trotline1
New Mexico
New Member
Joined: 04/01/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
I was reading the thread where you guys were talking about boats and it brought a question to my mind. I have a FW now and pull my boat behind it, but I have really been considering a TC lately. How do you guys handle launching and retrieving your boats. Do you offload the TC when you camp every time, or do you leave it on? The reason I ask is because it seems like it would be a pain to have to disrupt your camp site during the 3-4 times a day you have to trailer the boat. I can't always get a spot by the water.
|
luv2skyski
Stockbridge, Georgia
Senior Member
Joined: 05/30/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I regularly launch the boat with the camper on. Just makes it easier to set up camp after parking the trailer. Dave.
1999 F250
2004 Northern Lite 10-2000RR
What do you do when you miss your in-laws? Your reload and shoot again!
|
Moomba2002
Sebastopol, CA
Full Member
Joined: 08/29/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I have never taken the camper off to launch or retrieve the boat. I have an Arctic Fox 1150 and a 21' wakeboard boat and have been on some pretty tight and steep ramps. The only thing I would have is a wheel chock.
1999 Ford F350 DRW 4X4 PSD 6spd.
Banks Stinger Package
Fords upgraded Air Intake System
ExtremeAire 150 PSI 100% Duty Cyle on board air w/4gal. tank
Air Bags & Rancho 9000's
2003 Arctic Fox 1150 loaded except solor
|
Super_Dave
Sacramento, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/19/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I do both. For the occassions I launch with the camper on, the combination of mirrors and a back up camera have been a huge help.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Camper: 2007 Eagle Cap 850
Boat: 2003 Jetcraft 2125 - Yamaha 150 HP & 8 HP Kicker
|
Raften
Northern Calfornia
Senior Member
Joined: 01/27/2003
View Profile
|
A good trick I used with my wheel chocks (two is better) is to add a lenght of chain with a snap on the end. Just clip to the tie down chain and when ready to pull up the ramp the chocks will follow you up the ramp. I use the heavy rubber trucking chocks. Of course there will always be someone waving and yelling that you have something dragging but most people will see the purpose of the whole thing.
When you have a heavy truck, TC, and boat on a steep ramp that period of time going from parked to rolling with a manual tranny can cause you to burn clutches unless you can start pulling up smoothly and the chocks allow that.
|
|
|
ShoMe
St. Louis, MO
Full Member
Joined: 04/28/2004
View Profile
|
I've launched and retrieved my boat (18" f/s) once with the camper on and its doable. I just prefer to off-load the camper prior; its just more comfortable and easier. Besides, when I am taking my boat, I'm usually at a location for 4 or more days.
|
DakotaCamper
Stanwood, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2004
View Profile
|
Get a front hitch and launch it that way. Its hard to see our boat with the camper on so we found this works good, especially on shallow ramps and without a deep drop hitch.
Of course, we just bought a back up camera so we can keep an eye on things when towing it. Time will tell if we start launching the boat using the cam.
Sally
& my DH Karl
'04.5 Dodge Ram 3500HD CTD QuadCab 4x4 ShortBox w/Ride Rites, SuperHitch on the back & Bodiak on the front
'02 Pastime 880SC held tight with Torklift Tie Downs & Polished SS Fast Guns
Kipor KGE2000Ti
15' Gregor Aluminum Boat
|
stufarmer
Tampa Fla.
Full Member
Joined: 05/22/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
One more benefit of the TC over other RV's, you can drop the Camper & use the truck as you please. Taking the Camper off takes 5 minutes with Electric Jacks and Quick Release hold downs, maybe a couple more minutes for the hitch extension. Nothing like the time spent getting a Trailer backed up & unhooked.
05 Dodge Ram 2500 QC SWB 4x4 Laramie.
Firestone air bags, Super Springs, Helwig sway bay, Rancho 9000's, Reese tow beast, MagHyTec diff covers, Toyo Open Country 285/70/17's, Numerous Performance Mods.
06 Lance 861, Gen/Sat/Solar/TV pkg
05 20'Regal BR.
|
Raften
Northern Calfornia
Senior Member
Joined: 01/27/2003
View Profile
|
I must be really slow getting a TC and extension off, no way I could do it in 7 minutes. I do carry alot of stuff in the wheel wells that needs to be removed first.
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Some campgrounds forbid removing the camper from the truck. I launch and recover with the camper on, and beach the boat close to the campsite when possible. Most of the time around here a beached boat is safe from "beachcombers".
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
|
|
|
