Length tow vehicle and boat/trailer

T

thataway

Active member
When we had the 22 C Dory, it towed nicely behind our 30 foot RV--less than the rated 5000 tow capacity and the length of the 22 and the 30 foot RV was well under what is a generally accepted 65 foot over all limit for tow vehicle and trailer. Now with the 25 foot C Dory, it is somewhere slightly over 32 feet (including the outboard) on the trailer. We thought we found a suitable 30 foot diesel powered RV, which was sold as a 30 foot RV--but measuring it; it turns out to be 33 feet long. This puts the total length slightly over 65 feet (maybe only by a few inches--).

Does anyone have experience with long tow rigs which might slightly exceed 65 feet. (We are having my son re-measure the the boat on the trailer) It may boil down to the overhang of the outboard, especially if it is slightly raised? Do we have a problem if the boat on the trailer plus RV were to come to 66 feet? Reading the federal regs there seems to be some exemptions for boat transporters (which I would assume applies to commercial carriers--but can this apply to private transporters?).

We have no problem "boat camping" when arriving on the West coast where the C Dory 25 is kept--but we travel to and from our home, plus do a fair number of other destinations on each trip to the West in our RV--and I hate motels. I suspose that a pickup, with truck camper is another possibility--but that may not pass the "Admiral" test....(we spend several weeks visiting family and park in front of there homes--RV's are OK--living in the boat is not--plus we had problems with car parking in the nearest marina..long story....

Thanks for any thoughts...
 
Bob,

Has anyone ever measured your tow rig length? If you are 1 foot over would anyone notice? Not suggesting anyone break regulations, just wondering. I have seen large (40ft )motorhomes towing boats I estimate to be over 25 ft in length.

The only place I was ever measured was boarding ferrys in BC and Washington.
 
This is not responsive to Bob's original question, but I was disappointed to find that no vans were capable of pulling the Tom Cat (i.e., 10K#) as I would like to have a van conversion for an RV. Has anyone found a Class B that will tow a 25 or a Tom Cat?
 
Well, I can chime in here with some hands-on experience. We have a Leisure Travel Class B, and it cannot handle the weight of our 25. Class III hitch, so you are limited on tongue weight, as well. I visited with a rep from LTV this week, and they have nothing in the line at this time. He surmised (may be wishful thinking) that the Chevy Express Van with the 6.6 Duramax may be available as an option on a B+ (25' length) in the next year or so... with a cost of over $125K (and that was an estimate).

And regarding the over-length towing: we frequently towed our Corsair trimaran behind a 40' diesel pusher (bus chassis with a 10,000' tow rating). Total length with just under 80'. Yes, I had checked state by state regs, and we were overlength in almost all. Never had a problem, other than not fitting in any place but a mall or Wal-Mark parking lot. :disgust We had to unhook at almost any campground. Joan drove separate with our SUV, so we'd have a daily driver at out destination... she was like a pilot/chase vehicle while going down the road. It got old and is part of what led us to looking for a simpler towing/rigging/launching solution, and ultimately the C-Dory. (So, see, we have simplified and minimalized. :wink ). (another made-up word, I think)

We considered a truck camper, but the overhang on those would require a mongo hitch (my technical term). Brent (Discovery) built one for his truck camper that is up to the task, but it takes three strong men and a mule to move it. If money is no object (and it is an object for us), something like Hank Brook's EarthRoamer would certainly be an outstanding RV/tow vehicle solution.

I see that CaptD is hauling his tug with a pickup with a camper. Hopefully, he will add his perspective here.

