Toad logistics in a campground when RVing solo

amarie1 · July 9, 2020

I have a 30-foot RV (Thor freedom elite) and a Volkswagen Rabbit toad. When I pull into a state campground (the only kinds of places I've stayed so far), what's the common/best way for me to handle the 2 vehicles?

1) Drive with toad down twisty turny lanes (hey the 5th wheelers can do it) until I get to my space, which is seldom pull-through. Then ... ? Block traffic while I detach the toad, drive it to my space, then back the RV up into the space too?

2) After checking in, find a place in the parking lot (?) to drop the toad, then drive one vehicle up to space, hoof it back, and drive the other vehicle?

I can't think of any other solution. I'm very new so have never seen how other folks do it.

Is it different if I pay for like a KOA site? Do they have pullthroughs so I don't have to detach until I'm in my slot?

Thanks

AM

SWharton · July 9, 2020

Most campers are very patient and just wait for you to do your thing.

Many campgrounds at all levels have pull thru sites. You need to ask. If you check in campgroundreviews.com information is given on each campground. This is crowd sourced so reasonably up to date.

sandsys · July 9, 2020

We pulled our toad to just short of our campsite. Unhitch the toad while still of the road. Pull forward and back the motorhome into the site. Move the toad into the site. Then do the reverse when leaving. No one ever complained that we were blocking the road. Maybe because most of them were doing the same thing.

Linda Sand

amarie1 · July 9, 2020

ah, great to know! thank you! I wasn't looking forward to the "hoofing it back down to the parking lot" part. 😉

AM

Carolaow · July 9, 2020

You can also call directly to the park ahead of time and ask for their advice. If you book through Reserve America, which is taking over so many of the state park reservation systems now, be aware that they do not know details of the individual parks. On the park's website, find their direct phone number and chat with them about their recommendations. They can even steer you to what sites might be best most suitable for you (like the pull-throughs SWharton mentioned). Each park and each state is very different. Call each one. It can really be worth it. Meanwhile, sandsys is also right. Most campers are still a pretty patient, helpful bunch.

Kirk W · July 9, 2020

There is really no one answer to most things and this is no different. Unhooking near you site is probably the most common answer, particularly when traveling single but if there is a parking lot in close proximity to your site, then it would be more appropriate to unhook there. Few people will object to your unhooking near your site as long as you do so quickly and block traffic as little as possible. If there is an empty site near to yours, then put the car there while you get into your site. Just ask yourself what you would expect from others in the campground as you pass by their sites.

bobsallyh · July 10, 2020

We aren't motorhome owners but sure have no problem waiting on an MH driver to unhook the toad while we wait on the campground road. Really no different than us tying up the road until we get our fiver backed in.

2gypsies · July 10, 2020

Take both to the campsite. Unhook the toad. Usually there space at the nearest restroom to park or an empty site or just where you disconnected but make sure there's room for you to maneuver into the site. Never had a problem with agitated campers behind us. They probably all did the same. It takes 5th wheelers and travel trailers a while to get into their site and unhook, also.

Twotoes · July 10, 2020

As others have said it varies by camp ground. Pull thru sites will cost more so if on a budget it’s better to get a back in site. Some camp grounds will escort you to your site (like most KOAs) some do not. Some require you to unhitch your tow vehicle at the front but most don’t. No one will be bothered by you blocking the road for a few minutes while you unhitch near your site.

trailertraveler · July 10, 2020

Not all campgrounds have single lane roads. If you stop in one lane, traffic can still get by in the other. If the sites are long enough, pull into an empty site near yours or even your site head first. Unhook the toad and back it out. Back the motorhome out and then back it into your spot. Move the toad if necessary and you are done while minimizing the disruption to traffic. In my experience traffic in a campground is generally greatest in the morning as folks leave or go to work and late afternoon as folks start to pull off the road and others come home from work or sight seeing. We have found that arriving at an overnight spot by about 3PM is a good time. As mentioned those with trailers (like us) often have to block or partially block campground roads as they park and unhitch. It's just part of campground life.

amarie1 · July 10, 2020

thanks all! that info reduces my anticipated stress. 😉 I know this will be fun in a while but as an almost complete newbie on her own it's kind of intimidating. Really glad to have found this community!

AM

dennisvr · July 10, 2020

Something I would like to suggest is if you have to block traffic in order to hook up your toad is don't get in a hurry. I know when people have to wait for me I try to hurry to get out of the way. After you hook up the very last thing to do is look to make sure the hitch is locked. I learned that in my teens when I towed an aluminum boat from the lake and went to disconnect it at home and realized I didn't latch the hitch. (Got lucky I didn't loose it). So now before I walk away I double check the hitch. Have a safe trip. Looking forward to reading about your journey.

Truckman · July 18, 2020

I always try to find a place to unhook/hook up without blocking the road or anyone else's space. Sometimes it may be a little far but a little exercise won't hurt me.