Should I buy a hybrid RV/boat or just tow a boat

[evagoblog]

on a trailer?

If anyone reads a lot of different RV forums you will see this posted many places, as I want as many opinions or expertise advice as possible, the subject is so unusual wasn't quite sure where to put it. I was going to purchase an ordinary Class B van when I who have a weakness (I used the word fetish and was told it was NOT the correct word :)) for unusual house TV shows, was watching a show about houses on the water, and there was an episode on the Caraboat. A couple found it on ebay for $800 and then restored I think the show said for 200K (if you want to see the episode it's on the FYI channel website, season 2 episode 11, not sure if I can post links here) so then I became intrigued with that concept (there are very few of those made in the 70's left, at the first press conference for it, the boats started sinking and the reporters had to be rescued and the designer destroyed all the plans) but coincidentally there are TWO companies that just started making these with both very similar designs, though they are not related. I contacted both, and even though they don't sell in the U.S. now both said they will soon, but don't know when and I want to start RVing NOW. If anyone is curious about them, here are their names which you can google as again, not sure if this site will let me post links, some don't, Caravanboats for the German and Caraboat for the Australian, surprise they used the name of the failed company unless they want it to come up when someone is googling the other!) There is a company called Sealander where the trailers are lighter and they are cheaper (like a Happier Camper LOL) but I have been in contact them for almost TWO years and although the said they would distribute in North America and were having a tour here, they never did and their link to US sales is down. There IS an American made product the Terra Wind,on sale in the U.S. but like many American products (moderator if you take umbrage I will remove the last sentence) it's too big, expensive and over the top!

A friend of mine suggested that I just buy a truck or van and PULL a regular boat that you can live in (can be cheaper as of now, in USD the German boat is 70K range and the Australian in the 90K range) and so now, finally the question, after this long winded introduction, can that be done, will RV campsites or the county.state, federal parks allow it-actually living on the boat on land (only problem is can't stealth camp). I also wanted to do this and not have it towed by a RV because the weight would be too heavy and use too much gas.

Don't know if anyone ever thought or tried it, hope so as don't want to contact every campsite. I know people will have their jokes etc.but I am serious about it, so even if people haven't tried it but can think of the pros and cons, I'd like their opinions also.

[Community Alumni]

Are you talking about the old 8.0L (488 cu in) G2 truck engines? When you said Viper I thought you were still talking about the 8.3L (506 cu in) in the SRT-10, because that's the only Viper engine that went into a truck. The old 8.0L in trucks were not Viper engines. They were completely different.

[yr2017]

https://www.allpar.com/squads/ambulances.html

[yr2017]

proxim2020 wrote:

yr2017 wrote:

They were. Some were built as ambulances on 3500 frames - like ours.

I don't know about that. I've only ever known Chrysler to produce two SRT-10 models, DR1S41 (Quad) and DR1S61 (Reg). Both were built within the DR family which was on the 1500 platform. I've never heard of one being built on the D1 (3500) or DC (Chassis Cab) platforms. There's no 3500 SRT-10 listed in the Body Builder Guide for those years. If you know how the model codes work, a 3500 SRT-10 would be model D13S41, a model that was never made.

Heres a pic from Sask https://www.allpar.com/squads/ambulances.html

[yr2017]

westernrvparkowner wrote:

yr2017 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
additional vehicles etc.)Don't understand your post. The Renegade is a professionally built Super C. It isn't a horse trailer, it isn't a homebuilt schoolie conversion. If the same company builds horse trailers, so what? Many companies build both recreational vehicles and other items. Coleman campers are made by the same company that makes Rubbermaid. We allow people to camp in Coleman Campers but would never allow someone to camp in a Rubbermaid Trash can. In the case of Renegade we allow the Super Cs and not the horse trailers.
As an FYI, the horse trailer rule came about from experience. When we were young, we allowed one and it came in complete with horses. We don't have equine facilities and we got an earful of how if we allow horse trailers then should have pastures. OK, lesson learned, ask about horses.
Very next horse trailer we asked, told no problem, no horses. Trouble was, trailer was full of horse deposits that stank to high heaven which was only appreciated by the 1,000,000 flies that traveled with them. "Neigh"bors (pun intended) quickly complained to both the trailer owner and then the office. Unfortunately, they complained to the owners before the office, so the owners took it upon themselves to clean said trailer by washing the horse apples, horse hair, and horse bedding straw out of the trailer and onto the site lawn. At this time I realized I had violated one of my core operating values: never get bitten by the same dog twice. So now, no horse trailers, ever.

