What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

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Poll

Which option best describes your towing choices?

24' yes

4 (7.4%)
24' no

13 (24.1%)
27' yes

14 (25.9%)
27' no

13 (24.1%)
31' yes

7 (13%)
31' no

3 (5.6%)

Total Members Voted: 54

Topic: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle? (Read 765 times) previous topic - next topic

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What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

July 07, 2018, 02:47:35 pm

I am curious as to how many owners of various length LDs tow or do not tow another vehicle. For those who tow occasionally please select the option that best describes your situation.

If you have stories please share them also - I would appreciate hearing the good and the bad

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #1 – July 07, 2018, 04:49:36 pm

I seem to vaguely recall some "survey" on how many of us tow that was done in the last year or so. My guess is about 30-40 percent.

Ups and downs? You go slower uphills and lose a mpg towing.

What is your real question?

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #2 – July 07, 2018, 05:34:52 pm

Certain topics, e.g., the "tow or no tow?" question, seem to cycle through on a pretty regular basis. Just a suggestion: search the archives for past threads on topics of interest. The posts may not answer all of one's questions, but it's usually a good start to familiarizing oneself with what has gone before!

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #3 – July 07, 2018, 09:34:54 pm

Hi Chet,

This is an interesting topic that I actually have spent hours reading from historical posts on the forum. I've also talked with several people who tow, and don't tow. Like you, I'm also waiting 16-18 months to have an RV manufactured - so there's plenty of time to think this one through. To tow or not to tow is really centered around the types of journeys that one is planning to take, but is ultimately a personal decision. Here are three hypothetical examples that have been floating through my mind as I ponder the decision:

1. Since I'm still working at a job full time, most of my RV vacations will be 2 day or 3 day weekend stints. Several times a year, I'll go on longer trips - maybe 1 or 2 weeks in length. I'll most likely be able to bring everything I need for each trip, or pick it up along the way. This is because I'll be moving from one place to another quite often. Having a tow vehicle is just going to be a hassle for most of these trips - so why bother. In fact, I'm thinking I'll just get 24' Lazy Daze, since there's only two of us traveling anyhow.

2. Now that I'm fully retired and have lots of time on my hands, I'm planning to take 1 to 3 month journeys. I want to spend some quality time - maybe a week or more at some of the destinations. I'll probably spend more than half of the time at RV campgrounds with hookups. Some of my destinations will be expansive national parks with lots to see. It would probably be nice to have a tow vehicle, so I'll give this serious consideration. Also, since these are long journeys far from home, who knows what might happen along the way. If there was a separate vehicle, I could go shopping for groceries, supplies, parts, water, etc. I think a 27' Lazy Daze with the option of a tow vehicle might be best for most of these trips.

3. I'm tired of the rat race, selling my home, and hitting the road full time in an RV. Maybe I'll be a park host at state parks, or spend 2 weeks in the middle of nowhere - who knows. I'm thinking that either a 27' or 31' Lazy Daze will be the best, as this is going to be my home. A tow vehicle will pretty much be a necessity, so better start getting that figured out before my RV is delivered.

-Rik

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #4 – July 07, 2018, 10:24:24 pm

So far I have no desire to tow with our ‘15 27’ RB (got it all in there again). I carry my Relic 10 speed and enjoy riding it most everywhere we go.

Generally our trips up to this point have been 1-2 weeks long. This includes travel time (3 days to and 3 days back). No need to tow and have only once rented a car to get around Yellowstone. Gas savings and convenience of a small rental car paid for itself for the week of use.

Wear and tear on the transmission is a concern too. With no real need to tow at this point, I want to get as much life out of the drive train as possible. When the DW retires in 6 years, I may reevaluate the whole “no toad” thing.

Costs! Toad + Tow Bar + Insurance=OMG. No thanks. Not right now. I’m still loading my storage bays.

TJM (That’s Just Me)

Kent

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #5 – July 08, 2018, 01:23:27 am

We owned our 1983 22' FL for eight years and enjoyed traveling in it but badly missed the back road capability of our previous travel vehicles.
We loved the 22's short length but the 350 V8's lack of power eliminated pulling a toad.
The West has more backroads than anyone can drive in a lifetime, we didn't want to miss out on our share of experiencing them.

