Class B (TBD - probably just a simple cargo van conversion) with 1988 GMC S15.S15 (2700#) is short wheelbase, automatic, 2wd (V8 conversion).Trailer (1560#) is 16' car hauler, wood deck.Question: Haul on trailer or tow 4 down?With the trailer I have to deal with ramps, tie downs and the additional weight, but I can back it.Towing 4 down I have to pull the rear wheels up on ramps, crawl under, disconnect the driveshaft at the rear (4 nuts) and tie it up. (Nope, don't want to get a drive disconnect).Overall length difference is probably only about 2' to 3'. Should get better gas mileage doing 4 down. Tow bar hooks up easier than trailer tongue.(Wish I knew how to set up a poll on this!)

Use the trailer. No rolling around in the dirt, mud, gravel, grease etc. disconnecting drive shaft.

I would use the trailer before I crawl under the truck to disconnect the driveshaft. I use to use a car trailer to haul a show car and it became very easy and fast to load and unload. I don't know what type of camping you plan on doing but have you thought about what to do with the trailer once you are set up at camp?

DougE are open to a third option? What about getting a dinghy that you can flat tow with all that work? The thought of either having to unload it or rebuild it every time would be a big turn off for me.

Prettty sure that S15 is a little more than 2700lbs on the road , but not a lot. Towing that on a trailer is more than I’d want to pull with a conversion van. (Most are older and not meant for heavy towing). Having a little van defeats most of the purpose of a toad, but that’s none of our business. Having a trailer to drag, park, unhook etc also defeats the purpose of a little B. So everything is a compromise. This one is your decision and the meaningful discussion on this won’t be really meaningful because you need to decide how YOU are going to use the setup as a whole.

Those are some quick responses. Thanks.I ran a Class A for a number of years with a Suzuki Sidekick toad. Nice rig but the Sidekick was pretty snug inside and I had to exercise the transmission every 200 miles to keep it lubed. Most of my life I've had way too many vehicles and I'm trying to keep it simpler these days so don't really want to add another vehicle.The S15 will have a step bumper so can be used to spot a trailer after it's unloaded. But, yes, dealing with the trailer is another consideration.Both Lwiddis and corvettekent are using their tow vehicles for general transportation whereas I favor having a second means of transportation.

Toad on Trailer vs 4 Down | Good Sam Community

capacitor
Explorer
Apr 25, 2021
How about a tow dolly? Back on to it, no driveshaft issues.
Beverley_Ken
Explorer
Apr 25, 2021
From your figures S25 and trailer combined weight of 4260lb equals a tongue weight of 425 to approx 500 lbs, you are within the specs you listed 500/5000. As long as you are not exceeding (drastically) the 'Bs' rear axle, I would say GO WITH THE TRAILER.
4 down = driveshaft disconnect , tow dolly front wheels up = drive shaft disconnect. tow dolly rear wheels up, rear over hang of bed and step bumper may put it too close to MH, turning. Some will say that in can be down, some with say that it can't be done.

Ken
phil-t
Explorer
Apr 25, 2021
Towing backwards is problematic for the front end, steering. Alignment not setup for rearward travel. I would trailer it.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2021
phil-t wrote:
Towing backwards is problematic for the front end, steering. Alignment not setup for rearward travel. I would trailer it.

And lifting the rear to get it on the dolly makes that worse...
DougE
Explorer
Apr 25, 2021
Any real world experience for rearward dolly towing?
Caster on an S15 is about 3*. If you raise the rear 12" with a 108" wheelbase, that's a 6* rise and changes the caster to -3*. If you tow backwards then the caster is back at the original 3* positive. So no issue?
Is the steering column lock sufficient to hold the wheels in the straight ahead configuration?
By the way, I appreciate all the comments as its giving me additional things to consider.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2021
DougE wrote:
Any real world experience for rearward dolly towing?
Caster on an S15 is about 3*. If you raise the rear 12" with a 108" wheelbase, that's a 6* rise and changes the caster to -3*. If you tow backwards then the caster is back at the original 3* positive. So no issue?
Is the steering column lock sufficient to hold the wheels in the straight ahead configuration?
By the way, I appreciate all the comments as its giving me additional things to consider.

Decades back I owned/drove tow trucks. Always more stable when hooked to front.
I always used a rope to hold the wheel, was afraid of damage if trusted the lock.
DougE
Explorer
Apr 25, 2021
The clearance on those steering wheel locks is pretty minimal. I somewhat doubt that a rope would be rigid enough to matter unless the lock broke. Maybe just for peace of mind?
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 30, 2021
capacitor wrote:
How about a tow dolly? Back on to it, no driveshaft issues.

Not a sustainable idea.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 30, 2021
JRscooby wrote:
phil-t wrote:
Towing backwards is problematic for the front end, steering. Alignment not setup for rearward travel. I would trailer it.

And lifting the rear to get it on the dolly makes that worse...

Wait, wut??

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