Hi All,I'm a new member and didn't see an introduction section. If one exists, my apologies for being rude and not using it.My wife and I are starting to think about retirement (we're later 50's) and how we plan to spend those years. Some years ago we had a 24 ft. Sunnybrook 5th wheel and Ford Powerstroke tow vehicle. We sold out and bought motorcycles which we toured on for the next 6 years. Having sold the last of the bikes this year, we think we're going to get back into camping and finish exploring this great country of ours.I've read a lot of threads here researching motor homes. We think we want to do extended (as in - all winter, we live in WI) road trip camping vs. planting in one place. I've read threads where people prefer class B or small class C rigs for this and it makes sense to me. I can get into small parks, etc.The problem for me is that I really don't think I want to pull a car nor do I like the idea of pulling up camp to make road trips when staying in an area for a few weeks or a month while exploring. Plus I think extended camping in a true class B would be somewhat cramped.Today, something popped into my head and having not ran across it on the forum yet, I thought I'd ask the members if this is just silly or perhaps some of you do it.I like folding popup campers, particularly Chalet brand. It occurred to me that rather than towing a car, I could tow one of those so while parked in a campground, we could stay in the popup giving us more room to live while leaving the 'B' available for every day use. When on the road, we just stay in the rig without having to set the popup.Any thoughts? Thanks.

Go for it. Just make sure what ever B you get has ample tow rating to pull the pop up when the B is loaded. I have a support trailer to tow behind my B when I go to the races. When pulling it, I take the spare wheel off the back of the B and store it in the trailer. Otherwise, I can't turn left as the tire hits the jack. In my support trailer, I carry extra fuel, a generator, and am in the process of wiring the insde for 110 volts and when I find one, I plan to put a small motorcycle or scooter in there too. My B has a 5000 tow capacity and the trailer will be 3000 or less loaded. This will be at the races and such. When I travel, I stop at places with hookups. It takes 5 minutes to break camp and leave, and that counts putting my shoes on.

We researched almost every possibility you could think of as far as RV's go. First off I/we hate to tow anything, but that's just us. Storing/parking when not in use was a biggie. Our HOA frowns on RV's in the driveway, our Sportsmobile with the penthouse top is acceptable, and to store in a commercial offsite lot is expensive an inconvenient for us. We don't live out of it for more than two or three weeks at a time and even when we do it's during pleasant weather. No winter, etc. Drive for sunshine/warmth! Our B is also our second vehicle. Ultimately you need to decide what's your style of camping, what you want to see and when, and how much do you want to spend to accomplish this and lastly in what style.Good luck. (ol'grouch, love your tag line about meeting Jesus!!!)

We tow a hybrid travel trailer with an SUV. Allows us to sleep under tent ends, which we really like, lots of conveniences of regular travel trailer (bathroom, shower, larger fridge, slideout, much more storage,etc).We park TT and take SUV everywhere. Seating for 5, AWD, room for gear, and not bad on mpg.Setup time/effort on HTT is better than our PUP (which we still have).A little different, but another option that seems to be in line with your goals.

dirtydan57 wrote:Hi All,I like folding popup campers, particularly Chalet brand. It occurred to me that rather than towing a car, I could tow one of those so while parked in a campground, we could stay in the popup giving us more room to live while leaving the 'B' available for every day use. When on the road, we just stay in the rig without having to set the popup.Any thoughts? Thanks.Hadn't thought of doing this but what a great idea! We have friends who pull a pop up with their motorcycles like this one http://www.trailmasterinc.com/

It probably varies by how strict that they are about it, but I think at least some campgrounds have a rule that says 'one camping unit to a site'. You might want to research this some.Jim, "Darn. My car's not enough for Medicare."

Tow Foldable with Class B | Good Sam Community

mlts22
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
New "B" Sprinters can pull 5000-6500 pounds. The ProMasters, 3500 pounds. No clue on the Fords. The older vans, easily more than that.

