Community Forums

Rg8043 · 05-24-2022, 09:04 PM

Currently we are traveling in our RV without a toad. Trying to avoid having to tow a vehicle by renting a car when possible. I was wondering if anyone has any insight or experience using an E bike as a possible alternative to towing a vehicle.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Rob

**NLOVNIT** · 05-24-2022, 09:07 PM

I carry an e-bike. I like it for closeby trips. But if it involves sightseeing, me making a trip to Walmart for groceries, or if I have to too far to get to a rails to trails system, then I tow my CRV.

If it's pouring down rain, ya ain't gonna be able to use an e-bike.

**TonyDi** · 05-24-2022, 09:17 PM

ponytl · 05-24-2022, 09:30 PM

last trip I took my honda sh150i it's a step through 150cc scooter with 18" wheels and will cruise at 60mph and it's easy to load on a single rail carrier that goes into the receiver hitch... made several 20-30 mile trips... 2 up... it would be nice with a bigger or effective windshield... IF i absolutely had to make a couple hundred mile trip home on it ... i could so there was some comfort there... we went to dinner on it... to walmart... shopping ect... for the 5 day trip it was nice to have and nice to not deal with the toad... any GY6 based scooter would be my choice over an ebike... jmho

paul65k · 05-24-2022, 09:34 PM

We bring both (eBike and TOAD) when we travel. the ebke is fantastic for short trips around camp, short trips (<5 miles into town), and for exploring in natural settings. But as far as going out to dinner or going to the store for groceries.... it is a stretch

nvs4602 · 05-24-2022, 09:34 PM

I was like you at first and we went 2.5 years without a toad. Renting a car was a pain and expensive. Unhooking the RV every day was a pain. Needed a new car anyway so we bought our jeep had it setup to tow 4 down, and been happy ever since. Takes all of 10min. Or less to hookup or unhook and gave us more room to hall things. I really don't know it's back there and we only have a class c gasser.

hohenwald48 · 05-26-2022, 06:52 AM

An e-bike, 5 bags of groceries and a raging thunderstorm seems like a bad combination to me.

I'll hang on to my Wrangler toad.

**pasdad1** · 05-26-2022, 08:20 AM

We have a SUV toad with folding ebikes stored in the back……best of both worlds!

Flyer15015 · 05-26-2022, 08:33 AM

We always had a toad on a dolly, but since the DW passed last year, and it's just me, I have converted to a bike. Did a trip, in March, down to Florida for "bike week" in Daytona, and rode all over the place. It never rains in Florida, right ?
Made several stops along the way, and doing some exploring on the bike went quite well. Can't use an E-bike, as some of my explorations are 40-50 miles out. and I don't think they have the range to get me back. Gas, I can find anywhere.

Mike in Colorado

Nwcid · 05-26-2022, 10:45 AM

As others have stated it really depends on what you are expecting the E-bike to do as you really can not compare them to a car.

I am sure it also depends on where you are trying to get to.

An E-bike would likely make a good additional option, but it will not replace a car.

We are using an HDT to tow our 5th wheel. We also take our UTV with us. We use our UTV as much as possible, but there are still many times we need to take the truck.

96 Wideglide · 05-26-2022, 10:50 AM

Same ^

I bring my E-bike along, but it's not going to replace my toad.

RV_Lee · 05-26-2022, 11:22 AM

I wouldn't leave my ebike outside a grocery store or shopping center, even chained up its a target. Some mentioned renting a car being expensive, but what about Uber?

AlanTerry · 05-26-2022, 11:49 AM

We take both. Uber & Lyft work in urban and city’s not so much in the countryside or boonies! We have been suck waiting on Uber & Lyft.

twogypsies · 05-26-2022, 11:54 AM

I can't imagine traveling and siteseeing without a Toad. If you're in an urban RV park and don't go out to see the sites then a bike would do. If, like us, you like the countryside areas and exploring up to 100 mi. in all directions then get a toad. We chose a Jeep and it gave us so much enjoyment off pavement and we've met so many life-long friends Jeeping in a group.

Also, if you're broke down on the highway you'd have a car to use.