6 Months RV Trip - Trailer tow van behind RV or buy Dinghy?

Hi, I am new to RV'ing and I'm planning a 6 month motorhome trip with my family and kids around the USA in 2017. We have not yet brought the motorhome but will likely get a 38-40 foot diesel pusher.

I currently own two household vehicles that we like a lot (Ford Raptor, and Toyota Sienna AWD). We are not planning on replacing either vehicle anytime soon. However I understand that it is really important to have a Dinghy vehicle to be able to sight-see a lot of the outings during the day.

My problem is that neither the Ford Raptor nor the Toyota Sienna AWD can be flat towed (with ANY wheels down) due to all-wheel-drive transmission. Dolly is not an option as it still leaves two wheels on the ground which will damage transmission. So, here are my two alternatives:

(1) Buy a new vehicle especially for the trip and outfit it it with tow-kit and brake-kit. Then sell the vehicle when we get back. However I need at least a 7-seater.

(2) Get a tilt-trailer and tow the existing Toyota Sienna on a trailer. (I think this is my preferred option as I get to keep the same vehicle we like and avoid buying an extra headache to resell).

I understand that there are disadvantages and advantages of towing with a trailer behind the RV. This is as I understand the pros and cons of towing a car on a trailer behind the RV:

Car Trailer Pros:
(a) No need to buy a new vehicle.
(b) No need to modify car with tow bars, remote brakes, and brakes lights (Trailer does all of the braking, lights etc.)
(c) Possible to reverse with the trailer behind the RV and turn, whereas a towed car cannot be reversed without damage to front-end of car without first completely unhitching and removing the car first.
(d) No wear and tear on car when not being used as it is resting on trailer.

Car Trailer Cons:
(a) Extra effort to drive / ramp / park car on trailer and strap-down, as well as untie and back off.
(b) Possible that trailer may get into awkward position and be hard to get car off/on.
(c) Uses extra space for the trailer at the camping site. (How big a problem is this???).
(d) Obviously need to buy and register/insure the extra trailer. (Not a huge cost).

My very strong preference (From a conceptual perspective as I have NO experience) would be to purchase a car trailer and keep my existing car and just trailer it around, take it off the trailer when we need it and otherwise just tow it on the trailer.

My question is this: Is towing the car/van behind the RV a reasonable plan, or are there things I am just not appreciating that will make this a very bad idea? I'm hoping it is a good idea to tow the existing car on a trailer (considering the pro's and con's above) but I'm seeking expert advise of seasoned RV'ers since I'm a newbie. 6 months with the wrong decision is a long time (and distance).

Thank you for your considered response...

grayner01
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016
Hi BrainDead0, Great information about the procedures to flat-tow 4 wheels down on the Raptor. The Ford dealer and service department told me this was not possible. However the Ford supplemental you sent me clearly shows how to do it. I would not have known or found this as I gave up on the Raptor after talking with the Ford Dealer. This gives a GREAT option to tow the Raptor. Hopefully it won't make the odometer on the Raptor increment. However there is NO WAY to flat-tow the Toyota Sienna AWD without burning out the transmission and transfer case - so if we were to take the Sienna it could only be on a trailer.

Just to clear up an inconsistency in my original request, we are a family of 5 traveling, but we will have relatives join us for several weeks out of the 6 month, which accounts for the other two people totaling 7 at times. Perhaps we don't try to accommodate the 2 relatives in the same car as us on outings and just have them rent a car while they tag along with us.

So, it looks like Flat-Towing the Raptor (with Roush Super-Charger) is the way to go using the Ford Supplemental Procedures. Looks like I lucked out with the Raptor being capable, and also getting the helpful guidance.

Thank you Roy&Lynne for the suggesting on towing a travel trailer behind the Raptor. We've tried that and it wasn't a lot of fun - 29 foot Featherlike on the hitch with weight distribution hitch. At least one kid had to stop and pee every 60-90 minutes. Could not get to the toilet without opening a slide first. The Rig dolphined a lot and swayed some too. The Roush Super-Charger had enough power but boy was it thirsty - 7-8MPG at 60-70MPH. Kids fighting in back seat side by side. Chevy Chase would be proud!

