SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Trailers => Topic started by: speedymopars on April 01, 2008, 08:18:42 AM

Title: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: speedymopars on April 01, 2008, 08:18:42 AM
OK, so I know some of you have RV's and a boat(s). How successful are you at launching it? My 31 foot class A weighs in at 15000 lbs by itself, add a boat, water, and a steep ramp, and I am worried that I won't be able to get back out. Now it is a P30 chassis, so the rear drive wheels are not very close to the rear (it also has a tag axle)  which I am thinking and hoping means they won't be wet at all.


Does anyone here launch using an RV, or do you have a buddy launch for you?


Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: OC2Vegas on April 01, 2008, 08:23:39 AM
I have seen it done a few times without problems, but if you get on a steeper ramp you may have a problem.
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: hotrod56cars on April 01, 2008, 08:48:50 AM
I've launched my family boat with my motorhome, out at Senetor's Wash. Ramp is definately steep, paved, maybe ? 150 feet long ? , 27' motorhome is stock 100K mile 454 with turbo 400, no problem!
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: AQUAHOLIC on April 01, 2008, 06:17:20 PM
when we take grandpas toys i launch a 24 foot hallet with a 34 foot diesel pusher. haha. it is not that bad. the only problem i have when doing that is gramps rear camera dont work. that makes it a little more fun
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: Nordie on April 01, 2008, 08:04:41 PM
just call me my diesel will pull it the rest of the way up
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: speedymopars on April 01, 2008, 08:23:33 PM
just call me my diesel will pull it the rest of the way up

Yea, I have a Chevy 454 in it, I'll probably need lots of help.

Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: UNDONE on April 01, 2008, 09:38:28 PM
At Buena Vista last spring break, Skip may have heard about it... Some guy was backing his brand new boat and motorhome down the ramp. His wife in the boat..... She messed up I guess was the story and he jumped out to help. The brand new diesel pusher was still in reverse. We pulled into the campground as the two tow rigs were pulling the RV and trailer out of the water.
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: KonaCole on April 01, 2008, 09:43:51 PM
At Buena Vista last spring break, Skip may have heard about it... Some guy was backing his brand new boat and motorhome down the ramp. His wife in the boat..... She messed up I guess was the story and he jumped out to help. The brand new diesel pusher was still in reverse. We pulled into the campground as the two tow rigs were pulling the RV and trailer out of the water.

I seen somthing similar at BV when I was a kid, but it was a Honda Civic and a Bayliner.
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: hotrod56cars on April 01, 2008, 09:52:34 PM
I seen somthing similar at ... when I was a kid, but it was a ... and a ...

Me too
... Naciamento... green 9 passenger wagon... don't remember the type of boat.
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: crewchief22 on April 01, 2008, 09:57:15 PM
Speedy,

You should not have a problem with launching using the motorhome because of the amount of weight on the rear wheels, just don't trust the parking brake to hold the coach (have someone keep a foot on the brake).  Depending on the year of P30/P32 chassis it might have an autopark hydraulic brake assembly that is applied whenever you put the transmission in park, the problem is that with this system they don't install the parking pawls in the transmission, so if the brake doesn't hold the transmission will not help.  

Hope this helps

crewchief
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: UNDONE on April 02, 2008, 07:32:26 AM
The only way you're gonna have a problem is if you don't play it smart. The guy at Buena Vista was not thinking too clearly.
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: speedymopars on April 02, 2008, 08:33:19 AM
Speedy,

You should not have a problem with launching using the motorhome because of the amount of weight on the rear wheels, just don't trust the parking brake to hold the coach (have someone keep a foot on the brake).  Depending on the year of P30/P32 chassis it might have an autopark hydraulic brake assembly that is applied whenever you put the transmission in park, the problem is that with this system they don't install the parking pawls in the transmission, so if the brake doesn't hold the transmission will not help.  

Hope this helps

crewchief

Yes it does - Thanks!

Luckily it doesn't have the autopark system (it has a park that holds it) but the single cable going to a disk on the driveshaft for the parking brake I don't feel comfortable with. The brakes are pretty good though, 4 drums and 2 disks stop it surprisingly well.


It's gonna be a long rig, 61 feet.


Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: jet boat performance on April 02, 2008, 08:43:38 AM
Most Big motor  homes I've seen use a extra front mounted hitch and put the boat in forward (trans pressures are compounded in reverse too for pull out ) ,not a fun job to begin with certainly a very long back up on a narrow ramp ,I dont travel far as a rule but I always used to take a second vehicle to Nac or San antonio when I had mine . One of the happiest day of my life was when I went back to a Cab over Camper and watch my Motor home go down the drive way. I realized it was nearly as comfy as home but most of the time I wasn't really useing it enough to justify it anyhow Tom
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: crewchief22 on April 02, 2008, 02:39:21 PM
Speedy,

Double check the tag axle brakes, I see too many that owners don't realize there is a second master cylinder/reservoir and the tag brake system is empty and doing nothing.
Title: Re: launching behind a Class A RV
Post by: speedymopars on April 02, 2008, 08:21:56 PM
Speedy,

Double check the tag axle brakes, I see too many that owners don't realize there is a second master cylinder/reservoir and the tag brake system is empty and doing nothing.


I'll check it. Thanks....
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