We are going to pull our fishing boat to the lake with our 36' class A. DW thinks we should be able to back the class A with boat down a boat ramp to launch. I said "never seen that done, must be a reason". Closest I've seen is a class C with a hitch on front end to go down a boat ramp to launch a boat. Assuming the launch area is open enough without tight corners, etc is there some reason I shouldn't try this?

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.

Can you post the time and place so I can get out there withy my lawn chair to watch? (just kidding)It can certainly be done but will not be as convienent. If there is a large rear overhang, the trailer will react far more quickly than with a truck and you will likley need more space to manuver due to the length of the combined rig. I'm assuming the rig isn't horribly underpowered. It would be embaressing to not be able to pull the boat up the ramp. There should be plenty of traction for the rear drive wheels.

valhalla360 wrote:Can you post the time and place so I can get out there withy my lawn chair to watch? (just kidding)It can certainly be done but will not be as convienent. If there is a large rear overhang, the trailer will react far more quickly than with a truck and you will likley need more space to manuver due to the length of the combined rig. I'm assuming the rig isn't horribly underpowered. It would be embaressing to not be able to pull the boat up the ramp. There should be plenty of traction for the rear drive wheels.X2

If you have a DP, I would be concerned about the possibility of getting the engine that close to the water. On the other hand the weight of the engine would help traction on a slick ramp.A gasser might not have enough rear weight bias to prevent wheel spin.I too would like a beach chair and beer. I's always been great fun to long around launch ramps anyway, this would be doubly entertaining.

Were it me, I would offer to pay someone at the ramp with a truck to launch and retrieve.

Class A and boats | Good Sam Community

RayChez
Explorer
May 24, 2015
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.
valhalla360
Navigator
May 24, 2015
Can you post the time and place so I can get out there withy my lawn chair to watch? (just kidding)

It can certainly be done but will not be as convienent. If there is a large rear overhang, the trailer will react far more quickly than with a truck and you will likley need more space to manuver due to the length of the combined rig.

I'm assuming the rig isn't horribly underpowered. It would be embaressing to not be able to pull the boat up the ramp. There should be plenty of traction for the rear drive wheels.
Colo_Native
Explorer
May 24, 2015
valhalla360 wrote:
Can you post the time and place so I can get out there withy my lawn chair to watch? (just kidding)

It can certainly be done but will not be as convienent. If there is a large rear overhang, the trailer will react far more quickly than with a truck and you will likley need more space to manuver due to the length of the combined rig.

I'm assuming the rig isn't horribly underpowered. It would be embaressing to not be able to pull the boat up the ramp. There should be plenty of traction for the rear drive wheels.

X2
bluwtr49
Explorer II
May 24, 2015
If you have a DP, I would be concerned about the possibility of getting the engine that close to the water. On the other hand the weight of the engine would help traction on a slick ramp.

A gasser might not have enough rear weight bias to prevent wheel spin.

I too would like a beach chair and beer. I's always been great fun to long around launch ramps anyway, this would be doubly entertaining.
wolfe10
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Were it me, I would offer to pay someone at the ramp with a truck to launch and retrieve.
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
May 24, 2015
"Anything's possible",.....but you will find out it's not worth it. I've even done it with my big Dutch Star. And, 4 motorhomes ago I tried a front hitch arrangement. I found out it's not the way to go either.
The only way I will do it now is for me to tow the boat with the motorhome, and for my wife to follow me with the GMC 4x4 Envoy. My Envoy is the perfect vehicle for launching the boat, and the perfect vehicle for running around when living in the motorhome, and the perfect vehicle for towing behind the motorhome (on non-fishing trips), and the perfect vehicle for use as my daily driving when we are at the home base.
mccsix
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Slick ramp+steep grade=bad utube video
msmith1199
Explorer II
May 24, 2015
Depends on the ramp. I haven't done it before myself, but I would do it if the ramp was wide enough to drive straight down and turn around at the bottom. But I wouldn't try and back it down a tight fitting ramp or a really long one. I've seen people do it before and it can be done. I also would not try and do it at a crowded ramp where I'm going to back everybody else up.
smacdiesel
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Go for it, this guy did!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sDq--9e1lg
smacdiesel
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Here's a clickable link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sDq--9e1lg