Using our C-Dory 25 as our RV while towing cross country

[SeaTurtle]

We will be towing Sea Turtle from her current home near Annapolis to her permanent home in the SF Bay area this summer. Planning on following Interstate 80 for most of the trip.

We would like to use the boat as our RV much of the time, with some nights in motels. Looking for comments and suggestions from other C-brats who have done something similar. Also curious if KOA's will accept the boat in their RV areas if we detach the SUV that will be the tow vehicle.

[colbysmith]

Just like traveling in a camper. But it's shaped like a boat and sits higher on the wheels. I stayed in one KOA in Colorado with no problems. You do get some looks. Colby

[thataway]

We have probably stayed in over 50 campgrounds and never had an issue. A couple questioned "a boat?"--I explained that we had a bathroom, a galley, a dinette and a bunk, just like our RC. We would not spill any water on the ground and use the 30 amp current. Most RV parks are used to RV's which are 12 feet high, so clearance should not be an issue--but look!

Yes, we have stayed at several KOA's

For a trip in the summer, you may want air conditioning. The c Dory 25, will accept the 5,000 BTU "Arctic King" form Walmart-there are others. Generally these cost about $110, now, we paid $99 for ours. You may want to make a "Collar": of pool noddles for a "gasket" around the sides. I put a piece of 1/2" exterior plywood under the unit, with a 1/2 to give a bit of a drain forward. You want an extension cord (Heavy duty) for the plug to AC unit--usually their cord is not long enough.

We use a fan to direct the air forward into the bunk. Some have put the AC forward of the hatch and used a cover to direct it down.

Consider getting the bubble foil at Home Depot and cutting it to match the windows, this gives extra insulation.

If necessary you can run a charging wire from the SUV to the battery in the C Dory 25 so you can run your refrigerator.


This 5000 BTU unit will run on the Honda EU 1000--if you have to use it in a Walmart--but I would not run it late at night, and secure it in the boat bedore you go to sleep if in a Walmart. (Yes, we have stayed in Walmarts too--but ask permission).

I would be sure the brakes and bearings were in good shape. Have tires less than 5 years from the date of manufacture (not installation). Have a jack, wheel chocks, extra bearings, and a good grease gun. Have an IR thermometer. I have pressure monitors on the tires--not essential, but check the pressure regularly.

You mention a SUV-is it a 3/4 ton, diesel, or at least a 6 liter gas, with HD suspension and towing packagee? We towed our 25 with a Ford Excursion 7l.3 Liter Diesel and it was a good tow vehicle. I consider my Yukon XL with HD package and the 5.3 Liter but the 3.08 rear end ratio 4x4 For a 25 I would prefer a 3.42 rear end--or the 6.2 liter.

I would probably take 70 to 74 to 80, to stay a bit away from the Chicago area...
There are going to be some grades on both the Sierra and Rockies--you can always gear down on the up grades and use engine compression with manual lock in on the down grades even with a gasser. I stay at 55 to 60 when towing. You might want a windshield cover for the C Dory--saves getting pitted..

Hace a great trip! We usually tow cross country every year...

[Will-C]

I would make sure you have an adapter for your shore power cord that fits an RV type power socket. I'm not sure about your need for Air Conditioning but a cheap 120 volt unit might be in your future that you could use while at the campgrounds. On our current boat we made a small wood platform for the rear of the A.C. unit to sit on in the cockpit and the front side which faces inside the cabin has the spreadable sides to cover the doorway. Then we have a canvas curtain that Velcro's in place to close off the rest of the door opening. We just use an available 120 volt outlet inside the boat to power the A.C. unit and the boats battery charger. Easy to step over if you need to exit the cabin.
I carry a porta potty for the wife if she has to make a pit stops in the middle of the night. I don't want her to have to wonder around in the middle of the night to use the campgrounds restrooms. We have a hose we jam into the thru hull for the sink drain so any sink discharges go into a bucket. Then we dump the contents into the waste dump pipe at the site. Flush everything out with the available water taking care not to leave any liquids on the ground. Some campgrounds are not boat friendly but we don't tell them in advance and never had a problem. I have called and explained we had a boat and have been told we do not accept boats. That's a rarity. I think if you present your self in a respectable manner you would not have a problem. I hate having to carry all the stuff to a motel room and I worry about our tow rig and boat in the parking lot. The whole campground thing for me is just easier.
D.D.