When the 23.5' LD, in 2002, was finally offered with the E450 chassis, we ordered the second one.
With it, we have pulled our Jeep Cherokee 90,000 miles, over 15 years.

We just returned from 9 days camped on the Eastern Sierra and the Jeep was used to travel many miles of dirt roads would I never want to subject the LD to. Neither of our LDs are/were pleasant drive on rough roads and there isn't much to be done about it except to minimize it.
For us, the answer is to find a suitable home base for the LD and use the toad to explore the area.
The toad has really expanded our travel experience, taking us to places no LD would dare to tread. YMMV.

We don't pull the Jeep every time we travel, some times it isn't needed or its use too limited to justify pulling it.
Not towing is a more pleasant experience but it isn't a huge challenge if the right vehicle and towing equipment are selected.
Do your research!
You want to pick a toad that is going to satisfy your needs, hopefully, for many years. With a installed cost in the $3000 range for the equipment, amortizing the cost over many years spreads out the pain.
No one said RVing was going to be cheap...but it sure can be fun.

Larry

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #6 – July 08, 2018, 02:08:24 am

We drive a 2006 26.5' Mid-bath and tow a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. We have also towed a Honda CR-V. The C-Max may be the only hybrid that is towable all wheels down with auto transmission, a real plus.

We always tow when traveling for a week or more, but for shorter trips will leave the toad at home.

When we started towing with this rig, our local RV specialist recommended a new sway bar for the rear end, a Roadmaster product. We followed that advice and are very happy with how the rig handles.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #7 – July 08, 2018, 09:09:44 am

Guess I'll throw my two cents in on the to tow or not to tow subject. For me personally I went with a short LD (23.5) because I can fit into any campsite anywhere, turn up any dirt road to any trail head anywhere, go into any town up any street and park on those streets. I also use rest stops quite a bit when traveling and I fit in the car section for an over night sleep instead of sandwhiched between two big rigs with their engines and or reefers running all night. Towing would put a damper on all of the above.
We are young enough in our early 60s to be able to explore all the back roads we want on our mountain bikes and really enjoy doing it so that parts not an issue and in fact that parts our primary pleasure and I hope we have another ten years of being able to do that. So for me for now no tow no way.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #8 – July 08, 2018, 10:05:46 am

In my unscientific survey, I did not annotate the different length of class C's that were towing but as a general rule, the longer the RV, the more likely of having a toad. I saw very few, if any, shorties towing.

Class C Towing: an Unscientific Survey

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #9 – July 08, 2018, 10:06:42 am

"I can fit into any campsite anywhere, turn up any dirt road to any trail head anywhere, go into any town up any street and park on those streets."
----
I have a 23.5" and don't tow. While I've driven and parked (and backed up!) my TK on many roads and places where a larger rig could have difficult access, I think that anywhere is relative. The length of the LD is definitely a "fit factor", but, in my experience, the more critical limitation is the width of the LD.

While I seldom regret my decision not to tow, there have definitely been plenty of situations over the past 15 years where having a versatile toad would have been a convenience and allowed more options for "goseedo" exploration.

The YMMV thing.....again.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #10 – July 08, 2018, 10:22:32 am

Quote from: JCT - July 08, 2018, 10:06:42 am

"I can fit into any campsite anywhere, turn up any dirt road to any trail head anywhere, go into any town up any street and park on those streets."
----
I have a 23.5" and don't tow. While I've driven and parked (and backed up!) my TK on many roads and places where a larger rig could have difficult access, I think that anywhere is relative. The length of the LD is definitely a "fit factor", but, in my experience, the more critical limitation is the width of the LD.

While I seldom regret my decision not to tow, there have definitely been plenty of situations over the past 15 years where having a versatile toad would have been a convenience and allowed more options for "goseedo" exploration.

The YMMV thing.....again.

Width and height are definitely a factor and was a big reason I went with an LD. I was seriously considering a Safari Trek which has tons more room and storage in a 27 ft length but the height factor alone kept me from buying one of those. That's a real issue when turning up a FS road in the west.
"Anywhere" is indeed a relative term and probably anywhere within reason would be more accurate but after getting my LD into my house which I described in a previous thread I'm very impressed with where a short LD will go.

Lazy Daze traction and clearance review

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #11 – July 08, 2018, 10:24:54 am

I voted 'yes' for our FL, but we have owned them since 1993, and only towed since 2015, and then only if it makes sense for the trip.

