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.

 

[VXman]

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.

Don't quite understand why you think you need a big V8 engine to pull a light caravan but it's ok to use a not very powerful big motorhome to pull a heavy (in comparison to a caravan) tow car.

Also a 4.4 V8 Range Rover isn't particularly powerful when you look at the power to weight ratio.

 

[Pausim]

For me a 3500kg motorhome towing 1000kg of car makes more sense than 1800kg of car towing 1500kg of caravan. If you add volume and susceptibility to wind into the equation then the result gets even more scary. Never seen a car wagging a motorhome but caravans wagging cars happens.

 

[Larrynwin]

We must encourage tuggers , they provide hours of entertainment when setting up on site

 

[Speve]

Have been towing a 4x4 Fiat Panda on a trailer for 9 years now and travel down to Spain & Portugal for 90 day stints.
reasons :
we go birding and lots of places would be inaccessible with a 7.5 m motorhome
we take our dog and hire companies don’t like dogs in their cars
Our car is our only one and to save it standing for three months at home we use it
We do it because we can
I believe towing a small car with a 4500 kg van is much easier than towing a car with
a caravan
In the EU most sites we use have pitches that will take a car as well as a motorhome
& trailer
hope that helps folk understand though I don’t need to justify that to anyone

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[Paul F]

is much easier than towing a car with
a caravan

I have to completely agree. This must be really really tricky…

 

[offagen]

We are equipped to sometimes tow a small car on an A-frame. I say ‘sometimes’ because for long weekends away we only occasionally take the car and rely on bikes and buses to get around if we wish to. However, for longer trips it’s certainly a benefit to have the towed (toad) car with us. I’d far rather be towing a car than a caravan, a car is more stable on the road and, once on site, there is no messing with movers and lengthy setup. With the A-frame it takes little more than 10 minutes to hitch up and go through the lights and brakes checking routine so the greater mobility of motorhomes is not really compromised.

We don’t take the car on our European travels but benefit from being able to use aires to keep costs down, and they very often have easy access to towns and villages. We use the bikes a lot so I can understand that those not able to cycle might prefer a car and caravan.

Any disadvantages of towing a car? Well, reversing can be a challenge, more so than with a caravan. We manage.

 

[Speve]

I have to completely agree. This must be really really tricky…

Yes it is as you probably guessed the other way around( it’s my age you know!!)

 

[Ray-Vic]

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.

Yes, I guess many are trying any method to extract monies. We recently had to pay an extra £35 (for the duration) for a 4 month old Miniature Dachshund puppy. I did tell them that I assume they walk and feed him for that! (they didn't).

 

[Speve]

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.

We have never payed extra for the car or trailer in EU and only once in UK but many times for the dogs, if you research your stops it’s easy to avoid extra charges

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[Phill D]

We have never payed extra for the car or trailer in EU and only once in UK but many times for the dogs, if you research your stops it’s easy to avoid extra charges

I have never paid for an extra car, however, my recent research! came up with many sites who list it as an extra. And not cheap as most were an extra £5 per day.

 

[Brains]

If you typically pitch camp for time measured in days, get a motorhome.
If you typically pitch camp for time measured in weeks, get a caravan.


(I've never understood TOADs unless it's classic car or a big bike or similar.
Not sure of the maximum number of nights I've spent in one place, but I think it may be about 5 nights)

 

[Speve]

If you typically pitch camp for time measured in days, get a motorhome.
If you typically pitch camp for time measured in weeks, get a caravan.


(I've never understood TOADs unless it's classic car or a big bike or similar.
Not sure of the maximum number of nights I've spent in one place, but I think it may be about 5 nights)

Everyone to their own we don’t all fit into your pigeon holes

 

[Gina M]

We used to have a caravan but not for long as Mr Gina M hated towing it and setting up etc. so we went back to a MH. I used to follow him in my car if we went to remote sites but he hated driving on his own as he said he loved having me and the dogs on the journey with him as it was boring without me, more like he missed me passing him drinks and snacks!!! We sometimes tow a small car on an A frame it depends where we are going. We will never go back to a caravan. If you go for a caravan you will probably go for an awning too which are a real pain to put up and take down. It takes people in caravans a lot longer to pack up and go. In a MH you just jump in and go.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Don't quite understand why you think you need a big V8 engine to pull a light caravan but it's ok to use a not very powerful big motorhome to pull a heavy (in comparison to a caravan) tow car.

Also a 4.4 V8 Range Rover isn't particularly powerful when you look at the power to weight ratio.