[thataway]

Two other thoughts. We carry an aluminum ladder by Cosco from Lowes. It is 2 steps and a platform. We can use the swim step and swim ladder or fenders, but with the dog, it is easier to have the steps.

For sink waste, we disconnect the hose at the sink drain, and carry a 12" piece of hose of the same diameter, which we put into the top of a 2 1/2 gallon red gas container. we catch the dish and personal hygiene water in this container, and put it into the RV dump site--either at the campsite or the dump.

[ssobol]

We use a Wally World A/C unit in the center window when we want AC. It was about $100. I have an adapter for the shore power that converts a standard 115 plug to the 30 amp shore power plug so I can just plug in a standard extension cord ($5). Some pipe insulation cut to length works nicely to seal the gaps between the window frame and the AC unit. Note that some AC units fit better in the C-Dory window than other and you might have to shop around (the 1st unit I got did not fit that well).

With the AC unit in the center window, you may want/need a fan to blow the cool air into the v-berth. I got one of these and removed the battery holder part and added a wire that lets me plug it into a 12V outlet. This is positioned to blow into the v-berth when we have retired for the night.

With a window AC unit, you need to make sure it is installed correctly so that the water drains overboard, rather than into the cabin. I made some blocks that hold it at the right angle and added a hose to the AC drain to dump the condensate water overboard.

If you intend to spend the night at a WalMart, you need to be sure that the one you chose allows it. IME the ones near places that people might want to stay at (e.g. near national parks) don't allow it and have signs posted to that effect. The one near my house (not near anything particularly interesting) seems to have no problem with people spending the night there.

Some campgrounds don't seem to care for people using their boats as an RV in their campground. There was a posting on this site that led to an article about someone traveling with their C-Dory and sometimes using it as a camper. One instance in the article had the people calling a number of campgrounds before they found one where sleeping on their boat in the campground was acceptable (it was somewhere in OR I believe).

IME I once tried to spend the night on my boat in campground in a state park on a pretty big lake. It was off season, so there was not a high demand for campsites. They said that I couldn't do that. So I said I'd launch my boat and anchor out. They said I couldn't leave my rig in the ramp parking lot overnight. So I said I'd have a campsite to park my rig, they said I couldn't have a campsite unless I put up a tent or parked an RV there. I was willing to pay them the nightly campsite fee just to park overnight, but since I wasn't following their conventions I couldn't do it. We ended up going down the road to a private marina on the same lake. For $8 a night, I could use the ramp, park my rig, have a slip, and use the restrooms. It was a lot cheaper than staying in the state park.

[thataway]

Easy way to get around the "Tent", we carry a "Noah's Tarp" from Kelty--two poles and the cordage, makes a great tent--also an essential for shade on the rivers or any shore during the day. The "Noah's Tarp" 12' x 12' is about 12" x 3" x 10" in the packet, including cordage. Less than 3#.

The rare time any one has questioned the boat as a "camper" I invited them to come aboard--and that settles the "argument". I show them exactly how we are prepared, and show them where we have "boater camped". But there can always be some person who is power hungry....

[JamesTXSD]

We never had a KOA turn us away in the boat, but they generally aren't our first choice (and we have been RVing a lot of years); they are usually the high priced option. They often have amenities that families will appreciate, but when traveling on land with the boat, we were usually looking for a quiet, comfortable place to spend the night (didn't need miniature golf, swimming pool, etc).

