Car on a trailer

StephDeLux

StephDeLux

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Hi

When I see on the road a motorhome with a car on a trailer, I do not understand how that is better than having a confortable car with a caravan.
Can someone explain that to me?
Thanks!

Stéphane
 
Just do a search and look at the previous posts on this and you may then understand why some people do it.
I have my reasons.
36715B25-65B2-489B-9D8F-630963549CD3.jpeg
 
Oh goody. A bun fight.

Cancel all appointments for me.

My thought is that you can always take a MoHo away with or without a car but try that with a caravan.

I'm thinking of a toad for the same reason.

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I have read other threads. Still a mystery to me, no offense intended.

Seems to me people get a motorhome because they are afraid to have a trailer, get a van that is too big to be practical, then realise having a car would be handy and then buy a small car because getting rid of the MH comes at a huge loss and end up with a trailer anyway.

Of course, Mikeko's picture demolishes that reasoning, the van there is very reasonable and practical :) Still doesn't make me understand the cost/benefit ratio, mind you.
 
We have thought about towing a car for the following reasons. We use the MH all year and only do weekends and long weekends until main leave periods of 2 or 3 weeks. The MH would be used all year as we move constantly and use BritStops and caravans cannot be used this way. During main leave periods, we would stop in one area for a while and for ease, use the car to see the local area. Easier to park and cheaper to run around in, then move to a new location. However, after 2 - 3 days in one spot we couldnt stand it any longer, so moved on. Good job we tried before buying. Additionally, we would use the Aires system abroad and again something you coudln't use a caravan for. So for those that can stay put for an extended period of time, but still use the MH all year flitting from one place to another would have to have a Motorhome, Caravan and a big enough car to pull caravan and use it as a run around car.
 
Stephane Bosman said:
I have read other threads. Still a mystery to me, no offense intended.

Seems to me people get a motorhome because they are afraid to have a trailer, get a van that is too big to be practical, then realise having a car would be handy and then buy a small car because getting rid of the MH comes at a huge loss and end up with a trailer anyway.

Of course, Mikeko's picture demolishes that reasoning, the van there is very reasonable and practical :) Still doesn't make me understand the cost/benefit ratio, mind you.
Click to expand...
In Winter we park the van up for 6 months in Spain and use the car, is that okay with you or should I change my lifestyle.
 
Stephane Bosman said:
I have read other threads. Still a mystery to me, no offense intended.

Seems to me people get a motorhome because they are afraid to have a trailer, get a van that is too big to be practical, then realise having a car would be handy and then buy a small car because getting rid of the MH comes at a huge loss and end up with a trailer anyway.

Of course, Mikeko's picture demolishes that reasoning, the van there is very reasonable and practical :) Still doesn't make me understand the cost/benefit ratio, mind you.
Click to expand...
Do you want one , do you need one , are you thinking of getting one. If no , then does it matter what others do ?
 
Stephane Bosman said:
Hi

When I see on the road a motorhome with a car on a trailer, I do not understand how that is better than having a confortable car with a caravan.
Can someone explain that to me?
Thanks!

Stéphane
Click to expand...
Answer this..... Why not?

Same question reversed.

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Zigisla said:
We have thought about towing a car for the following reasons. We use the MH all year and only do weekends and long weekends until main leave periods of 2 or 3 weeks. The MH would be used all year as we move constantly and use BritStops and caravans cannot be used this way. During main leave periods, we would stop in one area for a while and for ease, use the car to see the local area. Easier to park and cheaper to run around in, then move to a new location. However, after 2 - 3 days in one spot we couldnt stand it any longer, so moved on. Good job we tried before buying. Additionally, we would use the Aires system abroad and again something you coudln't use a caravan for. So for those that can stay put for an extended period of time, but still use the MH all year flitting from one place to another would have to have a Motorhome, Caravan and a big enough car to pull caravan and use it as a run around car.
Click to expand...

Oh, I fully understand what you mean about what can't be done with a caravan. we are selling ours for exactly the reasons you mention. Over the last 2 years, while vacationing with the caravan, I have looked for things we do with the car and could not be done with a reasonably sized MH (7 meters max) and have found very little. It is always about going into some cities and of course tight parking. But isn't it more cost effective to use a mix of taxis and short-term car hiring? Unless of course the (very) small car is the one one uses at home. But even so, the trailer itself is not really cheap and needs insurance too.
 
Ivory55 said:
Do you want one , do you need one , are you thinking of getting one. If no , then does it matter what others do ?
Click to expand...

Well, we are doing the transition from a caravan to a motorhome. So, always curious to see if we overlooked something. And just curiosity, I suppose.
 