The caravan is a 1.5 ton Hymer. The previous owner towed it with a small diesel estate. I just don't like straining small engines and struggling to pass other vehicles.

As for motorhomes. We had a 3.5 ton V6 Diesel that was tuned to 230BHP, I would have been happy to tow a car with that. But not the 3.88t Hymer we have with 128bhp.

Does that make more sense?

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[Conal]

Others have already covered much of this but I came at from a slightly different angle. I have a Morris minor and am retired so don’t have much need to use it as a daily driver. We have had our motorhome for eight years and only towed for two. Didn’t consider it until I saw a picture of a car towed by an A-frame. We had avoided parts of Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District and had experienced the narrow roads of Lancaster and Yorkshire, and had been frustrated by the lack of touring sites near many towns and cities so it was an instant realisation that we could do a lot more if we had the car with us.

 

[PaulyP]

My wife was disabled, so couldn’t use bikes and too many places are too far to push a wheelchair, so we would use our tow car to get about.

 

[Ridgeway]

If we still had a tin tent then I’m pretty sure one of us would be in prison now after having killed the other, some where in the South of France whilst setting up the caravan awning in 34 degrees after a 6hr drive

Logically we took the sensible option and bought a Euro-ice cream van

 

[iandsm]

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.

From our perspective we like to have our own toilet as well as cooking and eating facilities with us when travelling and we don't find a 6.5 meter PVC a problem to park. it's also very convenient to just pul up at a nice location of lunch or dinner and if the mood takes us stay all night. We like to visit good gastro pubs and restaurants for the occasional special meal, many of which are quite al long way from home and we also park up for the night when visiting relatives. All things we couldn't do in a car.

 

[Realist]

I’ve done both worlds, had a Motorhome and towed a car and I sold the Motorhome to save on extra insurance when at the time I would have had three loads of car insurance so we went for a caravan Thinking we’d save………. No no no.

But, the caravan needed a big car to tow it so now I use a discovery 4 and I tow a 2000kg caravan and wish I kept the Motorhome As the car now costs me over £100 a week in fuel.

Some days I do wish I kept the Motorhome but my caravan is sited on a seasonal pitch, 8ft wide, wet heating, full motorised satellite, self levellers, air conditioning and motor movers and we can come and go as we please for 12 months of the year.

So swings and roundabouts for me.

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[Ninjabob]

Car towing a Caravan - pretty unstable combination unless a good deal of care is taken with loading and nose weight of the Caravan - "Tail wagging the Dog". 7.5 mtr Motorhome with SMART for Two - "Dog wagging it's Tail". In the UK a 7.5mtr Motorhome is about as useful as a chocolate teapot when it comes to negotiating rural UK roads and as for parking in touristy towns forget it. The Motorhome does 30mpg the diesel SMART 70mpg. You can ALWAYS find a parking space in any busy town because someone will always park badly enough to allow the SMART to slot in. I do not want to be marooned on site so the car is ideal. This combination is definitely the best I have found and frankly if I could not to tow the SMART I wouldn't dream of keeping the Motorhome.

 

[Gaston aires]

We towed a toad for around a year. This was after my missus had a replacement hip and couldn’t get on the scooter. We’re back on track now so no toad. I don’t really like towing a car but needed one short term.
Phil

 

[Gina M]

OP has lost interest I think, not worth bothering with giving any further advice really.

 

[Captain Birdseye]

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.

If you don't keep moving on it's better to tow a caravan.

 

[msb03]

We have a MH and Toad, the Toad is our everyday car and costs next to nothing to run. Sometimes we take it when we go away, sometimes we don't. I don't think there is a definitive answer it's down to individual preferences.

I don't like caravans for lots of reasons especially after having commuted up and down the M5 Bristol - Exeter for 35 years and been delayed so many times by one that has crashed, probably irrational I know but it formed my views. I like it when I arrive on site it only takes me 10 to 15 mins to be set up and and put the kettle on and start enjoying my break. I then watch tuggers spending the next 2 to 3 hours setting up even more fun when they start on the awning

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[EuroTrotters]

Miss my toad I never towed

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Coming up for 3 years now with our van and I can honestly say I don’t think I would have had any benefits from towing a car.
We are 100% travelling around Europe with the 2 pups and find it easy to take buses and trains indeed we see a lot more that way.

When we first got the van we did a fair bit of UK but again public transport was ok for us.

