Should I or not-buy Interstate

[GoWhereTowed]

Another question. Do you have to be concerned about toad sway the same way you have to be concerned about trailer sway?

[GypsyGene]

It's just me and the pup so pretty perfect size wise. I'm pretty good at packing exactly what I may need so I never have to leave camp to go to the store. It's quite comfy but I did add a foam mattress to the queen bed
.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by GoWhereTowed

Protag, I have been looking at Foley. They seem to have a decent inventory. Gypsy, thanks
for the offer. If I pull the trigger on this will buy new. The more I think about this, the coach is the way I am going. Kind of wonder if they will make any major changes in the 2017 model. I pulled travel trailers all over America and thinking about those days, which I loved, and the ease of the coach, don't know why I waited so long to investigate that possibility. Probably old age taking over. That older age is another reason the coach is so attractive. Spend it instead of leaving to the grand kids, but will let them ride in it.

B-vans with the space and capability of today's Sprinter models have only been around since about 2008. The extended length, 24 foot models only became widely available in 2013.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by GoWhereTowed

Another question. Do you have to be concerned about toad sway the same way you have to be concerned about trailer sway?

No. Toads have wheels on all four corners instead of in the middle like a trailer, so they're rock-steady behind you. Also, the toad weight is only about one-third the weight of the Interstate, unlike a trailer that weighs as much or more than the tow vehicle. There is no discernable sway at all, at any speed. You never have the tail trying to wag the dog. In fact, if you don't check the rearview camera every now andf again to make sure it's still back there, you could forget that it is there!

There's no tongue weight to speak of, either, so it doesn't affect the van's handling. The van has nearly the same handling characteristics towing as when it's not towing. My towbar weighs a little less than 40 pounds. Half of that weight is supported by the toad, half by the Interstate, so the load on the hitch is between 2700 and 3500 pounds depending on what I have loaded in the toad, but the tongue weight is only 20 pounds no matter what the weight of the toad. Completely different from a trailer in that regard.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by GoWhereTowed

I am actually looking in about 6 different states, including Texas. Have also talked to Colonial in New Jersey and if that was the only option, would fly up there and drive it back.

Frequent flyer miles are wonderful. If I'm remembering correctly, we committed to buying our Interstate on a Thursday, flew from Houston to Memphis after work the very next day on Friday, and drove it back on Saturday. I don't want to think about what two tickets would have cost on 24 hours notice if I'd had to pay for them.

[GoWhereTowed]

Well, I looked and fell in love!! Checked several different trailers as well and I have lost the trailer bug. For my particular needs, the coach will be perfect. Now doing some serious online shopping. Going to get the toad first, drive it to wherever I get the coach and tow it back. The dealer said there would be no problem in towing off the lot. I did not know if there was any break-in need for the coach before you tied something behind it. I am really glad the coach thought hit me
I really appreciate all of the advise you have given. Its fun at my age to get so excited about something, feel like a kid again.
Protag, if I get the coach in Gulfport, I am going to bring it by for you to take a look.

[m.hony]

Decision point!
Progress is made!


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[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by GoWhereTowed

Well, I looked and fell in love!! Checked several different trailers as well and I have lost the trailer bug. For my particular needs, the coach will be perfect. Now doing some serious online shopping. Going to get the toad first, drive it to wherever I get the coach and tow it back. The dealer said there would be no problem in towing off the lot. I did not know if there was any break-in need for the coach before you tied something behind it. I am really glad the coach thought hit me

I really appreciate all of the advise you have given. Its fun at my age to get so excited about something, feel like a kid again.

Protag, if I get the coach in Gulfport, I am going to bring it by for you to take a look.

There are break-in requirements for the first 1000 miles in my 2012 owners manual. Copy of page attached.

Not sure if that would limit towing in first 1000 miles. Really depends on how heavy a toad you get. Then you should drive a little easier on your way home with toad.



- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

There are break-in requirements for the first 1000 miles in my 2012 owners manual. Copy of page attached.

Not sure if that would limit towing in first 1000 miles. Really depends on how heavy a toad you get. Then you should drive a little easier on your way home with toad.

Unless you're pushing your limit on allowable trailer weight, an Interstate tows a toad easily, hardly any strain on the engine. Remember, the toad will never be more than half the weight of the van, and a third of the weight is more likely.

The real key during the break-in period is "vary your speed." Which to my mind means "Stay off the Interstate Highways." That routing will provide you with small town speed limits, traffic lights, and ample other opportunities to vary your speed. Just make sure you accelerate gently when increasing speed— but if you're avoiding highway on-ramps, hard acceleration should be a non-issue whether you're pulling a toad or not.

[ColoradoLady]

Go, I am trading my Bambi in for a 2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext. I share your excitement. I feel like I'm starting a new phase in life. Never too old to learn, right?!
Evelyn.