Mikeco said:
In Winter we park the van up for 6 months in Spain and use the car, is that okay with you or should I change my lifestyle.
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't that be OK with me? And why would that be relevant? I have no intention to imply anyone should change anything. I'm just being curious.

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I cannot answer your last two questions as we never followed this through, but I'm not too sure cost has a real impact on people's reasoning. If you have a large ish caravan, then dropping to 6 - 7 metre MH maybe too much of a compramise, so a larger MH and a toad could be the way ahead. If not, then maybe just a PVC maybe the way to go. Obviously Mikeco has stated his reasons, why both PVC and car works for him. Abroad you have the "A Frame" issues, so trailer is the only way ahead. As you mentioned as well, the toad may well be used at home as the run around.
 
Stephane Bosman said:
Why wouldn't that be OK with me? And why would that be relevant? I have no intention to imply anyone should change anything. I'm just being curious.
Click to expand...
I think that we need to go easy on you, when you have had your van for a few years you may perhaps see why people do it as there are many reasons. I would love a nice big Volvo XC 90 and large caravan for Spain but no chance of that so sometimes you have to make do with what you have ended up with.
 
The reason we switched from a caravan to a camper was that we like to carry all our "stuff" with us all the time as we never know what's around the corner. We found with the caravan we were constantly packing loads of things in the car on days out, now with a camper it's all there and for that reason (in our current family holidaying mode) we wouldn't use a small car, apart from the fact that it could fit us all in... i'd miss the tea pot, toilet, shower etc etc.

Maybe a small car once we've retired but kinda hoping we can both make do with bicycles.

en welkom Stéphane
 
We sometimes pull a toad on an aframe because it is easier to run around in a car rather than moving the motorhome once on site for a few days.
However if we feel that we won't need a car we leave it at home.
Now try doing that with a caravan ...

You would have to push your tin tent to site or flatten your batteries by driving in on the motor mover!?
 
Think we will end up with a toad later this year (Smart).

Most of the time we just want the van and with it the flexibility to park in most towns or wildcamp. But there are some places we go that a small car would be useful. My sisters road, for instance, isn't wide enough for even our van.

Will be useful to use locally as well while we are here in Wales.

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Stephane Bosman said:
Well, we are doing the transition from a caravan to a motorhome. So, always curious to see if we overlooked something. And just curiosity, I suppose.
Click to expand...
I want the extra flexibility from my Leisure Purchase

If you have a caravan it is certain that you can NEVER go away without the tow-car
If you have a MoHo/Campervan you can go away without the trailer/toad

For what it's worth, I think it was a valid question
 
I find it interesting that though the OP asks about the reasons as opposed to the benefits of Towing a Car but additionally mentions offsetting the cost of Car/Trailer/additional Insurance so thought it worth mentioning that to many Funsters who Tow that it has nothing Often to do with cost it’s about the benefit to each persons individual needs,they are all different.
I Tow with Trailer, I also have a Scooter along with Electric Bikes and occasionally use Taxis it all depends on my needs at the time which I choose.
 
With a caravan you are pretty much restricted to sites whereas with a motorhome you have much more options and freedom, even when towing a car (y)

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Thanks for all the answers. It is starting to make sense :)
 
Camping Gaza said:
Do as I do...

Motorhome + Scrambler Road Legal Motorcycle + Inflatable Kayak + Paraglider and Backpack Motor.

Now you can go anywhere...
Click to expand...

Thanks. We'll start by ordering the MH :)

Then we'll find out if we need something else. The inflatable kayak is already in our mind. Motorcycle and paraglider are much less likely for us, but I fully understand all the fun they can be.

We are really in a mindset to use the MH as our car when traveling, and fully intent on using bus and taxis when more practical for cities. Car hiring for extreme cases is not ruled out.

We already have our day to day cars, SUV for her, estate for me, of course both way too big to put on a trailer.
 
Having a small motorcycle either on a towbar mounted rack (if under 125kg) or larger bike on a trailer makes a lot of sense when touring, and not relying on campsites. Easy to do your shopping or sightseeing.

You may find yourself just hanging around the camper, not doing much if you have no other transport. (depending where you are parked of course) I used to use a pushbike but having a motorbike is sooooooooo much better.
 
Camping Gaza said:
Having a small motorcycle either on a towbar mounted rack (if under 125kg) or larger bike on a trailer makes a lot of sense when touring, and not relying on campsites. Easy to do your shopping or sightseeing.

You may find yourself just hanging around the camper, not doing much if you have no other transport. (depending where you are parked of course) I used to use a pushbike but having a motorbike is sooooooooo much better.
Click to expand...
I dont have a motorbike licence though, and my wife wouldnt get on one anyway for all the tea in china, but i get the freedom part for you

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