So, for us, it's been the diesel pickup (great tow vehicle and a good daily driver) and using the boat as an RV when we're towing. The Class B Leisure Travel does a great job on it's own or towing the much smaller/lighter catboat that we also enjoy. And that's why I have "garage envy" for Brent and Dixie's new house! :wink:

It' ain't easy trying to get away from it all and still take it all with you. :mrgreen:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
We have towed all of our C-Dories with our truck/camper.
IM000327.sized.jpg

The 24' TomCat and tow rig was 55'+

I don't have a pix handy of the TC255 behind the truck and camper, but here's a pix of launching.
11_2005_042.sized.jpg

The TC255 and tow rig is closer to 65'

We towed the 24' TomCat over 30,000 miles, never a problem. We have about 15,000 miles towing the TC255. It tows great. As Jim said, I did build a heavy duty hitch extension. The extension is 32", and weighs about 90#
 
Doryman":1wjo7rpb said:
Yes, I have looked at the Roadtrek and at the websites of GM, Ford and Dodge. I need to be able to tow at least 10K#.
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Not a Class B, but the max on a Sportsmobile diesel meets your minimum. With the Penthouse popup top, you can configure a fair amount of living area inside.

Another minimalist option, from the perspective of living/sleeping quarters - pop up campers on a diesel truck. I've been to the 4-Wheel Camper factory, and they are very nicely made. The 8 foot models are ideal for towing - no extended hitch issues, and given their light weight, no need for a dually.
 
I have a Big Lance truck camper on a Chevy 2500 duramax. I put a Superhitch on it with a 4 foot extension. You can tow up to 12,000lbs. with it with weight distributing parts on it. The 4 foot extension is heavy but I am able to get it hooked up by myself. You can see them at www.torklift.com
I thought the truck camper would be to small for us but it is great with the slide out.
 
Thanks for the Sportsmobile link. I had missed the diesel Ford towing capacity. That would work, and I have been a Sportsmobile fan for a long time.

I have owned a Four Wheel camper before. It was a shell model -- had a couch/bed and an overhead bed. Unfortunately, the build quality was not all that great, particularly the interior finish. And the Earth Roamer guy tried one originally and reported very heavy condensation in cold weather (I had not tried cold weather camping.)

I wonder if anyone offers custom campers along the Sportsmobile model (not Earth Roamer -- far too spendy!)

Warren
 
Doryman":1x6xmu88 said:
Thanks for the Sportsmobile link. I had missed the diesel Ford towing capacity. That would work, and I have been a Sportsmobile fan for a long time.
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As a few folks here are aware, I had one for a while - here's a pic of the rig near Mt. Shasta:

aaa_2.preview.jpg


A couple of notes on towing...

First, I'd avoid the extended van chassis if you can live with the floorplans in the shorter version, for a couple reasons. First is weight - the Sportsmobile conversion adds quite a bit of weight to the chassis as is, and anywhere you can save will help. Second and more importantly - distance of the hitch to the rear axle. The farther this distance is, the more sway you need to overcome. Yes, you can get anti-sway setups, there are even kits that work with surge brakes...but they are pricey, and possibly not necessary with the short wheelbase.

The other issue is lift and tire size. The Sportsmobile can be configured to be a mile off the ground, with massive meats...something quite handy, if off-roading is your primary use of the vehicle. However, both of these also add signifcantly to sway. My rig had a 4" lift, with 35" tires. Combined with the extended chassis, you could push on the rear of the vehicle side-to-side, and watch the tires/suspension move 10" or so back and forth.

Truthfully, the main reason I sold the van was due to towing - I was spoiled by my truck, which had more power (less weight), and zero sway. And for me, a truck was simply more versatile...and I didn't want to keep both vehicles.
 
Warren - an alternative to Sportsmobile, is Salem-Kroger.

While I've no personal experience with them, they are highly regarded in the 4WD van communities. They are a smaller outfit than Sportsmobile, but many prefer that. Sportsmobile for the most part, is a cookie-cutter outfit - quality is excellent, but you can't vary from the floorplans and options they offer. You also can not take them a used van - they'll only do their 4WD modifications on new vehicles they take delivery of.

Salem-Kroger has the reputation of performing virtually any customization you may wish, and will also work with used vans. One reason this might be desirable - engine selection. There are many who prefer the Ford 7.3 diesel to the newer variants, myself included. Finding a nice newer 7.3 diesel van, would not be that difficult - and you would save quite a bit over a new Sportsmobile.

They are also quite a bit closer to you (Red Bluff, CA).
 
