dinghy or trailer

[kszach]

We are still in the process of deciding on a RV (trailer, motorhome or neither). That being said, I am working out the details in my mind. We are really leaning toward a Class C motorhome though.

I'm thinking about how to bring a vehicle along on our long trips. I have a Ram 1500 and she drives a Mercedes GLK250. My Ram can be flat towed but it does not look like the Mercedes can be. I would rather bring her smaller vehicle with but I am open. I looked at a tow bar setup and was a bit shocked by the price. I could likely buy a trailer for close to the same price and have more versatility. How easy is it to park a trailer when camping? is there usually room somewhere to park it? The dinghy would be easiest in that I would not have to worry about a trailer.

Thoughts on dinghy vs a trailer?

[Butch50]

First off welcome to the forum.

I tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee with our Super C. We have no problem pulling or stopping it. Sure it slows you down when you take off but after the diesel spools up it takes off at a pretty good clip. We have pulled passes with it and I'm passing all the semis except the empty ones and going up most of the passes in 4th gear running right at 50 to 55 MPH.

I would think my Grand would probably weigh a little less than your 1500 but not by that much. Mine is rated at 10,000# towing but the manufacturer just changed out the hitch and the new ones are rated at 20,000#. They did not change anything on the chassis. I could get the new hitch and bolt it onto mine and have 20,000# also but I haveno intention of ever and I mean ever towing that much weight. The heaviest I'll be towing is the Jeep.

I don't know which Super you are looking at but there are different sizes. Mine is built on an International truck chassis with air brakes and a 25,999 GVWR. It has the Allison 3000 trans with a Cummins engine and 22,5 tires.

I also have a flat bed trailer that I could tow behind but I don't want the hassle of trying to find some place to stow it in the campground.I'm 37' long without the toad and there are some places that I haven't been able to go to so having a trailer would just compound the problem.

Good Luck on whatever you decide to do.

[Jayco-noslide]

When considering what you can or can't tow remember that it's not just about the tow bar, suspension, etc. but just as important is what the weight does to your ability to accelerate, pull up grades and stop. Even with my 2700 lb. Sonic, the difference between towing it and nothing is striking. With nothing the big ole Class C feels like a sports car. Don't let anyone tell you "oh, I don't even know it's back there".

[Heisenberg]

The baseplate and towbar are well worth the money. It opens many more places to do your camping. A trailer or tow dolly are things you will not have to deal with as far as space and time go not to mention registration.

[lanerd]

Did you not see the OP's post that he is talking about a Super C?

Ron

[j-d]

I agree that a full-sized pickup or SUV, even a "half ton" is too much for a gas-fueled Class C. Probably similar Class A, too. The diesel Class A's, whether pusher or FRED (FRont Engine Diesel) or Super C diesel, OK.

Our 31-ft C, signature, runs nearly 14000-pounds on the CAT Scales during a trip. Our midsize truck toad (base model Frontier) scales right at 4000. Yes, it tows it and Yes it stops it (Brake Buddy!). But I was able to equip my wife' Corolla with used parts for around $250 and shed about 1500. Of course it tows it and stops it, but it's just Better. For a gasser, my suggestion would be to try and keep the loaded toad under about 3500.

[lanerd]

No problem with the Super C.

Look into the ReadyBrute Elite tow bar system (~$1000). Comes with built in surge brakes so no need to purchase a toad supplemental brake system. You will need a base plate (~$350) and a light hookup (~$100).

Ron

[kszach]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I should have specified but we are leaning toward a diesel powered Super C. I assume one of these would handle my Ram 1500? I guess I will have to look more at the specs. The Mercedes is much smaller but cannot be flat towed, from what I've seen.

[mowermech]

Many (if not most) Class C RVs are limited to 3500 lbs. towing weight. However, you CAN replace the hitch and reinforce the frame rails to raise that to 5000 lbs.
Been there, did that, towed a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with a 1995 Tioga Class C. It worked. Nothing bent, nothing broke. I don't know the weight of the Jeep.
I towed a Dodge Ram 1500 behind our current coach, 5000 lbs. towing capacity. I don't know what the truck weighed.
My current truck weighs just over 7000 lbs. I have not attempted to tow it.
I have towed four down, on a dolly, and on a trailer. We towed the PT Cruiser from Montana to Georgia and back on a dolly. We stayed mostly in KOA campgrounds, and had no problems at all.
Some campgrounds have trailer parking, some don't. One should always ask about such things when you call them.
Good luck.

