Launching a boat with a motorhome

[Redbone]

I am entertaining the idea of purchasing a motorhome. Has anyone launched a boat with one? If you did, what length and motor? I could see this getting ugly at a few launches being two wheel drive with a bunch of weight.

[bob o]

i've thought about the motorhome thing, but the boat launching and loading every day during a camping trip was/is the big drawback for me since i like to charge my battries every night, i will have to disconnect/reconnect the motorhome from the power roll up the screened proch/canapoy everytime you put the boat in the water. so i just pitch a tent, that leaves the truck for loading and unloading the boat, or going into town etc.

[Skulley]

I think a 5th wheel would be a better choice than a motor home. Just had this discussion with my bride. Explained that I wouldn't have to break camp to launch everytime I wanted to fish. As long as truck, 5th wheel, and boat aren't over 70 feet long when all hooked up, you're good. 75 feet in most other states. Good luck in the decision making process.

BD.                           

[bob o]

I think a 5th wheel would be a better choice than a motor home. Just had this discussion with my bride. Explained that I wouldn't have to break camp to launch everytime I wanted to fish. As long as truck, 5th wheel, and boat aren't over 70 feet long when all hooked up, you're good. 75 feet in most other states. Good luck in the decision making process.

BD.                           

i see that configuration from time to time, i'm not sure about cost of the much bigger pick-up 2500-3500 series + the 5th wheel compared to what kind of motorhome you could get for the same money, but the sky is the limit for some people, just not me

[stackenem]

I believe there is a special endorsement you need on your lic to pull tandem also.

[Skulley]

I already own a Ram 2500 and a travel trailer. I want to trade in the travel trailer for a 5th wheel so I can take my boat with me. I don't know about a license endorsement to pull tandem. I got a couple of friends who already do. I'll ask them.


BD.                       

[Skulley]

I just sent an email to my buddy Mike who pulls his bass boat behind his 5th wheel. I'll post his answer when he replies.



BD.                           

[djkimmel]

We have a few 'mature' anglers on here who pull their bass boats behind a 5th wheel.

I've also fished with people who launch with motorhomes and large, extended campers, with myself having been a pickup camper traveling tournament guy in the past. There are smaller ramps where it became pretty challenging to rarely not possible to backup up with a long motorhome pulling the trailer so that it something to consider - do you launch at lots of small ramps or mostly bigger, deeper, concrete/concrete plank ramps? Some of this we overcame with various creative ideas.

You'll want to be real good with mirrors and getting used to the angle of the boat trailer, especially when the boat isn't on it. There will be times you can't see the trailer at all. That has always been challenging for me and some people can't do it.

Do you fish alone more often, or with a partner usually? Alone will be fun! Partners will want to be good at mirrors and guessing the unseen angle too - or you do the backing and have them always handle the boat. If you are alone and there's no dock, you have a wet challenge before you!

If you fish draw / co-angler tournaments, you will become 'famous' for being the guy no one wants to draw!! I was that way for years just with my various pickup campers. I would ask while looking them in the eye, 'Are you real good backing up with mirrors?' I didn't always judge correctly if they really meant it when they mostly said yes / sure / okay, I think / etc. We found out real fast anyway as soon as they started backing down the dock or jackknifing!

If you let someone new do the backing up - MAKE sure they leave the windows down!!! Prepare keywords ahead of time that you can shout to them to help EVERY time - no exceptions! Remember that NO! sounds alot like GO! So pick a different work like emergency word like 'STOP!'

I fished with a big camper guy years ago who had a rear mirror out the back to see the trailer. Nowadays you can get a backup camera to go modern, high tech. He also installed a CB radio in the truck and boat, using that to communicate between the trailer and camper while backing up or putting the boat on the trailer.

As far as rolling stuff up each morning, you just need to figure out how long it takes, get up that many minutes earlier each morning and develop a routine that you follow each time to prepare the rig for travel to the launch.

[bob o]

back camera, although i've never used one i'm sure there must be a learning curve

[djkimmel]

There is. It's weirder than mirrors. You want good eyes too! Or maybe install a big screen TV...?!?

