Has anyone tried towing their C-dory this way?
- Thread starter jkidd
- Start date
smittypaddler
New member
I used to see rigs like this going down the highway, getting 4mpg, and think conspicuous consumption, with a sneer. But I've come to realize I was just jealous. If I had the money, that would be me; it looks like a great lifestyle.
My first thought is that the C-Dory weighs about twice what that boat does, and I would be really nervous hauling it up that high. I have seen a larger boat, maybe a 19-20 on a rack, towed aft-end forward, on a slopping rack that sat down almost to the hood of the SUV. the boat was on a trailer, and it looked like the SUV pulled off the trailer, turned around then backed up and hooked to the trailer and pulled it off, after lowering the the section that the boat trailer was on. Somewhat like a big rig car hauler. I have also seen big pickups, with a boat up on a rack over the PU bed, and hooked to a pull-behind travel trailer. There are some states that allow for triple combinations, and you can see the tow rig, travel trailer and then the boat all on the ground. Makes for a l - o - n - g trailer combo.
It's not just the money for the rig, there is a fair amount of driving skill required for that sort of thing. Should require some sort of drivers license endorsement IMHO.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
It's not just the money for the rig, there is a fair amount of driving skill required for that sort of thing. Should require some sort of drivers license endorsement IMHO.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Captains Cat
New member
hardee":31juxmzi said:
And just think of the problems of backing that sucker into a parking place!
:disgust
I think Jim TXSD has done that with his 5th wheel and another trailer...
Charlie
patrick and linda
New member
as a motor-home owner i love the idea of having both tow vehicle and boat but would agree with dr. bob concerning top heavy as well as over all height exceeding safety limits. my motor-home towing capacity would not qualify for this setup. if mpg were a concern then no one would purchase a motor home. i normally average 6 to 8 mpg unless i'm traveling at 100mph, when that occurs i get a strong vibration in the front suspension, the tow vehicle swerves like hell, however that generallys dissipates when i exceed 110mph.
best regards
pat
best regards
pat
Captains Cat
New member
patrick and linda":3dsjxpb5 said:
Pat, bet you get one heck of a vibration from the Navigators seat too! :cry
I'm gonna get you a CAPS key for Christmas...
Charlie
Yeah, we double tow (often mistakenly called triple towing), with a cargo trailer behind the 5th wheel. It takes a bit more maneuvering unless you find pull through RV sites. :wink:
About 13.5 feet is going to be the max height in most states. And can you imagine the instability of the weight of a C-Dory above a car?? :shock: Or, the engineering involved in creating a trailer that could really handle the load?
For years, we towed a sailboat that was 38' long on the trailer behind a 40' motorcoach. It had a 10,000 pound towing capacity, but most states have towing limits (65' to 75', depending on the state) without a CDL with an endorsement. Having said that, Joan drove separate with an SUV that was our daily driver and launch vehicle. Some ramps can be too tight for the turning radius of a motorhome.
We finally came to the conclusion that we can't take it all with us, all the time... without a lot of hassle. So, we take turns boating and RVing. Oh, a small boat (like a Porta-bote) can be easily carried, and we did that for several years, too. But, it wasn't as satisfying as a "real" boat. :wink: But, sometimes you just want to get out on the water.
I've seen custom trailers (check out some of the Featherlight offerings) where they will engineer whatever you want. You may have to go with a toter-home instead of the Alpha to handle the towing weight. One trailer we saw was two levels high with a Jeep Grand Cherokee on a lift inside and Harleys underneath. When I saw that, I didn't think "wretched excess", I thought "I need to make more money." Someone pick Bill up off the floor. 8)
Of course, the easy way to take a motorhome and a cabin boat like the C-Dory is to simply drive separate. Tow the boat behind one or the other. We used handheld radios when we did that... and, while it works, it isn't as much fun as riding together. Joan finally said that she didn't want to drive separate anymore, and I agreed.
House... RV... boat... plenty of decisions. I am to the point that one of those is getting less important. Anyone wanna buy a cute little house on the water with a dock right out the back door? Then, we just need a good place to store the RV when we're on the boat and vice versa. Yeah, I just know someone is going to jump in here and say something about the boat BEING the RV. Ask that Alpha owner (the coach in the photo that started this thread) if a C-Dory is as luxurious as his coach. Oh sure, the coach doesn't float. You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to; you say boaterhome, I say not the same... but both can be great.
8)
Might be easier to get a REALLY BIG boat with a deck large enough to haul your RV... all it takes is money... lots of money.
Best wishes,
Jim
About 13.5 feet is going to be the max height in most states. And can you imagine the instability of the weight of a C-Dory above a car?? :shock: Or, the engineering involved in creating a trailer that could really handle the load?
For years, we towed a sailboat that was 38' long on the trailer behind a 40' motorcoach. It had a 10,000 pound towing capacity, but most states have towing limits (65' to 75', depending on the state) without a CDL with an endorsement. Having said that, Joan drove separate with an SUV that was our daily driver and launch vehicle. Some ramps can be too tight for the turning radius of a motorhome.