As an alternative to a small TT, one can always have a custom enclosed cargo trailer made. The back would drop down, but have a RV style side door (so it can be opened from the inside.) Then, toss a 12 volt battery, ceiling fan and a side window, and it would be usable for more sleeping space. I've even seen fold-out bunk/shelves. Of course, this won't have the amenities of a travel trailer, but it does get one out of the elements and off the ground.
McIntraveler
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
1775 wrote:
Why not just tow a small car behind the B? Many do.

I have a lot to learn. Frankly, I thought B campers didn't have the capacity for car towing. Thanks for the suggestion.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
garmp1 wrote:
Perhaps this could be an alternative for you. If not it is interesting just the same.

http://www.conqueroraustralia.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=7&Itemid=13

Here's a better link for the UEV-440. (http://uev.com.au/440-2) Not bad for a starting price of $49,990!

If you saw my Folding Trailer posts quite an industry in Campertrailers here. Over 100 manufacturers, all types including many Off Road.
Conquer is South African, but I think it has been bought by an Australian Company
Here are some of those manufacturers
Australian Campertrailer manufacturers
garmp
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2014
Perhaps this could be an alternative for you. If not it is interesting just the same.

http://www.conqueroraustralia.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=7&Itemid=13

Here's a better link for the UEV-440. (http://uev.com.au/440-2) Not bad for a starting price of $49,990!
TinyoneRV
Explorer
Jul 09, 2014
I agree with "B"usy; the B is easy to move when you're ready to go. Many times I forgo connecting the water and sometimes the electric even when available. DW takes care of getting the inside ready (except the coffee pot; for some reason that's been my job on the road and at home for nearly 50 years) while I disconnect and store what's been connected. We can be out in ten minutes if we want. However, my mantra is to take it easy. I hurried for many years while working and try hard now to take it slowly. Now we're lucky to be out and underway by check-out time. I think the beauty of RV travel is you don't have to hurry or keep a schedule.
1775
Explorer
Jul 09, 2014
Why not just tow a small car behind the B? Many do.
Handbasket
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
There's also the issue of parking. If you want to stop at mid-day for a meal, or to briefly visit some roadside attraction, or overnighting in a rest area or parking lot, having a trailer can impose some restrictions on you. A B or short C (like mine) can park in the car spaces. With a trailer, you may be 'segregated' to a less-spacious lot. There are added complications to backing up when needed.

Personally, I also subscribe to the 'keep it simple and neat' crowd. I'm rarely in a CG, but only take out what I'm going to immediately use. When done, I put it away. Since I don't have the weight or storage capacity for a lot of stuff, it's never much. Only the power cord remains when I go to bed.

Jim, "There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."
drsolo
Nomad
Jul 08, 2014
"B"usy wrote:
By keeping the interior "travel-ready", we can pull away in a matter of minutes and set up when we return with equal speed. ...I think it's also nice to have everything with you on day trips (bathroom, food, etc.)

Oh yes. It is important to keep everything tight and tidy anyway since there is less room. Altho I am trying to slow down and not always be in a rush (practicing this since retirement) I cant help but challenge myself to "how fast". Having a place to rest, food to eat and bathroom has been fantastic.
_B_usy
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
I don't see anything wrong with your plan. If it works for you, that's all that matters and I think it is do-able.

I do think you might be underestimating how easy it can be to leave the campsite in a B and return after exploring for the day. We have learned to keep in mind as we go about camping in our B, that we may be taking off anytime. This way you keep things put away and minimize the time needed to "unplug and go". We typically have only two chairs , a small table and maybe a grill to put away outside. We only plug into electricity daily, not water and sewer. By keeping the interior "travel-ready", we can pull away in a matter of minutes and set up when we return with equal speed.

Your style may be different, so this may not work for you. But you could give it try with a B only, and add the trailer later if needed. Of course you would want to purchase a B with the proper towing capacity up front.

I think it's also nice to have everything with you on day trips (bathroom, food, etc.), so the SUV and trailer idea doesn't fit my idea of the perfect rig for us.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
applegater wrote:
Actually we have seen quite a few B's towing folding trailers, teardrop, and travel trailers. Since many B's such as Roadtrek and Airstream have comfortable seating for four or more but really only sleep two suspect the trailers are for additional adults, kids, or grandkids.

Same here, this is a Ducato towing a boat/or car

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