Community Forums

Whitneyaa · 05-30-2015, 08:51 AM

What is the best way to travel in a 40 foot RV when you want to sightsee for instance if we wanted to go skiing where would we park at do you rent a car or do you always need to pull a car? Do you want to make sure that you avoid downtown areas for sightseeing like Washington DC?

xydial · 05-30-2015, 08:55 AM

We always tow a car. Can't get a 40 footer into some of the areas we wish to visit. Typically we find a park near our destination and use the car to tour the area surrounding our destination.

Good Luck

MSHappyCampers · 05-30-2015, 08:57 AM

If you are going to stay in one location the entire time, then the rental might be the way to go. If you will be stopping for a day or two, sightseeing along the way, then towing a car is best! JMHO

Gordon Dewald · 05-30-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitneyaa

What is the best way to travel in a 40 foot RV when you want to sightsee for instance if we wanted to go skiing where would we park at do you rent a car or do you always need to pull a car? What is the best way to travel in a 40 foot RV when you want to sightsee for instance if we wanted to go skiing where would we park at do you rent a car or do you always need to pull a car? Do you want to make sure that you avoid downtown areas for sightseeing like Washington DC?

You are asking a lot of questions and the answers are "it depends".

Skiing - some ski areas have RV sites that are easy to get to, others do not allow overnight parking. Some ski areas have the base area at low levels with good roads to them, others are narrow, winding and steep and require chains or snow tires depending upon road conditions. Jackson Hole, Snow Basin and Sun Valley have parking at the base of the hill, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Powder Mountain, Solitude I would not take a MH to but park in the valley.

Sight seeing - sort of the same answers as for skiing. There are many possible scenarios as some tourist attractions are prepared for large units, others are not. Some have good access roads, others not so much.

Generally speaking it is better to have a car with you and then use it as appropriate. If you can drive the MH to the ski area or attraction I would do it. If there are obstacles to driving to the location find a campsite, set up and commute with your car to the location.

Pulling or renting a car depends upon how frequently you will be needing one. Having your own will make it less stressful than trying to rent. First you have to get to a rental location, second you have to be able to rent an appropriate vehicle. Salt Lake City for example can run out of properly equipped cars to travel to the ski areas if it is snowing.

Sit down and figure out where you will be traveling, what you will be doing and plan accordingly. Most ski areas and attractions will tell you if they are big rig friendly.

IMO a tow vehicle is preferred and is what we do.

Cat320 · 05-30-2015, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xydial

...We always tow a car...

Good Luck

Same here.

VP Chianese · 05-30-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

Same here.

Agree. I don't see how you can go anywhere with out a car. How do you shop for food, go out to dinner, go to Lowes.....?

denlock · 05-30-2015, 10:06 AM

I can't think of anytime we haven't taken a car.

R2Home · 05-30-2015, 10:56 AM

After renting vehicles when we were going to be in one place for several days, we finally set up a TOAD. Now we go no place that we do not take the TOAD with us. We chose to use an older (1994 Dodge Durango) as our TOAD. While it might not be as nice as a lot of the TOADS we see, it dose us just fine. Besides if it gets damaged in any way, it is no big deal.

Ray,IN · 05-30-2015, 02:04 PM

You do NOT want to drive an RV into Washington D.C. or NYC! Sure city buses drive downtown, but they do not park or stop anywhere that is not designated space for them.
For both cities, stay at a private RV park outside the city and take a commuter train into the city.

trabuco · 05-30-2015, 02:10 PM

We always tow, you never can tell when your plans might change at the last minute.

twogypsies · 05-30-2015, 02:48 PM

Taking your own car is the only way to go. This is true of smaller RVs, too - like 28' +. Finding parking spaces for bigger RVs is always an issue. It's just so much more convenient to have your own vehicle. You can travel some backroads for siteseeing, you'd have an extra vehicle for emergencies or breakdowns. If you like big cities you can get around much faster for seeing things.