I may be over thinking this. I "may" tow my GoDevil rig behind my TC. How much strain is it to launch a boat with a TC? The Godevil is a 18ft aluminum boat with a 35hp surface drive (35hp B&S lawn mower motor). Total weight should be less than 1500#. I do have a front receiver on my truck and could unhook the boat and use the front receiver. I'm old and lazy. How bad does it feel backing a rig down a boat ramp with a TC? Obviously depends on the angle, but...

Not different than with 25' motorhome. Even I never had a problem backing up 40' coaches, with truck I love front hitches for use with extra platform and good back up for those harder than usual ramps.

Not sure what you mean. You got an automatic trans and enough weight on the rear axle to not spin out I think.......It's an incline to park on of you have to get out of the truck though so cram the e brake and I'd toss a chock under a wheel if you don't have someone in the drivers seat.

Thinking about it, some RWD trucks don't have gearing to go on steep ramps. Had situation in the past, when I had to rent F550 with 6l and having 14k trailer could not move it in the morning up hotel driveway. Had to back up on flat spot to get momentum. Suppose rental trucks are detuned, but sure this is not nice.

Never had a problem launching my 18' Bow Rider which weighs about 2,800#.

I need to re-state my question. How much strain does it feel on the camper being at the usual boat ramp angle....I've got Torklift tie-downs and FastGuns. My camper is approaching 4,000#. Does it feel like the camper is about to slide out of the truck? Do you ever think: "there is a lot of pressure on the tie downs"?I launch a 21ft center console bay boat regularly so I feel comfortable at a boat ramp. I just don't want to get halfway down a ramp and feel like I'm about to pop a tiedown and launch a boat and a camper.Probably best to just use the front hitch.

Boat launching with TC? | Good Sam Community

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2017
Not different than with 25' motorhome.
Even I never had a problem backing up 40' coaches, with truck I love front hitches for use with extra platform and good back up for those harder than usual ramps.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 12, 2017
Not sure what you mean. You got an automatic trans and enough weight on the rear axle to not spin out I think.......
It's an incline to park on of you have to get out of the truck though so cram the e brake and I'd toss a chock under a wheel if you don't have someone in the drivers seat.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2017
Thinking about it, some RWD trucks don't have gearing to go on steep ramps.
Had situation in the past, when I had to rent F550 with 6l and having 14k trailer could not move it in the morning up hotel driveway.
Had to back up on flat spot to get momentum.
Suppose rental trucks are detuned, but sure this is not nice.
kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 12, 2017
Never had a problem launching my 18' Bow Rider which weighs about 2,800#.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2017
I need to re-state my question. How much strain does it feel on the camper being at the usual boat ramp angle....I've got Torklift tie-downs and FastGuns. My camper is approaching 4,000#. Does it feel like the camper is about to slide out of the truck? Do you ever think: "there is a lot of pressure on the tie downs"?
I launch a 21ft center console bay boat regularly so I feel comfortable at a boat ramp.
I just don't want to get halfway down a ramp and feel like I'm about to pop a tiedown and launch a boat and a camper.
Probably best to just use the front hitch.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jul 12, 2017
Unless you've got a serious camper sliding around problem already, it's a non issue.
kohldad
Explorer III
Jul 12, 2017
I need to re-state my question. How much strain does it feel on the camper being at the usual boat ramp angle..

I drive up roads that are a lot steeper than most boat ramps. Just don't gun it when on the ramp.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2017
mkirsch wrote:
Unless you've got a serious camper sliding around problem already, it's a non issue.

I'm OK with that. Camper sits on plywood with a truck mat over that. No big sliding issues so far.
Reality_Check
Nomad II
Jul 12, 2017
Go fish... the truck and camper could care less.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 12, 2017
When I read the thread title, I immediately thought about the You-Tube vids of the submerged tow vehicles that for some reason went down the ramp with the boat, only to emerge on the end of a winch line.

If you submerge the camper, be sure to take lots of picture for us to enjoy (not you)...lol