Launching Mac with RV

[Do+fus1]

My wife and I are considering buying a class C RV and wondering if there might be issues launching our Mac SX. We currently have a Dodge Ram 2500 and launch without problems.

[Tony E]

I have seen people do this before and what some of them did was put a ball on the front bumper just to drive the boat in and it looked very easy as sometimes its hard to see directly behind your RV. Also driving it in seems a lot easier than backing it in but either way it is very do able:) Good luck!

[Spector]

Some jurisdictions have a maximum overall length. In my area its 66 (20 meters)'. This may become an issue depending on the RV chosen

[1st Sail]

A Winnebago / waterbago has in on our bucket list for some time. We have been thinking of doing our own version of a Great Loop. Circumnavigating USA Lakes, Rivers, and great reservoirs pulling our M would be a great way to travel. In my research I have found there are some definite issues to consider.
There are no ' standards of quality and service' similar to what we are accustomed to in the marine industry. Reading articles written by former boaters who bought land yachts has been a true eye opener. They often comment about the poor manufacturing quality, service and total lack of standards. Needless to say if a marine product manufacturer's quality and service was parallel to the RV industry there would be total anarchy among the native mariners. I have found a few mfg's whose quality and commitment to service equivalent to the marine industry. They support open forums on their mfg. site and invite all owners to participate.

Overall combined length varies by state ranging from 60-66ft.
Ford 450 chassis appears to be the minimum for towing a Mac considering tongue and trailer weight. I have not found any Ford 350 chassis RV's with adequate capacity for cargo, fluids, and GCVW to pull the Mac. Most F350 chassis RV's are shorter which would meet the length limitations but capacities are very limited.
Ford 450 chassis RV range from 29ft +.
The RV industry is for the most part unregulated with regard to vehicle weight, GVW, GCVW, individual axle weights. Adding a 350-400lb hitch weight can significantly unload the front axle affecting steering. Most RV mfg. do not publish axle specifications or loading requirements. Beware RV forums are replete with articles regarding overweight chassis and axles. Most C class RV's advertise a 5,000lb rated hitch. However, you will need to research each individual RV with respect to RV load capacity and GCVW when pulling a trailer. Depending on rear axle to hitch distance hitch load (tongue weight) can have a significant and possibly dangerous effect on overall axle load rating. Front axle unloading is problematic on some Ford 450 chassis due to weight distribution of the RV at manufacture.
Ford is the major player in the RV industry. They appear to build a very dependable drive train as negative forum post are rare.
Many of the dominate mfg. are in Indiana so we plan to visit several factories this year.
You can eliminate all the above my considering a Super C vs a C class RV. Super C are outright robust. Again the shortest Super C I have found is just under 32ft by Nexus. So the total length issue comes in to play. The loads and towing capacity of a Super C are more than adequate for cargo and boat to travel very comfortably.
As we all age and attempt to escape this may be a very interesting post.

[Gazmn]

Ok, I'll bite,
Did you consider, just using your Mac as your camper on land - as well as water? Or, the camper that sets in pickup - if you'd still have enough tow capacity?

[Sea Wind]

How about something like a Chevy Express with a pop-top? If you are going to sleep half the time on the Mac and using a lot of ramps, then maybe something smaller is more practical.

Did you consider, just using your Mac as your camper on land

and the tow beast as storage, closet, doghouse... I mean man cave.

[Do+fus1]

We have a camper but are looking for something with a little more room. There are places we would like to go but towing the Mac wouldn't be practical. Also, when my wife has to do her business, she would just like to walk back and do it without stopping. For me I have to stop no matter what.

[grady]

Why buy a Mac and an RV just get one of these.

http://www.camillc.com/terrawind.htm

[Dragos Filimon]

I do not see the sail on that one.

[RobertB]

If you get to the east coast, can I watch?

[Do+fus1]

Grady...That's fine but too cheap for my blood.

