In addition to Robert's (igotjam) comment, having the second vehicle would allow some other flexibility.  When we travel, Jo can be behind me, watching the trailer from that vantage point.  Then if needing fuel or other type of stop, she can go ahead of me to find a good fueling station or place to park so we could go elsewhere to eat.  (I don't always like eating at truck stops, although I'm not a connoisseur of food by any stretch of the imagination.)

So, having her in the second vehicle lets her monitor, or scout, or if we have problems with something, the Ford F150 we have can be used to go get whatever might be needed to solve the problems.

This is all a "personal preference" situation for everyone.  With both people in one vehicle, it is easier for the second person to be the navigator, whereas if both are driving different vehicles, better planning must be done.  But again, the "scout" can easier turn around if that driver finds the route to be inconvenient or otherwise ill advised for taking the RV.

Terry

Another option is carrying a motorcycle or two with you. Our 2 motorbikes are great for around town, speeding up to 60 MPH while returning 100 MPG. They cost less than $100/yr to insure them both (in Louisiana, the state with the highest vehicle insurance cost in the nation) too. Here's a picture of my little bikes and loading ramp in the back of my truck:

I plan on building a tall truck topper to cover these bikes when full-timing in a TT, incorporating the folding loading ramp into the tailgate. This will leave the truck bed free for other goodies too. Having secondary transportation saves wear and tear on your TV. As prices continue to rise, expensive oil and filter changes on the diesel won't get any cheaper in the future. On the other hand, each bike only takes one quart of oil, a single spark plug and a squirt of chain lube and you're good to go.

Chip

-- Edited by Sushidog on Sunday 8th of June 2014 10:15:14 PM

We do tow a truck behind our motorhome but recently took a trip without the truck. Called Enterprise whenever we needed a car and they would pick us up. Worked out pretty well.

It is all personal preference. Many people use two vehicles and are quite happy with that. Personally I can't imagine not having my DW and navigator next to me while traveling. For us the travel is almost as important as the destination. We have seen some spectacular scenery while driving. Sharing and talking about it with some one right there is just not the same as calling DW on a CB to say "did you see that?"
I also think it is safer and simpler to have a dedicated navigator. I enjoy driving so much more when I don't have to worry about looking at a GPS and drying to use an iPad to verify the GPS or to find alternate routes. We prefer to take state highways and scenic routes when convenient so having a navigator works very well for us.

We started with a second vehicle with plans to trade it in for something slightly bigger that we could use for art shows. We absolutely hated it, hated driving separately, hated having long driving days with no break for either driver, etc.

So, we sold the car, bought tool boxes and a roof rack for the truck for the art show "stuff", I finally took RV Driving school and we much prefer being able to drive together. We tend to relocate every 2-3 weeks, many times with a relatively long drive between destinations so having 2 drivers for the rig and the ability for one to navigate, review Gas Buddy for fuel stops, change the music, etc. has worked out well.

Because we are both still working, we enjoy our driving time as time together. We enjoy sharing observations about funny signs we pass or a flock of birds, an interesting cloud or whatever else catches our attention. We've also come to the conclusion, that since we're both working, if we're relocating and we can make it in one day, we'd rather have one long day (400ish miles is about our limit) than 2 short days and thus spend the entire weekend traveling. This preserves one day of the weekend for fun, while one day is used for moving.

There are times I wish we had the car for errands, etc. Hated taking the big truck to an annual doctor's visit last week, we don't fit in the parking garage, but overall we still this is the best choice for us at this time. Who knows? That could change again in the future.

Although we personally purchased a DP so we could tow a car, my husband and I had many discussions about this topic.  For us traveling together is the only option.  If we ever choose to get a 5er we will get a HDT as the tow vehicle and have it modified so we could put a smart car between the cab and the 5er hitch.  I have seen a few people on the forums who have this setup.   

Bobc wrote:

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I forgot the a big plus point for having the extra car is all the additional storage space or as i say it a rolling closit for my wife. and a easy place to carry our Kayaks

But i do think we would prefer to drive together. I don't think the wife would ever on her best day want to share the driving of the big Beast. It will be hard enough to get her to Drive the Big 5500 Truck without the trailer

Mmaybe we start without and if it proves to be to much of a pain we can add one latter and for longer stays we could just rent a car, which may be cheaper than owning one and taking care of it all the time. I think Enterprise has some good weekly rates!!!

I can't believe i am have such a hard time with this decission. It shouldn't be this hard, i am sure i will change my mind 100 times before we have to pull the trigger next year. I do love to hear how everybody has handled this issue Thank you everybody.