Steve

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #12 – July 08, 2018, 11:19:45 am

The joys of small sample sizes

My '31 yes' doubled the responses for that bucket'.

Some observations:

"anywhere" and "anywhere within reason" are entirely separate sets. The latter depends on the rig, the level of risk with which you are comfortable, and common sense.

Kent, since DW is planning 6 year retirement horizon, start towd planning file now. Leisurely research options for vehicle, tow bar, braking system, etc started now will give a firm base for decisions down the road. If nothing else, it's good mental exercise.

We (now I) have 33K on the rig. All but about 700 mi has been w/ towd. In that time, the towd accrued another 20-25K of goseedo miles, nearly all of it would not have been possible with the rig. A favorite short drive spot is Bodega Bay. Staying at Doran Beach County Park, it's a short 1 mi. boat ride to the Spud Point Crab Company's excellent chowder (one reason for going). By road, it's a 10 mile round trip on SR1 - suicidal on a bicycle.

With the limits on GVWR, offloading weight to the towd is essential.

Joel

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #13 – July 08, 2018, 12:43:42 pm

First few years with Ruby were with bikes only. Fun but limiting. After setting up Soobie the First and bringing her along it expanded the goseedo (like that, thanks for letting me steal the line 😆) SO much. Wouldn’t go back.

If you really don’t want to tow you can always rent a car at your destination. That is a viable option with Enterprise Car Rental willing to come get you!

Dave

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #14 – July 08, 2018, 05:01:17 pm

We have a 26.5 Mid Bath that we purchased in 2011. I wanted to pull my 06 MINI Cooper, but it was very low. Also by the time I was ready to set a car up to tow the MINI was to old to be a reliable everyday car. When it was time for a new car for me I specifically talked to the dealership about towing the car behind a RV which led me to buying a 2016 Subaru Forester.
Like another person, when I was working the trips were typically shorter and the wife would drive out to meet me. After I retired the solo trips became longer while the family trips remained mostly weekend to long weekend events. Also I store my RV away from home. Having a tow car had made life much easier on the very long trips as well as getting the RV to or from the house from storage. The wife is still working so we often travel in separate vehicles, but now we have the option of doing half the trip together. And yes, there are a fare number of trips that I do not drag the Subie along even when I am alone.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #15 – July 08, 2018, 05:41:23 pm

I see in the poll that 24 no is winning by a nose. Hooray for my team! LOL

Edit: looks like 27 yes has pulled up and we are neck and neck. Place your bets.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #16 – July 08, 2018, 09:32:26 pm

Quote from: Sawyer - July 08, 2018, 05:41:23 pm

I see in the poll that 24 no is winning by a nose. Hooray for my team! LOL

Edit: looks like 27 yes has pulled up and we are neck and neck. Place your bets.

Has anyone done stats on how many of each model was produced over the years?
How many total made and how many still on the road are interesting questions.

joel

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #17 – July 08, 2018, 10:01:47 pm

When we picked up our 2017 27'MB from the mothership last June after a 10-month wait, we drove it back to Florida without a toad (we flew out). The reason we bought the LD in the first place was to be able to visit family in North Carolina, Cape Cod, Detroit, Minneapolis & Phoenix when the snows melt, spending winters in Sebring, FL. Last year we were out for four months and this year we left in mid-May and will be back in mid-October (5 months). We wanted a toad so we could visit the families when we hit town and to be free to sight-see in the areas we land in between. We are pulling a 2017 Chevy Sonic with a Blue Ox tow-bar and an SMI braking system. It takes less than five minutes to hook up, the tow-bar, flip two switches, put the the Sonic in neutral and the key on ACC, and we're good to go. I can't tell the difference between towing the Sonic and not towing the Sonic. When people ask me how much mileage we get, I tell them, "Bossa Nova gets about 8.5 mpg, and the Sonic gets about 250 mpg."