[BOAT]

We ONLY tow 'boat' with an RV. I also use the worst launch ramp parking lot in all of the united states. Do a google aerial view of the Oceanside California Harbor Launch ramp and take a look at those parking spaces!!

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.2058643 ... !1e3?hl=en

Anyways, that's how I do it every time! With an RV:



We have been all the way accross the country many many times - New York, The Keys, Times Square, Mount Rushmore, You name it. And the bathroom in the back is VERY BIG with a full 5 foot couch and full stand up shower and large sink and all private sliding door - it's very nice to travel in. We can travel non-stop for 12 hours (our range is 600 miles per tank) because we can go potty without stopping and also make meals and eat or just about anything else you need to do.

[1st Sail]

Boat,
May I ask about your RV.
Length?
Class A or C?
Gas or Diesel?
Front engine or pusher?
launch with hitch on rear or front?
Recommendations of mfg.
Currently looking at Phoenix Cruiser, Lazy Days
Thanks,
Dave

[BOAT]

Boat,
May I ask about your RV.
Length?
Class A or C?
Gas or Diesel?
Front engine or pusher?
launch with hitch on rear or front?
Recommendations of mfg.
Currently looking at Phoenix Cruiser, Lazy Days
Thanks,
Dave

22 FEET CLASS B DIESEL OR BIODIESEL FRONT ENGINE REAL WHEEL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL THREE QUARTER TON And I do not have a hitch on the front.

The manufacture is Mercedes and the truck is a tank. We hit a deer in Texas at 65 and cut the deer in half right down the middle. The van is built like a Panzer tank.

[Tomfoolery]

Boat,
May I ask about your RV.
Length?
Class A or C?
Gas or Diesel?
Front engine or pusher?
launch with hitch on rear or front?
Recommendations of mfg.
Currently looking at Phoenix Cruiser, Lazy Days
Thanks,
Dave

22 FEET CLASS B DIESEL OR BIODIESEL FRONT ENGINE REAL WHEEL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL THREE QUARTER TON And I do not have a hitch on the front.

The manufacture is Mercedes and the truck is a tank. We hit a deer in Texas at 65 and cut the deer in half right down the middle. The van is built like a Panzer tank.

That's the one the admiral wants. Either Airstream, or the Winnebago unit, both built on that MB Sprinter chassis. Dual-wheels on the drive axle, and with a short enough overhang that I could tow the 26X without a load-distributing hitch (I think - 5000 lb tow capacity, which is high enough on paper).

As to backing a trailer with an RV, there are a few advantages. The mirrors are wide enough to be outside the 8 ft width of the Class A or C body, and therefore outside the 8 ft beam of the boat. It's an odd perspective when the mirrors on a much narrower SUV are always 'looking outward' when backing, as which ever side you're looking at, it always looks like correction is needed, even when backing in a straight line.

You can't see the boat on the passenger side other than with the mirrors (use a convex on that side), so you have to back it like it's a tractor-trailer with a sleeper. Eyeball the area, and where you want the trailer wheels to go, and back it so the wheels follow that path. Folks who try to back the boat by looking at the boat are going to chase it all over the place. Folks who back the boat by tracing an arc with the wheels (in their mind's eye, then for real with the wheels on the pavement) will put it into the ramp on one shot. And straight actually looks straight when the mirrors are wide enough to clear an 8 ft body and the 8 ft boat. If you eyeball the wheel path you want in advance, noting where obstructions on the blind side are, and assuming you leave room to clear those obstructions, you don't have to worry about those obstructions (other than people walking behind the trailer and such), as long as you keep the trailer wheels on that imaginary path, and don't swing the RV's nose into something (also part of eyeballing your intended path before climbing behind the wheel).

Disclosure: I used to drive tractor-trailers (tankers, heavy-hauler low-boy detachables , and a brief stint with garbage compactor trailers ) for about 10 years, and they are far easier to back than the typical boat trailer, even when the view is blocked by a sleeper.