camping with a boat

[gluer]

I am thinking about getting into trailer camping and would like to know if anybody out there has heard of a way to pull a camper and take a smaller boat along. I have a 95 GMC 4X4 pickup and I ?m thinking about getting a 20ftish pull behind camper which creates the problem of how to take the boat along. I think that hauling it in an upright position sounds the best but I?m not sure if anything is available on the market to do this. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[arks]

Re: camping with a boat

When I was a kid my parents had a tent trailer that folded up. My dad built a cradle to fit the top of the (folded) camper that held our Sunfish sailboat. We took that rig all over the place and I don't ever remember having a problem with the boat or cradle.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: camping with a boat

In California, the only way one can legally "double" tow is with a 5th wheel or Gooseneck trailer with a boat. One also has to have a class "A" license. However, I've seen trucks pulling "bumper" hitch trailers with a boat behind that here in CA. I don't know about other states laws.

BTW I ended up buying a 22' motor home to tow my boat. Now I'll have to sell my 5th wheel trailer .

 

[clarkbre]

Re: camping with a boat

If you have a truck you've got some good options. Two come to mind to accomplish your goal.

1. Buy a camper for the bed of your truck, and then pull whatever boat you want on it's own designated trailer. Or,

2. Buy a ladder rack for your truck and put a 12' aluminum boat on that, then haul whatever size camp trailer you'd like.

Either options would be an all in one package that will get you camping and get you on the water.

 

[lncoop]

Re: camping with a boat

Not sure where you live, but most states allow double towing provided the total length doesn't exceed 65ish feet (depending on state) and the towed vehicles have an auxiliary braking system that can be controlled by the driver in the tow vehicle. In most cases a fifth wheel or gooseneck system is not required and the driver does not need additional licensure. I think someone's already mentioned that California is an exception. There are several web sites that show the towing regulations for each state, but if you want to be sure check with your state's highway patrol. The web sites aren't always up to date.

 

[j_martin]

Re: camping with a boat

Not sure where you live, but most states allow double towing provided the total length doesn't exceed 65ish feet (depending on state) and the towed vehicles have an auxiliary braking system that can be controlled by the driver in the tow vehicle. In most cases a fifth wheel or gooseneck system is not required and the driver does not need additional licensure. I think someone's already mentioned that California is an exception. There are several web sites that show the towing regulations for each state, but if you want to be sure check with your state's highway patrol. The web sites aren't always up to date.

A goosneck with a ball hitch on the back is ideal, especially for a relatively major boat like a bass boat. See it all the time.

You get to camp, drop the boat, spot the trailer, pick up the boat with the bumper hitch, and go launch it. At night you pull the boat out and park it right beside the camper, and maybe plug it in for charging.

My lifelong lover and I are looking for a Dodge 250D and a goosneck for just that purpose. Now we're camping in a conversion van, pulling the bass boat.

If you're talking a little tinny, I've seen some pretty nifty rigs for flipping them up on top with little effort.

 

[Kevinmcm]

Re: camping with a boat

Missouri law is fifth wheel trailer first, must have auxilary controlled brakes, and CDL license. I have to leave the camper at home when the ski boat goes, and we tent camp, its all about compromise

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: camping with a boat

An alternate way to camp is to buy/own a boat with a cabin.

 

[jack gardner]

Re: camping with a boat

well .i have a trailer 28 ft and a 17 ft walk thu . have finger lakes about 50 away . so no issue my tahoo pulls the boat and my duramax pulls the trailer . momma tows it well with the hoe 17 18 mpg duramax solid 18 no issue .also if we wish boat closes tight and we have overnighted in it . i also have a 14 ft alum boat for long trips and small lakes take the motor off put it in the truck and the boat on top of the cap tie down fore and aft away we go just a few suggestions 4 u .buy the was got 20 mpg ith boat on top less wind resistance i guess

 

[180shabah]

Re: camping with a boat

Welcome to iboats.

Given the size boat we are talking about here, ladder sounds like the best option.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: camping with a boat

A goosneck with a ball hitch on the back is ideal, especially for a relatively major boat like a bass boat. See it all the time.

You get to camp, drop the boat, spot the trailer, pick up the boat with the bumper hitch, and go launch it. At night you pull the boat out and park it right beside the camper, and maybe plug it in for charging.

My lifelong lover and I are looking for a Dodge 250D and a goosneck for just that purpose. Now we're camping in a conversion van, pulling the bass boat.

If you're talking a little tinny, I've seen some pretty nifty rigs for flipping them up on top with little effort.

My family did exactly that when I was a kid. We had a fiberglass runabout behind the 5th wheel camp trailer and a tinny on top of the truck (an old dodge 3/4 ton crew cab). No fancy rig for the tinny though, my dad and I would lift and slide it into place by hand and fasten it down with c-clamps.

It worked well - I'd say go for it if your local laws (and the laws of your favorite destinations) allow.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: camping with a boat

Here are the laws on the matter

 

[Ocean Airbrush]

Re: camping with a boat

Why not just get an inflatable and a 15hp outboard. great in lakes or the ocean, extremely stable and very easy to deflate and toss in the back of the truck.

 

[lncoop]

Re: camping with a boat

That's one of the coolest things I've ever seen mrobrien. Might work for me.

 

[txtoyman]

Re: camping with a boat

As some others have suggested - get a boat you can "camp" in. You can then get out of the crowded places and relax a little. Visit C-brats.com and read of some of their travels with trailer-able boats.

 

[andymcd75]

Re: camping with a boat

just getcha one of these to pull your boat

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: camping with a boat

Truck campers are great.

They let you have a camper and a boat without too much of a compromise. To have a decent size camper you need a decent size truck...3/4 ton is essentially the minimum.

Here is my rig:

 

[Titanium48]

Re: camping with a boat

The disadvantage of motorhomes and truck campers compared to double towing is that you need to pack up and secure your stuff every time you need to launch or retrieve your boat. It's also hard to back up a trailer when you can't see it very well. I'd only consider that if you can't double tow or take two vehicles.

Someone needs to invent a truck camper system that can be easily separated and reconnected at your campsite. That way you could leave your camp setup and take your truck to deal with your boat or run to town for supplies you forgot to pack.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: camping with a boat

Take a look at this Titanium:

Stable Lift: http://www.stablelift.com/

It is basically electric jacks and tie downs all in one. It clamps the camper to the truck and also support the camper off the truck. Not cheap and may not work for all situations. However, it does answer the need for a device to allow you to quickly and easily unload the camper from a truck.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: camping with a boat

Looks like it has been invented after all. That will be on my wish list when I get tired of tent camping. I think I'd still prefer a small 5th wheel, but while double towing is allowed in my home province (Alberta), it isn't allowed in my favorite place to visit (BC).