I was towing and launching my boat, which weighs about 6,500 pounds on the trailer, with a crew cab dually hauling an 11' TC. We sold the TC after our third child was born because it was just too small. I've been looking at older Super C motor homes and it looks like most of them would probably be fine for putting the boat in and out. The body seems to rise up in the rear, I guess to improve departure angel, and the ground clearance is decent for going over the angle where the ramp starts down.I'm starting to also look at some class As but they look much lower with less ground clearance, break over angle, and departure angle. I'm curious if many people launch and retrieve boats with them.Taking a second vehicle or having a complete stranger use their truck to launch the boat is not an option. My wife is not comfortable driving much more than the non-towing Suburban. We like to explore lakes that are 3, 5, or even 8 hours from home so making 2 trips their and back is not an option either. I grew up on a farm and spent time as an OTR truck driver so I have no problem maneuvering the rig, just wondering about the physical abilities of one to navigate a boat ramp.

We towed a 22' Sea Ray Bow rider for a few years, launching it with a Monaco Diplomat. The size of the coach can create some issues maneuvering but launching was actually easier. The rear overhang kept the rear wheels and exhaust out of the water. There was never a power or traction issue.

I don't see the rear overhang as an issue...as the ramp drops off, it will simply go out into the air.The issues would be: - With the rear overhang high above the pavement, will it raise the front of the trailer high enough that the outboard bottoms out. - Particularly for a Class A, will the change in slope be great enough that the frame between the axles will bottom out.Unless it's an extreme overhang, I'm betting most ramps won't be an issue and you can always raise the motor to gain a bit of leeway. As mentioned, a big turning radius may be more of an issue at smaller ramps.

I used to launch our boat ( 24 ft) with our Class A. Never had any issues. Depending on what CG we were at, it was sometimes easier having the staff launch and then move the trailer to the storage lot with their tractor since at most places you can't keep the trailer at your site. .

Watch "RV goes into lake" on YouTube. Interesting stuff at .50 mark.

We've launched our Four Winns several times with our Winnebago, depending on the boat launch it can be a breeze or a big challenge. One of the lakes, a USFS Campground is pretty tight but with a couple of spotters we got it done. At most of the USFS sites I've been to there isn't much space so getting the boat prepped for launch takes place out of the CG. Those gravel boat trailer lots are a challenge moving it by hand. We've never taken our Jeep along for launching the boat, but if I did I'd still haul the boat with the motorhome and then swap to launch. The second photo was the best place, great approach angle and I was actually able to launch with myself and my young son. That's a rarity. One campground we were at I watched a very smart older guy with a nice Class A "bribe" a younger guy with a pick up to launch and retrieve his boat. For him each morning/night. Amazing what a case of beer can buy you!

Anybody launching a boat with a Class A? | Good Sam Community

Y-Guy
Moderator
Jan 11, 2022
We've launched our Four Winns several times with our Winnebago, depending on the boat launch it can be a breeze or a big challenge. One of the lakes, a USFS Campground is pretty tight but with a couple of spotters we got it done. At most of the USFS sites I've been to there isn't much space so getting the boat prepped for launch takes place out of the CG. Those gravel boat trailer lots are a challenge moving it by hand.

We've never taken our Jeep along for launching the boat, but if I did I'd still haul the boat with the motorhome and then swap to launch. The second photo was the best place, great approach angle and I was actually able to launch with myself and my young son. That's a rarity.

One campground we were at I watched a very smart older guy with a nice Class A "bribe" a younger guy with a pick up to launch and retrieve his boat. For him each morning/night. Amazing what a case of beer can buy you!
phillyg
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2022
Watch "RV goes into lake" on YouTube. Interesting stuff at .50 mark.
JoeH
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2022
I used to launch our boat ( 24 ft) with our Class A. Never had any issues. Depending on what CG we were at, it was sometimes easier having the staff launch and then move the trailer to the storage lot with their tractor since at most places you can't keep the trailer at your site. .
valhalla360
Navigator
Jan 11, 2022
I don't see the rear overhang as an issue...as the ramp drops off, it will simply go out into the air.

The issues would be:
- With the rear overhang high above the pavement, will it raise the front of the trailer high enough that the outboard bottoms out.
- Particularly for a Class A, will the change in slope be great enough that the frame between the axles will bottom out.

Unless it's an extreme overhang, I'm betting most ramps won't be an issue and you can always raise the motor to gain a bit of leeway.

As mentioned, a big turning radius may be more of an issue at smaller ramps.
DSDP_Don
Explorer
Jan 11, 2022
We towed a 22' Sea Ray Bow rider for a few years, launching it with a Monaco Diplomat. The size of the coach can create some issues maneuvering but launching was actually easier. The rear overhang kept the rear wheels and exhaust out of the water. There was never a power or traction issue.

Forum Discussion

Anybody launching a boat with a Class A?

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Boat launching with TC?

Starcraft Launch Outfitter?

2020 Silverado HD Media Launch

Starcraft Launch Bed ends

Launch 16RB - Not what we looked at...