My Renegade was custom built as a combination horse trailer and LQ. I was never denied access to any campground because I had horses. I researched my cg's carefully to make sure they would accept them. Some horse trailer owners are slobs - no question about it. My Sundowner never saw a horse - it was custom made for us - triple axle - strictly living quarters. I pulled it with a Mack COE.

Since you had to research Campgrounds carefully to be sure you would be accepted is a clear signal we are not alone in not allowing them. Curiosity compels me to ask why you would have a custom built horse trailer with living quarters if never use it for a horse. I sure hope it isn't a case of parsing the English language when you say it has never seen a horse because it is constantly full of Mules, Llamas, Ostriches, Camels or Unicorns. Unfortunately, your situation sounds like one where your good business is going to fall into the cracks of our rules. You can't win them all, with few exceptions.

Over the past 25 yrs, I've converted several horse trailers to living quarters only - removing the horse stalls and putting in a second head and making it more comfortable. It's low profile, steel frame and aluminun skin. R20 on the walls and ceiling - all pipes have heat tapes, all tanks insulated too. No a/c unit, just fans. No microwave, just a toaster oven.

[Community Alumni]

yr2017 wrote:

They were. Some were built as ambulances on 3500 frames - like ours.

I don't know about that. I've only ever known Chrysler to produce two SRT-10 models, DR1S41 (Quad) and DR1S61 (Reg). Both were built within the DR family which was on the 1500 platform. I've never heard of one being built on the D1 (3500) or DC (Chassis Cab) platforms. There's no 3500 SRT-10 listed in the Body Builder Guide for those years. If you know how the model codes work, a 3500 SRT-10 would be model D13S41, a model that was never made.

[Edd505]

jerem0621 wrote:
Camping in a trailerable houseboat?

I had a 28ft cabin boat on a 3 axle trailer I "camped" in it in RV parks when traveling. Self contained 30amp service

[westernrvparkow]

yr2017 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
additional vehicles etc.)Don't understand your post. The Renegade is a professionally built Super C. It isn't a horse trailer, it isn't a homebuilt schoolie conversion. If the same company builds horse trailers, so what? Many companies build both recreational vehicles and other items. Coleman campers are made by the same company that makes Rubbermaid. We allow people to camp in Coleman Campers but would never allow someone to camp in a Rubbermaid Trash can. In the case of Renegade we allow the Super Cs and not the horse trailers.
As an FYI, the horse trailer rule came about from experience. When we were young, we allowed one and it came in complete with horses. We don't have equine facilities and we got an earful of how if we allow horse trailers then should have pastures. OK, lesson learned, ask about horses.
Very next horse trailer we asked, told no problem, no horses. Trouble was, trailer was full of horse deposits that stank to high heaven which was only appreciated by the 1,000,000 flies that traveled with them. "Neigh"bors (pun intended) quickly complained to both the trailer owner and then the office. Unfortunately, they complained to the owners before the office, so the owners took it upon themselves to clean said trailer by washing the horse apples, horse hair, and horse bedding straw out of the trailer and onto the site lawn. At this time I realized I had violated one of my core operating values: never get bitten by the same dog twice. So now, no horse trailers, ever.

My Renegade was custom built as a combination horse trailer and LQ. I was never denied access to any campground because I had horses. I researched my cg's carefully to make sure they would accept them. Some horse trailer owners are slobs - no question about it. My Sundowner never saw a horse - it was custom made for us - triple axle - strictly living quarters. I pulled it with a Mack COE.

