RVing Destinations Without a Toad

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RVing Destinations Without a Toad

June 26, 2025, 10:56:56 am

Hi everyone, my wife and I recently purchased a 1996 U295C and drove it home from Colorado. We live in Ohio around the Akron Area. We are not the partying type of people but will have an occasional adult beverage. We are looking for ideas on how we can use the RV without a toad and see some of the USA. Short trips for now until I retire in a few years. We are thinking about electric bikes but maybe its just not possible to travel without a toad? thanks in advance and look forward to hearing about everyone's experiences.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #1 – June 26, 2025, 11:29:26 am

Random thoughts. Electric bikes are popular, but are less fun in bad weather. Some members (like us) carry one or two electric bikes PLUS pull a tow vehicle. Some members travel without a towd, and if stopped in one place for several days, rent a car locally for sightseeing. I guess there is always Uber or similar services for getting around, but we have never tried it. Some state and national parks provide transport of some kind within the park.

Although pulling a tow vehicle is sometimes a hassle, and does require some expensive equipment, we feel it is worth the effort. Having a second vehicle behind the coach gives us a greater sense of security, knowing that if our coach breaks down in the middle of nowhere, or if there is a medical emergency requiring immediate transport, that we can hop in our car and take off to get help.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #2 – June 26, 2025, 12:18:19 pm

I agree with Chuck. I'd try hard to get a toad in some shape or fashion. Both from a convenience standpoint and so you have a backup should the coach breakdown. Even if you have to have your wife drive separately behind you instead of towing it.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #3 – June 26, 2025, 01:06:07 pm

Our first 3 years were without. Did I have anxiety?oh ya but you pray and press on.

So if you need groceries or to go to the post office, ya take the coach. Many times....BUT we did uber, taxis and rented stuff if we were there for a while. All worth it to be able to travel.

The reason for no road. Embarrassingly the DW said no toad until you can maneuver without backing. I thought better but, if you know you know.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #4 – June 26, 2025, 01:09:43 pm

The first year we RVd (25 years ago), we were still working, weekender/short trip travelers, and did so without a toad. It was a 30' class C. It was do-able for the most part (we did rent a car when we were in the Bar Harbor area for 4 days). After that, getting a toad was a no-brainer. We bought a beater 1995 Saturn, which was perfect as an inexpensive emergency backup vehicle as well, for those few times one of our daily drivers was in the shop. We sold it with the class C when we bought the first Foretravel and got a nicer toad (2003 Honda CR-V). Steve often drove it to work instead of his truck.

The current toad (2014 CR-V) is also my primary vehicle so it pulls double-duty.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #5 – June 26, 2025, 01:39:25 pm

First, Congratulations on your coach purchase, good choice.
It is absolutely possible to travel without a towd.
However, it does have its limitations, and the biggest one for me was destination choice. If you are passing through a place it doesn't matter too much, but if you intend to stay for a while it does.
We went on a 6 week trip without one, Houston to Key West and back. It was manageable but it added many complications, small towns often don't have Uber/Lyft vehicles, some don't even have taxis. E-bikes are fine, but not when it is 95+ degrees and/or windy/raining. Some store parking lots can't handle a coach, so you end up walking a good distance anyway with your shopping. If you fancy going out for dinner one night it takes a bit more organizing than usual, and finally, if something goes wrong with your coach, even a small issue turns into a bigger event. The other point is one that most folks are probably not affected by, if you go to some remote areas, it is sometimes a good idea to 'scout' the roads before driving a large vehicle down them and finding yourself stuck, towds are great for that.
If you are happy with all that, then no problem, pick towns that have taxis, Uber etc and expect delays, organize a rental car and a way to pick it up. Having a towd is certainly easier, and it allows you more freedom, some folks pull a trailer with a motorcycle in it although it too has limitations. It's all about what you decide is necessary or desirable for the two of you to relax and enjoy your trip.
Best of luck.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #6 – June 26, 2025, 03:22:48 pm

We added a toad after a year without. We used uber when needed.

For us, being without a toad became a safety concern. If we broke down or if one of us got sick, or if we needed groceries.... We bought a road and would never go out without it.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #7 – June 26, 2025, 03:26:02 pm

Congrats on your new Foretravel and welcome to the forum. Lots of good thoughts here. By all means, take a few trips without one but I think you will find that a toad comes in so handy and so often that it's a necessity. Keep that in mind when you buy your next car. If you are lucky, you can find one that's already set up to tow.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #8 – June 26, 2025, 04:53:34 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – June 26, 2025, 03:26:02 pm

If you are lucky, you can find one that's already set up to tow.

Links below usually have some ready-to-tow vehicles listed:

https://www.rvt.com/buy/tow-behind-cars/

https://www.irv2.com/rvclassifieds/showcat.php?cat=22

Dinghy Tow Vehicles/Toads/Trucks/Haulers/Misc/ for sale

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #9 – June 26, 2025, 05:47:13 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 26, 2025, 04:53:34 pm

Links below usually have some ready-to-tow vehicles listed:

There's also one currently in the Classifieds

For Sale 2003 Land Rover Discovery 2 (price reduced)

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #10 – June 26, 2025, 10:49:22 pm

Brad and Laurie, welcome to the joy and excitement of traveling in a Foretravel. We are in year two of our pre-retirement r/v traveling. We have been able to use our Foretravel on much bigger trips than we expected when we bought it last spring. We used our bicycles for the first year. After bicycling to grocery stores, the occasional hardware store, beaches... we decided it was time for a toad. The challenge of always needing to pre purchase all groceries and such before getting to our planned park as well as not easily being able to do the exploring we enjoy when visiting new places, just wasn't what we wanted out of our experience. It also felt like a toad provided a level of security that if our coach were to break down on a trip we would have alternative transportation.

