To Tow or Not to Tow? - Living in a Coaster/Motorhome

ChrisandPeter · Senior Member

To Tow or Not to Tow? - Living in a Coaster/Motorhome

AmandaJayne · Guru

Our coaster is not a turbo... so we only tow the car when we are in WA (where we live) and we visit our friends south of us because of it being so slow with hills. When we did the longer trip we never took our car and I can say we never really missed it even when we stayed in CPs we just unplugged drove the bus around and re-parked.... we also always found parking spots in towns easily enough so it never bothered us. Oh we have a short wheel base coaster making parking much easier :)

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Towing imposes serious limitation as to where we can go in our 4WD MH, although we occasionally tow a boat, but only if we have specific use plans.
It takes 5 minutes to close up and move, so a second vehicle is never a requirement for us.

Besides, parking in towns/shops is a pain if you tow.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 10th of June 2014 05:49:02 PM

Gwian · Senior Member

We don't tow...no additional rego fees etc...if near public transport we use it.

oldbobsbus · Guru

We have a larger bus (9mtr) and we used to carry a car on a trailer but concluded it was 1 more rego to pay so we started towing with an A frame and now have a Hitch n Go with a Suzi Grand Vitara.. works for us and we don't even notice it there..

exa41 · Guru

We don`t tow either , coaster is a 83 shorty so parking isn`t a problem . If we need something just put a few things away and were gone.

Cupie · Guru

A bit off topic, but we as Caravan people have always looked longingly at the quality of motothomes but always back off because of the towing issue.

We were in Broome CP in 2000 (up in the then named 'Siberia' section of the park) when a massive MH (maybe a Winnebago or a Swagman) that was painted the same color as my 1996 Maroon & Gold Patrol, arrived.

We were gob smacked as it came round the corner to reveal that it was towing a multi wheeled flat bed trailer with a Patrol exactly like mine except that it had been stretched .. like a stretch limo.

-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 11th of June 2014 08:46:54 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 11th of June 2014 08:47:42 AM

rollingstone · Veteran Member

hi we have a 38 foot bus and have ordered a car trailer to tow our ford territory for a while. we are about to do our shake down trip hopefully in about 2 weeks and we will see what its like as the bus is an old wheezer. as this is likely to be our home for a while we looked at the ins and outs of towing - finances at present don't allow us to sell the territory and just a-frame a 4wd- that also was tricky as needed a neutral transfer case to do so which narrowed the vehicle down to a couple of models. will look at changing vehicle next year as don't need a 4x4 yet. will let you know what towing is like in a few weeks

ChrisandPeter · Senior Member

Thanks Everyone for your input.

We will continue to research the topic and try and talk to as many people as possible.

HarleyDog we would definitely like to find out how you go.

Enjoy our beautiful country and stay safe!

Cheers
Chris and Peter

wendyv · Guru

We graduated from 4WD and caravan (which we'd towed well over 100,000kms) to Coaster LWB, couple of years ago. So we were no strangers to towing. We did not intend to tow with the bus. Did one shakedown trip for a couple of weeks and it soon became obvious that we really needed to tow a runabout. It was just too much hassle, putting down the awning, disconnecting water and power (when in caravan parks), stowing stuff inside that might fall off benches etc etc - to go sightseeing, or even to the shops!

Our travel style is that we tend to park up somewhere, then take some time to explore round the area - not just travel from point A to point B.

So we came home, did some research, finished up with Terios, flat towed with Ready Brute A frame hitch.

Had 3 months away, in 2013, with bus and Terios. The towing is totally different to that with a caravan, or trailer. The car just follows along - don't even know it is there. Really stable.

Definitely the right decision for us.

Bevandy2 · Senior Member

Hi Chris and Peter,
Like you, we spent a good two years doing our homework before retiring in 2001, we looked at all the options, Coaster bus, other camper vans and motor homes etc, I vowed I would never tow a caravan, but in the end that is exactly what we decided on.

Only a 16' pop top, but once I got used to towing it and backing it, I wouldn't have anything else. It tows easy, is stable on the road,(in severe cross winds) relatively easy to park in the street when necessary in country towns, and for sight seeing, so convenient to leave it in the caravan park and take off with the car for the day.

The van has an onboard toilet and shower, we have no need of anything more fancy. The longest we have lived in it full time was about 9 months, we never got sick of it.

After 13 years and well over 200k of towing, we wouldn't change it, some of our friends have upgraded etc, but as my missus always says, 50 grand or 200 grand, wherever you camp the view out the window is just the same regardless of how expensive the rig is.

We tow with a Falcon, (previously Fairlane) both excellent tugs and do the job beautifully. They have big boots for carrying all the gear.

We sometimes wish we had the ability to go off road, as with a 4WD, but can't do everything. (when we bought the Falcon the kids said why not get a Prado, our son said, "Fair go, Dad couldn't change a wheel on a Prado" so there ya go, wise words from the (not so) young!)

Make the best choice,

Bevan

ChrisandPeter · Senior Member

Some great replies guys!

WendyV your progression to Coaster and camping style sounds very similar to us. We also have a dog (4 year old rescue cattle dog)!

We like to explore and area when we set up and once we are out there "full-time" we will stay at places for a good while.

I have had a glance at your blog and when i have some time i'll have a really good read.

Bevan - we are also like you in the fact that we don't require all the bells and whistles - we did the whole of 2013 in our wind-up goldstream and never wanted for anything.

Our only conclusion after the year was that we needed to be fully self contained. We had a porta-poti and outside shower but observed a number of places with "self-contained" requirements and saw the need.

