Why have a Toad

[TGoldsbury]

Had a TT for two years, recently upgraded to a Precept 31UL Class A. Looking for reasons why others got a Toad. I understand if I'm making long duration trips it's good to have something to sight see and run to the store, but so far I'm mostly 4-5 day duration trips so I'm looking for reasons why I need to spend the $$ to equip a vehicle for towing. Thanks

[CAG]

It depends upon what you like to do. We do a lot, and I mean a lot of trail exploring, fishing, hunting and hiking so we put the Jeep to use. Besides I would go nuts sitting around camp or an RV park. I can do that at home.

[Vicr]

So we can go get a pizza.

[Tunce the traveler]

I’ve talked to a few people over the years who rent a car rather than buy and have a tow setup installed. One reason is arriving late in the day makes it easier, sometimes finding a place To store a tow dolly and the ability to always being able to backup.

[EA37TS]

We outfitted our Grand Cherokee because we got tired of basing our travels around rental agencies hours and their or ability or willingness to pick us up and return us to the campground. Our daughter worked for Enterprise so we got a good discount but the schedule was a real PITA at times. In some places like Rodanthe NC there are other outfits that rent but they charge a premium for their rentals.

[Rice1951]

Convenience. It’s all about convenience. It’s most likely the same reason you went from a TT to a MH. You may find you don’t need or want a toad. Not everyone does. Those of us that do have one like the benefit of mobility on our schedule and not someone else’s. It’s your RV lifestyle so you get to choose.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by TGoldsbury

Had a TT for two years, recently upgraded to a Precept 31UL Class A. Looking for reasons why others got a Toad. I understand if I'm making long duration trips it's good to have something to sight see and run to the store, but so far I'm mostly 4-5 day duration trips so I'm looking for reasons why I need to spend the $$ to equip a vehicle for towing. Thanks

I'm with you, no need for a toad. Most of our trips are the same duration, but we rarely stay in the same campground more than 2 days. We like to go out and explore and play tourist, so pulling a toad would be a major PIA. Having a short rig, I can get in and out of every parking lot.

At the end of the afternoon, we pull into the CG and set up for the night.

If we need something, we make sure to pick it up on our travels before we get to the CG.

[Camper_bob]

As others have mentioned, we do it for the convenience and independence.

No need to be at the mercy of a rental company, it's my daily driver anyway, so the only additional cost is the equipment to make it towable, like someone else said, "so I can go get a pizza", or more often for us "make a beerrun".

We RV at the coast a lot, and DW likes to stay in private CGs down there. Some are close to the beach, some are not. It doesn't matter for us, we just throw everything in the Jeep and take off. We can drive as far up/down beach as we want until we find a spot we like.

As easy as it is to "play tourist" like RetiredOne talks about in his short rig (ours is LONG), it's even easier in a Jeep. I can literally get in/out of almost ANYWHERE.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by Vicr

So we can go get a pizza.

You can have that delivered 😂

[315Precept]

We have a toad but don’t always bring it with us. When we are going someplace that the surrounding areas interest us and we want to explore we bring it other times we are good with staying put.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by CAG

You can have that delivered ��

Been to plenty of places where it is too far out for pizza delivery and a lot of the local Mom and Pop places that are recommended do not deliver.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by CAG

You can have that delivered ��

Wait, doesn't everyone buy a $20K+ vehicle and $4K of tow hardware, just so they can go pick up a $15 pizza?

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by CAG

You can have that delivered ��

We thought so too... We found out that many won't - even with an on-line account and lots of rewards points. Domino's, Papa Johns and Marco's have all declined delivery to an RV park. It all depends on the locals and the reputation of the RV park. It seems that KOA is one that we have the most rejections, but could not say why.,

[CAG]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

We thought so too... We found out that many won't - even with an on-line account and lots of rewards points. Domino's, Papa Johns and Marco's have all declined delivery to an RV park. It all depends on the locals and the reputation of the RV park. It seems that KOA is one that we have the most rejections, but could not say why.,

Uber eats.

I have never found a pizza place that would not deliver to RV parks, or motels but then I have a toad so I can drive to eat.

[fizikpal]

We tow a 2003 Honda Civic that aesthetically is an eyesore behind our beautiful 2018.5 31UL. That being said, we rarely do not bring it. Much easier to hook up then a trailer, this particular car is very light, and we enjoy the wandering around new areas on backroads, dirt roads, etc., that I would never bring RV.

[315Precept]

First off I don’t have anywhere near $24k invested in my toad, more like $8k total. Bought a used Wrangler and my tow setup was less than $2k all in with a brake buddy. Second I personally have never used it to go for pizza. Without our toad we would have missed some amazing experiences, driving it into Mt Rushmore visitor center, up to the top of Whiteface mountain and the coastal road at Acadia National. Yes we could have rented a car but they don’t allow dogs and we have two.

[Trapper2020]

Originally Posted by CAG

It depends upon what you like to do. We do a lot, and I mean a lot of trail exploring, fishing, hunting and hiking so we put the Jeep to use. Besides I would go nuts sitting around camp or an RV park. I can do that at home.

X2
Why not have a toad. No way would I not take a car along. Even with the shorter class c it is nice to be able to have car for all driving around. Cost is nothing compared to cost of rigs.

Enjoy the journey

[cherv]

we have a 2019 jayco class c 22j and do not tow a car. use ENTERPRISE RENTAL, SO EASY THEY PICK YOU UP AT CG AND BRING YOU BACK. I CAN RENT A LOT OF CARS FOR 20K TOAD PLUS 4000 FOR HOOKUP. NO MAINTENANCE , INSURANCE, NO PLACE TO STORE IT WHEN NOT USED.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by cherv

we have a 2019 jayco class c 22j and do not tow a car. use ENTERPRISE RENTAL, SO EASY THEY PICK YOU UP AT CG AND BRING YOU BACK. I CAN RENT A LOT OF CARS FOR 20K TOAD PLUS 4000 FOR HOOKUP. NO MAINTENANCE , INSURANCE, NO PLACE TO STORE IT WHEN NOT USED.

As I mentioned in an earlier post Enterprise does not pick you up at all campgrounds. Select locations will pick you up and take you back but they have a distance limitation.

Also, during the shutdowns you'll be lucky if the Enterprise location is open and if open has more than one person working so no pickups.

Also, can you turn caps lock off. All caps in a forum indicates anger. Not cool.

[cherv]

We had a reservation at beach rose but had to cancel due to shingles virus in right eye causing blury vision. Enterprise reservation confirmed but we canceled. Have not recovered from shngles yet...