Need Camper, have Boats, What to do?

[wallter]

This one goes to the experts . I'll pull a fishing boat in the summer and a duck boat in the fall also hunt deer & pheasants. Love to hunt, fish, and camp. Married, 2 kids and a dog. I've looked at a pickup camper and can't see the family with enough room. Looked at 5th wheels and it just seems like your pulling a train when you add the boat/trailer plus lots of labor setting everything up. A cabin isn't an option. What are you guys doing? I'd prefer not to stay in motels.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Myself, I have the vintage 72 Dodge RV. You can find these all over the place for a couple of grand. However, if you arn't good with a wrench it's prolly not a good idea.

[96trigger]

RV or second vehicle able to pull the boat, then drive up two vehicles. Tough call, if you often go alone, the old RV might be the way to go. Lots of them out there, often with minimal miles, might need work though.

[DonBo]

Pulling a boat with an RV is a good idea, but hard to launch a boat behind the big rig. I have seen people put a hitch on the front so while on the ramp you can see where the boat is going.

[CodyDawg]

I do the triple. No big deal at all. It folllows great and it is no big deal to drop the boat. For reference, I have a 28' 5er and a 18' full windshield boat. I wouldnt hesitate to go that way. The 5er gives you soooo much more room and is actually pretty comparable to the price of a pickup camper. I would be happy to answer any questions, and I would highly recommend this setup. I am really happy with mine. My cousin and a guy at work also do this and all of us like it.

[wallter]

CodyDawg,

The triple is the way I'm leaning. If you could answer a few questions, that would be great.

1. Is the gas mileage that bad?

2. One of the places we go has a fairly tight turn and I'm worried about the turn even after I unhook the boat. How do those 5th's turn?

3. How far do you go & where (lake of course, deer camp?, ducks? pheasants out west?, etc..)?

4. Do you know what the length restriction is with the triple?

5. Are you doing trips from your house or do you keep your 5th at some type of a campground?

6. What unit do you have and does it keep the wife happy?

Thanks much.

[vister]

if able to id consider leaving 5th wheel at your stomping grounds, but wouldn't do much good if you go here, then there often

[Esoxmn]

I also pull the triple, it is not as bad as you would think. MN lenghth limit is 70 ft, middle vehicle can not be longer than 28ft. Wi is 65ft.

[heiman507]

what kind of truck are you driving?

[CodyDawg]

I have a 7.3L Ford Diesel.

The answers:

1. Is the gas mileage that bad? No. With only the 5er, I get 10-11.5. With the boat too, I get 9-10.

2. One of the places we go has a fairly tight turn and I'm worried about the turn even after I unhook the boat. How do those 5th's turn? Fantastic. I have never had a problem. Of course it isnt a sports car, but better than I expected.

3. How far do you go & where (lake of course, deer camp?, ducks? pheasants out west?, etc..)? I HAVE BEEN TO MONTANA 3 TIMES, COLORADO, RED LAKE MN, WINNIE, ALEX, ECHO LAKE, ETC, ETC. I USE IT FOR PHEASANT HUNTING IN MONTANA(3-4 GUYS), DEER HUNTING (3 GUYS)IN ALEX AND FISHING ALL OVER. IT IS OUR DEER CAMP. AT 10 BELOW ZERO, IT GETS A LITTLE CHILLY. ABOVE ZERO, I DONT WORRY A BIT. I WOULD HIGHLY, VERY HIGHLY, RECOMMEND A COUGAR. WE DID A TON OF RESEARCH AN THEY ROSE TO THE TOP AND WE LOVE IT. QUALITY RV IN ELK RIVER IS WHERE I BOUGHT MINE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE COLD WEATHER PACKAGE, MINE DOESNT HAVE IT (IT IS AN '02).

4. Do you know what the length restriction is with the triple? 70 FT TOTAL IN MN, 28 FT ON THE 5ER. BUT HONESTLY, YOU WONT GET STOPPED. I WAS PULLED OVER ONCE BEFORE IT WAS 70 FEET (IT WAS 60 FT) AND I WAS ABOUT 68 FEET LONG. THE SHERRIFF PULLED ME OVER TO SAY MY DOOR WAS OPEN. THANKS FOR THE HEART ATTACK! I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE GETTING PULLED OVER. THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE METRO AREA THAT YOU CAN DRIVE A TRIPLE DURING RUSH HOUR. AGAIN, I DOUBT YOU WOULD HAVE ANY TROUBLE IF YOU ARE CAREFUL.

5. Are you doing trips from your house or do you keep your 5th at some type of a campground? FROM MY HOUSE EXCLUSIVELY. I DO STORE IT IN A SHED OVER THE WINTER, BUT IT IS IN MY DRIVEWAY OVER THE SUMMER.

6. What unit do you have and does it keep the wife happy? COUGAR 276 AND SHE LOVES IT. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU LOOK SERIOUSLY AT A COUGAR. THE CHAIRS IN THE BACK ARE FANTASTIC. WE HAVE MORE STORAGE THAN WE CAN USE (SERIOUSLY).

SHOOT ME YOUR EMAIL ADDY IF YOU WANT AND WE CAN TAKE THIS UP AND NOT BORE OTHER PEOPLE.

[B@ssDoctor]

Other option is to buy a camper already pre-installed onto a lot on one of your favorite lakes. We bought one last year for around 10 K 97 Dutchmen 36 foot with a 24x 10 deck and a decent size lot. We like the idea of only packing a T-Bone steak and undies for the weekend 1 downfall is that your stuck at a certain location. Ours happens to be on the Horshoe Chain which has outstadning fishing and hunting. Rice and Koronis right around the corner. Just a thoguht. We love the thought of just driving up and turning the TV on and firing up the grill.

This type of set-up will cost you around 1000-2000 depending on location. If you add up all of the gas from hauling, jerky at the gas stations, and the time consumed getting all the stuff together, I consider the lot rent cheap.

[wallter]

CodyDawg,

Shoot me an e-mail and I'll send you my remaining questions ([email protected]) Thanks again.