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Tow it or Rent it
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Mark,
That Exploder is long gone and there ARE taxi’s in both Guerneville and Sedona, fact there are Enterprises withing close reach of both places as well. I suspect a number of others rentals and cabs are also available with a quick search.
As for a different way of towing, I doubt it, that’s cut and dry! There are other issues as well, in California you have a grand total of 65 feet available, with a 45 bus and an average tow you will find yourself over the legal length and have a better than even chance of enjoying a polite conversation with the CHP, I-10 outside of Indio is famous for this. Add 2750 to your costs for the citation and hope you have a spare driver to follow you around in your tow car, that’s the law. Aside from that California as does many other states, limits you to 55 MPH when towing anything.(truckers just love the place)
As an old Russian River Rat I ask, didn’t you find River Road to Guerneville, well, a little tight. Somewhere on that artery are signs about kingpin to rear axle, maximum 30 feet albeit that signage may be a tad closer to the ocean. Still in all, pretty place when its not flooded, great Italian food nearby!
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Fly,
There were no car rental company’s in Guerneville in 2004 when we rented new a 31 ft. C-class. We walked to the Chamber of Commerce and there were no rental car company’s at that time. Cabs….certainly didn’t see any! So, we unhooked the class-C and went winery hopping. The streets were twisty and a few had low branches, but we made it!
Enterprise would not rent to me in Sedona in 2005 because I didn’t fly into the airport. I couldn’t believe it either and they were closed on the weekends! Things maybe different now.
I live in southern California 30 miles from Indio. In fact, Indio is where I store my coach. I have never been stopped in the state of California for anything. I like driving 55-60 mph, so it’s not an issue for me. I also have never seen an RV pulled over in all of my California driving and I’ve been a part time resident for almost 25 yrs. (doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen tho), I thinks it’s rare.
I have to go through the California check point coming into California from Arizona which would be a perfect time to check length, they have never questioned it.
Saft travels,
Mr.Mark
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Hey Flyuthere, I have yet to hear of anyone getting pulled over in a bus towing a Tahoe or Suburban and getting a ticket. I been doing the California drive thru for 10 years. Now watch me get one tomarrow on my way home:-(( and if i do I’m going to send it to you!! Hey how ya been? Come see us in the desert at MCC. Oh you can barrow my towed Tahoe.
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Sid and MM
Been lucky guys, count your blessings. Sid, I remember after the Pahrump rally a few years back, Gary Baker got a double whammy from a Cal DOT PU Truck just outside of Indio, driving a 45 ‘ XL2 with a Yukon XL in tow going 65. It’s the pick up truck highway patrolmen that nab you as they are the only ones with tape measures! Think most states refer to them at DOT however they can and do write tickets. Got to remember that Moonbeam needs all the money he can muster, you are a target 🙂 The Fruit Police at the State Line, what a joke, unless you tell them that you have a head of lettuce onboard that you bought in New Jersey; if you are really bored try it! After they are done with you do not forget to ask for your free map.
MM, I would have complained to the CEO of Enterprise, you would be surprised how well he responds, in fact you would probably still be getting free cars, especially considering that the closest airport is Prescott, Cottonwood does not count!
I guess I should say that I do not use my bus as a tour wagon rather as an ovegrown station wagon to get me from house to house. Mutt’s, goldfish, my arsenal, travel on the bus from AZ to CA to WYO to Louisiana so there is not much need for me to have a tow car.
Sid, I will be in touch as I am looking at a piece of real estate in Palm Springs.
Happy Trails
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Fly,
Well, when towing in California, the speed limit is 55. I bet your friend would not have been stopped if he was not speeding. Since they had him stopped, one thing can lead to another.
After my rental car experience in Sedona, I rarely rent cars anymore as I have my dingy with me. I might travel from TN to CA and not even unhook the Honda. But, it’s there if I need it and doesn’t take anytime to disconnect.
Everyone has their comfort level and you prefer not to tow. Why you even asked the question is a mystery as you have already made up your mind, which is fine.
Safe travels,
MM.
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I do like not towing. The bus feels like a sports car without it, and there is a great deal of pleasure associated with knowing I can drive anywhere with impunity because if I get in a jam I can always back up without giving it a seond thought.
But like most we tow because the toad gives us comfort knowing we don’t have to rely on anyone if we want to take a side trip, or if we have a problem on the road.
What I don’t understand is how a toad can get damaged by towing. Our 1994 Grand Cherokee was driven 60,000 miles, but had 210,000 miles unregistered from being towed. No dings, the broken glass, no mechanical issues except for a radiator that had to be replaced due to corroded fins from years of getting sprayed with road salt driving in the rust belt.
