Do you have to have a toad?

[Stevepkam]

Originally Posted by azloafer

Maybe I am dense, but what does this mean, " rental companies get all upset when you call them to tell 'em where it is" ???

I think they meant rental companies getting upset receiving a call telling them where the rental car was left.

[jmckinley]

Enterprise is OK, but my experience is they don't really deliver to campground. They come there, pick you up, take you to the office where you fill out paperwork, then you drive off in the rental. Usually they want the car returned to the office then they drive you back to CG. All this burns up a lot of time which is significant if you're only renting for a day or two. Beware of leaving it at the CG (if it's allowed) since this leaves you at their mercy re damage inspection.

[Cat320]

You don't NEED a toad...if you never go out just to get out, or buy groceries, or buy a part for your MH, or see the sights, or visit the historical areas around the CG, or tour the local area...or even get away from the D/W for a while.

[Hipshot]

You don't NEED a MH either. But a MH and a toad sure are nice to have.

[kjburns]

Originally Posted by jmckinley

Enterprise is OK, but my experience is they don't really deliver to campground. They come there, pick you up, take you to the office where you fill out paperwork, then you drive off in the rental. Usually they want the car returned to the office then they drive you back to CG. All this burns up a lot of time which is significant if you're only renting for a day or two. Beware of leaving it at the CG (if it's allowed) since this leaves you at their mercy re damage inspection.

This pretty much matches our experience, except the Enterprise office we used was not willing to take us back to the RV. I had to call a friend for the ride back. It was pretty time consuming, which varies widely from my idea of getting out and being a lazy bum on the road .

[danes-on-tour]

There is no way that we would be without a toad, but it is obviously down to your lifestyle and the way you prefer to travel whether or not you have to have one.

We tend to move our MH every 3 or 4 days (which is probably more than most people would like to do) so we do cover a fair distance. Strangely enough we put almost an identical amount of miles on our toad as we do on the MH (and no - the toad odometer is not ticking when it's being towed).

For us there would be no point in owning a MH and just stay there all the time except for the odd trip down to the supermarket.

Also - the golf-ball doesn't just go flying into the rough by itself - someone has got to drive over there and hit it

[Romeo]

If we wont need a car to sight see or go into town, and just need something to get around the campground or run to a near by store, we carry our bicycles. One of my friends uses a large motor scooter that he carries on a rear carrier made just for scooters.

I have seen people using his and hers Vespa style scooters which are smaller. I would think that one would need a small trailer like a golf cart trailer for two scooters, however.

My problem is how to tow the Jeep, the golf cart, and the boat. Motorhoming is so limiting...

[codgerbill]

We have always had a toad. We tend to stay 3-5 days in any particular campground. We (She who must be obeyed-Tour director Supreme) usually pick a destination based on things to do or see (Historical sights, art thingies, festivals, etc) so a toad is an absolute necessity for us . I also like the security of having the toad with regards to a potential breakdown of the motorhome or an emergency situation where someone must get to a hospital quickly at any particular time.

[Route 66]

Put me down as always having a toad for the freedom it offers.

[cutrell01]

Originally Posted by George Z

No toad for 22 years till this month. Purchased 2011 Chevy Equinox and tow equipment to begin the experience.

Interested in knowing what company's baseplate and tow bar you selected for your Equinox? We have been looking at Equinox for a tow toad. Planning to get a Jayco Melbourne 29d C class motorhome. Something smaller than what we have so easier to take care of and travel with.

[George Z]

cutrell01 we purchased a Road Master XL base plate, got car dealer to install as part of sale as front bumper must be removed and replaced. Bought used Stowmaster 5000 towbar and 9400 Brakemaster for minimal from a retiring friend.Very easy to remove tail lights and plenty of room to wire with diodes.

[frankdamp]

Haven't been able to afford a toad in addition to our daily driver (a Kia Sedona). We tend to stay just one or two nights at any given stop, and find we can do many of our sightseeing stops while we're on the way to someplace else.

The cost of converting the Sedona to a four-down toad is expensive (over $3,000) but it's too heavy for most dollies (4,800 lb curb weight) and would also exceed our hitch rating (5000 pounds) if on a dolly.

I guess we can live with things the way they are!

[wa8yxm]

Do you have to have a towed? Well, we don't, just now, Have not for over a year since it died, can't afford a new one yet.. But I'm trying.

So the answer is: NO.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Hipshot

We are more travelers than campers. We setup in a rv park then travel around and see what we can in the area. Returning to the MH in the evening. After we have seen all we want to see we pack up and move down the road about 400 miles set up and do it again. A toad is a must for us.

As full-timers this is our pattern, also. We used to have an occasional-use Class C which we used for multi-week vacations and for long weekends. Not having a toad was acceptable for that kind of lifestyle, but we could never envision long term, full time use without one. We chose a 2009 Malibu because it can be towed 4-down with an automatic and gets ~22-24 mpg.