If you tow a car why don't you tow a caravan?

[Ray-Vic]

As you may know, we are pretty new to motorhoming and I am trying to understand as much as I can about it.

We've been to plenty of local sites and sometimes Lady V has driven her little car as well and we've used it to get out and about. However, on the longer journeys we haven't done that, so either stay put or pack up and go in the MH, which is fairly restrictive for obvious reasons. We have electric bikes and well and do use them quite a lot, but in the winter.......Brrrrrrrr.

When discussing the possibility of a tow car, trailer or similar with Lady V, she came out with a question which I really don't have the answer to which is, if we're going to tow a car, why don't we use the car we have and tow a caravan? That would save on servicing costs of the motorhome and we would not have to insure and service another vehicle.

I'm sure there are various reasons that most choose to have a motorhome, and for me it's the almost twist and go nature of them, but the more I think about it the more I'm thinking that she has a valid point.

What would you all suggest is the primary reasons that you would choose to tow a car rather than use your every day car and tow a caravan?

Many thanks.

 

[Boringfrog]

What percentage of Motorhomers tow a car? Not many I would say.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I drafted an answer but deleted it and simply got the popcorn instead……..

 

[bigtwin]

With a MH you have the choice whether or not to take the car. You don’t have that choice with a car and caravan.

A tow car is probably more useful in the UK as sites tend to be some distance from towns/cities/attractions. This is in contrast with how things are across the channel where aires are plentiful and are often in town centres so there is little need for additional transport.

Have you seen the cost of taking a caravan across the channel compared with taking a MH?

Ian

 

[Ray-Vic]

What percentage of Motorhomers tow a car? Not many I would say.

I've no idea, but I'm sure it's not a huge percentage.

My query was for those that do or have choosen to tow a car.

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[Odd-no-more]

We used to tow a trailer with a Harley but when that went due to getting dogs, we switched and got a caravan. Although they have many similarities they are not the same, a caravan is a pain to tow and more work to set up but if like us we stay a minimum of 3 nights and often a week or more, then once on site a caravan is much better. If you move every day or two and don't use sites then a caravan is no good.

 

[WESTY66]

The only reason for me is simple! You can’t tow anything on the roads I like to go in the alps, some of the passes we go on have signs NO trailers, in fact some of them shouldn't really take a 5t 7.5m motorhome.
The other minor reason is we like to move on every other day and a caravan or even a tow car on back of moho would be a faff

 

[DerryW]

I know a lot do, but its something I've never go my head around. Each to their own.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

We went around this before we went for a Moho. It's a fundamental choice regarding what sort of holiday / trip you want. If it's to go to a place, set up 'HQ' and then explore that area, then I suggest you're better off with a caravan. If the journey is the thing, you're happy to do lots of single night stays as you meander around and maybe just drop on to a site with lots of facilities once a week or whatever, then it's a Motorhome you need.

 

[Mikeco]

I suggest that you do a search of this subject which will provide you with the answer which of course is because they can and they want to. I used to tow a car on a trailer behind my PVC when we used to go to Spain for 6 months which I did because I wanted to.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

For us, we don’t often tow the car unless we decide on a base for a week maybe and want to explore a larger area.
We like the spontaneity of the motorhome and also wild camp/free park and off grid mainly so a caravan doesn’t work for us.
Towing the shopping trolley means we are running a cheap motor all year so apart from the tow kit it has no ongoing extra expenses.
As I said, not often but sometimes it makes life easier especially places like Wales when bus services may be wanting.

 

[Phill D]

We don’t tow a car and we have had a number of caravans.
But Odd job has it spot on.

At the end of the day it’s all a compromise and we each choose what we are willing to compromise on and why.
I can foresee a time that we would go back to a caravan but it’s not that time yet.

 

[Andacami]

Each to their own but IMHO, a Moho is just simpler and I enjoy working out how to get about when the eBikes won't cut it. Loads of sites are minutes from a bus stop, most don't run in sensible hours for a night out but that's part of it I think. For us, it's about the adventure, with the backup of a home from home that we can drive anywhere we want.

Yep, caravan meets the same use case but if I've driven for ages to get somewhere, I want to explore on foot/bike and I can't be arsed to continue driving in the tin-top to do so...

 

[Ray-Vic]

I suggest that you do a search of this subject which will provide you with the answer which of course is because they can and they want to. I used to tow a car on a trailer behind my PVC when we used to go to Spain for 6 months which I did because I wanted to.

