Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Toads, was: Advise on trading up & a thank you to Bill (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.
Toads, was: Advise on trading up & a thank you to Bill
Yahoo Message Number: 114722
Sherry,

We traveled for 7 years in a 23.5' LD and last year traded up a 26.5' model.  Two years ago we made an 8-month "Round the USA" trip in the 23.5'.  We have never towed and have never felt hampered by the lack of a toad.  On a couple of occasions we rented a car for a few days, but in general we prefer having the rig with us when out for the day - that way we have a bathroom handy all day, can change clothes as weather may dictate, can stop for an hour or two.or three...at some scenic spot and just relax.
Out at Canyonlands NP a few years ago, we spent the entire day out at the overlook.  We even stayed there for a steak dinner prepared on a little grill.  Then after sunset, we headed back to camp.  Grocery shopping is also a breeze - we come out of the store and put stuff right into the fridge; we can then enjoy the rest of the day out somewhere without having to go back to camp to put groceries away.

Basically it will boil down to what works best for you.  From the $ perspective, I'd recommend trying a trip or two without a toad; you can always get one later if you decide it would improve your traveling style.  As with just about everything RV-related, it's all a matter of personal choice.

Toad

'05 RB  NE-13

Charlton MA
 Right now all we do is tow a small fishing boat..but may want to tow a small car later possibly on long trip?? Or does anyone with a 23.5 even need a tow car.

Very confused.

Sherry

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Toads, was: Advise on trading up & a thank you to Bill
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114725
"Of course?"  Why of course?

We took both our 27ft LDs everywhere.
___ best, paul 'Thriving not Surviving' See LazyDazers.com to get an affordable blog Free Listings at SMARTERyellowpages.com
Re: Toads, was: Advise on trading up & a thank you to Bill
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114726
Quote
...On your trips around the US would not having a generator been a problem for you?
I am not Ted. We could live wo a genset, but not our solar panels.
That said we had to use the genset this trip when we were at North Cascades and Mt Rainier as tree coverage prevented sunlight from getting to the forest floor.

We have used KoKo almost 700 nights over almost three years. The genset meter shows 72 hours. Not a lot, considering we run it an hour a month when KoKo is not in use. Most of the times we turn it on is to use the microwave. We could always cook it another way.
 As for a toad, we would not be without one. This may be extreme, but it's what we like and no one would get here in ANY LD.
http://tinyurl.com/3x6u92x Yeah, that's our road in the foreground. High clearance only.

Gensets, toads, solar panels, we see it buying into a life style.

Cheers, Don & Dorothy
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: generators
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114727
"On your trips around the US would not having a generator been a problem for you?"
 I traveled without a generator for five years, but I did it in a rig with 589 watts of solar panels and four house batteries. Even so, I would not do it again.
 If you travel in the summer, you have two choices if you want air conditioning: find yourself a campsite with electricity, or run the generator. Neither is ideal, but staying only in electric sites is far more limiting. I bought my present generator-equipped rig after a scorching summer in Wyoming, where daytime temperatures were in the triple digits for almost a week, and I was staying in a state park with beautiful views but no hookups. Without air conditioning, it was torture. That's one reason to have a generator.
 Driving charges up your batteries, but staying in one place doesn't. Idling the engine while sitting at a campsite does a poor job of charging the batteries, and is harmful to your engine. (I know; I've tried it.) If your rig doesn't have solar panels--or if it does, but you camp in wooded sites, or you run into a spell of cloudy weather--you're likely to run out of power if you stay for more than a few days. That's another reason to have a generator.
 If you always stay in full-hookup campgrounds, you can get by without a generator, but you'll miss all the good scenery. If your electrical needs are minimal, *and* you drive almost every day, *and* hot weather doesn't bother you, you may be OK without a generator. But most people are going to be unhappy and uncomfortable without one.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: generators
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114728
On Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:39:55 -0000, "Andy Baird" wrote:

Quote
If you travel in the summer, you have two choices if you want air conditioning: find yourself a campsite with electricity, or run the generator. Neither is ideal, but staying only in electric sites is far more limiting. I bought my present generator-equipped rig after a scorching summer in Wyoming, where daytime temperatures were in the triple digits for almost a week....
I have always said some combination of latitude and altitude would find nature's air conditioning. But, your summer in Wyoming and the weather conditions across the whole country right now disprove that adage.

