1rickw
redwood City, CA USA
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Joined: 12/01/2003
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We had our 26 foot C for 9 years before we finally broke down and got a tow car. We did a 3300 mile trip from SF to the top of Washington state before we did. We rented a car while in Portland for a month, but other than that we pretty much stayed around the campground. I must say, we missed a lot of sights because we didn't have access to a car.
2004 Jamboree 26Q + great wife to travel with 
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Coalminer UG
Nakusp BC
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Joined: 09/21/2008
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I guess this subject could be discussed forever.Each to their own type of camping/travelling/rving.
Ches
Served In Canadian Army 1PPCLI
Retired Underground Coal Miner (Gen Foreman)
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crawford
Dandridge Tenn.
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Joined: 03/22/2006
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I don't believe there is a answer everyone has a different Idea ,you need to try it both ways and make up your own mind.
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snowdance
Yreka, Ca
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Joined: 12/09/2010
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Coalminer UG wrote:I guess this subject could be discussed forever.Each to their own type of camping/travelling/rving.
I agree. I have driven trucks from the time I was 16. All kinds and sizes.. My small motorhome to me is pickup size. Also drive a 4 door 8 foot bed dully.. I like to park the motorhome in town more than the pickup. I can however use my rear view mirror on the motorhome plus the side mirrors and truck has a rack blocking rear view mirror. So can see far more for parking the motorhome.. As far as towing. Sure but never found a need to..
Snowdance
We spent most of our money traveling... Just wasted the rest..
Chevy 7.4 Vortex
2000 Jamboree 23b Rear Kitchen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snowdance38
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kiwidancer
Texas
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Joined: 02/26/2011
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Something else to think about: Will you be stopping at different sites along the way on your trip, or do you plan to park in a campground and tour around for a couple of days? If you are going from one camping spot to the next, it would be much easier in many cases to stop at restaurants, etc. while traveling through towns than to go to your overnight spot, unload your toad and go all the way back. You will be much longer with a toad and may have a bit more trouble finding/negotiating parking at attractions such as botanical gardens or museums.
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Cloud 9
Guilford, Vt
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Joined: 07/15/2007
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We previously owned a 20 foot class C, did not have a tow, and saw no need for one. As mentioned previously, parking was generally not a problem. "Breaking camp" was not that big a deal.
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gotsmart
Aberdeen, WA
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Joined: 02/20/2012
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Matt_Colie wrote:Lisa,
You have a very good and valid question.
We have asked the same (never here) and done many different things over the years and miles.
You ask if it is a hassle to tow a car....
..In Spades.. Add about an extra half hour to departure - every time.
Not all cars can be towed 4-down (on its own wheels) so, that will require a tow dolly. You had better have one with brakes as that is now required in most states. If the car of choice can be towed 4-down, you still need a remote braking system (not cheap) and a tow bar and base plate (which is specific to the vehicle). In any case, you will have to rig tail lights for the toad.
...
Matt
ReadyBrake begs to differ, as do I: http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html
This is why I traded my pickup for an 1,800 lb smart car. At sub-2,000 lbs I don't need to deal with supplemental braking - then again, I'm not driving through mountain passes in western WA. Except for nevada and 1 or 2 other places, I'm good to go - even in states where the rules are based upon the weight class of the towing vehicle.
Don't like that link, try this one: http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm
Lisa,
Supplemental brakes and a breakaway perform 2 different braking functions.
Supplemental brakes are when the towed car's own brakes are also engaged during braking of the MH. This relieves some of the braking burden off of the MH and will extend the life of the MH's brakes. If you know that you'll be traveling down a lot of steep grades then it becomes a safety issue. Additional braking capacity when going though mountain passes is a good thing. In both links the (supplemental) brake laws for towed cars is not applicable if the proper conditions are met.
A breakaway device is designed to engage the towed car's brakes and stop it, should the towed car become separated from the MH. You'll notice in the 2nd link that most states require a breakway device. It becomes extremely important to you should you be involved in an accident. You don't need to be the cause of it and your towed car could be fine - properly hooked up to the MH - BUT - when the police write up their accident report and note that no breakaway device was present you could be fined and your insurance company will not be happy.
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures
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LI-Camper
NY
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Ten years ago we rented a 35' class A and took a 7000mi trip from NY to Yellowstone, Rocky MT NP, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. We did not tow. We rented a car at each of those places for a day trip and drove 100 - 200 miles each time. I remember we got a cheap rental at the KOA next to Mt. Rushmore that was hail damaged. It was a brand new car that had its windows replaced but the body looked like someone took a ball peen hammer to every square inch of the car. My sons were embarassed but I thought it was amusing. People came up to us and told us they felt sorry for what happened to our car.
Now we own a 24' MH and still do not tow. I am more relaxed driving a smaller MH. Last summer we went to Nova Scotia and walked or parked in the street or the back of some parking lots. We camped near Halifax and outside the CG there was a public bus stop that took us to a ferry that took us to the waterfront. It was fun to travel that way.
This summer we plan on going to Quebec City. There is a campground with a shuttle to the city and a public bus stop outside the CG gates. Good luck on your trip.
2004 24' BT Cruiser
Wherever you go, there you are!!
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Paoli
Quesnel BC
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What we have done in the past is pull our motorcycle trailer with the bike.
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