Since you had to research Campgrounds carefully to be sure you would be accepted is a clear signal we are not alone in not allowing them. Curiosity compels me to ask why you would have a custom built horse trailer with living quarters if never use it for a horse. I sure hope it isn't a case of parsing the English language when you say it has never seen a horse because it is constantly full of Mules, Llamas, Ostriches, Camels or Unicorns. Unfortunately, your situation sounds like one where your good business is going to fall into the cracks of our rules. You can't win them all, with few exceptions.

[yr2017]

proxim2020 wrote:

yr2017 wrote:

Nothing is stock. Not the 48RE tranny, but an Allison.

I was thinking more like the frame. Aren't they built on a 1500 chassis?

They were. Some were built as ambulances on 3500 frames - like ours.

[yr2017]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
additional vehicles etc.)Don't understand your post. The Renegade is a professionally built Super C. It isn't a horse trailer, it isn't a homebuilt schoolie conversion. If the same company builds horse trailers, so what? Many companies build both recreational vehicles and other items. Coleman campers are made by the same company that makes Rubbermaid. We allow people to camp in Coleman Campers but would never allow someone to camp in a Rubbermaid Trash can. In the case of Renegade we allow the Super Cs and not the horse trailers.
As an FYI, the horse trailer rule came about from experience. When we were young, we allowed one and it came in complete with horses. We don't have equine facilities and we got an earful of how if we allow horse trailers then should have pastures. OK, lesson learned, ask about horses.
Very next horse trailer we asked, told no problem, no horses. Trouble was, trailer was full of horse deposits that stank to high heaven which was only appreciated by the 1,000,000 flies that traveled with them. "Neigh"bors (pun intended) quickly complained to both the trailer owner and then the office. Unfortunately, they complained to the owners before the office, so the owners took it upon themselves to clean said trailer by washing the horse apples, horse hair, and horse bedding straw out of the trailer and onto the site lawn. At this time I realized I had violated one of my core operating values: never get bitten by the same dog twice. So now, no horse trailers, ever.

My Renegade was custom built as a combination horse trailer and LQ. I was never denied access to any campground because I had horses. I researched my cg's carefully to make sure they would accept them. Some horse trailer owners are slobs - no question about it. My Sundowner never saw a horse - it was custom made for us - triple axle - strictly living quarters. I pulled it with a Mack COE.

[Papa_Steve]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
When we were young, we allowed one and it came in complete with horses. We don't have equine facilities and we got an earful of how if we allow horse trailers then should have pastures. OK, lesson learned, ask about horses.
Very next horse trailer we asked, told no problem, no horses. Trouble was, trailer was full of horse deposits that stank to high heaven which was only appreciated by the 1,000,000 flies that traveled with them. "Neigh"bors (pun intended) quickly complained to both the trailer owner and then the office. Unfortunately, they complained to the owners before the office, so the owners took it upon themselves to clean said trailer by washing the horse apples, horse hair, and horse bedding straw out of the trailer and onto the site lawn. At this time I realized I had violated one of my core operating values: never get bitten by the same dog twice. So now, no horse trailers, ever.

I've always thought -- You own the park, you make the rules. If you don't like the rules, go to a different park.

Thank you for the story on horse trailers. I think it's really interesting on how some rules came to be, because without the story, I'd wonder what's the deal with banning horse trailers. Now I know.

[westernrvparkow]

yr2017 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:

yr2017 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
My parks are RVs only. Know many other park owners who operate the same way. We don't allow schoolies or homebuilts and we don't allow semis even though they have sleepers. A boat being used as an RV is something else that would not be allowed.

So, I'm guessing my old vintage Bluebird or my Sundowner LQ horse trailers wouldn't be allowed? I've seen a few in the KOA's in MT - so I'm guessing you don't own one of those campgrounds.