David and Marie

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #18 – July 09, 2018, 12:54:33 am

we have a 1999 26.5 R.B. and usually tow a 1991 jeep wrangler. on our last 3 week trip we opted to leave it behind. I rented a car at 2 different occasions and it was fairly convenient. 1st time we stayed just outside of Portland to visit some friends. it was light years better to get around town then the LD. 2nd time was south of bend or. where it wasn't efficient to get our hands on rental since we had to make a trip to town to get it. felt like a wasted better part of the day. it was nice to use around the river and going up to a couple of lakes to fish. so for a 3 week road trip I had a rental car for a total of 4 days..

we are now planning next 3 week + trip from central coast California (home) to north/west montana. and am now planning on taking jeep. thinking it will be worth it for getting around Yellowstone and a couple other spots we are stopping off. love to get off the pavement and away from crowds as much as possible.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #19 – July 09, 2018, 01:37:13 am

Good survey! I just recently installed SMI stay in play system in my Subaru and I'm currently towing it with my 2003 LD RB. I have never towed anything so this is all new to me... recently I learned a very important lesson about flat towing. Can't reverse. I have to disengage tow to reverse out of a gas station. Hassle but well worth having a toad.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #20 – July 09, 2018, 08:05:30 am

24/yes. Tow Mini or sports car on a tilt trailer with enhanced hitch support structure. No off-roading on agenda so far. I can back up anytime I want. Trailer is short, so total rig fits in a 'Class A' site OK. Trailer is too heavy to move manually, so stays hitched up. If parking is an issue, it's easy enough to load to just park on the trailer. Ultimate setup would be to have the vehicle big enough to tow its own trailer, if you need to drop before going to site, do solo service drops, etc. Used on 80% of trips.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #21 – July 09, 2018, 09:42:04 am

Quote from: joel wiley - July 08, 2018, 09:32:26 pm

Has anyone done stats on how many of each model was produced over the years?
How many total made and how many still on the road are interesting questions.

joel

It seems to me LDs stay in the road a very long time. People that buy them trend to appreciate the quality and take care of them.

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #22 – July 09, 2018, 11:26:14 am

Quote from: soofligo - July 09, 2018, 01:37:13 am

... recently I learned a very important lesson about flat towing. Can't reverse. I have to disengage tow to reverse out of a gas station. Hassle but well worth having a toad.

Yes, it can be complex. Got stuck in snow pulling out of a gas station in Tonopah NV. Had to break the ice loose on the connections to unhook. Every time I think about backing up, I remember a NY Times ad shortly after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war:
"For sale 300 nearly new Russian T-34 tanks - no reverse gear".

joel

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #23 – July 09, 2018, 04:20:36 pm

Tow or No? Yes and No.

The first 15 or so months we owned "Wild Thing" we did not tow, but we also were lucky enough to borrow my brother-in-law's truck to sightsee when we were in tandem; rented an Enterprise for a season when events had us stay in one place in FL for the 1st winter.

Then we had the Saturn L300 outfitted to be towed and the LD to do so. Our travels, which are generally 7 months at a clip, involve a lot of city sightseeing (you just cannot take the LD into the Getty parking garage in LA), etc. We are, however, now at a crossroads...the Saturn recently died and we've replaced it with a RAV4 which is leased...no tow gear additions allowed. The other car is an Avalon...to heavy, etc.

Our current "plan" for the winter is to drive both the LD and a car to our winter destination. Not perfect, but it will have to work for us. In the end, it all boils down to what you'd like to "goseedo" with the freedom your LD will give you and adjust accordingly.

TinaP
2006 MB "Wild Thing"

Re: What is the length of your LD and do you tow another vehicle?

Reply #24 – July 09, 2018, 06:57:30 pm

We have been thinking on this issue for over a year now, figuring out what to do when we move to full time RVing around the country.

Like Larry, we want to travel off road often (fishing hunting sightseeing) but also want a vehicle safe for the roads (just in case, run to a grocery store, etc.).

Choices are:
Small SUV that can do some off roading.
Razor that can't do street legal.

And to make it harder, we also want Kayaks and/or a small boat for water use.

We thought about a truck where the Razor could sit in the bed, we don't want to haul something hauling something (even if the load was ok).

So our latest thoughts (as if this last week) are to drive a SUV/truck beside the RV and haul a Razor and kayaks/boat with that. Especially since we plan to do little driving between Rving in gorgeous spots. So driving both vehicles a few hours once every 1-2 weeks would be no problem.

Larry, since you do a lot of offroading, do you feel limited in where you can go with your Jeep or feel a Razor would limit you more?

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