[rkillick]

I didnt read all the posts but is saw 5th wheel in one sentance... i have an older 5 wheel for sale has been very well mantained but doesnt get used anymore...grandparents too old to use it anymore...will sell for super cheap just to have somebody aleast use it...i think it is 24 ft... i know if you want to sell things it needs to go in some other category but anyways.. super cheap

[motocross269]

I remember my Grandpa having a hitch on the front of the Motorhome...We put the boat in some pretty small ramps up in Canada....

I like the setup that Clapper uses....That little motorhome is just he right size...

I saw a guy working on his 5th wheel/Bass Boat setup in Alpena a couple of years ago...The trailer hitch on the Motor home tore free...I know lots of guys haul tandem but I would be scared of puting a 3500lb boat on the back of a 5th wheel....

[Skulley]

I believe there is a special endorsement you need on your lic to pull tandem also.

I got a reply from my buddy Mike. The name of the special endorsement is called the "Pleasure Double". It costs $12 and includes the course and the test. You take them both together. Take course. Then take the test and pass. You get the endorsement.


BD.                   

[djkimmel]

I remember my Grandpa having a hitch on the front of the Motorhome...We put the boat in some pretty small ramps up in Canada....

I like the setup that Clapper uses....That little motorhome is just he right size...

I saw a guy working on his 5th wheel/Bass Boat setup in Alpena a couple of years ago...The trailer hitch on the Motor home tore free...I know lots of guys haul tandem but I would be scared of puting a 3500lb boat on the back of a 5th wheel....

Used to be way more common in the 'old' days to see hitches on front bumpers. Some people handled it that way. I recall even seeing people put those on pickups. Smaller motorhomes are easier if they work for you.

I was always leery about the hauling behind the 5th wheel with my 'luck.' Besides my old retired friends, there were a few anglers who did this in the later days of my federation fishing. They all had a system and didn't report too many problems. Probably helps quite a bit if you are diligent at maintenance.

I believe there is a special endorsement you need on your lic to pull tandem also.

I got a reply from my buddy Mike. The name of the special endorsement is called the "Pleasure Double". It costs $12 and includes the course and the test. You take them both together. Take course. Then take the test and pass. You get the endorsement.


BD.                   

Personally, I would come up with a different name for that endorsement... I wonder who came up with that one!

[Mike S.]

Pleasure double.....You mean all it takes is an endorsement?  Launching with a motor home does not seem to be a fun thing. I'm good on that idea.

[djkimmel]

It just adds to the fun!

I can recall years ago seeing a double-decker trailer launch. That can be tricky too if you are launching on a short ramp with a bad drop off the end.

I also remember seeing some of the enclosed trailers launch years ago when that was a short term rage. That required some preparation similar to a long motorhome. I thought it was a cool idea but it seems to have faded away.

[motocross269]

It just adds to the fun!

I can recall years ago seeing a double-decker trailer launch. That can be tricky too if you are launching on a short ramp with a bad drop off the end.

I also remember seeing some of the enclosed trailers launch years ago when that was a short term rage. That required some preparation similar to a long motorhome. I thought it was a cool idea but it seems to have faded away.

A covered trailer would be awesome.....I read somewhere, someplace in one of those silly pro stories in Bass times maybe, that some BASS pro was loading one of those covered trailers and somehow the trailer backed into the water and he almost drowned inside the trailer...Maybe that is why they don't use them any more...

A covered trailer would make it nice for boat storage and security...

[djkimmel]

They have a forward door. Maybe he had a small, cheaper one with no front door? I used to be in the habit of always chocking my truck tires on the boat ramps. I don't do it all the time now but I think I will get back in the habit of doing that everytime I'm by myself or with someone new.

I had some issues with driving over my chocks because I forget they are there though... I've left a few at various boat ramps.

[smbassman]

I started pulling double last year and am very happy with it. 65' total length requires a 24-26'ft fifth wheel max. I might be a foot and a half over measuring all the way to the prop but no issues so far. I had a heavy duty hitch fabricated on the fifth wheel and installed a rear view safety fifth wheel camera system so I can keep an eye on the boat while towing.  With a duramax pulling the recreational double is no problem and is surprisingly easy. Even backing up short distances is possible with practice.  Being able to leave camp at the camp site every day is very nice.

I highly recommend it. The endorsement is only $10 and the questions are taken right out of the pamphlet you get before taking the test.