Towing an enclosed trailer

OP, not sure from your post are you FT or half time??? Sorry, but most of the CGs I stay at do not have a area for parking a trailer. If you are staying someplace 3-4 months at a time I'm sure you can find a CG with storage BUT all that stuff in it could be 1/4 mile away as most sites do not have room for 70+' of vehicles. I agree that being able to back up is a big plus as it takes out a lot of worry about going into tight places. Because of the large amount of rear overhang backing a trailer is very easy as long as you have room for the front to swing wide. Click on "How I tow" below.

willald wrote:
..One HUGE advantage to using a trailer to carry your car (enclosed or not) that you didn't mention:

Two words: BACKING UP. You will be able to back up the MH and trailer if you get in a tight spot somewhere.

When flat towing with a tow bar, backing up is very difficult or impossible. 'Tis the one bad thing about flat towing a vehicle with a tow bar.

I've thought several times about going to a trailer and doing away with the whole tow bar and flat towing thing. Never have done it, though, and probably never will 'cause I just can't get past the logistical nightmare it creates for hitching up, unhitching, storing the trailer at campground, etc. Not to mention the upkeep, extra expense of having to license, insure, and maintain yet one more set of wheels (trailer). Nope, 4 down is much easier and simpler for us.

Agree 100% with previous points - If you do go the trailer route, you'll make it much easier on yourself if the vehicle you carry in the trailer is capable of towing, moving the trailer around if need be. Definitely got to check on total length and apropriate laws on such, too, like already mentioned.

The logistical nightmare is the part I was wondering about. Insurance and registration is probably nominal, but hooking up, unhooking, loading the car, parking it at various campgrounds, that is what is eating at me. Very good idea about the toad being able to move the trailer around. Total length for Maryland seems to be 55', so with a 22' trailer (pin to bumper) I will be just under that.

..One HUGE advantage to using a trailer to carry your car (enclosed or not) that you didn't mention:

Two words: BACKING UP. You will be able to back up the MH and trailer if you get in a tight spot somewhere.

When flat towing with a tow bar, backing up is very difficult or impossible. 'Tis the one bad thing about flat towing a vehicle with a tow bar.

I've thought several times about going to a trailer and doing away with the whole tow bar and flat towing thing. Never have done it, though, and probably never will 'cause I just can't get past the logistical nightmare it creates for hitching up, unhitching, storing the trailer at campground, etc. Not to mention the upkeep, extra expense of having to license, insure, and maintain yet one more set of wheels (trailer). Nope, 4 down is much easier and simpler for us.

Agree 100% with previous points - If you do go the trailer route, you'll make it much easier on yourself if the vehicle you carry in the trailer is capable of towing, moving the trailer around if need be. Definitely got to check on total length and apropriate laws on such, too, like already mentioned.

You will need to watch your overall length so as to fall into legal requirements.
Think about how you are going to move the trailer. Toad in trailer may not be able to move it.
Campgrounds may have restricted turning areas to get to storage area if available.

DutchmenSport wrote:
I see Class A and CLASS C's towing enclosed trailers all the time. If I were in this situation, I'd want nothing else but an enclosed trailer for my car. Like you indicated, it provides much more storage space than just the car. You've got my vote for the enclosed trailer! Better for the car, wheels will not be rolling, no wear on joints, tires, suspension (except for minor bouncing in the trailer), wheel bearing, and BUGS! However, you do have 3 "vehicles" you'll need to register and title: CLASS C, car, and enclosed trailer (something to think about).

One thing you should check out before you purchase the trailer is the over all length of your complete "rig". Assuming you are not going with one of those multi-million dollar Class-C's that are as long as a train, you do need to be sure you're overall length (Class-C and attached trailer) does not exceed the length limitations of the state you register the vehicles in. That's the only "catch" with a trailer. Other than that, I think you're right on target with your plans!

No multi-million's here! Trying to keep everything under 100k. 32' coach, not sure about trailer. Buick is ~17', so maybe a 22' trailer.

I see Class A and CLASS C's towing enclosed trailers all the time. If I were in this situation, I'd want nothing else but an enclosed trailer for my car. Like you indicated, it provides much more storage space than just the car. You've got my vote for the enclosed trailer! Better for the car, wheels will not be rolling, no wear on joints, tires, suspension (except for minor bouncing in the trailer), wheel bearing, and BUGS! However, you do have 3 "vehicles" you'll need to register and title: CLASS C, car, and enclosed trailer (something to think about).

One thing you should check out before you purchase the trailer is the over all length of your complete "rig". Assuming you are not going with one of those multi-million dollar Class-C's that are as long as a train, you do need to be sure you're overall length (Class-C and attached trailer) does not exceed the length limitations of the state you register the vehicles in. That's the only "catch" with a trailer. Other than that, I think you're right on target with your plans!

FYI, every campground I've ever been to, has a spot to park second vehicles or utility trailers. Unload at your camping spot and move the trailer to the designated parking location, if your campsite does not have enough room.

On, one more thought: get a car with a hitch that matches your utility trailer and then you can move the utility trailer much easier without having to disrupt your campsite first to go fetch the trailer!

A former co-worker (we are both retired) travels with an SmartCar in an enclosed car trailer. The enclosed also allows him to haul a wide variety of "things" (ie a mini-shop).
They also have a roll-down screen for the door, giving them an covered, bug-proof, patio.