We finally came to the conclusion that we can't take it all with us, all the time... without a lot of hassle. So, we take turns boating and RVing. Oh, a small boat (like a Porta-bote) can be easily carried, and we did that for several years, too. But, it wasn't as satisfying as a "real" boat. :wink: But, sometimes you just want to get out on the water.
I've seen custom trailers (check out some of the Featherlight offerings) where they will engineer whatever you want. You may have to go with a toter-home instead of the Alpha to handle the towing weight. One trailer we saw was two levels high with a Jeep Grand Cherokee on a lift inside and Harleys underneath. When I saw that, I didn't think "wretched excess", I thought "I need to make more money." Someone pick Bill up off the floor. 8)
Of course, the easy way to take a motorhome and a cabin boat like the C-Dory is to simply drive separate. Tow the boat behind one or the other. We used handheld radios when we did that... and, while it works, it isn't as much fun as riding together. Joan finally said that she didn't want to drive separate anymore, and I agreed.
House... RV... boat... plenty of decisions. I am to the point that one of those is getting less important. Anyone wanna buy a cute little house on the water with a dock right out the back door? Then, we just need a good place to store the RV when we're on the boat and vice versa. Yeah, I just know someone is going to jump in here and say something about the boat BEING the RV. Ask that Alpha owner (the coach in the photo that started this thread) if a C-Dory is as luxurious as his coach. Oh sure, the coach doesn't float. You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to; you say boaterhome, I say not the same... but both can be great.
8)
Might be easier to get a REALLY BIG boat with a deck large enough to haul your RV... all it takes is money... lots of money.
Best wishes,
Jim
starcrafttom
Active member
I always wanted a Rv towing a boat with a motorcycle on a mount in front of the boat or infront of the rv.
thata the way i would go.
thata the way i would go.
I thought of putting a Smart Car in the back of a pickup and towing a boat in a more coventional fashion. I can't even dream this big! I thought about calling for a rollback to get it off and on the pickup should ramps prove to be unworkable. As pictured I think two things would be important. First get the vehicle off the lower portion of the trailer before launching the boat or make sure the windows are up at least. Finding the right ramp at what I would say at high tide would be crucial to a unloading the boat from the top of the trailer. I would also recommend a galvinized trailer if your heading for salt water. I figure 200k for the portable ghetto as pictuired, 70k for the boat, vehicle another 30 to 40K. For me I could think of better ways to drop 300k. Good luck not getting the piece hung up going over railroad crossings and backing down steep boat ramps. :smileo
JamesTXSD":1ouwa12b said:
Jim
Though as you say you do tow two trailers, that is not mistakenly called triple towing. On a commercial drivers license with that endorsement for the big rigs its listed under towing as a triple endorsement. If you are endorsed for a single trailers its called doubles. I do have a commercial license with both these endorsements.
And yes, I'am being more then a bit picky this morning :lol:
Jay
Jim & Dara
New member
I'm probably missing something but I don't see how you would launch the boat with out dunking the tow vehicle pretty deep. Some of the ramps I use already require 2' - 3' positive tide as it is.
I would love to watch.
I would love to watch.
For those who are realy interested in bunk trailer, there is one for sale right here on the St. John's River in Astor, Fl.
As you might note from the For Sale Sign....they don't come cheap. Tire size is 16".
Additional Pictures are in my album http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
I saw this one come in loaded last month with a 20' Bass Boat on top and Golf Cart and extra gear on bottom....behind a
$250,000.00 Deasel Pusher.
As you might note from the For Sale Sign....they don't come cheap. Tire size is 16".
Additional Pictures are in my album http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
I saw this one come in loaded last month with a 20' Bass Boat on top and Golf Cart and extra gear on bottom....behind a
$250,000.00 Deasel Pusher.
So, let's see... If I just drive the truck, I am not towing. If I pull a trailer behind the truck, I am towing. If I put one more trailer behind that, now I'm triple towing?? :wink: I've often heard truckers refer to "pulling doubles." Maybe they better look behind them to see how many they're towing?
Call it what you want... Pulling more than one trailer for "recreation" takes more work.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Call it what you want... Pulling more than one trailer for "recreation" takes more work.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Jim
On the double verses triple towing I do get your point. It is as you stated a mistake to call it triple towing, so yes the normal phrasing would be pulling doubles or I'm driving (operating) a triple rig, but not "towing triples". Either recreational or commercial I also fully agree whether called pulling doubles or operating a triple rig or any other name it requires more effort and skill to do it safely, especially during emergency maneuvering or bad weather situations and except in very rare instances backing up is not a consideration.