I tow my CD 22 with a 2000 f-350 dually PSD crew cab while hauling my 2003 11 1/2 foot Eagle Cap Camper. I too have a heavy duty hitch from torklift and I could tow your boat without problems. The Eagle Cap Camper that I have has a dry bath, generator, 50 gallon water tank, 8 gallon water heater, a large fridge, a dinette slide, microwave, a/c, a stove and oven, a good deal of storage, large black and grey water holding tanks, electric jacks, two tvs, and 12 gallons of propane. They aren't cheap, but they are pretty darn good units, but looking back, as little time that I spend in the camper when towing the boat, I probably should have bought a 9 footer as it would be easier to see around and haul. I live in Alaska and I camp in the winter in on occasions and don't have any problems with this four season camper as long as it is above about zero degrees (F). Below that, you had better dry camp because it is going to freeze the holding tanks dump valves (it happens while driving, not parked) even though the tanks are heated. I don't know if it would work for you, but I love it!

T. Bauer
 
Thanks for the comments and some suggestions we had not thought of.

We do own a 1993 Dodge 3500 19 foot Road Trek Popular, which is my "condo" in California. At one time the CD 25 was going to replace that, but we found that with parking restrictions in Marina Del Ray, this did not work out well (My daughter lives in Culver City, and conviently, my Road Trek fits in her back yard behind the gate) We park the 30 foot RV in front of her home, and there is no problem with the neighbors or police, but if we parked a boat plus a longer RV, there might be problems.

The Road Trek is pretty well loaded to its GVWR by the time the full conversion and fluids, gear is added. Mine has a 5,000lb hitch and the tow package--it is fine for the 22, but I think I would be really taking a chance with the 25. Now, if I could put in an Allison 5 or 6 speed tranny, and the larger V8 (maybe a hemi...) plus some frame modifications, that might work. BUT, I still have the Admiral factor. Marie is a great lady, and she puts up with a lot of our adventures. We started tent camping, back packing all over the Sierra--as many of you did. But as we age, the comforts seem to be very important to her--so the larger RV is our traveling truck. We did consider the truck camper--and I am not sure that is fully out. We also have the Excursion, which we do "camp" in, but it is basically minimal, and not what she wants to do on "vacation". If we didn't have the boats, most likely we would be in a 40 foot diesel. (not my choice, but I understand).

The Sportsmobile again looses, because of the minimal ameinties, the high cost of a new one, and the decreased tow capacity, once it is loaded.

I am amazed that Jim didn't have any "problems" with the Corsaire...I cannot tell Marie that, or she will want the 36 footer which is right next to the 30 (33) foot we are looking at!

I would think that the ferry would be absolutely out if you wanted to launch in upper BC, when the rig is more than 65 feet--and I suspect that the Canadians might look differently at a long rig. Of course the real problem occurs if some DOT officer stops you--and says you don't go a foot further at that lenght!

We have also done the pilot car with the CD 22 and the 30 foot RV--that works great, and makes LA traffic much easier, with Marie behind blocking as I do lane changes. We would probably do this with the CD 25--or that brings up another possibility--tow the Excursion out to Calif--and then pilot car it up the coast. Pretty big Toad! We had hoped to get rid of the Excursion--but we would still have to keep it for the Tom Cat, which comes in at 37 feet on the trailer (and would be 70 feet if towed behind the RV) Agree with the problems with launch ramps--you have to choose them for this size rig!

Thanks again--and keep any thoughts comming.
 
thataway":1hhnfc75 said:
T
I am amazed that Jim didn't have any "problems" with the Corsaire...I cannot tell Marie that, or she will want the 36 footer which is right next to the 30 (33) foot we are looking at!

I would think that the ferry would be absolutely out if you wanted to launch in upper BC, when the rig is more than 65 feet--and I suspect that the Canadians might look differently at a long rig. Of course the real problem occurs if some DOT officer stops you--and says you don't go a foot further at that lenght!
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Hi Dr. Bob,

Let me clarify something: "No problem" isn't how I'd describe the coach and Corsair situation. We talked about what we'd do if stopped by law enforcement; the chase vehicle Joan was driving was a Tahoe that could handle the Corsair (in fact what we used when hauling for a short trip). It's just that the coach was SO much better in towing that long, high-windage boat. If we had gone to towing with the Tahoe and driving the coach separate, we'd still have two long vehicles. This way, we had one that could get into a drive-up to grab lunch; and as you said, to open or block lanes as needed (and it was frequently needed). We were in constant contact with radios (FRS and CB).

