Front or rear when launching?

[Uncle Dave]

I have heard that placing a hitch on the front of a small motor home is better for launching. It would seem to be better as the drive wheels are farther from the mud and slime. And no backing with mirrors etc. The arrangment would be a 21' cuddy and a 22' to 27' motor home with dual rear wheels. Any comments on such an arrangement or observations at the local ramp would be appreciated. (even the sometimes funny ones.)<br /><br />Mr. Fitz.

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I do not know, but with a rear hitch and boat you have more weight over the drive axle. A front hitch weight limit is often LOW too.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Having a hitch in front is good for putting it in tight areas (around the house) maybe, but you don't need it for the ramp

 

[Bondo]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I Know it's a Great Idea......<br />My Dad always had a hitch on the front of his truck....<br />Easy to See...<br />Easy to Drive.....<br />And, as you said, the Drive wheels are another 20' from the water.....<br /> "front hitch weight limit is often LOW too." <br />?????? We're talking about around the parking lot, Not down the Road......Although, I guess you're Right.......<br />My rear hitch is 10,000lbs.+ my front hitch is Only 5,000lbs......

 

[PAkev]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I've seen a few of these set ups. All of them have been on RV's or trucks with box campers on them and having a lot of real estate behind the back axle. Launching with these vehicles under these conditions would mean getting things wet that are not meant to get wet. Therefore, these folks have little alternative than to launch from the front of their tow vehicles.<br /><br />Personally, I would not opt to launch head first since the cab and motor of my truck would be in the deeper water which doesn't provide for much forgiveness if things should start getting away on a slippery ramp.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[backdraft]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Mr Fitz, I have a front hitch on my 99 GMC truck. It is the only way to get a boat down a steep driveway and around the deck at my house. I don't use it for launching but it would sure work. nevjb

 

[aspeck]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Advantages to front hitch:<br /><br />1)When on the ramp, It is like giving you front wheel drive -your drive wheels are pulling your vehicle out of the ramp instead of pushing, and that is a good thing.<br /><br />2)Much easier to see what you are doing - right in front of you vs. looking through rear mirrors.<br /><br />3)Much easier to manuever, especially in tight corners and crowded ramps (but it does take a little bit to get used to).<br /><br />Disadvantages:<br /><br />1)The time it takes to unhook from the back, manuever your vehicle around, and re-hook at the front, then do the reverse when finished for the day.<br /><br />2)Expense of 2 hitches.<br /><br />3)Weight restrictions on front hitch.<br /><br />4)Looks you will get on the launch ramp ("the looks that say, what is up with this moron, doesn't he know he is supposed to put the hitch on the BACK bumper!")<br /><br />Now, the decision is yours. Do you know anyone with a front hitch? If so, try it first. I have seen some that just can't get it (of course they have trouble with a rear hitch also).

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I launch a 20' boat with a 22' motor home with a rear mounted hitch. Wouldn't even consider a front hitch. The thought of backing up a ramp in a motor home is scary to me. <br />Most motor homes have plenty of over hang behind the rear wheels so mud and slime shouldn't be a problem. You've also got all that weight back there for plenty of traction.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I've seen people launch that way and see nothing wrong with it.<br /><br />Give it a try and if it doesn't work out for ya then at least you gave it a shot. Nothing ventured and all that...

 

[DJ]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Mr. Fitz,<br /><br />What kind of Motorhome? If it's a class C (cut away) with an air bag, front hitches are a no-no.<br /><br />Also, remember, going down a ramp tends to unload the wheels closest to the top of the ramp. Those are your traction wheels if you go down front first.

 

[Powerboat.ie]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I'd agree with the comments warning about dipping the interesting part of your vehicle ( engine etc) into the drink.

The nose hitch is however very hand for close quarter moving, especially with large boats.

A solution that I used was a nose hitch on a Range Rover which also had a winch mounted on the front.

I used to drive down the slip on the front nose hitch. Stop and chock the wheels of the boat trailer while the RR was still on the dry. Unhook the trailer and hook up the winch cable and launch on the winch using the dash mounted remote control.

Best of all worlds !

Kind regards,

Stuart
Ireland

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

How about a trailer tongue extension for launching/retrieving only?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Hey Uncle Dave, haven't heard from you in a while. these work,
http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/
but for the last 30 years i have had a front hitch, back when we had to make them ourselves. i would not be without one. i used mine on especially bad ramps, and makes parking for storing a breeze. i had a 200 foot crooked drive way.

 

[greggholmes]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-...&photo_nr=10&prev_id=1362649&next_id=1362636#

i parked this guys twin yesterday and i used a front mounted hitch but i have 4 wheel steer to.

http://www.kalmarmotor.com/english/show-product-details-1497fe1b4ab44123ffb1

i never use the rear hitch

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-...&photo_nr=10&prev_id=1362649&next_id=1362636#

i parked this guys twin yesterday and i used a front mounted hitch but i have 4 wheel steer to.

http://www.kalmarmotor.com/english/show-product-details-1497fe1b4ab44123ffb1

i never use the rear hitch

Here's mine!!

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

back when we had to make them ourselves.

Is this still the case or is there someone out there who is making front hitches.

I have wanted one for a long time but could never find one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

there are a lot of manufacturer, just google trailer hitch.

 

[JB]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

I always had my front hitches made for me, but I think I have seen them offerred for sale. Google trailer hitches.

I don't think I ever used one to launch and retrieve, but they cannot be beat for maneuvering a boat into tight storage quarters.

 

[greggholmes]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Here's mine!!

On a flat straight it would work but hit a hill or make a turn and your in trouble.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Front or rear when launching?

Look, we can do it too