Class A and boats
We are going to pull our fishing boat to the lake with our 36' class A. DW thinks we should be able to back the class A with boat down a boat ramp to launch. I said "never seen that done, must be a ...
Forum Discussion
RayChez wrote:
You can do it if it is a gasoline motorhome. You can not do it if it is a diesel pusher. Your engine would be under water in some launch ramps with a diesel pusher.
Well,
Much of it depends on both the style of boat, i.e. pontoon/tri-toon, fishing, flat bottom, deep V etc. and, also the boat ramp angle. We live in Lake Havasu City AZ and have seen many, many class A's back boats into the water there. And, quite a few of them have been diesel pushers. Not one of the pushers had the water in the engine area. Now, our boat ramp angles are such that, in about 99.99% of the cases, the boat, at least most designs, float off the trailer as the fenders just duck under the water level.
Yep, the tires come close and or, do get wet but, the engine is not harmed. The area of concern is, how long your class A or even C is. Angle preparation for backing is of great importance. Not many can articulate 36'-40' of coach, and, 25'-30' of boat trailer into the correct position for backing, in most given boat ramp prep areas unless, there's a fair amount of open, un-restricted, turning and straight area for prep, for backing up.
Backing a boat in at an angle is perfectly Ok if, you begin at even a 90 degree angle backing but, the boat ends up floating off the trailer, while it's perpendicular to the water line. That is of course, making sure that, there's nothing to inhibit the swing of the coach, in its total operation of backing. If it's an un-crowded boat ramp, and there's plenty of area, no problem. But, in many popular boating areas, the use of a full sized Class A for manipulating a boat in to position for launching, is severely restricted.
The ultimate of course is to be straight as can be, when backing it all up. I've launched at many boat ramps where this is possible, even with the 36' coach and, the 22' boat we presently have. But, I've also seen (and we have some where we live now) some that will not accommodate that length in prep for backing.
There are some vehicles, i.e. trucks, SUVs, cars etc. that are lower and therefore, might tip the body into the water as the boat nears floating stage.
Anyway, as stated, there's lots of variables that come into play in launching a boat. You'll just have to take them all into account when you arrive at your next boat ramp. Good luck.
Scott
