Hi, I'm Billy and am new to the forum. Thinking of semi retirement soon. I have an interest in traveling the east coast and spending time fishing near offshore, bays , and of course the keys ( my personal "Bucket List".
I have a question (actually lots of ???), what size class b with what power, is required to comfortably tow a 27ft center console boat with a single yamaha 225. Not sure of weight, will find out. Of course, I will have to be able to put into and pull out of well maintained boat ramps without providing ramp spectators with entertainment.
I've thought of truck campers, however, I'm not sure I like the inconvenience of loading and unloading, as well as having a desire for more space.
Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated. Capt. Billy Graham, Florida
Not knowing the weight, but guessing based on my 19' Whaler. I'd say your best bet would be a B built on a Ford E450. I'd go for diesel over the V10 gas hog. Sportsmobile will build what you want, on whatever chassis you want. Chevy builds a much better (in my experienced opinion) van due to the cab ergonomics, drive train and ride. I don't know if you can gross it up high enough to handle your weight though.
Dave W. AKA "Toyman"
KE5GOH - On 146.52
RV's ? What RV's ???
Apache Pop-up
Classic GMC Motorhome
07 Leisure Travel Sprinter
Do Boats Count ?
Keep in mind that B vans with generators generally have them low and near the rear. While you may be willing to put your rear wheels in the water, you definitely don't want to put the genny under!
Without knowing the specifics of your seafaring "rig", I'm guessing you should be planning on towing around 7,500 to 8,000 lbs - i.e., the boat, motor, trailer, fuel, your fishing gear, your "add ons", and any accessories you have, your cooler, etc., etc. etc.
That said, I don't think you're looking for an RV that will tow your boat, rather, you're looking for a truck that will tow your boat that will also function as an RV.
For the boat ramps, and that weight, you'll most likely want (need) 4WD.
Others have suggested you look at Provan. I agree.
You're going to need a class IV or class V receiver on a rig that has enough "cargo capacity" to handle a nearly 1,000lb tongue weight.
And, your boat trailer probably does NOT have electric brakes - almost none do (surge brakes instead) - so you'll need to be sensitive to your braking ability if your trailer is nearly the same weight as your tow vehicle. The flat ground of Florida, maybe OK. Get in some hilly or mountainous terrain, and you'll maybe be needing some clean shorts.
Get the weights and capacities right and go have fun. Ignore the weights and capacities and you'll likely be wishing you hadn't.
As others have said, go find a CAT scale (many truck stops have 'em) and get your rig - READY TO TOW AS YOU INTEND IN RETIREMENT - weighed. That will narrow your choices considerably.
Thank you all for the advice, really appreciate it. Today i tow the boat loaded quite easily with a GMC YUKON suv. Two wheel drive with an automatic trans with a trailer mode. Never (so far) had any ramp problems. Biggest hills so far are causeways , 2 miles up and 2 miles down. Again, noengine strain that I'm aware of.
Will weigh it on a scale next week. Will research Provan Tiger. Thanks again, Capt.Billy
I have just about settled on a roadtrek 2100 with a 10,000 lb hitch and quite a bit of towing capacity. especially on a 27 ft. boat.
and you don't really have to load/unload a TC and the slide units have more room than a B van.
bumpy
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