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

DougE
Explorer
Apr 24, 2021
Per my signature I currently have a Class B Sprinter. (Sold the motorcycle thus going to a S15 toad). I may sell the Sprinter and just fix up a van for camping. I generally expect cargo vans to be good for 500#/5000# but will ensure whatever my tow vehicle is, is capable. (I've traveled in every class but a 5th wheel for ~60 years.)
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2021
rk, weight...total and tongue...is always important. Never exceed manufacturer’s specs.
rk911
Explorer
Apr 24, 2021
Lwiddis wrote:
Use the trailer. No rolling around in the dirt, mud, gravel, grease etc. disconnecting drive shaft.

given those options...use the trailer but only if you can safely tow the combined weight of the trailer and vehicle. what is the combined weight of the trailer/vehicle? how much can the Class B rated to tow? what is the GCWR of the Class B?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2021
Absolutely, Doug. That’s why I pull a TT with new or fairly new vehicle. Reliability.
DougE
Explorer
Apr 24, 2021
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.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 24, 2021
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.
Y-Guy
Moderator
Apr 24, 2021
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.
corvettekent
Explorer
Apr 24, 2021
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?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2021
Use the trailer. No rolling around in the dirt, mud, gravel, grease etc. disconnecting drive shaft.

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