Community Forums

greatlakes · 02-19-2014, 07:52 AM

Would just like some opinions on towing a boat with your RV.
I understand what my towing capabilities etc are. My concern would be boat launch with a 40 mh who's engine is in the back. Plus we typically bring a vehicle along so with a boat we would be without the toad. Peoples thoughts?

chawkins99 · 02-19-2014, 08:19 AM

This has also crossed my mind but have not done it for a couple of reasons:

1. I suspect it would be very difficult backing a 24ft trailer behind a 40ft MH. It's tough enough backing it behind my car.

2. Visions of Robin Williams in RV trying to stop it rolling backwards into the lake

When we have taken the boat and MH, DW drives the car with boat in tow.

I don't think there would be a problem triple-towing except that it's illegal in Alabama (and many other states).

akeyzoo · 02-19-2014, 11:44 AM

When we go to the lake I tow my boat. All is fine. My mudflap rarely gets wet, not even close to engine. Longer trailers back easily, mine is about 22ft and backs up just fine. Usually boat ramps are wide too. Hell, having a camera makes it even easier.

I do put wheel chocks in place on the steep ramps tho, don't trust them air parking brakes COMPLETELY and have no desire to become someone's viral video ;-)

Chris

TXiceman · 02-19-2014, 12:03 PM

Why not look at one of these stacker trailers.
Double Deck Trailers | The Built Rite Trailer | by Sport Trailers, Inc.

Ken

greatlakes · 02-19-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Why not look at one of these stacker trailers.
Double Deck Trailers | The Built Rite Trailer | by Sport Trailers, Inc.

Ken

Yea that's a solution, but watch that slide show and it looks like the frame of the truck just barely clears the trailer ramps. Wonder if thats why they don't show a car being loaded.

csrrsr · 02-19-2014, 04:25 PM

We tow a 20' Lund every year and backing it in the water is easier than using the truck. The MH never touches the water.

ccrider, · 02-20-2014, 07:07 PM

I just used a little redneck engineering.

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njs42 · 02-20-2014, 07:57 PM

I haven't done it but I would not hesitate to triple tow (or double tow depending on to whom you speak) if the weight was right the braking was worked out and it was legal. I was surprised when helping a friend get two tow vehicles from Arizona to Michigan just how many states allowed the double tow. He could have made that drive legally. If the drivable vehicle can handle the boat at the ramp then problem solved.

I would not have thought it but from the responses here I guess backing a trailer with the MH is not that big of a deal. I think back to when I had my boat and some of those ramps were mighty crowded. But patience is required on a ramp so maybe just more so with a MH.

Much depends on how often you see yourself moving the boat and the MH at the same time and for how far. It may be just as easy to have someone follow with the boat, not as much fun obviously.

Full.Monte · 02-20-2014, 10:45 PM

Backing down a boat ramp successfully depends a lot on the lengths of the motorhome annd trailer. A long MH and a short trailer is tougher to back up than when they are more closely matched in length.

Rich and Cork · 02-21-2014, 06:53 AM

I have been towing and launching boats with our motorhomes since 1979 and have never had an issue.

CanadianCrew · 02-21-2014, 07:18 AM

Actually the bigger and longer the boat the easier it will be. I hav2 2 boats. The small aluminum boat does not have enough visibility behind our SUV let alone a motor home. The 21 foot fiberglass boat is 8 feet wide and will not disappear behind the MH. At least you can see right down the side of the boat out of the mirror and able to steer and make fine corrections when backing. I can't do that with the small boat and its all over the place as you can't see enough to make fine corrections in the steering.

jarwiebe · 02-21-2014, 06:44 PM

I have launched my boat with our previous 32' class C but not with our 40' class A. We usually travel with others that tow a trailer with their 1/2 or our daughter will take her 1/2 and my DW and I drive the coach. Just curious, has anyone every borrowed/rent the use of a 1/2 ton from a fellow boater at the launch or from the marina if launching at a marina?

ARTWERKE · 02-21-2014, 07:02 PM

I thought of the triple tow, but a 38'Moho , a 17' suv & a 22' boat trailer makes a 77' combined length. Illegal in Texas,65' max. And if you can't do it here there's not much of a chance you can do it anywhere else.

bluepill · 02-21-2014, 07:05 PM

There are a lot of boat ramps that I have used that would be too tight for a large MH. And there is often a limit on the size/access to larger parking spaces.