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glc52's avatar
glc52
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014

Pulling a boat with truck camper

I just bought a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel megacab. My wife & I were thinking we wanted to buy a nice camper trailer and that's why we got a big diesel truck. However, I also just bought a 17' smoker craft fishing boat and created an unanticipated dilemma. I thought I would just use the boat for local fishing trips and that we would still want a big comfortable camper for longer sightseeing and vacation trips. Now my wife is thinking she may want to get a truck camper, so we can camp and fish some of the reservoirs in the region. I have owned a small 16' camper trailer, she doesn't have any RVing experience, so we are still rookies. 1) can a person get a truck camper or camping trailer that can safely pull a boat that's approximately 2,000 lbs.
2) should we invest in a nice truck camper when we might not like the cramped quarters compared to a bigger camper trailer? Any advice whatsoever would be greatly appreciated! Rearing to Go :)
Truck Campers

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  • loulou57's avatar
    loulou57
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    Ontario allows a boat to be pulled behind a TT as long as the TV is not a car, van or SUV. It must have a truck (black) plate. We pull both together with our Avalanch.

    The OP asked about behind a truck camper though. That is also allowed. As others have mentioned make sure you have equipment that accompanies each other.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2014
    Some states and Canadian provinces allow double towing as long as the lead trailer is a fifth wheel, I do not believe Washington does. We have a similar truck, it is more than enough to haul a slide in plus tow a small boat. Be sure not to exceed the posted payload when loaded with all your gear.
  • Led_67's avatar
    Led_67
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    I see no problem as long as you are properly setup for this so first I recommend going to Truck Camper University and scroll down abou 2/3 to Towing/ Extended Hitches and exploring the threads in that section.

    Second you should seek out the opinions and experiences of others,And there are plenty here lol, and consider them also.

    Last get out and enjoy doing those things.
    Good Luck.
  • Ol__Gold's avatar
    Ol__Gold
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    GLC, You will enjoy a camper that slides into the back of your pickup. We have done the camper thing along with our water toys now for several years. Yes there are times that we don't take the water toys and just opt for the camping and hiking. But the fact that we can all ride togeather in one vehicle and yet take the boat or jet skis on our camping adventure is payment in full. I would say that 90% of the time we end up towing our entertainment along with us.
    Dan
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Feb 04, 2014
    Get Torklift Superhitch and the correct length SuperTruss extension and you will be good to pull the boat.

    Length of the extension depends on the size camper you get.
  • Jaxom's avatar
    Jaxom
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2014
    Yes you will be able to pull the trailer, when properly equipped.

    You might wish to buy a cheap, +/- $1,000 camper and try it on for size. I bought a couple and had each for about a year. Just to test the waters if that type of RV would work for me.

    Good Luck

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