All that said, I would encourage you to take some time over next 4 to 12 months to discover what needs you will have. We all approach this type of adventuring differently and our needs are unique to us. We have made a list during each trip with our Foretravel of things we need for future trips and things that we don't. I've been a little surprised what has come out of our packing list as well as what has been added. We started with small trips to bigger ones and have revised our packing / tack needs along the way. It's certainly helped spread out the cost of outfitting a second home and for the most part it's minimized purchasing items that we ended up not wanting or needing. More of a marathon approach to r/ving gear acquisition.

Either way, enjoy the journey. I think for the right couple, this type of experience can be a wonderful bonding experience. After 33 years of marriage, Ginny and I have learned a great deal about each other and how we can work together better when we travel in our r/v. Have fun and keep asking for advice of much more seasoned travelers than me.

Michael

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #11 – June 27, 2025, 12:11:11 am

We tow my wife's car on a dolly and went if a trip without it for a few days and wished we had it. We have also gone on trips with it and never taken it off the dolly.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #12 – June 27, 2025, 01:01:39 am

Toad is a requirement for safe and rewarding traveling with a motorhome. Toads are part of RVing, needed for getting parts when something brakes, going for help in a health emergency, exploring your new area, buying groceries and other supplies, carrying bikes, etc, etc. . .

You found a good coach model, one of the best to own, now spent time learning about adding a towed vehicle. BTW we are from your area. Of course, the motorhome will move without towing something behind it, but only you guys can decide how you will travel.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #13 – June 27, 2025, 07:49:31 am

I feel naked without my Jeep in the rear camera

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #14 – June 27, 2025, 09:05:04 am

Congratulations on your coach. We are in year five we have about 3000 miles using a toad and guessing 5000 using a trailer. I much prefer the trailer because all the toad issues are resolved. This may change in the future. Toad you cannot back up. Trailer can be backed up but requires the skill set to accommodate. Ive used tow dollies but personally will avoid. I use google maps to figure out were we can manage going. We probably have 30000 miles with just the coach. It sure is hassle free not dragging anything. Your 1996 U295 will have a limited tow capacity so this pretty much decides what you can do. Again google maps is your freind

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #15 – June 27, 2025, 05:13:27 pm

Hi, one more consideration is do both you and your wife drive the coach?

My wife doesn't yet drive the coach so having the Toad does provide a method of transportation if for some reason I was unable to drive. We do weekend trips with no toad occasionally but those are usually within 100 miles of home at local state beaches or campgrounds where we don't need transportation or could easily get it. Getting my wife confident in driving the coach has been on the to do list for a while. I wouldn't want her first time driving it to be in an emergency.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #16 – June 27, 2025, 11:33:32 pm

One consideration regarding a tow vehicle is where you intend to stay while traveling. If you plan on staying mostly in private RV parks, many of which are either in towns or very close to towns, you might be able to get by without a tow vehicle. On the other hand, we stay mostly in fairly remote public campgrounds, such as National Forest or Corps of Engineers parks, so we are often 20 to 30 miles from any real towns or places we want to visit. We couldn't do what we do without our Jeep.

Why are you considering going without a tow vehicle?

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #17 – June 28, 2025, 12:00:06 am

We went 5 years before pulling anything with trips lasting 4 months. We only brought our mountain bikes.
We would drive the coach wherever we needed to go.

Currently on the road "toading" for our first time. We've used the truck a lot.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #18 – June 29, 2025, 08:53:42 pm

Throw a scooter on the back with a motorcycle carrier. Or get two nice electric bicycles.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #19 – June 30, 2025, 12:07:17 pm

We were toadless for years and never considered it a particular hardship. That said, we preferred the more remote camping experiences, with primary activities outside focused, hiking, birding for my wife, photography for me. Never a problem to stop and stock up on groceries, there's pretty much always a space to park. Later on, we pulled a cargo trailer with a Can Am side by side and a KTM 1290 bike. We used the Can Am as a car when needed, being street licensed the bike less and less till I finally sold it. The side by side was great fun, from riding dunes in Rexburg to exploring remote ghost towns this toy was the enabler for many great adventures.
Lately, being toyless, I'm pulling a Chevy tracker 4x4. No matter what we hitched on behind we had no problem pulling the bighorns, rockies, cascades in our 295. It is nice having a vehicle along with added complexity and limiting maneuverability associated with towing 4 down. I'm looking forward to going back to the cargo trailer setup with appropriate fun stuff inside.
Though you can pull anything with your 295, a lighter toad like the tracker, miata, etc., will certainly be easier to pull than the 3/4 ton trucks I see folks hauling around. As they get heavier, and higher temps, altitude of mountains require increasing amounts of engine management to avoid problems.

Re: RVing Destinations Without a Toad

Reply #20 – July 01, 2025, 02:30:57 pm

The reason we don't use a toad is because we do not have one... lol. Thank you everyone for your input. I never thought of a sided by side. I assume you use a flatbed type trailer to tow it.
Lots to think about and we aren't in a hurry to make major decisions quite yet. Thanks again for the feed back.

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