Towing boat+truck camper - how many remove the camper?

[plasma800]

I've been thinking a lot lately about investing in a truck camper for nearby fishing trips.

I'm wondering how many (or the feasibility of) removing the camper from the truck for a few days...

Opposed to leaving it on the truck the whole time. is this something people do?

[dubob]

I have a Lance 992 and pull a 16ft Tracker boat. Almost all of my fishing trips last 3 to 5 days and I always took the TC off the truck at the campground. It makes it so much easier to launch and retrieve the boat without having to disconnect and reattach the hookups every day.

That said, I was getting very tired of the time and effort it took to put it back on the truck, especially by myself. I'm having a custom gooseneck trailer being built to set the TC on and will pull it just like a fiver. My boat will be attached to the gooseneck trailer and I will double haul.

Set-up and break-down at the campsite will now be a breeze.

[zip0]

Towing World Official Website

[dubob]

Originally Posted by zip0

Towing World Official Website

If that was directed at me, I completely missed your point.

[zip0]

Originally Posted by dubob

If that was directed at me, I completely missed your point.

It was but only to say not all states allow that type of towing. So best to be informed of where you can and cant before getting pulled over. Unless you plan to only tow that way in Utah. Only trying to help

[dubob]

Originally Posted by zip0

It was but only to say not all states allow that type of towing. So best to be informed of where you can and cant before getting pulled over. Unless you plan to only tow that way in Utah. Only trying to help

You did. When I haul my golf cart all the way to Texas and back, your link led to another site that shows me I'm legal to do so in all the states I might elect to drive through. Just over half the states allow triple towing as it is referred to by most states. The majority that do are western states.

[Don Voyage]

Towing a boat is great but can be a nightmare to back up if you have no back-up camera set-up. Especially if the launch ramp is very very narrow.

If I am staying at a camp ground for more than 3 days I will remove the camper and the problem is solved. But if it's a short stay, I installed a front receiver hitch for navigating the boat in those less than friendly launch sites. Plus having the weight in the back of truck, I do not have to worry about hitting the rear part of Camper into water for those shallow water ramps and not bury the rear wheels in the soft sand!.

Additionally, front hitch add's the advantage if you want to mount a cargo/ bike carrier, or even a winch set-up!

This works for me!

Good Luck!
Don

[plasma800]

Originally Posted by Don Voyage

Towing a boat is great but can be a nightmare to back up if you have no back-up camera set-up. Especially if the launch ramp is very very narrow.

If I am staying at a camp ground for more than 3 days I will remove the camper and the problem is solved. But if it's a short stay, I installed a front receiver hitch for navigating the boat in those less than friendly launch sites. Plus having the weight in the back of truck, I do not have to worry about hitting the rear part of Camper into water for those shallow water ramps and not bury the rear wheels in the soft sand!.

Additionally, front hitch add's the advantage if you want to mount a cargo/ bike carrier, or even a winch set-up!

This works for me!

Good Luck!
Don

I do like the idea of a front hitch.

I also like the thought of being able to leave the truck camper in one spot when you run into town or what have you. Watched some videos on putting one back on and it *appears* to be a 10 minute process. Of course, I suppose conditions might change that such as unlevel ground or what have you.

How well does the truck camper do just suspended on those 4 jacks? Think wind, unlevel ground... that sort of stuff.

Of course rigging a camera would probably be a snap, but I'm still not sure I want to take the house with me everywhere I go.

[dubob]

Originally Posted by plasma800

Watched some videos on putting one back on and it *appears* to be a 10 minute process.

Not even on a good day. More like 30 minutes IMHO.

Originally Posted by plasma800

How well does the truck camper do just suspended on those 4 jacks? Think wind, unlevel ground... that sort of stuff.

Once it is off the truck, immediately lower it to as close to the ground as you can. I've used mine off the truck several times in winds to 40 mph with no issues.

[plasma800]

I See.

Well, I suppose in reality I don't need a huge truck camper for these short style trips.... Maybe just a small one and keep it on the truck. Use front hitch or camera and be done with it.

Maybe I should invest in a tenting setup I would own a pop up trailer in a heartbeat if I could triple tow

I also suppose if the trip is very short, 6 hours away - then one could possibly take the 40'r and drive the truck/boat separate.

[jeffwit]

Or...

CAMI Terra Wind Amphibious Motorcoach - YouTube

Best of both worlds. You could prolly make a sweet fishing platform to hook into the hitch.

[dubob]

Originally Posted by plasma800

I would own a pop up trailer in a heartbeat if I could triple tow

Don't even THINK about that. And please don't ask me how I know.

[plasma800]

Originally Posted by jeffwit

Or...

Best of both worlds. You could prolly make a sweet fishing platform to hook into the hitch.

LOL!

[plasma800]

Originally Posted by dubob

Don't even THINK about that. And please don't ask me how I know.

Of course NOW, I really DO want to know.

Way to tease...