If the Bluebird was a Wanderlodge RV, not a school bus and isn't shedding parts as it drives the roads, almost assuredly not a problem. We do not allow horse trailers, Sundowner LQ or not.
Somewhere close to 90 percent of our guests make reservations prior to arrival. Part of the reservation process is obtaining information regarding the RV (type, size, make and model, year, tow vehicle, additional vehicles etc.). If we don't recognize the make and model, we look it up. If it turns out to be something other than a professionally manufactured RV we stop the reservation at that point. Nobody thinks they have a place to stay and are surprised at the last minute that they are being turned away.

Those schoolbuses you so dislike are built by the same people that built the Wanderlodge - Blue Bird in Ft Valley, GA.

My newer Sundowner cost more than the Wanderlodge and the two schoolbusses I converted to LQ's.

I just delivered the last rv we owned, from MT to the new owner in AK. A brand new one costs over $350k - but you wouldn't allow it either. www.renegaderv.com/renegade-xl-high-end-motorhomes-2019 The XL45QB
So I guess you'll have to keep turning them away - the KOA's will gladly take them.

Don't understand your post. The Renegade is a professionally built Super C. It isn't a horse trailer, it isn't a homebuilt schoolie conversion. If the same company builds horse trailers, so what? Many companies build both recreational vehicles and other items. Coleman campers are made by the same company that makes Rubbermaid. We allow people to camp in Coleman Campers but would never allow someone to camp in a Rubbermaid Trash can. In the case of Renegade we allow the Super Cs and not the horse trailers.
As an FYI, the horse trailer rule came about from experience. When we were young, we allowed one and it came in complete with horses. We don't have equine facilities and we got an earful of how if we allow horse trailers then should have pastures. OK, lesson learned, ask about horses.
Very next horse trailer we asked, told no problem, no horses. Trouble was, trailer was full of horse deposits that stank to high heaven which was only appreciated by the 1,000,000 flies that traveled with them. "Neigh"bors (pun intended) quickly complained to both the trailer owner and then the office. Unfortunately, they complained to the owners before the office, so the owners took it upon themselves to clean said trailer by washing the horse apples, horse hair, and horse bedding straw out of the trailer and onto the site lawn. At this time I realized I had violated one of my core operating values: never get bitten by the same dog twice. So now, no horse trailers, ever.

[Community Alumni]

yr2017 wrote:

Nothing is stock. Not the 48RE tranny, but an Allison.

I was thinking more like the frame. Aren't they built on a 1500 chassis?

[yr2017]

I had a guy that put his 23 ft TT on a pontoon boat and anchored out for most of the summer.

[yr2017]

westernrvparkowner wrote:

yr2017 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
My parks are RVs only. Know many other park owners who operate the same way. We don't allow schoolies or homebuilts and we don't allow semis even though they have sleepers. A boat being used as an RV is something else that would not be allowed.

So, I'm guessing my old vintage Bluebird or my Sundowner LQ horse trailers wouldn't be allowed? I've seen a few in the KOA's in MT - so I'm guessing you don't own one of those campgrounds.

If the Bluebird was a Wanderlodge RV, not a school bus and isn't shedding parts as it drives the roads, almost assuredly not a problem. We do not allow horse trailers, Sundowner LQ or not.
Somewhere close to 90 percent of our guests make reservations prior to arrival. Part of the reservation process is obtaining information regarding the RV (type, size, make and model, year, tow vehicle, additional vehicles etc.). If we don't recognize the make and model, we look it up. If it turns out to be something other than a professionally manufactured RV we stop the reservation at that point. Nobody thinks they have a place to stay and are surprised at the last minute that they are being turned away.

Those schoolbuses you so dislike are built by the same people that built the Wanderlodge - Blue Bird in Ft Valley, GA.

My newer Sundowner cost more than the Wanderlodge and the two schoolbusses I converted to LQ's.

I just delivered the last rv we owned, from MT to the new owner in AK. A brand new one costs over $350k - but you wouldn't allow it either. www.renegaderv.com/renegade-xl-high-end-motorhomes-2019 The XL45QB
So I guess you'll have to keep turning them away - the KOA's will gladly take them.