Worry Box Question

Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

Free Range Human
Sort of related to towing.

I’m thinking of leaving the camper on the truck for the trip to and from Lake Powell. While I have launched the boat with the camper on, I have always backed down all the way on relatively short ramps. At Powell, the ramps are huge, and most people drive down, make a U turn, then back the boat in.

My worry is making the U turn with the camper on. Is there any side hill type risk? The truck is a F350, CCLB. The camper dry is about 3300#.

Whaddaya think?

BTW, I may have asked this some years ago. Apologies if it’s a repeat.
 
I don't know the ramps there, but if a side hill concern is realistic, backing should be relatively strait forward :wink: (ahemmm or just the reverse. :oops:

How long is the ramp from top to water?

I think I would prefer backing to emptying the drawers, shelves and cabinets on to the floor in the turn around.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMGP1107.thumb.jpg
 
While not having been to the ramp at Powell, I do have a CCLB as well and driven many miles off-road with a slide in camper. My inclination is the incline is not a factor... but camper or not the turning radius is. I use up 2-1/2 lanes of a 4 lane road to make a u-turn. 1999 F350, four full doors, 8' bed, 4WD and just over 20' long bumper to bumper.

In the pictures it looks like you have a single axle trailer, so that helps.
 
I have only launched the two ramps at Wahweep and Stateline, but I believe that Bull Frog are similar. We have launched with a 30' and a 42 foot motor home. We drive down forward, and then make a gradual turn and back the last 100 feet. Nothing fell off or got out of place.

The ramps can be as long as 1/4 mile when the water is low. I don't see any problem with the camper, the incline is much less than places I have seen pickup truck campers launch.
 
I can't offer much in the way of advice other than to make the turning/backing choice when you are there and ready to launch.

What really got me into this discussion was this. I know just what you mean! The number of years back for forgetting gets shorter and shorter for me all the time.

Wandering Sagebrush":1dw6r8gw said:
BTW, I may have asked this some years ago. Apologies if it’s a repeat.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks everyone. At current water levels, my guess is the ramp is a good 400 yards long. I guess the best thing is to make a choice when I get there, but it sounds doable.
 
If I remember from about 4 or so years ago, that ramp at Bullfrog is pretty long, but not really all that steep. I don't think you'd have any problem doing a U'ey at the bottom. However, I think last time I was there, I backed all the way down. My biggest issue was getting the boat off the trailer. I was towing with the Highlander at the time, and didn't want to go any farther in the water with it. (The Highlander that is). Quite a sight, watching my wife and finally another gentleman come over to help her push it off, with me in full reverse on the outboard. If it'a an issue this time, with the F150, I'll just back in as far as I'm comfortable, then tie the boat off to the dock, and pull the trailer out from under it. Last time the trailer bunks were submerged, but with a heavy boat loaded and fueled for a week on the water, I just didn't have enough water to get it floated. Loading at the end of the week was no problem. Colby
 
I launched last year with a 4000 + lbs camper on a chev one tone 4 door duelly with no problems. Just slow & easy making the turn at the bottom.
 
Over many years and dealing many different ramps, some very crowded or awkward turns involved brought us to installing front hitches on our tow vehicles. I have no problems backing up but using the front hitch really makes it easy and many times safer.
Naturally you still have to back away from the ramp but keeping a good look on the boat and trailer heading down the ramp with the steering wheels so close to the ball, makes it simple for anybody.
Ed
 
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