[GoWhereTowed]

Congrats Evelyn. We are starting a trend. Having looked at one yesterday, I think you will be very happy in the coach and Mikki is going to love it.
Surprised that the coach did not have tire pressure monitors. I agree Protag, my toad will probably weigh in around 3500 to 3700.
I was also talking to a trailer salesman yesterday to give my thought process one more test. He said something that made me really lose confidence in them. Was asking about whether they could put on the ProPride hitch, and his comment was that Airstream was known for their ease of towing and he had no idea why someone would want to put one of those hitches on the trailer. Wonder how much he really knows about towing.

[ColoradoLady]

My guess...not much!!!

[Lily&Me]

On the side of not having a toad.....we never wanted one nor felt we needed it.

We planned sightseeing around time for sitting still, determined how much stuff we carried and set up around the need and desire to be...first and foremost...mobile and compact.

The difference in length and maneuverability with a toad in tow will be immense, vs not having that to contend with in campgrounds, gas stations, parking lots, etc.

We got rid of our bike rack and went to folding bicycles for the same reason.

We found that keeping our fresh water filled helped a lot with any running around during the day, simply unplugging electricity being all that was needed to go in the mornings.

In my opinion....why have an Interstate, engine and all....if you are just going to tow a vehicle, with another engine?

Keep it simple, be mobile and go-anywhere. Use your Interstate as your travel and living quarters.

It is an outstanding experience.


Maggie

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

On the side of not having a toad.....we never wanted one nor felt we needed it.
< snip >
We got rid of our bike rack and went to folding bicycles for the same reason.
< snip >
Keep it simple, be mobile and go-anywhere. Use your Interstate as your travel and living quarters.

It is an outstanding experience.


Maggie

I agree with Maggie. We do the same thing and also went from bikes on a rear rack to a folding tandem bike. Works great to stuff it in the back of our EXT model.

[InterBlog]

It's a lifestyle preference. I can't imagine having a toad; the whole reason we bought the Interstate was because my husband didn't want to get into a towing headspace and now I don't want to either. Some other people can't imagine not having a composting toilet while others can't imagine having one. Others can't imagine staying in a commercial campground while others can't imagine not staying in one. This list is endless.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

In my opinion....why have an Interstate, engine and all....if you are just going to tow a vehicle, with another engine?

I'm sure I've said this before, maybe even earlier in this thread.

I live— and used to work— in the New Orleans metro area. Much of the downtown parking is in multi-level garages where my Interstate can't go, so it made sense to have another vehicle as a daily driver.

And being a one-driver— and one-person— family and living in a hurricane-prone area, it would be negligent of me to have a daily driver that wasn't towable, that I'd have to leave behind when I evacuate. So my daily driver had to be a toad.

And having a toad anyway, I might as well tow it.

And having towed it to the campground, I might as well use it when the attractions I want to see aren't actually in the campground. Besides, having a mobility impairment and diabetes also means that a bicycle and "shank's mare" aren't necessarily good substitutes.

So for me, one decision leads naturally to another, which leads me to be a proponent of toads even with an Interstate.

But for those that don't need one or don't want one, that's fine. If we ever happen to be at a rally together or something and you need a ride in my toad to take care of errands, I'll be glad to give you a ride. And then never let you live it down…

[m.hony]

Disconnecting water, sewer, electric and retracting awnings to go for ice cream isn't attractive to me.
That being said, I know people who do just that.


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[Lily&Me]

Yep, having a toad is purely a personal choice, but it's not what Interstates were meant for, or do best, IMO.

One needn't be hooked up to anything but electric, really....and, often, not even that.

No need to be hooksd up to sewer....you use the dump station or your site connection when the time comes.

In and out of tiny, out of the way sites...no problem. Park in a single parking space...no problem. In and out of off-the-beaten-path National Park and Forest sites...no problem.

Go where only small can go.....now that is the magic, and what it's all about...in my opinion.

Some need more, others need less....and, it's all okay.


Maggie

[Boxster1971]

Yes the use of your Interstate is a personal choice. The stock Interstate now made by Airstream does require regular hook-up to electricity. This limits your camping options.
The trend in the B-van market is to allow more of the flexibility Maggie mentions above. I added more solar and bigger batteries to my Interstate, rather than trade up, because I tend to keep my vehicles for 15-20 years. For about $5,000 I made my van as capable as any of the newer options from Roadtrek, Winnebago or Advanced RV. I did it without loosing $10K's on depreciation.
I'm a happy camper😄


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[ColoradoLady]

I was pleased to learn that my new AI GT ext comes equipped with 100 watt solar panel on the roof. That should help in boondocking. Don't ride a bike, or pull a toad...(the pathfinder is over weight limit) and that's my daily driver. I'll try to do as Maggie does...do my major sightseeing enroute to locations. Seems like a workable plan to me. Thanks, Maggie.