Low pressure over the PNF will bring temps near La Pine, OR down to 88/47 tomorrow.

Parked wo hookups, but three fans, at the Cowboy Dinner Tree.
78 delightful degrees and 28% humidity.

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Toads, was: Advise on trading up & a thank you to Bill
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114729
Paul:
 My brother thinks the streets around the Casinos in downtown Reno too hard to navigate and parking hard to find for his Class C. If they stay in Reno they usually stay at an RV park that shuttles them around.  But because he is staying in Lake Tahoe he would rather rent a car. Just a preference I guess for him.
 Have a good evening. It's beautiful outside tonight and what a sunset.

Sherry

zerv@yahoogroups.com, Paul Smith Sr  wrote:
Re: Toads
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114732
"Why of course?"
 Many of us find driving a 27' vehicle in city traffic to be stressful. If you don't, more power to you. :-)

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Toads, was: Advise on trading up & a thank you to Bill
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114736
Interesting.  We spent time in Reno with our '99 26RB towing with no problems.    You just have to "go for it" and use good judgment on the roadways.

Bob  30IBAE  SE-5 Currently in Idaho

__
Off topic slightly--lightning strike
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114737
My older but very good condition custom van was parked in front yard yesterday during bad thunderstorm.  Dodge van..well lighting  hit tree near it and you can see where the electricity traveled down trunk across yard into van at rear door and out of van at front passenger side wheel.  Grass blown off dirt and streak across yard and grass blown on van sides.   Electronics in van are screwy.  Overhead lights come on, but engine won't even turn over. Panel lights have some on and some off.  So something fried......Haven 't the heart to check LD yet but it was under its cover in back yard.  Anyone had car hit by lightning before???  Where do we start looking other that computer board--- To make matters worse think wind caused something on roof to start leaking...leak in kitchen.  Nothing visible on roof but found nail dripping in attic.  So now looking at repair if possible on Van...and time for new roof.  We knew it was close to time for new roof as this one is 15 years old...trying to wait until after hurricane season this year. That will be about 20,000.

Seriously anyone want to buy my LD....it has got to go. Good deal....in files  I am going to need the $$ for the new roof and possibly my new van.....

Darlene

AlaDar Beagles
www.aladarbeagles.com
Re: Off topic slightly--lightning strike
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114740
Quote
... Electronics in van are screwy.  Overhead lights come on, but engine won't even turn over. Panel lights have some on and some off.  So something fried......Haven 't the heart to check LD yet but it was under its cover in back yard.  Anyone had car hit by lightning before???  Where do we start looking other that computer board---...
The only thing I'd be looking for is the phone number for my insurance company.
 Remember that anything you do before they look at the vehicle (and in this case, its surroundings) could jeopardize your claim.

Joanne in Boston
Re: Off topic slightly--lightning strike
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114742
My almost new Toyota Highlander Hybrid was hit by lightning while I was driving a couple of years ago.  It was one of our fast Colorado storms with lots of water on the road.  I saw the lightning hit beside me and a pop as the car died.  I had enough momentum to roll off the side of the road, but otherwise the car was dead.  It took about a month to repair because every time  one computer would be replaced it would point to the next one wiped out.  I think the final total was 9 computers and my radio.  I was concerned that there would be later repercussions but it's been several years and everything is fine.  No other wiring seemed to be damaged.
Toyota said they had a couple of others hit in other parts of the country and had a bit of a track record on what needed to be done.  I did ask if Hybrids were lightning rods but was assured that had nothing to do with it.
 If you're as lucky as me, it will only be computers damaged.  I would assume that you have fewer computers.   Hope that the repair is that easy but probably not cheap.  My insurance covered it on comprehensive.

Patti AG Daze

__
Re: generators
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114758
Much thanks to everyone. My head is a little clearer now. And that is due to the fact we received such good info.
 We know we will need a generator because of the dry camping we do and also because we live