Jay
On the double verses triple towing I do get your point. It is as you stated a mistake to call it triple towing, so yes the normal phrasing would be pulling doubles or I'm driving (operating) a triple rig, but not "towing triples". Either recreational or commercial I also fully agree whether called pulling doubles or operating a triple rig or any other name it requires more effort and skill to do it safely, especially during emergency maneuvering or bad weather situations and except in very rare instances backing up is not a consideration.
Jay
Sam Walker
New member
Good Evening, Folks. This thread is great. :smilep
Ahhhhhhh, the age old problem. How to get all of the toys to the toy spot. I too, have been trying different combinations to reach nirvana. I have a pretty good compromise going. Two different motorhomes, not at the same time but owned concurrently, (I know, I know, it is a long and sorted tale) towing a 16 foot enclosed trailer containing a Porta-Bote, a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom (the same bike featured in Jim's fabulous tales) :thup and a Suzuki 400S for the dual sport side of the world of bike riding. While it is a great combination, Jim is correct when he says that the PB is not like being in a bigger boat. :sad The low freeboard and open boat make it a very fair wx and calm seas boat. Also, there is the weakness of not having a car or truck when at the destination.
I am right there w/ you Jim on the house thing. I think that we will be out of that also. But where to store all of the toys when not using them?:disgust
I have been a fan and watching the site here since 2002, :teeth but have never made the plunge into C-Doryland. :thdown I am approaching retirement age (in the next 9 months to 5 years, YMMV) and have been stumped by the very same questions and thought processes that are being discussed here. My plan includes getting a 16 Cruiser for day trips within a grand excursion or extended trip and to keep the load light.
I have been round and round the issues here over the past 8 years and still do not have the definitive answer. The closest that I have come, and still weaknesses abound, would be to do the following.:smiled
Obtain a flat bed or enclosed commercial truck. Put all of the toys on or in the truck and obtain and tow a regular travel trailer.
The strengths include riding together w/ the spouse, taking all of the toys, over the road durability and control of a commercial truck, the more power feeling of a truck (Tim Taylor where are you now?), no special license w/ the right truck, Class B at the worst.
The weaknesses include low traction of the empty 4x2 truck on the launch ramp. (I have seen the many discussions about 4x2's launching w/ perfect success. Not something with which I could be comfortable), rough road ride, lack of tight space maneuverability in campgrounds, repair costs of a commercial truck, overall length for campground spaces, the gaudiness of a commercial truck in a campground (some of those places are picky), the spousal equivalent (Madam Board Member-MBM or Madame Concert Maven-MCM) cannot get up and cavort about the cabin while enroute to the next fabulous destination. Okay, okay, enough already and we haven't even discussed the Jeep.
What is a poor adrenaline junkie w/ too many interests, and not enough money, time and towing ability to do? :cry
Ahhhhhhh, the age old problem. How to get all of the toys to the toy spot. I too, have been trying different combinations to reach nirvana. I have a pretty good compromise going. Two different motorhomes, not at the same time but owned concurrently, (I know, I know, it is a long and sorted tale) towing a 16 foot enclosed trailer containing a Porta-Bote, a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom (the same bike featured in Jim's fabulous tales) :thup and a Suzuki 400S for the dual sport side of the world of bike riding. While it is a great combination, Jim is correct when he says that the PB is not like being in a bigger boat. :sad The low freeboard and open boat make it a very fair wx and calm seas boat. Also, there is the weakness of not having a car or truck when at the destination.
I am right there w/ you Jim on the house thing. I think that we will be out of that also. But where to store all of the toys when not using them?:disgust
I have been a fan and watching the site here since 2002, :teeth but have never made the plunge into C-Doryland. :thdown I am approaching retirement age (in the next 9 months to 5 years, YMMV) and have been stumped by the very same questions and thought processes that are being discussed here. My plan includes getting a 16 Cruiser for day trips within a grand excursion or extended trip and to keep the load light.
I have been round and round the issues here over the past 8 years and still do not have the definitive answer. The closest that I have come, and still weaknesses abound, would be to do the following.:smiled
Obtain a flat bed or enclosed commercial truck. Put all of the toys on or in the truck and obtain and tow a regular travel trailer.
The strengths include riding together w/ the spouse, taking all of the toys, over the road durability and control of a commercial truck, the more power feeling of a truck (Tim Taylor where are you now?), no special license w/ the right truck, Class B at the worst.
The weaknesses include low traction of the empty 4x2 truck on the launch ramp. (I have seen the many discussions about 4x2's launching w/ perfect success. Not something with which I could be comfortable), rough road ride, lack of tight space maneuverability in campgrounds, repair costs of a commercial truck, overall length for campground spaces, the gaudiness of a commercial truck in a campground (some of those places are picky), the spousal equivalent (Madam Board Member-MBM or Madame Concert Maven-MCM) cannot get up and cavort about the cabin while enroute to the next fabulous destination. Okay, okay, enough already and we haven't even discussed the Jeep.
What is a poor adrenaline junkie w/ too many interests, and not enough money, time and towing ability to do? :cry