Thank you all so much for the very helpful advice and perspective!!! I hopefully will see one or more of you on the road next year.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 18, 2016
Roy&Lynne wrote:
Since you have so many folks, what about buying a trailer and putting a tow package on the ford? Just a suggestion

7 people in a truck with 6 seat belts, maybe 5 for 6 months on the road would be tough duty.
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
Since you have so many folks, what about buying a trailer and putting a tow package on the ford? Just a suggestion
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 17, 2016
CWDoc115 wrote:
Something not mentioned would be to rent a car carrier from a company like U-Haul. They do have long term rental agreements, & it might prove less expensive then buying the carrier.

I've tried/done this in the past and Uhaul in my experience doesn't allow vehicles that big on their trailers. I've fibbed about it and got one, but the raptor is likely to wide of a wheelbase and too large of tires to work out well on the little uhaulers unfortunately.
With that heavy of a vehicle, one needs the length to adjust the position of the vehicle on the trailer to get the right tongue weight as well.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 17, 2016
He said the Raptor can't be towed 4 down, so presume that. New raptors have a awd/4wd t case that I'm not familiar with, but likely the reason it can't be flat towed.
Springing for a 40' pusher, will be able to tow.
Personally I'd opt for the raptor so you can really explore. 6 months on the road and you own a raptor, you're going to hate yourself when you get to the multitudes of locations with off road opportunities if you don't bring it!
Idk how you fit 7 comfortably in a cc pickup, but I'm not the seat belt cops.
Towing a toad on a trailer isn't going to be appreciably harder than flat towing. IMO that's the best option. Buy a used trailer, you have time to shop for a deal. With the raptor you have more options, doesn't need to be a tilt deck since you have the baddest stock 1/2 ton made!
Plus you could be out zero $ for the trailer. Sell it after the trip. And if you get into a tight area, like you said, you can unhook and the truck can take the trailer wherever you need. AND you could have room for extra "stuff" or toys in the truck bed or on the trailer.
CWDoc115
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
Something not mentioned would be to rent a car carrier from a company like U-Haul. They do have long term rental agreements, & it might prove less expensive then buying the carrier.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2016
If the Raptor cannot be towed 4 down, put manually locking hubs on the Raptor and tow if backwards on a dolly with brakes. Yes you can tow it backwards on a dolly. No it's not going to hurt the front end of the tires of the Raptor. Lock the steering wheel with the seat belt. Click on "How I tow below" which I have done for over 100K miles using manually locking hubs.

A trailer and a vehicle will be 7000+ lbs so check the hitch rating of any MH you are interested in.
braindead0
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
A 2014 raptor can be towed 4 down, at least according to this ford supplement
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2016
Renting a car every few days would be an absolute pain for us. It would take a lot of extra time getting it and returning it and advance planning to make sure they have one in the size you need.

I would go with the trailer and your own car but realize that you will need to stay mostly in private RV parks, not public campgrounds. The best campsite would be a long pull-through. I think your plan is very doable. Good luck!
richfaraone
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016
I have done all three, flat towed, trailered, rented. I found out that Enterprise is my friend and made a big difference in quite a few things, including quality of trip. These are the reasons I choose to rent a car:
1) I increased my mpg without towing.
2) Less wear and tear on the RV.
3) Easy set up, no need to go through all the hooking and unhooking.
4) Access to more parks with limited space sizes, though most do have somewhere to park a dolly or trailer.
5) Able to travel more back, curvy and mountain roads.
6) Easier parking at stores in-route.
7) Less dangerous, especially in the winter (I'm a 39 year truck driver).
9) They pick you up!

The only down side to renting for ME is limited boondocking. But then again, I'm usually only doing that in the desert west, and I have a motorcycle on my hitch.

You can find Enterprise almost everywhere there is a populated area, and there are member rewards. It doesn't work for everyone, but I love it, and the cost is offset by the costs of a toad...

-Rich

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6 Months RV Trip - Trailer tow van behind RV or buy Dinghy?

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