Class A DP vs. Class C vs Boat

Not all boat ramps are equal and not all boats float off trailer in swallow water, if your boat requires deep water to float off and water at ramp is swallow you might have issues with a diesel, use to launch a pontoon with a gas motorhome in some swallow water ramps and the back tires were in the water half way up rims and bumper 1 foot under water, not sure what a diesel would do in that scenario.

We launch ours all the time. That said we are about to head back to Boyd's Key West Campground where they always launch for us using a skid-steer or pickup up truck!
Profile picture has a better shot of the boat.

I've seen people with big DPs at our local (salt-water) boat launch who disconnect the boat trailer in the parking lot and use one of those 3-wheel lawn-mower engine powered "movers" to get the boat launched. They usually carried the thing tied down in the boat someplace.

I would think that if you only use the boat in fresh water, getting the lake water into the back bumper and radiator of a DP wouldn't be a big deal, but that salt water in there would be a much bigger concern.

Unfortunately, I've never looked closely at one and have no idea who makes them. We don't see the combination of large DP and power boat that often.

The other option would be to go to marinas like we have just down the street. They launch all the boats with a straddle lift that has big wide canvas straps that go under the hull. They lift the boat off the trailer and lower it into the water while the owner goes and parks his TV and trailer. I've seen them lifting boats in excess of 50' with that thing.

I hauled a 26' center console with both a 32' gasser and a 40' diesel. The gasser being shorter was easier to turn in the launch area, a lot easier. Turning radius is king when you have to do a U turn before you can back the boat down.

Had a 38ft American Dream with Cummings 300 and pulled a 26ft boat. Never had a problem dropping the boat into the lake/ocean or pulling it out. As stated above the boat will come off and on the trailer long before the back end of the motorhome will touch water.

Been launching with class A's for almost 30 years. This one is 38' and backs as easily as any of the others. Good luck.

Bluedog,
There isn't any difference. Backing down a boat ramp down a ramp with a box is the same, whether it's powered by gas or diesel. A box is a box. Now, of course common sense applies to all situations. 99.99999999% of all boats will float off the trailer WAAAAAYYYYYYYYY before your bumper/lower body panel etc. of your class A or C ever comes near the water. Of course some of that depends on the boat ramp angle too.

But, for the most part, it might be easier to use a diesel pusher due to the fact that they have different turning radius's much of the time and, there for can react to adjustments in lining up the boat trailer with the ramp etc. easier. It also depends on the driving and handling characteristics of the driver too. If you're comfortable backing your fifth wheel in to tight, semi-tight camp spots, you'll be just fine backing your boat. Good luck. Have done it for years with both a C and a 34' A.
Scott

Just don't back the diesel into the water!!! Gassers have the engine in the front. Otherwise, put a hitch on the front for launching. Remember the diesel sits low in the back of the coach, behind the wheels, and would stand a good chance of being in the water when you get the boat ready to come off the trailer.

Can't speak for diesel owners, but have pulled a boat with a 34' Class A and put it in the water with said coach.
I can't think of a good reason why you could not do the same with a diesel pusher, as you are putting the boat trailer in the water not the coach