Useful

 

[Madcaravanner]

OK
History we used to tug a caravan -
we are both disabled - both hidden ones

Towcar coast 30K plus for one Capable of long distance with an extra tonne loaded
Caravan cost 30k at least depending on size

OUR Motorhome cost 30k it's big and old
our car is tiny and 8K

BUT although we can (in the UK) we most times take our cycles
We discussed buying a trailer to take the car abroad but the cost new 3K and second hand rare of the size we wanted
Cost to hire a car for 90 days 1.5K and a reasonable size of car

Each route has pluses and negatives - we do enjoy going abroad and using Aires and small campsites for which taking a car is a no

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[Ray-Vic]

Thanks guys, mostly really valid and useful answers there.

I think for us at the moment I love the motorhome for many of the reasons mentioned, but it's interesting to see reasoning behind each option, which will help me with our ongoing discussions.

 

[Swifter]

We don’t tow a car ( yet ) but prefer the facility’s the Motorhome has while travelling . Having been caught in long traffic jams and being able to let the kids use the toilet is a huge stress relief for me ( and them lol ) . Not really practical in a caravan .
Passengers can also access cold drinks and food from the fridge while travelling. Much more practical for us than a car for long distances.

 

[Gromett]

Generally speaking.
If you are moving every day or every other day then a motorhome.
If you are staying put for 3,4 or more days then a caravan.

The exception is if you are going to tour Europe then a motorhome every time.

Just my view.

 

[BikerGraham]

Used to be tuggers and it’s perfect for a week or two here and there and long weekends.

We tend to like to tour around. 3 nights is perfect for us, although 2 or even 4 nights are also common place but when you’re away for a few weeks it’s a good opportunity to move around and see many places. So the van is perfect for us
Don’t tow a car though but have conferred a scooter or small motorbike. But nothing yet. Don’t even have bikes. Got two legs and that does

The boss absolutely loves it.

 

[PaulW2]

As you may know, we are pretty new to motorhoming and I am trying to understand as much as I can about it.

We've been to plenty of local sites and sometimes Lady V has driven her little car as well and we've used it to get out and about. However, on the longer journeys we haven't done that, so either stay put or pack up and go in the MH, which is fairly restrictive for obvious reasons. We have electric bikes and well and do use them quite a lot, but in the winter.......Brrrrrrrr.

When discussing the possibility of a tow car, trailer or similar with Lady V, she came out with a question which I really don't have the answer to which is, if we're going to tow a car, why don't we use the car we have and tow a caravan? That would save on servicing costs of the motorhome and we would not have to insure and service another vehicle.

I'm sure there are various reasons that most choose to have a motorhome, and for me it's the almost twist and go nature of them, but the more I think about it the more I'm thinking that she has a valid point.

What would you all suggest is the primary reasons that you would choose to tow a car rather than use your every day car and tow a caravan?

Many thanks.

I think there are a few separate issues.

First, why a motorhome rather than a caravan? Part of the reason is that there are literally thousands of places across Europe where one can park up with a motorhome but not with a caravan. On the other hand, motorhomes can go everywhere caravans can go. And many of the aires for motorhomes across Europe are open year-round whereas fewer campsites where one can take a caravan are.

Then motorhomes are easier to set up. You can turn up at an aire, be in habitation mode in 5 minutes, be back in driving mode in 5 minutes the next morning and off you go. Not so with a caravan.

But sometimes a minority of motorhomers want to take a car with on certain trips in order to have better mobility where they are going.

I used to carry a motorbike for that purpose, but now just use a smaller motorhome which, to some degree, straddles the gap.

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[scotzsue]

Have never had any desire to tow another caravan, (a few times in the 80s, before buying my first motorhome) but we do take a motorbike on an easilifter, we park the van up and take the bike off when we get to any place we are going to stay for a few days. We walk or use the bus other times.
in the UK we take the car when we take the grandchildren, so we can get out and about during our stay. We don't tow, I drive the motorhome and John drives the car.
I often wonder too about folk with toads, but so many reasons, it's just what suits you.
I normally advise those with young families to get a car and caravan or like some of our families a tent. so long as folk get out and about and enjoy themselves the choice is their own.

