping" does not involve having hook ups and when we have them, usually just water and electric, there is simply no need to stay "hooked up" when you are only going to be there for a a couple of days or less.

I also pointed out that we do not have (nor need), slides but for those that do if they will not retract in under a minute they need some serious maintenance. I don't have (or need), automatic levelers which is just another benefit of having a small coach. A couple of Leggo blocks,never have needed more than two, take all of about one minute to deploy. If I leave the site I just drive off of them and back up onto them when I return.

Lastly as I noted "Opinions and YMMV." Unfortunately the vast differences between your style of RV'ing and the OP's (and mine) render your opinions just a tad irrelevant to this particular discussion.

:C

Desert Captain wrote:

As far as needing milk, bread, beer whatever... how difficult is it to carry what you need?

:C

the difficulty is in training the wife to foresee the need for these goodies. If you want to I will meet up with you and you can "instruct" my wife in that.
bumpy

I'm considering buying a used Smart car and small trailer for our toad. Cheap, lightweight, good MPG and would be able to back up if needed. Should be doable for less than $10K.

As mentioned in other posts, we are new to our Class A. Had a 5th. Plan is to use our 36' minivan once we arrive at camp.

If I were you, I would figure out how many days you think you will need to have a car while camping. You might find that it would be more economical to rent a car from Enterprise when you are staying at a CG for a long period. It might be cheaper than owning and dragging a tote along. If your in a build up area, think about using a local taxis or transportation. It would be different if you have a car to pull behind; but, at say less than $45 a day to rent, it would take a lot of rental days to justify buying a new vehicle.

Desert Captain....Your type of camping may work for you, but I'll completely disagree with some of your assumptions. Everywhere we camp, there has always been room for our toad. Even in the smaller sites, there is room for a toad. I can only think of maybe one spot in 30 years that didn't have room. We just parked in a stall instead.

You also need to qualify your statement about pulling out quicker in your motor home than a toad. For that to be true, you would have to have no slides out and only a power cord attached. It would also mean that my toad would have to be hooked to my coach still. If we're both in the same campground for three days, I start my truck and drive away, even if you only had a power cord out I would still beat you. If you tell me that you only camp with a power cord connected, then you're not really talking about camping as most do.

Let's take your RV and my RV and toad to a National Park, like Yellowstone. I will then challenge you to go see all of the various attractions. You'll spend hours circling parking lots, even with a smaller RV, looking for a place to park.

With all that said, everyone camps differently. As others stated, we often just use the campground as a base for sightseeing in the area. I certainly would not want to come back each evening, level, put slides out and make connections. We don't disconnect and connect the toad everyday, only travel days.

We had a Class C without toad for many years. I actually yearn for those days and that style of camping. We boondocked alot, or just had electric hookup, used dump stations mostly...so breaking down camp was not really a big deal. Most of the time we were at a different campsite every night. We would leave one place in the morning, carry on with our sightseeing, then maybe 50 or 100 miles up the road get to the next campsite. Depending on logistics, sometimes we would get to a campground early in the day, check in to secure a campsite, but not set up...just drove back out to do the nearby sightseeing. Then late in the day came back and set up camp. Sometimes we would stay at a campground for a couple days without leaving, just to take a break from sightseeing, do laundry, enjoy the surroundings, watch the Olympics, or whatever.

The grocery shopping was never a problem. We never found ourselves out of eggs, bread, or whatever. How hard is it to get what you need when you are out during the day?

Years passed, we aged, we're most-of-the-timers now, stay in one place for longer periods, etc., so now we have what is in my signature. Not quite as exciting as those years ago. Now comfort takes precedence.

But you've had what is comparable to a toad. You had that freedom with your truck. Did you like it? Could you imagine being without your truck when camping?

As already suggested, I say go for it without the toad. You can always add a car later.

That's why we have a 5ver!!! Plus I can haul lumber, plywood and compost with the Tow Vehicle.

I couldn't imagine not having a vehicle to sight see in. Setting up and breaking camp is an absolute pain in the butt. Even though we can set up and tear down in probably 20 minutes why on earth would you want to do that everytime you want to leave. What about an emergency. Some places its quicker to transport the subject needing help than to wait on an ambulance. Even if you left everything where it lays, unhooking water, electric, putting in awnings and slideouts takes a few minutes.