I don't proclaim to be an expert about whether to use a tow bar or tow dolly for your extra vehicle when you go RVing, but we have done it both ways, so I have personal experience. I also have an opinion on both of these types of towing; especially since we've "learned by our mistakes."

When we purchased our motor home, we took our first couple of camping trips without the benefit of having an extra vehicle along. We thought it would be easier to learn how to drive our RV without the burden of towing. Though the total length of our rig was about 10-12 feet shorter and backing up could easily be achieved, we missed out on some sightseeing opportunities because some of the roads were not motor home-friendly.

A few of the most picturesque views were reached via very narrow, winding lanes. One route had a covered bridge that our 12-foot, 3-inch RV couldn't fit under. Another area was so popular with the tourists that parking was limited, and turning the RV around was virtually impossible.

Had we only known these things beforehand, we would have hit these sights by simply unhooking our tow vehicle and using it instead of trying to maneuver our RV. On a positive note, we will return to these destinations in the future with our tow vehicle hooked up so we can explore and experience these locations more thoroughly.

After our first "road trip," we purchased a tow dolly. We decided on the tow dolly for a couple of reasons: 1.) It was less expensive than the tow bar system. 2.) We did not have a vehicle which could be towed four wheels down.

As it turned out, since our van was not front-wheel drive, we couldn't tow it easily either. In order to tow our vehicle on the dolly, we had to tow it backwards — backing it onto the ramps of the tow dolly, which is not an easy thing to do. Another thing to consider with using a tow dolly is whether you have enough space at your campsite to store it when it is not in use.

Soon after realizing the difficulty in trying to tow our van, we purchased a front-wheel-drive vehicle to be able to pull forward onto the tow dolly. Because this new car has a sportier, low-profile style, we had to build ramps to drive up on the tow dolly without scraping the bottom of our car. Now we not only had to find a place to store the tow dolly, we had to store the ramps, as well — and had to find a way to pack them in our rig, too. Each time we wanted to load and unload the car from the tow dolly, we had to have ample space/room to use the ramps.

The tire straps were also quite difficult to tighten and loosen, needing extra tools to do so. I'll never forget the time we were laying on the ground, tightening the tire straps when a rattlesnake slithered right beside us. That was the final straw for me. Time to purchase the tow bar system.

Professional installation of this tow bar system is highly recommended, as it consists of dismantling the front of the car, bolting the frame mount, and reassembling. Once assembled, however, it only takes a few simple steps to use. Simply extend the tow bar arms. Drive the vehicle to within inches of these arms. Connect the arms to the bolts at the front of the frame mount of the car, using a cotter pin to secure. Attach the safety chains and plug in the light wires.

Luckily our new front-wheel drive vehicle can also be towed four wheels down, equipped directly from the factory. Finally, something we did right. Because of this, we simply leave the transmission in neutral and pull a fuse to keep the towed mileage from adding to the odometer reading.

Important note: Not all cars can do this. Check with a mechanic and the manufacturer about your personal make and model of car and find out how to effectively and safely use the tow bar system for your vehicle. Using the tow bar system is so easy, it only takes one of us a few short minutes to connect or disconnect it.

After making certain the car is attached securely, the lights work, and the car is in neutral, the next step is to slowly pull the motor home forward until the safety bars on the tow bar arms click into place and the car wheels are turning.

Whether you decide to use a tow dolly or a tow bar system depends on a number of factors. The bottom line is your personal preference. Either way, taking your tow vehicle along on your camping trip can only enhance your sight-seeing enjoyment.