We are still deciding and may go with a smaller caravan but at the moment we are leaning towards the coaster.

As you say hopefully after all our research we will make the best choice for US!

Thanks again everyone!

Bevandy2 · Senior Member

Hi again C&P,
The Coaster would be a good choice, they are a neat little bus, just a thought though, we have found over the years and many miles, if you can cruise up around the speed limit, 90 - 100 you find a lot less hassles on the road, the truckies drive at 100, and will come up close behind, not usually agro, just keeping the revs up to get past, so when travelling safely at the safest speed for you, you will find a UHF radio a very handy tool, Just call them up and say you are aware of their presence, and will help them get past as soon as safe to do so, that's another thread, dealing with truckies, sharing the road and UHF's, but a road safety factor.

Over the years we have found them good guys, just working fellas like we used to be, they appreciate us helping them to get past.

You could say, "Hey Big Mack, this is the gaudily coloured Coaster in front of you with all the Mickey Mouse stickers, and the Aussie flag fluttering on the roof, I see you, just go past when you can, I will slow down as you come past to let you in," they will say, "Thanks bud, on a roll, comin' through now" as they rocket past,

Meanwhile you hold your speed if you can, and as they come alongside then slow down, let them know they are clear to pull back in, tell them, or flash your lights.
I use the UHF and just say "OK you're clear" they thank us and pull back in.

We always stay on ch 40,

Look forward to hearing what you end up getting,

Bevan

Cupie · Guru

Bevandy2 wrote:
Hi again C&P,
The Coaster would be a good choice, they are a neat little bus, just a thought though, we have found over the years and many miles, if you can cruise up around the speed limit, 90 - 100 you find a lot less hassles on the road, the truckies drive at 100, and will come up close behind, not usually agro, just keeping the revs up to get past, so when travelling safely at the safest speed for you, you will find a UHF radio a very handy tool, Just call them up and say you are aware of their presence, and will help them get past as soon as safe to do so, that's another thread, dealing with truckies, sharing the road and UHF's, but a road safety factor.

Over the years we have found them good guys, just working fellas like we used to be, they appreciate us helping them to get past.

You could say, "Hey Big Mack, this is the gaudily coloured Coaster in front of you with all the Mickey Mouse stickers, and the Aussie flag fluttering on the roof, I see you, just go past when you can, I will slow down as you come past to let you in," they will say, "Thanks bud, on a roll, comin' through now" as they rocket past,

Meanwhile you hold your speed if you can, and as they come alongside then slow down, let them know they are clear to pull back in, tell them, or flash your lights.
I use the UHF and just say "OK you're clear" they thank us and pull back in.

We always stay on ch 40,

Look forward to hearing what you end up getting,

Bevan

Good advice in my opinion.

They would make it much better if they didn't swear so much. Not acceptable when you have SWMBO or children in the vehicle. Though this is not so much a problem in the bush where the use of Ch40 is so much more important.

wendyv · Guru

Chris and Peter,
we changed from caravan and 4WD to Coaster etc because Driver was "over" the rigmarole of hitching, unhitching, setting up the van etc. Our van was fairly small, and fairly basic - when we had it made, were operating on the keep it simple principle i.e. less things to go wrong on rough roads and in the bush. At 72, and with a couple of new hips and heart bits, Driver wanted an easier set up and more comfort inside.

We were initially really surprised at how much quicker and easier setting up the bus is. We can be into a site/place, have car off bus (if needed), awning out, set up in and out, and be relaxing outside, within 15 minutes of arrival.

Bus is so much comfier inside, too. The two single beds act as day lounges - lovely. I think it helps that our bus seems to have been really well insulated by the company that did the conversion (for previous owners).

The stumpy tail cattle dog just loves the bus, too! At least, when it is not moving.........Front passenger seat seems to be a natural dog night bed.........

Agree about having CB and using Channel 40. Essential for safe travel, in my opinion.

Bevandy2 · Senior Member

You mostly get the bad language in the busy metro areas, and then the UHF is not much use anyway, very different in the outback, I turn it off when I get sick of the yahoos carrying on, there's nothing you can do to help them anyway on a busy motorway, they just have to take it, like we do.

We once heard a truckie really abusing a caravan in front of him, he couldn't get past and the van had no where to pull over anyway, they are the times the UHF is priceless, before the agro builds up you can call them up and defuse a potential bout of agro.
In that incident, I don't think the van had a UHF so they were ignorant of the angst they were causing.

Bevan

Cupie · Guru

Bevandy2 wrote:
You mostly get the bad language in the busy metro areas, and then the UHF is not much use anyway, very different in the outback, I turn it off when I get sick of the yahoos carrying on, there's nothing you can do to help them anyway on a busy motorway, they just have to take it, like we do.

We once heard a truckie really abusing a caravan in front of him, he couldn't get past and the van had no where to pull over anyway, they are the times the UHF is priceless, before the agro builds up you can call them up and defuse a potential bout of agro.
In that incident, I don't think the van had a UHF so they were ignorant of the angst they were causing.

Bevan

Couldn't agree more ..

poodles1950 · Veteran Member

It's a question with no definitive answer I think. We've had two large bus conversions [32'], two caravans, one a pop-top, a camper trailer and now a coaster. Every one of them had its benefits and drawbacks. Having a car is so handy but not having to tow is also good. The buses were so easy to live in but difficult to find a park. The coaster fits in the middle - easy to park and there's no towing, but it's smallish. If we had the funds, we'd go for an A-class as opposed to a C-class due to wind resistance and having to climb up into the bed. Then again, a C-class gives more room. Good luck deciding!