Can understand if some has mobility issues but other than that a bit of exercise is good for you

 

[EuroTrotters]

We have a MH and Toad, the Toad is our everyday car and costs next to nothing to run. Sometimes we take it when we go away, sometimes we don't. I don't think there is a definitive answer it's down to individual preferences.

I don't like caravans for lots of reasons especially after having commuted up and down the M5 Bristol - Exeter for 35 years and been delayed so many times by one that has crashed, probably irrational I know but it formed my views. I like it when I arrive on site it only takes me 10 to 15 mins to be set up and and put the kettle on and start enjoying my break. I then watch tuggers spending the next 2 to 3 hours setting up even more fun when they start on the awning

If I were to specify a new awning for anything, it would be a GB awning.

Full awning Up in minutéis , stable in the winds and down is less minutes when you decamp.

 

[Coolcats]

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.

If we need a car when we get to a destination we hire one it’s much cheaper.

We have watched people with caravans reversing and setting up, if you had a timer I reckon by the time the motor home had stopped put the kettle on made and drank the tea the caravan owner will have just finished parking, levelling fetching the water so I reckon there is a good 20 mins between the ability to make and drink the tea.

 

[DDJC]

We have done every option, except motorbikes/mopeds.

1. We used to be tuggers, with a 1650kg Bailey pulled by a Hyundai Santa Fe (lovely car)
2. Then we got a Ducato motorhome and converted a Suzuki Ignis to fit an A Frame
3. Then we got a small Woodford Ltwt 76 trailer and pulled the Suzuki round Europe (A frames are not legal in much of Europe, despite what some dealers and fitters will try and convince you otherwise)
4. Then finally we sacked the car and the trailer and instead get around using the motorhome as transport as well as home, but we do tow a small 500kg unbraked Anssems trailer

Of these, each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is therefore a bit pointless to say that one is better than the other. It depends on how you use it. I enjoyed all four options. These are MY opinions and yours will be different because you use your kit in the way that you want. We don't do wilding, for example, nor do we frequently visit towns and cities. We prefer the countryside, mountains, lakes and the coast. These days, we do UK once a year and Europe three times.

1. Tugging
Advantages for us are that you have an empty car that you can nip out, or get into car parks in towns. Our van had a mover fitted and was a breeze to set up. However the awnings (we had fibreglass then an inflatable) were a bit of a pain but necessary as we are a family of four. Much more living space in our caravan than in our motorhome.

2. A Frame.
Never really got on with the A Frame, but that was the Suzuki Ignis which was the wrong car (autobox and electric ignition). Also, despite what some unscrupulous fitters will try to tell you, they are definitely not legal in the European countries we like to go to. If you are UK only, then they are a workable proposition. The main advantage is that if you set up on a site for a week, perhaps with a non-driveaway awning) you becomes a pita to take it all down, just to get to the supermarket five miles away. Having a car solves that. Also you may find that the A Frame, plus car are less than your permitted towing weight, so you can put extra cargo in the car.

3. Car Trailer
Necessary if you want to Toad in Europe. Gives you the advantages above, but the downside is it is noisy and time consuming to load and then strap down the trailer. Also, in the wet, you can slip and slide up those bloody, smooth-as-glass ramps. You should also check your noseweight as it might shove you over your max permitted mass. Anther annoyance is that your ferry/tunnel crossing cost goes up by as much as 75% (especially the tunnel). There is a way round this for the tunnel, if you phone and talk to a human.

4. Motorhome
Where we are at the moment, with a little cargo trailer, and driveaway awning (if we want to use it). We can't really use aires, although we are only about 9m in total; it means backing and filling where there may not be room to do so. However, in Europe, using a motorhome as your runabout is perfectly feasible and many European towns are very motorhome friendly. Not so in UK, where motorhomes are not welcomed and height restrictions are "No Motorhomes" signs are everywhere. And then local councils wonder why we don't visit them?

In summary, I would say that there are no hard and fast right or wrongs. What you do must work best for you. You should think carefully about how you are going to use it, how many of you there are, how long you are going to stay in one place and where you like going.

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[Jonny1953]

We must encourage tuggers , they provide hours of entertainment when setting up on site

I've been tugging for two years now, turn up on site and reverse onto pitch, use motor movers if not happy with position which is rare, jockey wheel down, unhitch car, press a button and the caravan levels itself, put a bucket under the drain and I'm set up, 5 minutes tops, not all caravans need an awning.

I then sit back and get entertained by the Mohos trying to reverse onto ramps after they have had a noisy journey with all the squeaks and rattles in their Moho.