Community Forums

jmoffat · 07-01-2013, 03:01 PM

just bought a 40ft DP and don't want to tow unless I have too Is it practical to just rent a car when you need one assuming you are not out in the boondocks

Jim

Moonrover · 07-01-2013, 03:09 PM

We encounter very few full-timers who rent cars at their destination parks. However there was a fellow we met at a casino who always rents, but his destinations are always in populated locations where rental agencies abound. Best way to know if it feels right for you is to head out for a few weeks sans towed car. Towing a car is not as restrictive as it seems once you learn to tailor your driving method to the little fellow tagging along.

SarahW · 07-01-2013, 04:08 PM

Jim, after you have a few trips under your belt you may decide that a toad is not such a bad idea. We thought we were the "no toad" types, but once settled in the campground with everything hooked up--then discover that you're out of milk (or beer...gasp!) is a bummer.

We only lasted about 6 months on the No Toad team before we decided to get on board and drag the Jeep.

CampDaven · 07-01-2013, 04:14 PM

As you get out and about, ask those that toad and see the various set ups. Worth a look?

Lot of reasons to toad. The biggest for me is never being stranded if your rig stops working.

Happy trails

RickO · 07-01-2013, 04:18 PM

Personally I can't imagine being without a toad but it really depends on how you plan to travel. If you're only going to be taking a couple of trips per year and there going to be to destination areas, then renting might make sense.

Wait. Nope. Just changed my mind. I couldn't see being without the toad even in those circumstances.

Rick

greystroke · 07-01-2013, 04:33 PM

I vote for the toad. I can't imagine not having one. You might not always be able to get a rental and some of the parks are out far from town.

brucemcdou · 07-01-2013, 04:50 PM

If you have a car or truck for every day life anyway, why not spend the extra $2 - 3,000 to get a tow bar and brake package set up? That way you have the option to take a familiar vehicle with you if you want - but nothing forces you to.

As others say, it depends on how you'll use that 40 footer. If you only go to spots where you're just going to sit and not going to drive (football game tailgates, NASCAR races, urban areas, your son or daughter's driveway

) then agreed you don't need a toad.

For us, we are usually heading somewhere far from civilization. If we're going for just a weekend we'd just as soon not take the toad so set-up and breakdown is faster. But if we're going for an extended trip or if we know we want to go explore we've got our car and we wouldn't have the option to rent one.

All depends on how you'll use it. Also depends on how long you think you'll own it; how long you think you'll keep your car/truck and whether your current car/truck is flat-towable or if you need to buy a new one just to tow.

Rich and Cork · 07-01-2013, 05:38 PM

Can't imagine not having one of my vehicles behind the motorhome.

PushedAround · 07-01-2013, 05:55 PM

We took our first long trip down to Key West & rented a car once we got to the park because I couldn't get setup in time. It worked out ok, but we had tremendous toad envy on the trip, plus I really like having my own car with me. Now it's always behind us. I think that we actually get better mileage too because of the improved aero.

Libero · 07-01-2013, 06:01 PM

When I had DP's, I always took my toad. I now have a B+ and have 2 toads, but often do not take a toad when we are just travelling and not really staying any place for more than one night or for short day trips. We can get our 25' in most places so it really depends on the what we are doing in our case.

Mr_D · 07-01-2013, 06:13 PM

We've never really not considered going towedless except when we had a Type B MH. Parents towed a little Honda behind their Foretravel so it wasn't a foreign thing to me.

vsheetz · 07-01-2013, 07:28 PM

We are virtually never toad-less. Want to go where we want when want.

Arch Hoagland · 07-01-2013, 07:34 PM

No, it is not practical.

We tried it once and never got the car from Enterprise.

So much for that.

njs42 · 07-01-2013, 07:51 PM

When you travel to someplace and stop for a long time renting could be managed fairly easily. But you have to get where you are going.

I can think of a medical emergency that occurred to my wife when traveling and we needed a car, now! AS soon as we arrived I unhooked and left the rig set while we drove to the nearest clinic. I can always set up the rig any time but I can't rent a car anytime.

Other than emergencies en route there maybe something you would like to see or do. If you have a Toad you can.