As a heads up, the RV industry is doing well - resulting in more RVs on the road. An RV forum I participate in has many people finding campgrounds already booked during the summer. I'd suggest the app AllStays (Camping) to give you an idea of what is available ahead of you as you go down the road. We generally will call an RV park in the early afternoon, when we can see how far we are going to make it, and make a reservation. When traveling with the boat, I let them know what our "camping conveyance" was ahead of time... after getting turned away from a couple of parks after we pulled in. Let them know that you have all the same facilities as any upscale travel trailer, just that yours is shaped a little different. When turned away, we were told, "We've had problems in the past with boaters..." - usually rowdy kids in a ski boat or people dumping water on the ground (a BIG no-no in any RV park). Best to know about not being welcomed before you settle on a place for the night, so you can move on by and find another park who will take your money.

Definitely get an electrical pigtail that will allow you to plug your 30 amp cord into the standard 3 prong 30 amp RV pedestal. If you decide to go with the window A/C discussed here, it will happily run on that 30 amp.

We stayed at lots of RV parks/campgrounds while we had the C-Dory. Sure beats having to schlep your stuff in and out of motels.

Keep your speed down while towing - we rarely ran more than 60 - 62 mph, pulling the CD-25 with a 3/4 ton diesel pickup. On more than one occasion, we found interesting lakes along the way and plunked the boat in for a night or two. There are lots of great inland lakes, many that have good marina facilities, including a pump-out.

Have fun!

Jim

[colbysmith]

Some great replies here, but I think some are making this too hard. If you are just looking for somewhere to get a nights rest along the way, there are many truck stops that will welcome you. I've used Flying J and a few others. Just fill up your tank, then go check with the gas clerk if it's ok, and where, to park for the night. I"m sure they also appreciate if you come in and use their restaurants. (You can take a break from your own cooking and enjoy a meal for less than what a campground would cost you. Regarding the sink drain. There will be many that chide me for this, but if you are just washing your hands or brushing your teeth, your car's A/c will spill more water! Just use common sense and be respectful of the property under your trailer! I've boater camped in the middle of summer, with just a 12 vt. fan in the berth. Sure, it's warm, but what did we all do before A/c? I just like to keep it simple!
Colby

[thataway]

Not a thing wrong with using truck stops--and rest stops, if there is room and permitted. We should always be sure that we are not taking up a place where a trucker may need to rest. I know that Colby makes some long day tracks--far longer than I can do now. We have stayed in a number of truck stops--generally they are noisy. We usually park in back with the trucks--not in the front parts where restaurant patrons may park an RV, rig, or bus. Cracker Barrels also allow parking, as do some Home Depots, Sam's, Costcos etc Generally when prohibited it is at the demand of local RV parks, who want the business.

As far as overboard discharge, I have always followed the RV rules (for about 55 years)--and that is no discharge onto the pavement or parking area. Would RVers object to water coming out of a thru hull and not being captured.-the answer is yes. Sure I know that some truckers pour their urine jugs onto the pavement, along with other waste materials in rest stops.. The 2 1/2 gallon container only takes a couple of minutes to hook up, and will last usually a trip across the country.

[JamesTXSD]

I like getting a good night's sleep. We have tried truck stops, Walmarts, etc, and seem to be a magnet for a noisy truck with a reefer pulling up next to us... can't take the noise!

As far as water coming out of your vehicle's a/c, that is expected. Water coming out of a conveyance used as an RV isn't expected, and will be grounds for getting you booted out. Not to mention that you will make it impossible for the next person wanting to stay there with a boat. The easy and real common sense solution is: don't do it.

While we're on the subject of Walmarts, check out this "Code of Conduct" endorsed by all the major RV groups, whose members may use a Walmart from time to time...

http://www.walmartlocator.com/overnight-parking-etiquette/

Staying at a Walmart is not a "right," and there are plenty of them that don't allow it, or local laws don't allow it.

We have also stayed at a couple different Cabela's, after asking permission. Yes, using the same etiquette as above. Casinos often have RV/bus/truck parking where you can overnight (some have full service RV parks, as well).

