Toy Hauler instead of TT (to carry 16' boat)

[silverbullet555]

We currently have a truck camper, but wife has decided she likes to go to the coast. Given that the weather can be less than ideal and that there might be indoor time, we're thinking a travel trailer makes sense for us and our two kids. Given the fact that we will be on the coast, and I like crab and fish, a boat for the bays would make sense too.

So, toy haulers have entered the discussion.

I don't know anything about them. Considerations for being able to haul a 16-17' aluminum fishing boat? Can the tongue extend further than the cargo area? How do you secure them down.

I also like the toy hauler concept because it gives the kids a place to play and get sand off, etc.

[Dirtclods]

silverbullet555 wrote:
We currently have a truck camper, but wife has decided she likes to go to the coast. Given that the weather can be less than ideal and that there might be indoor time, we're thinking a travel trailer makes sense for us and our two kids. Given the fact that we will be on the coast, and I like crab and fish, a boat for the bays would make sense too.

So, toy haulers have entered the discussion.

I don't know anything about them. Considerations for being able to haul a 16-17' aluminum fishing boat? Can the tongue extend further than the cargo area? How do you secure them down.

I also like the toy hauler concept because it gives the kids a place to play and get sand off, etc.

You can get a boat in https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/rvs/d/irvine-weekend-warrior-36-5th-wheel-toy/7350214840.html

It's the trailer the boat set's on you may have some fitment issues.

[cptqueeg]

Jet Ski Brian

This is an FYI for all reading this thread.

[GordonWell]

I've only seen jet skis tucked away inside a toyhauler. They just ran the tongue through the partition door and strapped it all down.

[silverbullet555]

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
Just rent a boat when you get there. All other options seem like a lot of trouble and a lot of expense for a minimally-used boat.

I wouldn't buy a boat just for that trip. It would be used for fishing locally most of the time. In the meantime, renting one there makes a ton of sense and is the plan.

rexlion wrote:
The boat would be in your way all the time inside the toy hauler trailer. You'd have to take it out every single evening. Unless you get a humongous one, in which the boat can stay without cramping your living quarters.

If you feel the need for more living space inside your RV, what about a 5th wheel? And maybe tow the boat trailer behind it? I've seen it done. Backing up is tricky, though.

Doubles don't leave a lot of room for length in anything because of max length and I am not excited about towing doubles. If we found a way to make it happen, the boat would come out when we get there and not go back in until we leave. Once we got there, unloaded it, unhooked the trailer, it would be on the truck.

Just exploring at this point.

[RetiredRealtorR]

Just rent a boat when you get there. All other options seem like a lot of trouble and a lot of expense for a minimally-used boat.

[rexlion]

The boat would be in your way all the time inside the toy hauler trailer. You'd have to take it out every single evening. Unless you get a humongous one, in which the boat can stay without cramping your living quarters.

If you feel the need for more living space inside your RV, what about a 5th wheel? And maybe tow the boat trailer behind it? I've seen it done. Backing up is tricky, though.

[IAMICHABOD]

I saw one while staying at Newport Dunes a few years ago,he pulled up,dropped ramp and unloaded boat and trailer using a winch,left and returned with truck and launched the boat.

Great fun to watch the launch ramp while having a bite at the Back Bay Bistro

There were a few old posts here on the Net about that but the pictures have all gone away. There are a few You Tube videos too.

[wopachop]

silverbullet555 wrote:
Considerations for being able to haul a 16-17' aluminum fishing boat? Can the tongue extend further than the cargo area?

Getting a boat that size with its trailer inside a toyhauler would be tricky. Could you settle for an inflatable with small electric trolling motor? My friends kiddo has one. Seemed pretty durable. They stuff that thing and a golf cart and kayaks in the back of their toyhauler.

You would want a front bedroom model if you plan to live inside the unit with all your toys. Something with a separate garage would be nice but i dont see those very often. The cargo area is usually too small for the things we carry. Might work good for something like Harleys if youre OK with towing a really long trailer.

You need to determine how often you will have to sleep inside the trailer with the toys in there. Lots of people load up quads and dirt bikes and then remove them right away. While others travel the country and leave the toys protected inside the living space.

An inflatable electric boat would solve a lot of the hurdles. Space and gas fumes. Being able to load it all by yourself. They had a blast with it down fishing in mission bay San Diego. Wasnt river worthy due to lack of power. Things have changed though. Electric motor performance keeps getting better.

[2012Coleman]

If you really want to haul a boat in a toy hauler, maybe consider an inflatable boat - they make some nice ones.

[valhalla360]

Depends if the garage has a wall at the front or it just narrows. Since the boat narrows and the trailer tongue is only a few inches wide, if that sticks beyond the formal garage area, as long as it doesn't hit anything, it should be fine.

But probably a better option is a roof rack above the truck. That's what my dad did. As long as you are reasonably fit and layout the rack conveniently, it's not hard for a couple people to put a 16ft aluminum boat on top.

[silverbullet555]

If you have a 14' cargo area in a toy hauler, I assume the tongue or something narrower enough could extend further forward? Obviously layout permitting.

[smarty]

I have not seen a toyhauler with a 17" garage, think the largest is 14'

[cptqueeg]

A TC w multiple slides, and a tent will do it. Look to the Aussies for moving a boat and living quarters to the beach. They get it done but by all appearances it looks like big money.

There is always the option of using kayaks or jet skis to fish off as well. Jet skis are relatively unknown as fishing platforms but they do work. Jet skis might fit a bit easier into the "toy" space in a toy hauler.

Trailer tongues can be built w a hinge to shorten the overall length of a boat/trailer and can be locked open to improve security if left unattended.

Paying for guided trips at your destination may also be cheaper, less stress, safer, and more productive than getting rigged to fish/crab on your own.

[Y-Guy]

You'll may want an open (non garage) hauler, finding a garage with up to 17' is going to be a bit of a challenge. Off the top of my head I can't think of any. You can check out the The Complete List of Toy Haulers

We've had other members put a small boat in the hauler, used a winch to load/unload. As I recall one beefed up the front wheel jack, with one that had two wheels and could better handle the stress.