[Jayco-noslide]

I have a 30 ft. Class C and tow a 2012 Chevy Sonic 4 wheels down. My son has a larger Class A and tows a Ford Escape on a dolly. We both agree that the tow bar/flat towing is better but both have their stressful aspects. My Blue Ox tow bar cost $1000 but its pretty easy and can just stay on the motor home with a cover when not in use. Never have to worry about where to store in in the campground or at home. Biggest problem is that you can not back up with either arrangement. Maybe a few inches with the dolly and none with the tow bar. Towing is a necessary hassle. Personally, I would stick with very small, light weight dinghys. The weight difference between my Chevy and a truck would be around 2000 lbs. My MH isn't rated to tow anything near that heavy and the little Chevy is enough of a load when it comes to accelerating and stopping.

[klutchdust]

Just returned from a trip through Utah with our C and Jeep toad. A trailer would have been tough to bring as the campgrounds we stayed in had little room for extra equipment. During our visit to the petrified forest we parked the MH in the visitors center and used the toad for our visit. I have driven most anything that has a steering wheel and backing up a short trailer with my coach is a pain. If your experience in backing trailers is limited using your coach will just compound that job. Even with the camera it is difficult to see and I have backed 40 ft. trailers in circles at job sites. The initial cost to get a toad ready is worth it. i haven't had an issue with pulling in and not being able to back up because I scope out fuel and rest stops before I pull in, if it looks sketchy I just move on. Towing hook ups cost money, so does a trailer. I saw a huge class A towing a new Suburban and the man was using HF stick on lights with the cord dangling, why he went cheap at the end IDK.

[petrel]

As mentioned previously, first resolve the weight issue. Afterwards, if both towing methods are still in contention, you have to spend some time determining how you plan to use your new setup.

Personally, I prefer a trailer. I can take any vehicle we own, strap other stuff on the trailer, and most importantly, back up if I get into a jam. However, there isn't always a convenient place to put your trailer. If your plans are definite, you can plan ahead for trailer accommodations. If you are just touring and staying wherever convenient, the trailer can sometimes be an inconvenience.

Fortunately, over the years we've had the good fortune to acquire both a trailer and a flat towing setup. If I had to pick just one, it would be the flat towing setup. It is easier, quicker to deploy, and eliminates another piece of equipment to maintain and insure.

[Healeyman]

Be sure to look oncraigslist & Ebay for a used tow bar.

I bought a Roadmaster Falcon 2 for $100 and had it shipped to me for $40.

Last year, I bought a brand new, in the box, Roadmaster Falcon 2 for $100 locally.

This last summer, I bought a nearly new Roadmaster Sterling tow bar for $50 at a neighborhood garage sale.

You don't always have to buy new at list price.

Look around and keep your eyes open.

Tim

[rk911]

kszach wrote:
We are still in the process of deciding on a RV (trailer, motorhome or neither). That being said, I am working out the details in my mind. We are really leaning toward a Class C motorhome though.

I'm thinking about how to bring a vehicle along on our long trips. I have a Ram 1500 and she drives a Mercedes GLK250. My Ram can be flat towed but it does not look like the Mercedes can be. I would rather bring her smaller vehicle with but I am open. I looked at a tow bar setup and was a bit shocked by the price. I could likely buy a trailer for close to the same price and have more versatility. How easy is it to park a trailer when camping? is there usually room somewhere to park it? The dinghy would be easiest in that I would not have to worry about a trailer.

Thoughts on dinghy vs a trailer?

one word...weight. your trailer will add a lot of weight for the RV to tow. this is important because the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- the gross combination weight rating of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded and configured for travel

- the weight rating of your hitch

- the weight rating of your tow bar

don't buy anything until you know how much weight you can safely tow behind whichever MH you want.