Our first choice is to be somewhere off the road, preferably with hook-ups, and quiet. In an RV park, you can unhook, leave the boat, and go out for supper if you like - that is another no-no in parking lots. You can take advantage of discounts at RV parks by belonging to Escapees, Good Sam, Passport America, and others. A Lifetime Good Sam card will also get you fuel discounts at Flying J and Pilot, as well as purchases at Camping World. You will also find many small towns that have a city park or fairgrounds with overnight RV parking.

I hear the term "boaterhoming" here a lot, but traveling on land with your boat is more like having a hard-sided tent while camping. Certainly better than sleeping on a pad on the ground, but you have limited use of your water facilities on the boat. You aren't going to be able to shower on your boat, so it is nice to stay at an RV park that has shower facilities. A 30 amp plug in will allow you to run A/C, a microwave, or TV.

Wild Blue provided us with plenty of nights on land, with reasonably comfortable accommodations.

Enjoy the trip.

[journey on]

We've used Journey On as a RV for many of our trips, whilts we were getting there.

That said, the KOA in Las Vegas, checked us in, helped us set us and the next morn told us to get out, we were a boat. So don't go to the Las Vegas KOA.

As far as grey water, we use an adapter i made which fits in the sink overboard and lead a hose to a 5 gal (old, beat up) jug. Once in a while I have to replace the jug because I drive off and forget it. Can't believe it but it happens.

Boris

[colbysmith]

In response to parking in the back with the trucks. AT least at Flying J's, I've been asked specifically to park in the front, not in the back with the trucks. Probably gets into what Bob is saying about not taking up truck spots. The times I have done this, I am among other "rvers" spending the night. Any noise problems are more from road traffic or trains. But white noise from my fan usually tempers that. Most rest areas do NOT allow overnight parking. While I've never used a retail store parking lot with the boat, I have done Walmarts with a motorhome back a few years. And at least in the ones I've picked that are off the main highway, found them sometimes more quiet than campgrounds. Again, it just comes down to common sense. Don't make a mess, don't "hog" the spot for any longer than necessary, and respect those around you. And always make some kind of use of the paid services provided by the "landlord". I have never been kicked out of a campground, private or public, or been denied an available spot. If you are paying for the spot, and not an eyesore, I'm not sure why any manager would even care what shape your "camper" is. Perhaps I've just been fortunate, or haven't stayed at enuf places to run into any problems yet. Colby

[JamesTXSD]

The first time we ran into this "boat discrimination" thing was in the 90s, and we weren't using the boat as our accommodations - we were towing a sailboat behind a diesel motorcoach. Finding a site long enough was a challenge. One RV park that we had called ahead gave me some grief when I was checking in, about, "We don't take boats in here..."

I said, "What do you think I'm gonna do, take that sailboat off the trailer and put it in your swimming pool?"

The guy behind the counter said, "Well, I guess it's OK if it's just for one night."

Another place on that same trip said, "We don't have a site long enough for you to stay hooked up. Is it OK if you put the boat into the site next to the motorhome? We'll only charge you for one site." That's more like it.

I don't want to give anyone the wrong idea - most campgrounds and RV parks will welcome you with no issue. But, I think it is best to know that ahead of time, so you aren't having to hunt down a place for the night when you're already tired. On one afternoon with the C-Dory, we had 2 places turn us away (one in Oregon, one in Washington); the place that did take our money parked us in a site next to the manager's 5th wheel... gotta keep an eye on that boater riff-raff! I was on my best behavior, to make it good for the next boater who wants to stay there.

Some of you may remember the time we bought a $20 tent so there was a "camping conveyance" in the site... at a membership park where we are owners! Yeah, we stayed on our boat. They changed the by-laws after that - any boat brought in has to go into storage, can't be on an RV site. Yep, boat discrimination.

If it makes anyone feel less discriminated against, we have run into parks that don't allow a cargo trailer (towed behind the RV) on the site.