I've had no problem doing it, including some not so good launch sites like this Canadian camp. Yes, bad things can happen if you don't know what you're doing----------------just the same as when launching with any other vehicle.
Groover wrote:
I have only launched once so far with my 35' DP and 21' dual console, no problems were encountered and I expect to do it again. I became very aware of turbo-lag on the way up. I did it many times with my previous rig, and 1991 F250 and very large slide-in camper with 4' of overhang from the rear bumper. At least the air brakes on the DP give a very secure parking brake and the batteries are handy for my electric winch. The DP has backup cameras that make seeing much easier than it was with the slide-in camper. I found it handy to plan a curving approach so that I was not having to guess which mirror I needed to look at to see the trailer. That also let me watch for things getting behind the boat while backing up.
As noted earlier I use an electric winch to pull the boat up the trailer so I don't have to get it so deep. In fact, I keep the axles dry. I have seen many people put their truck in deeper than I put my trailer in.
Just wondering, you say you "Keep your axles dry", correct? If so, how does the boat launch when the trailer is that far out of the water? And, on the flip side, you must have to have a fair amount of winch cable out to retrieve the boat. And, while I'm not familiar with your boat and trailer, it would see that, if you're intent on keeping the axles dry, (which I personally don't see why but, that's me) then your boat almost seems like it would have to "climb" onto the rails of the trailer, all because you don't want to get your axles wet.
I mean, it's yours so, you can launch and retrieve in which ever manor works for you but, I was just wondering why it's so important to keep those axles dry when they're made to get wet.
Scott
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
