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Old 02-10-2019, 02:55 PM   #1
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Towing a boat

I was wondering how many of you tow boats.
I have a 2012 Thor ACE 29.2 and recently purchased a Tracker pro guide v175 combo, the boat is almost 18 ft with the trailer more like 26 ft.
I've been pulling it with my F250 however I'm more interested in taking the RV and stay ing one place much longer, however I will need to launch the boat with the RV.
Is this a common thing or concern.
Looking for the pro's and Con's

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Old 02-10-2019, 03:13 PM   #2
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I installed a trailer hitch on front of my motorhome. It made it much easier to launch a boat, and get back up ramp. Some boat Ramps on Missouri got pretty slick when wet.
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Old 02-10-2019, 03:18 PM   #3
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Yes that was one of my concerns wet ramps and if backing in would submerge the rear of the RV.
Do you have any pictures of the front hitch? Sounds like a better way to go.
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Old 02-10-2019, 03:22 PM   #4
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Yes that was one of my concerns wet ramps and if backing in would submerge the rear of the RV.
Do you have any pictures of the front hitch? Sounds like a better way to go.
No pictures. I bought a Reese universal hitch. I had to drill holes in front of frame and remove part of bumper facia. It was a 2007 Winnebago Vectra. I haven’t got around to it on my new motor home
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Old 02-10-2019, 04:29 PM   #5
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Well not sure what your driving now but the Winnebago Vectra is a nice looking rig.
I believe on the ace I'll have break out the welder and do some extensions to the frame plus cut a hole through the front skirt.
Sound like a project
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Old 02-10-2019, 04:42 PM   #6
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We have been towing our boats, both 20', behind our class A's (35', 37, now 40') for over 20 years. Never had an issue except for 2 blown tires on the trailer before we had a TPM. Launched on concrete and gravel ramps. My step dad put a hitch on the front of his bounder and used it to launch the boat once and decided it was too much of a pain unhooking, hooking, launching, then unhooking and hooking again. With the DP, I was worried about clearance when dropping from the parking lot to a ramp, but the wife went out and watched as I slowly backed in and she said it wasn't ever close to dragging. Use your mirrors and you'll be fine.
Mike
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Old 02-10-2019, 05:04 PM   #7
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Thank for the input m1noel
I could see the extra work could quickly become tiresome however getting stuck on a slick ramp could be a problem as well.
I see you have had several sized rigs over the past 20 years and i guess I could call you a seasoned veteran.
I will be heading up to the eastern Sierra soon once the snow clears out and will get a better idea with launching the boat from the RV.
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Old 02-10-2019, 05:27 PM   #8
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Well not sure what your driving now but the Winnebago Vectra is a nice looking rig.
I believe on the ace I'll have break out the welder and do some extensions to the frame plus cut a hole through the front skirt.
Sound like a project
When we lived full time, Vectra was real nice. Much nicer than our 24FE, but 24FE is what we need now.
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Old 02-10-2019, 07:41 PM   #9
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Is there any chance that you could arrange for a more "suitable" vehicle to hook on, and launch the boat for you?
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Old 02-10-2019, 10:55 PM   #10
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Not unless we pull the f250 and the boat behind the RV or my wife follows me to are destination in the Truck
I don't believe she will go for either lol.
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Old 02-10-2019, 11:03 PM   #11
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i sort of had something else in mind...
If you're at a marina with a public launch area: could you get someone who works there to hook on, and launch the boat for you?
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Old 02-10-2019, 11:17 PM   #12
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Smile Towing a Boat

Perhaps a local rental car company for a day when you want to launch? Just keep a spare receiver slide an ball assembly to use maybe?
Just a thought as I was thinking of doing it this way when I tow the boat.
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Old 02-10-2019, 11:37 PM   #13
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That's a good thought!
The local Home Depot an d Lowes stores up here will rent you a truck for about $30...

And they have hitch receivers already on them.
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Old 02-11-2019, 12:40 AM   #14
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Just be sure you don't leave the dog unattended in your RV when you are on the ramp!
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Old 02-11-2019, 12:47 AM   #15
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I think you have to have bought something that needs a truck to carry, but who knows, worth a try!
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Old 02-11-2019, 12:49 AM   #16
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Not unless we pull the f250 and the boat behind the RV or my wife follows me to are destination in the Truck
I don't believe she will go for either lol.
A few years ago I had the same model boat as you have and it launched so easily I never put my truck tires in the water or never used 4 wheel drive. It is light and easy to pull up the ramps. For recovery it pulls up the rollers easily. If your trailer only had slides thats where I would do the redesigning. You may want to install a electric wench instead of the hand crank.

Great boat by the way. I wish I still had mine.
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Old 02-11-2019, 04:23 AM   #17
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Yes I seen many videos like this and trucks too
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Old 02-11-2019, 04:28 AM   #18
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Yes I love the boat I have the mercury 150 and had it out on lake havasu completing the break in.
So the next trip will be all fishing and testing out the x5 fish finder and the new trolling motor.
My trailer does have the slides And I have been looking at the rollers
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Old 02-11-2019, 04:34 AM   #19
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That's a good thought!
The local Home Depot an d Lowes stores up here will rent you a truck for about $30...

And they have hitch receivers already on them.
Wow this is a great idea I had not thought about. I agree and some areas this will work in others I think the RV will have to do.
I may look into the front hitch just in case I run into the to steep slick ramp
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Old 02-11-2019, 03:44 PM   #20
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I've towed the boat a few times but not yet with this monster. Rear overhang and belly drag are the only things that will get you. Lots of ramps in the south...especially ramps around coastal waters...are very steep due to tides as much as 10-12'. If you have huge (as I do) rear overhang, watch the prop and rear of trailer at the point just before the rear MH axle starts down the ramp. At this point, the hitch of the MH will be very high...so much so that the hitch on the trailer could be as much as 3 feet high. I've actually paid a local in the CG a few bucks to launch and retrieve the boat for me.
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