Early on, it was an adventure... it quickly became a real chore. We especially disliked not traveling together in the same vehicle. I don't recommend it (towing that length), but the 33' + your 25 (which we know comes out to about 32-33 on the trailer) would be doable.

When we went to the RV show a few days ago, we had our eye out for something less than 30 feet with decent accomodations and a 10.000 lb towing capacity. But, then you still have the problem of "what to do for a daily driver" when you get somewhere. Friends of ours who towed a large powerboat with a coach would just rent a car if they were going to be in one spot for any length of time (and carried mopeds on the coach)... at some point, it becomes more work than fun.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
There are what are called "Toter Homes" these are often used in the NASCAR and the Race Boat world. For example I found one, which is 26 feet long, had a 300 ISB Cummings with 6 speed Allison, on a Freightliner tractor chassis, for about the same price as a high end used Class A motor home. Basically they have a bunk, head, galley, and small lounge area, all have capability of high capacity towing, some with class V hitch, and some with 5th wheel.
 
Da Nag":167ilrlh said:
Warren - an alternative to Sportsmobile, is Salem-Kroger.

While I've no personal experience with them, they are highly regarded in the 4WD van communities. They are a smaller outfit than Sportsmobile, but many prefer that. Sportsmobile for the most part, is a cookie-cutter outfit - quality is excellent, but you can't vary from the floorplans and options they offer. You also can not take them a used van - they'll only do their 4WD modifications on new vehicles they take delivery of.

Salem-Kroger has the reputation of performing virtually any customization you may wish, and will also work with used vans. One reason this might be desirable - engine selection. There are many who prefer the Ford 7.3 diesel to the newer variants, myself included. Finding a nice newer 7.3 diesel van, would not be that difficult - and you would save quite a bit over a new Sportsmobile.

They are also quite a bit closer to you (Red Bluff, CA).
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I am surprised you think that Sportmobile won't customize because their website offers a "Design your own" option. Perhaps I am misreading what they are offering.

As for the Salem-Kroger, I was actually thinking of not getting 4WD. It's much spendier than getting it as a factory option on a truck, and other than launch ramps I don't see myself using 4WD that much. I would keep my Dodge for when I needed to get out in the dirt.

The other option I am considering is getting another popup truck camper IF I can persuade the Admiral to live with a Porta-Potty and no shower. We have a trailer and a boat, both with "real plumbing" so the truck camper would mostly be for enroute sleeping, etc. The argument against that is that we could use the boat or trailer so why do I need a camper. I dunno, why do I need one? :mrgreen:

Jim, what did you find at the RV show that tickled your fancy?

Warren
 
Bob,

I don't know all the details about long loads, but there may be a difference between the length of the vehicle(trailer) and the length of the vehicle and load combined. In California, they allow a load to extend past the rear of the vehicle by a certain amount. I think CA allows a load to extend past the vehicle by 1/3 rd of the wheelbase. A semitrailer's wheelbase is measured from the hitch ball to the center of the axles.

I have seen overlength loads on commercial trucks marked with overlength or oversize signs front and rear.

It might be worth checking with each state on your route for their specific requirements. Perhaps you can operate overlength if you have signs.

About BC: A web site said their length limit is 20 meters which is 65.62 ft.

Another thought: Do you tow with your motors vertical or tilted up? Tilted up is of course longer than vertical.
 
Doryman":1io0ua9w said:
...

Jim, what did you find at the RV show that tickled your fancy?

Warren
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Well, it was an interesting way to spend a few hours. We've discussed another RV for land traveling when we aren't boating... but I guess we aren't ready to be "not boating" for a while. :wink: My fancy remained pretty much untickled.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
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