Our H2 has been our toad since 2005 and it has been driven 22,000 miles, but towed 90,000 miles. No stone chips, no broken glass and one set of rear tires flat spotted. (down to the steel cords.
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Jon,
Being a past HUMMER dealer, I know what your H2 weighs, around 6600 lbs., with no s$&@ in it.
No wonder your bus drives like a sports car without it! LOL
Still, one of the best driving/riding vehicles on the road. I attended several Hummer off road courses put on by AM General………..amazing what they are capable of doing.
Back to the post, nobody likes towing anything, but we really like the benefits of having them back the there. I have never damaged a toad either, even though I rust proofed one, by covering it in transmission fluid from a blown hydraulic line on a CC I used to have.
What I don’t agree with, is towing a car dolly……but that’s another story
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MM
Comfort level is a poor choice of words, I prefer convenience. My first post on this thread states that 99+ percent of the time I do not need a tow car, if I need one then I will hook it up, as I have all the “stuff” to make it so. For me, and I suspect many others as well, renting a car is a viable alternative and certainly depending on my speceific need, I may tow, albeit only on occassion. Mystery solved.
Jon, I whacked my Exploder with a plastic Country Coach that I owned, I would probably attribute that to lousy geometry as the huge overhang from the rear axle I do believe actually caused the car to be tugged sideways during tight turns. As you know, I recently had a tag blow out in Gila Bend and I know that had I been towing I would have really damaged the vehicle not only with the alligator but also the mud flaps, fender liner and muffler parts that I added to the already debris filled road.
As an aside have a look at gossrv. They rent not only tow cars but one can also snag a deal on a new Marathon X3, rents for 23,500 a week or 4500/day and there are lot’s more to choose from….mmmmhhhh?
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John who rents Marathon’s? Is it motorhomes or entertainers buses?
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Sid,
Gossrv.com, bring money! Marathon is a motorhome, runs 94000 per month plus 2.99/mile over 100/day, you buy gas and insurance and a few other little add on’s. They deliver (additional cost) and pick up (additional cost) and will even rent you a tow car for it, you can add a Hummer H2 to the equation for 60000/month. They have a big inventory of rentals, I mean lots and lots of them although the prices are all nearly the same.
Still in all if one just wanted to find out about these beasts, could rent one for a few days to see and all that could be done for less than 15K.
John
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JB,
You hit the nail on the head, ‘WE’ like having our toads with us and the benefits involved.
I, too, have never damaged a towed vehicle when turning. My pivot point with my tag raised makes for a pretty long tail but I have never had any problem in the tightest turns. And, I have surprised myself on how tight I can turn our rig and the Honda follows with no problem.
I’ve seen some gassers where the rear wheels seem to be located almost in the center of the coach. If the engine wasn’t in the front, it looks like it would tip onto it’s back bumper. LOL!
I’m sure some people are wandering why a guy with a ‘plastic’ coach is on the Prevost site. We are still debating on having a new Prevost built, looking through the used selections on many websites, nothing pops out. And, reading on these Prevost threads have opened my eyes on many levels.
Safe travels,
MM.
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For a buyer of a new coach with prices likely north of $2 MM a $15,000 rental cost for a few days represents about 2 1/2 week’s worth of depreciation on that new coach so it would seem to be a great way to evaluate a coach.
But today’s coaches are so technically complex that all three day’s rental will do is forever confuse the renter.
The days of being able to find the key and drive off are gone. It took me the equivalent of a day to figure out the Crestron and I am still not able to say I have it mastered. With the audio visual stuff, the house heat and air systems, slides, leveling system, etc. it takes 3 days to explain the coach to someone who has never owned a late model Prevost.
Just my 2 cents.
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What makes sense for me is to tow a Mini Clubman. Then you get to drive a Mini at the destination instead of a crappy rental. We towed the Mini on our Alaska tour this summer with 25 gallons of diesel in a safari rack!
Only damage in ~30k miles of towing, including over Top of the World Highway, is some minor rock chips on the bonnet. But the hubby has a paint gun and is not afraid to use it.
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Mr. Mark
Have fun picking out a new one, that would be really exciting! I would probably visit the top 3 or 4 converters before making a decision.
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JBchevy,
At this point, the two converters that I’ve read any significant information on are Marathon and Millennium (both have + and -). I’ve toyed with the idea of a Newell or Foretravel but a few more bucks you can have a Prevost.
If we decide to go for a new one (toured Marathon a couple of years ago), it will be the last as I would hope that it would take us into our golden years (20+ yrs.). At 55 yrs. old, I think I’ll be done with RVing by 75 yrs. old.
Back to topic (so I don’t get in trouble)…. the towing capacity of a Prevost chassis is the highest in the market. Although I would not want a huge vehicle, I could trailer my antique to a car show if I want to or even rent a stacker and include my regular toad too.
MM.
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