 

[Shrimp]

A tow car is probably more useful in the UK as sites tend to be some distance from towns/cities/attractions. This is in contrast with how things are across the channel where aires are plentiful and are often in town centres so there is little need for additional transport.

We tow a small car and as above its very useful in UK as a lot of sites CL/CS inc that tend to be away from towns, villages, interesting places. Yes, I know we could use public transport but timing is not always convenient.
We full time and find the car extremely useful, in the UK.
We like a MoHo and would not want to use a Caravan, also at present our small car is road Tax free (in a couple of years it will be £20!) and the MOHo is about only £165. so a big car to tow a decent Caravan would cost us a lot more!
We don’t take it abroad as we use Aires and they are always near or in a Ville.
Basically its a personal choice, some would, or won’t, understand some will only consider a Caravan and others only want a MoHo!

 

[Simonnsj]

We tow a little Skoda Citigo because it gives us the freedom to stay on sites that are not close to amenities or public transport - we use our motorhome regularly so for us its worth it but I am not sure we would go to the expense if we only used it sparingly. We have owned motorhomes since 2014 but have only been towing for the last 18 months and for us it has made a massive difference being able to get out and explore. There are other options such as motorbikes or bikes/e bikes of course.
When we go to Europe we don't tow because it's rather a grey area in terms of whether it's legal but that aside it's mainly because Europe is geared up for motorhomes whereas the UK isn't in the same way.
We wouldn't want a caravan because it doesn't offer us the same spontaneity that a MH does especially in Europe - some of the best places we have stayed (in Europe) have been when exploring an area and then stumbling across a lovely town or village with most having designated MH parking.

 

[tonyidle]

Our toad isn't an extra - it's our only car and as such deserves a holiday. Holidays with a caravan are nothing like those with a motorhome: there's no setting up (or packing up) in the pouring rain, no leaving the van for a brew in a lay-by. I've done both for long periods and I know which I prefer. The car is taken with us or left behind depending on anticipated need. I couldn't do that with a caravan.

 

[the1andonly]

Since the sons have left home there is no need for a large car. The UP! cant tow so we need a motorhome. Different ways of doing things also Got rid of the folding camper when Bongo went, yet more different ways of dong things. All of them have been right at different times.

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[EuroTrotters]

a question that has been answered a 1000 times.

But for me, a lot of motorhomes that people tow cars with are a big Train unit and you would barely know you were towing.

I tow a Caravan with a 4.4 litre V8 Range Rover. Wouldn't want to tow with anything much less powerful.

IF, you tow a small car with your motorhome, you can use that as a small daily run around. Plus, you can take just the motorhome on trips where you don't need a car.

IF you tow a small car to say. Spain for winter. Its an easy little cheap run around.

 

[bobnick]

We don't do peddle bikes or leccy bikes, i've been told they are very dangerous due to bad car drivers
I do have a motorbike and motorbike trailer
I do have a Fiat 500 and a trailer that we have used once for our recent Euro tour.
If we continue MHing i will invest in an A frame for the 500 to toad in the UK.
We have and do do the odd aire or simililar but only if we cannot find a proper camp site.
Point.
I have noticed the difficulty in finding space on the aires (and i believed it's frowned upon) for those towing a caravan/trailer. I have also noticed the faff setting them up and packing up. Ok if you stay in one place for several days i suppose. And alternative transport when on site is not always available/convenient.
So we do MHing and towing a car or bike for convienance. But not everytime. We will look at the trip we are planning and say, Motorhome only, MH + bike, or MH + car.

Then again we may pack in tomorrow and sell the MH and revert back to Planes/car/hotels/cruises etc etc.
But NO CARAVAN.

 

[Phill D]

Another financial consideration perhaps is that many sites now charge for an extra car, and consider a toad to be extra. But a car with a caravan is not charged.

There again many now charge for a dog.

 

[vkr15s]

Done all of the above over the last 20 years yo yoing between and still can’t make up my mind.
Currently M/h without a toad,and find it restrictive getting about,when tugging caravan found setting up and packing away a pain.

You pay your money and take your chance.
One things for sure I prefer the freedom of either over hotels all day long.

 

[VXman]

I suggest that you do a search of this subject which will provide you with the answer which of course is because they can and they want to. I used to tow a car on a trailer behind my PVC when we used to go to Spain for 6 months which I did because I wanted to.

Ah, but why did you want to? (Rhetorical question - please don't answer)