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Bob,

Yeppers on the extra storage space with the use of a second vehicle.  The only thing is that I'd have to do some modifications to carry any kayaks.

Terry

This month marks 4 years of full timing for us. So far there haven't been enough times that made a second vehicle worthwhile. As stated above there is the issue of additional insurance, maintenance, and fuel plus there is the car rental option (if available in the area.) I also like sharing the journey and appreciate having a navigator on board. Everyone's needs and comfort zones are different...there is no right way.

This company is beginning to spread through out the US to major cities. Would be an option for sightseeing around the city without the need for a second car.

www.car2go.com

I guess riding a motorbike, a scooter, a bicycle on in a golf cart, ATV or UTV is out of the question too? Or is it just small cars y'all fear? Just curious, as I've driven small cars (and ridden motorcycles, etc.) all my life.

Chip

-- Edited by Sushidog on Tuesday 10th of June 2014 01:01:21 PM

Bobc wrote:

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That is a pretty big truck to take food shoping or even site seeing, go to the movie etc OMG, Huge moble Closit!!!!

I am all in for sharing the journey and having some one else to blame for missing a turn and getting lost!!!

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 The truck looks huge because it's so boxy looking. If you take a 4 door Crew Cab long box truck and line it up next to me it will come up to the front of my back tire...and I can out turn it too. Parking for the most part hasn't been an issue.  

The Junkman wrote:

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What was the truck used for .. originally?

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 Purchased new...box was custom made to my design.

The Junkman wrote:

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Yea..I don't do anything small that can do 60mph, in traffic.

I know too many people killed or disabled on motorcycles.. Looks like fun to me.. Just too many stupid people on the road.. Even on the back roads..Guy was just killed a couple days ago on one..
Many ride scooters here.. but slow.

And Like Bobc said.. at 60.. My truck would completely put one of those cars in a 100 pieces.. and the people in it too. There is a very nasty, nasty video on youtube of what happens to people in a accident in a smart car.. fair warning.. disgusting.. Had to shut it off.

If I was on the road by myself.. I'd drive anything and all speeds.. But your not. A friend was a police officer in NY.. Got T boned at a 4 way stop sign while on a bike.. Stupid people out there.

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 I guess I get it. Everyone has different levels of risk tollerance. I lost my brother to am motorcycle accident. The car ran a stop sign, but what does it matter who's right and who's wrong. He's still dead. It wasn't pretty. He had brain damage and lasted for years, so I understand the tragedy that can result. I know the risks, but it obviously hasn't stopped me -OK maybe it's slowed me down some. I used to race motorcycles - motocross, hare and hound and enduro - and drag raced a turbocharged drag bike in the 70's, so I'm no stranger to 2 wheels - or hospitals.  But I inderstand when you feel the risk for something is too high to continue. That's why I stopped racing - and why I got out of the Army after only 9 years. Sometime you feel your number is up. I guess I'll go juggle some chainsaws now to help me get warmed up for a couple night skydive jumps. (Just Kidding) BTW here's an old photo of me jumping the levy in New Orleans when I was much younger and foolisher:

Chip

 

 

We've done both. Driven shorter days (150-200 miles) with me following in the car and leaving the car in storage and both riding together as we are doing at the moment.

There are advantages to both.

WITH SEPARATE CAR:
You can not "assist" (read annoy) the driver with your suggestions.
You can radio (strongly recommend you have good radios) ahead to driver of the rig that you just saw something flying out of the back of the truck. 😂 "There goes the rug!" "Whoops, I just saw one of the folding chairs fly out." "Whoops, there goes a wheel chock!"
Much more comfortable to explore with unless you're driving a "city truck" like Bill N.
Renting a car for a month for comfort and exploring is expensive if you're in one place for a while.
Way better mileage with the right car.

WITH DRIVING TOGETHER:
You don't have dueling GPS's telling you to go different routes.
You can hold hands when you want to.
If you don't get car sick and are in a boring area you can catch up on email, text, read the forum, research the place you just saw, find campgrounds on the fly, play 5,000 games of solitaire, etc.
You share/discuss more of the sights at the same time. However this can also be done with good radios.
We find we're getting 20 MPG in our truck not towing but driving it around the Boston area is a big game of Chicken. Of course driving anything other than a tank in the Boston area is the same.

FWIW, our preference, mostly the separate car except for hand holding.

Sherry

Everybodys comfort level is different.

I just don't happen to have any comfort level in a smart Car.

if it was only for city driving and did not have to deal with trucks on the highway i may think a little different.

the car i believe was design to be just a inner city car. but as all other thing it gets used for more than that just because you can